Cider, the alcoholic beverage made from fermented apple juice, has long been overlooked in the land of beer, but the drink is now taking Belgium by storm: an entire festival is being dedicated to it in Brussels.
As a growing number of bars and restaurants – from snack bars to those offering five-course meals – are putting cider on their menus, the apple beverage is increasingly shaking off its old-fashioned image and transforming into a trendy must-try on a nice summer day.
"People used to only drink cider in the winter, but now that more people are getting to know it they are also drinking it at different occasions, such as on a summer terrace or during apero," Gary Schwarts, one of the organisers of the POM POM POM craft cider festival, told The Brussels Times.
The festival, which takes place in the Vaux Hall in Brussels Park, is looking to spread the love even further to the general public with 21 national and international cider makers, live music and a giant barbecue prepared with local products.
Different flavours, different occasions
"Cider can be produced very locally, even more so than beer," Schwarts said. "To brew beer, ingredients like grain (often imported from Ukraine) are needed. But Belgium is a very big apple country: we produce 19% of all apples in Europe – a huge number for such a small country."
One good apple tree can yield around 200 kg of apples per year, making it very easy for cider makers to work with local products. "At the festival, 21 producers will let visitors taste their ciders. Of them, 14 are Belgian, four are French, one is German, one Swiss and one Dutch."
Credit: POM POM POM craft cider festival
"Depending on the apple variety, there are so many different ciders that the flavours are never the same. It is a bit like wine: you have to taste it. And you can drink it on very different occasions," he said, explaining that many people know cider from the Somersby cans, but the artisanal ones are not necessarily sweet, but can also be bitter, fruity or sour.
Related News
- Popular gastronomy guide Fooding launches in Belgium
- Don't like beer? Here are some Belgian alternatives
The organisers are expecting some 1,600 interested people to attend the festival this year, but highlighted that a large part of it will also depend on the weather. "If it is raining, people might stay at home more easily. But if the weather is good, they might want to come try some fresh cider in the park."
"We have also been making cider for a few years ourselves. This year, we made about 1,500 litres, and even though we are organising the festival, we are not allowed to sell our own cider yet because of a number of food regulations," said Schwarts. "So, we will have a lot to drink."
POM POM POM craft cider festival takes place this weekend, 26-27 August, at Vaux Hall in Brussels Park. Entrance is free, cider is €3 per glass.
