The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) is proud to announce the National Champion Cider and Perry following an exhaustive contest at the Reading Beer and Cider Festival over the first May bank holiday weekend.

Judges sampled more than 140 ciders and perries over two days before arriving at the final winners.

The National Champions 2008 are:

Cider: Green Valley Farmhouse Vintage Cyder, produced in Exeter by Green Valley Cyder

Perry: Gregg's Pit Perry, produced by Gregg's Pit Cider and Perry in Herefordshire

The judging panel described the winning Green Valley Farmhouse Vintage Cyder as having “a lovely ‘proper cider' aroma, like an Autumn morning. It was easy drinking with a pleasant lingering aftertaste.”

Chris Coles, of Green Valley Cyder said, “We are over the moon about this award. We didn't expect to be on the rostrum again. It's a great accolade for the orchard in Woodbury Salterton, where the apples came from, because it was this same orchard which won us bronze last year. We must be doing something right!”

Gregg's Pit Perry, produced by Herefordshire based Gregg's Pit Cider and Perry, won the national Gold Award for best perry.

The judges described the winning perry as “A balance of citrus aroma with a winey aftertaste. Fabulous.”

James Marsden, of Gregg's Pit Cider & Perry said, “We are delighted to have won this accolade from CAMRA whose members have been great supporter of our products over the last 14 years. It's a tribute to the quality of the fruit we use, the care we devote to our perry making and to the wonderful lady who taught us much of what we know now - Jean Nowell, the former owner of Lyne Down.”

FULL RESULTS:

CIDER

Gold Cider Winner - Green Valley Farmhouse Vintage Cyder (Devon)

Silver Cider Winner - West Croft Janet's Jungle Juice (Somerset)

Bronze Cider Winner - Blaengawney Cider (Gwent)

PERRY

Gold Perry Winner - Gregg's Pit Perry (Herefordshire)

Silver Perry Winner - Ross-on-Wye Cider and Perry (Herefordshire)

Bronze Perry Winner - Hartland's Perry (Gloucestershire)