Seems we have a fair few Cider connoisseurs on the forum. Can anyone recommend any good ciders to try that are available in supermarkets in the north?
Generally Waitrose and Booths will have good ranges. Morrisons has some very pleasant stuff, Sainsburys is ok and Tesco surprisingly poor.
Look for cider from the Three Counties (Herefordshire, Gloucestershire, Worcestershire) or the West Country (Somerset, Devon, Cornwall). Usually you'll find it in 500ml bottles but sometimes a 2L or 3L bag-in-a-box.
Avoid anything fizzy or with added (non-apple) fruit, or anything in a can or plastic bottle. If it's not from those two cider-producing areas be very wary, though there are those who like Aspalls (from Suffolk) or Kentish ciders which tend to have a sharp, pure taste. Anything claiming to be cider from London, Sweden or New Zealand will be bilge.
Westons is consistently good - some of the supermarket own-brand premium ranges are Westons. Supermarkets sometimes stock bottles from the medium-sized cider-makers such as Sheppy's, Gwynt y Ddraig or Orchard Pig, all excellent. The Aston Manor brands (e.g. Friels, Kingstone Press) aren't as good as they should be. Thatchers do a few good ciders but have been drifting towards the (better end of the) mass market with Gold and Haze. Oh, and the Co-op's own Tillington Hills is unexpectedly good!