A COUNTY farm with a sideline in cider-making is over the moon - after winning a prestigious national award for its tipple.

Barkers Cider, of Greenstreet Farm, Shoulton Road, Hallow, has been awarded a bronze medal for best cider in the country by the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) for its Barker's Best Cider (BBC).

"I'm very pleased - I'm just frightened my small production is going to now be overwhelmed," said manager John Barker, aged 62, who only supplies his award-winning brew to the Fox, at Monkwood.

The news follows the launch of a campaign by CAMRA to encourage drinkers to try non-carbonated and non-keg "real" cider, as opposed to better-known brands such as Strongbow.

Mr Barker, who has been cider-making since 1996 and produces about 300 gallons a year, supported the campaign.

"It's a good idea because the industrial cider produced by the big firms really has got no comparison to the proper cider," he said.

"It's very similar to normal butter being compared with farmhouse butter."

Several Worcester pubs are among those backing the campaign and flying the flag for "real" cider.

Real ale pub The Dragon, on The Tything, has a new "real" cider about once a week and currently has a cider from Gloucester-based Prinknash Abbey on tap.

"More pubs should make an effort to stock real ciders but it doesn't really suit all pubs' clients," said barman Phil Roberts.

"Most places seem to be happy having lager and Strongbow. It's not cost effective to stock real cider as the ingredients are more expensive."

The Apple Tree and the Pig and Drum, both on Lowesmoor in Worcester, and the Monkey House, in Defford, are among those pubs selling "real" ciders.

Other "real" cider pubs include The Bell at Pensax, The Dodford at Bromsgrove and the Prince of Wales and Brewery Inn in Ledbury, Herefordshire.

Weight behind

And cider-makers Westons, of Much Marcle, has put its weight behind the campaign.

"I'm delighted CAMRA is supporting the development of this type of product because it's a product we've been making for nearly 125 years," said Roger Jackson, director of sales and marketing at Westons Cider.

"Carbonated cider is all very well and liked by the consumer, but traditional cider is where we started our business in 1880."