Having spent most of my life in Australia before moving to Italy I have no real understanding of what real ale is but I must say I like a drop of cider, always a dry cider, not that sweet stuff. I started drinking imported British cider when I was about 20 at a cider bar at Crows Nest (North Sydney): it was called the Stoned Crow laugh
The place still exists but no longer serves cider. I suppose it is a bit unreasonable to think it would still be the same 55 years later frown
Whenever we are in a pub in the UK we try to ask for a local cider (the other half doesn't drink beer) so I am disappointed to hear that true British cider is in trouble. Unfortunately major conglomerates tend to buy up any reasonably successful brand and then change production to make more money.
We have seen this in Italy with small breweries. One in particular outrageous example is Birra Messina which was acquired by the Heineken Group (who also own Italian brands Moretti and Dreher). Despite still publicising the beer as Messina beer they have closed the Messina plant, dismissing all the employees, and move production to another plant.
When we are in France, particularly in Brittany or Normandy, we always try the local ciders. Unfortunately, despite huge apple growing areas in northern Italy, there is no tradition of cider making in Italy. What is available is from small producers and very expensive and very little is imported.

Peter

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