Cider is fermented apple juice (the pear equivalent is called perry). It ranges from dry to sweet and can be still or sparkling. Its alcohol content is similar to beer, in the range of 3% to 9%. Unlike beer, it is often served on ice. Certain regions of the world are true cider territory – the United Kingdom, Ireland and northwest France (Brittany and Normandy) are well known, and their ciders are found fairly easily in Belgium. Spain (Asturias) and Germany are also traditional homes to cider.

French cider is the easiest to come by here; you’ll find at least one variety at your local supermarket in 75 cl bottles, both the sweet and drier flavours. At the cheaper end are the generic ciders. I sampled the Carrefour brand – the sweet was not too sweet but not too flavourful, either; the dry (brut) had hardly any flavour at all. If your market offers a brand-name cider, go for that.

To explore cider territory across the Channel, head to your nearest English or Irish pub. Here you’ll find Strongbow and Bulmers (drier English varieties) or Magners (sweeter Irish cider). These can all be served on ice; they are consumed widely in their home countries, and they make an excellent alternative to beer.

Here in Belgium, you have a special cider opportunity: two years ago, Carlsberg brewery of Denmark launched a new cider called Somersby. After introducing it on the Danish, Norwegian and Swedish markets, Carlsberg expanded to Belgium (and only Belgium!). This year has featured a small-scale launch, targeting the Belgian coast last summer, as well as a number of cafés throughout the country. Somersby is sweet, too sweet for those who like a dry cider. It’s more of an alternative to soda than to beer, but to be a cider aficionado, it’s a must try.

Somersby is not in the supermarkets yet, but you can find it in Brussels and across Flanders at these drinking dens:

Brussels: The Wild Geese, FatBoys, Danish Tavern
Antwerp: Brasserie Appelmans, La suite, Velvet Lounge
Leuven: Louvain Louvain, Thomas Stapleton
Sint-Truiden: Cohibar
Ghent: Waterfront