Last weekend was World Cider Day. Yes, it’s a real day! It was once quoted that cider was literally happiness in a bottle. Refreshing and delicious—what’s not to love?! In recent times, it has witnessed a mass surge in popularity with a cult-style following (not that we’re complaining). No longer only a summer drink, cider can be enjoyed whether the sun is shining or you have your winter woollies on. And so, if you’re like us and have a quiet obsession with this fermented drink, we’ve rounded up the best tipples from Bunbury Geographe. Great cider comes from great natural ingredients. As the producer of Western Australia’s best apples, it only makes sense that our ciders are amazing too.Go forth and sip your way to happiness. 1. Custard & Co Original Apple Cider 4.5% ABV, Donnybrook This boutique establishment has rapidly taken Australia (and afar) by storm, ranked in the top three cider producers in the country, savoured by Heston Blumenthal, and labelled the “rockstar” of the industry by national reviewer James Adams from All About Cider. Owner, Ian Rayner is determined to continually produce a quality, hand-made, organic and chemical free product. At Custard & Co each apple is hand picked! Their cider is made with minimal preservatives using spontaneous wild yeast from the apples at each pressing and open fermentation, with the good stuff bubbling away for somewhere between 4-12 weeks (encouraged by the Custard crew hugging the tanks for extra love). Custard & Co’s Original Cider is 100% filtered which makes for one light, sparkling drop with huge stone fruit flavours created by wild yeast strain. Perfect over ice, with a slice of lemon to bring out the apples natural acidity. We also recommend their lip puckering Vintage Dry Apple Cider and their Scrumpy Apple unfiltered and uncarbonated cider. In Bunbury, you’ll find Custard & Co at Lost Bills, Market Eating House, Mojo’s, Casellas, The Rose Hotel and Frankel Street Liquor Store. 2. Harris River Estate Rivercide Apple Cider, Collie Seventeen years ago, Karl Hillier chose Harris River, near Collie as the perfect backdrop to establish his winery. Today, with wife Julie, this amazing property includes a 24-hectare vineyard and winery, cider-making operation, micro-brewery, agistment centre, restaurant and self-contained chalets. You can enjoy your beverages with a tapas meal, either while relaxing on the balcony overlooking the surrounding forest and vineyard, or on the lush lawn of the spacious beer garden that offers panoramic views of the valley, and the enormous rustic cellar doors. Relatively unknown far afield, the secret is quickly getting out with international magazine Tiger Tales latest edition singing their praises. Refreshing and full of flavour, their Harris River Estate Rivercide Apple Cider is packed full of delicious locally grown fruit. The palate is crisp and slightly sweet. Visit Harris River Estate to try a bottle today. 3. Mash Brewing Bad Adams Cider 3.5% ABV, Bunbury & Swan Valley One of Western Australia’s best brewers with multiple brew awards under their belt, Mash Brewing also creates a scrumptious cider. Head Brewer Charlie has the epic ability to write perfect recipes and his team deliver the same high-quality product brew after brew. Though technically made at Mash Brewing’s Swan Valley facility, there is nothing better than enjoying a drop in their Bunbury Brewery overlooking Koombana Bay on the beautiful Marlston Point waterfront. You can immerse yourself in the laid-back atmosphere and tuck into modern Australian fare. The seafood platter for two is effectively a roll call of aquatic delights and of course, a Mash cider matches perfectly. Be a little bad with a Bad Adams Sparkling Apple Cider. This beauty is crafted from local Southwest apples; clean, crisp and clear with a medium to dry finish.Fermented nice and dry with juice added back to tank just before carbonation to round out and lift the mouthfeel just a touch. At a reduced level alcohol, this cider is both a responsible and delicious choice. 4. Moody Cow Brewery Apple, Pear & Giner Cider 4.2% ABV, Ferguson Valley Moody Cow operates under the loving care of Grant and Karen McClintock, who have won a few prestigious awards including a Silver Medal at the 2011 Perth Royal Beer Show for their Gruntas Original Ale. All their beers and ciders are handcrafted on the premises using the finest of ingredients; they use only malt, hops, yeast and Ferguson Valley water to create mouth-watering brews. Grant doesn’t filter any of his beers and believes in giving them time to develop before putting them on tap for consumption. Once you taste them, I’m sure you’ll approve of the method. Moody Cow’s Apple, Pear & Ginger Cider is a dry to medium, unfiltered cider. The hint of ginger adds to the flavour and creates a well-rounded product. Can’t make it to the Ferguson Valley? Moody Cow Cider is also available at Clancy’s Fish Pub in Dunsborough. 5. Old Coast Road Brewery Scrumpy Cider 8% ABV, Myalup Next time you are driving along Forest Highway, we recommend you plan a stop at Old Coast Road Brewery. Those who love a beverage will have choice galore with 20 taps of beer and cider all made on site, plus exceptional whisky and gin. On entering you will drive up through a picturesque tree olive grove, with the brewery and function centre located on the top of a hill overlooking a lush recreation lawn and 60 acres. Their traditionally produced Scrumpy Cider comes from the very best Donnybrook apples, grown, crushed and hand-pressed onsite by Chief Brewer Steve Ryan. Served from English hand pumps (beer engines), their Scrumpy has a slightly tart, dry palate and is low on carbonation. At more than 8% alcohol we recommend you find a designated driver before indulging! If not, don’t fear, they have another three cider options with lower alcohol levels for you to savour. 6. Wild Bull Brewery Pear Cider 3.5% ABV, Ferguson Valley With some of the best views in the Ferguson Valley, Wild Bull Brewery sits proudly on top of Pile Road offering premium locally made beer, food, wine, art and music. Jennie and Danny Drummond with daughter Christie welcome you to try their range of speciality brewed products. Their Pear Cider is expertly handcrafted, exploding with the sweet taste of pear, low on the fizz and perfect on a hot day. Currently out of stock. But trust us, it will be worth the month or so wait. Team it with their woodfired pizzas, beef cheeks, smokey ribs or amazing Dardanup beef burgers for a fabulous day out. Please remember to drink responsibly. Images: Cider & Co, Mark Stafford, Dalyellup