Basque cider houses

[SeattleJen]

My best friend just sent this to me with the directive "you must check this out." Anyone have experience and/or fun stories to share from checking out the Basque cider houses?

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/16/...on=top-stories-below&WT.nav=top-stories-below

 

[Kurt5280]

Never saw anything like that...but if it was hard cider it would search it out on my next Camino.

 

[Devon Mike]

Sidra is very much a local product in Asturias and also Galicia. I have tried it in the Basque country too. Altogether it is a wonderful local experience.

 

[SeattleJen]

Sidra is very much a local product in Asturias and also Galicia. I have tried it in the Basque country too. Altogether it is a wonderful local experience.

Super! Thank you! I am going to try to find some of these cider houses.

 

[oursonpolaire]

The best, of course, is the cider sold at the side of the Camino at an honour stall.

 

[Devon Mike]

Enjoying sidra in Berducedo on the Primitivo last September.

 

[Bradypus]

Long time ago - more than 15 years ago - my wife and I had a great evening at one of the huge cider houses in the hills above Donostia. Long tables set in rows. Very simple menu - choice of fish or meat for the main course. Walnuts, cheese and membrillo as postre. And all the cider you wanted served in theatrical style from vast barrels. In Asturias cider is poured vertically at arm's length. Here it was poured horizontally! Basically everyone who wanted a top-up lined up in a row. A waiter turned a tap at the bottom of a vast cask and cider shot several feet across the room to be caught in a glass. A nod from the first customer to the second to step into his place. And so on down the line. Then the waiter turned the tap off. The next top-up taken from a different barrel to compare the taste. Huge fun!

 

[SeattleJen]

The best, of course, is the cider sold at the side of the Camino at an honour stall. View attachment 40300

That is magical!

 

[SeattleJen]

Long time ago - more than 15 years ago - my wife and I had a great evening at one of the huge cider houses in the hills above Donostia. Long tables set in rows. Very simple menu - choice of fish or meat for the main course. Walnuts, cheese and membrillo as postre. And all the cider you wanted served in theatrical style from vast barrels. In Asturias cider is poured vertically at arm's length. Here it was poured horizontally! Basically everyone who wanted a top-up lined up in a row. A waiter turned a tap at the bottom of a vast cask and cider shot several feet across the room to be caught in a glass. A nod from the first customer to the second to step into his place. And so on down the line. Then the waiter turned the tap off. The next top-up taken from a different barrel to compare the taste. Huge fun!

I must find this magical place as well. Thank you, everyone! Wish me luck finding these pockets of cider magic (I'm allergic to red wine, so I'm relieved/excited to learn of the cider tradition -- a small vice for me to enjoy!).