Cider isn't just for tramps! (Gaymer Olde English Cider)

Member Name: JonnyM79

Product:	Gaymer Olde English Cider
Date:	09/03/02 (145 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Pleasant appley taste, Affordable

Disadvantages: Loss of street-cred, Flashbacks to underage drinking

What a difficult thing cider is to write an opinion about. For a start the majority of the population associate it with being 14 and getting drunk in the park on White Lightning, Diamond White or some other favourite of your local tramp. If that didn't put you off then there's the constant "cider is for poofs" pisstaking of your mates; it's only about 1 level up from ordering a bottle of Hooch in the hardman drinker stakes. Those of us from Somerset have always had something of a fonder view of the locally produced tipple, but often have to return to our county of origin to find like-minded souls.

Olde English is drodued by the same people who produce Red C, Blackthorn, K and Diamond White (yes I know that last one doesn't sound promising), and market this as their most traditional brand. It's produced at their plant at Shepton Mallet, so is authentic Somerset produce. I've never seen it on tap at a pub yet, so if you want to try it a trip to the supermarket will probably be necessary. The taste is very pleasant and rustic; there's certainly a strong taste of apples (yes it sounds obvious, but some of the piss around like Woodpecker you'd struggle to tell what it was made out of), and there's a slight woody tang, almost as if it was barrel stored (I have no idea if it actually is). It's probably best to get a can and pour it into a glass to drink (I don't like the metallic taste straight out of the can): the 2-litre plastic bottle is a bit much to drink at once (unless you're on a bit of a mission) and like all fizzy ciders it's not pleasant when flat. All in all a very pleasant change to my other favourites such as Scrumpy Jack, and as a bonus it's on just about permanent special offer in the supermarket, making it very affordable.

Summary: