Apples aren't just for pie, you know

I’ve always liked cider. Coming from Bath, England, home of Scrumpy, perhaps the appreciation is in my blood. But up until recently it has been difficult to find anything similar to dry, rough Somerset cider here on the West Coast. Enter: Merridale Cider. I was first introduced to Merridale at The Railway Club, as an alternative to the ultra sweet cooler style ciders you generally find on offer. What a revelation. It’s lovingly made from apples grown in their own orchard at the Merridale Cidery just south of Nanaimo on Vancouver Island. While it’s not stocked in government BC Liquor stores (that I’ve seen) you can buy it at independent liquor stores around Vancouver. Check out their website and keep an eye out for it.