Trent Bridge with Nottingham CAMRA are delighted to once again be hosting the East Midlands Cider and Perry Competition at the Nottingham Robin Hood Beer and Cider Festival at Trent Bridge Cricket Ground.

The competition is open to all makers of real cider and perry within Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Lincolnshire, Leicestershire and Northamptonshire, and it covers four categories - draught and bottled cider, draught and bottled perry, the latter being made by the same process as cider, but using pears rather than apples.

The judging is done as a blind taste test, with the panel of judges - including publicans and bar staff, CAMRA cider volunteers, and cider makers from outside of the region - scoring each drink.

At least 16 different makers are expected to be represented, while all the draught ciders and perries in the competition will also be on sale at the Cider Bar of the Festival, which will have around 100 different ciders and perries, of which a quarter are locally made. The others come from across the UK - from Scotland to Cornwall and from Norfolk to Wales.

Ciders will cover a wide range of tastes and styles, reflecting the styles of the different makers, the varieties of apples and pears used, and the different growing conditions.

They'll range from delicate subtle flavours to strongly tannic woody flavours, or those which have picked up flavours from the oak or spirit casks they have matured in. The strengths of these traditional drinks varies from a gentle 3.9% to a robust 8.4%

A few sparkling ciders, served slightly chilled, will also be on offer, whilst "fruit ciders" won't be on the menu, due to CAMRA's desire to showcase the skills of the cider makers and the variety of flavours they can produce, without other added fruits drowning out those flavours.

With so many ciders to choose from, CAMRA are confident there is something for every taste, and the knowledgeable and helpful volunteers working on the cider bar are keen to help customers find the ones they like.

Nottingham CAMRA Cider Rep, Heather Stretton said: "It's exciting to be planning the Cider Bar and the competition, and all the Cider Bar staff are looking forward to this year's Festival."

Secure your spot at the Robin Hood Beer and Cider Festival.