El Cerezo
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El Cerezo is a lovely Bar-Tienda, located on the AS-115 road from La Robellada to Meré. That is about 15 minutes drive from Arenas de Cabrales, where the eponymous cheese is from. Personally, I think every visitor to the cheese makers of the region should stop in and see Joaquín and have a bottle of cider. The cider is available in single bottles, two packs with a souvenir glass, and full cases of six bottles.
This is the sort of place that every village in Asturias used to have. It is a sort of general store / snack bar / cider bar combination. The sort of place that is close to the American general store or the Irish country pub. I have a real love for these kind of places. I grew up near a similar store called “Plan B”. Plan A was always to go to the big town 30 minutes away. However, if the weather made that impossible, you went to Plan B instead.
Joaquín, the owner of El Cerezo, used to have a a kitchen with a pretty full menu. However as of the end of summer 2021, he has decided to close the kitchen. He will instead concentrate on embutidos and cheese platters. I certainly cannot blame him, as it is obvious from the first minute you arrive that this is a labor of love. This is not a big operation with lots of employees. This is all Joaquín, with help from his family and neighbors.
There was once a blog for the bar. Unfortunately it has not been updated in years. I hope that Joaquín can be convinced to post some more articles. There is not enough written about what it is like working in the old ways. I am personally interested in stories about running a do-it-all-yourself business. I have a hunch that I am not the only one.
History
In the 1950’s the current owners father opened a bar-tienda in the town of El Cerezo. After several years of good business, he bought the premises, in 1953. Having done so, he began making cider to supply his own customers, using apples from his neighbors. Now in the capable hands of the second generation, the trademark for the cider is registered, having become official about a decade ago.
Ciders
The following ciders from El Cerezo have been reviewed here:
Tours
Tours are done on an ad hoc basis, and it is best to telephone in advance to make arrangements to see the llagar.
Gallery
- Views of Sidra El Cerezo
Exterior
Interior
Madreñas
Cheese counter
