Core blimey: A bar in Alton town centre has reaffirmed its ap-peel to cider drinkers by retaining a county title.

Glasses have raised at Cassidy’s as the lively bar on the High Street has been named CAMRA Hampshire Cider Pub of the Year for the second year running.

The bar run by Luc and Becca Cassidy won the prestigious title last year on account of their well-kept stock of real cider and perries, made purely from the whole juice of freshly pressed apples or pears without added sugars.

But you’d be hard-pressed to find a challenger to their title 12 months later as they’ve increased their constantly changing selection from a dozen to around 15 or more.

Their dedication was recognised on Saturday, August 29, when the couple were presented with the county certificate by CAMRA South Central Regional Organiser, Norman Clinnick.

And there was time for a round – of applause – from local, regional and county CAMRA officers who gathered at the town centre watering hole for the presentation.

A spokesperson said: “This is a well-deserved award for a pub which, as well as ciders, keeps an ever-changing stock of quality real ales, craft beers, wines and cocktails.

“Since opening in early 2023 it’s also become a regular entry in CAMRA’s national Good Beer Guide.”

Cassidy’s isn’t the only hostelry that’s celebrating locally as a country pub near Alresford can claim to have one of the best beer gardens in the UK.

The Tichborne Arms has the fifth best beer garden in the country according to the results of a survey carried out by Crown Pavilions.

The pub scored an impressive 93.4 out of 100 – the highest of any South East entry in the top ten – in a national ranking with the Google, Tripadvisor and “public reputation’ ratings being compressed into an average.