Cider season starts in January and typically ends around May. Most cider houses are around San Sebastian, in the Hernani-Astigarraga area mainly, so you´d need a car to get there (a good one hour drive). There are some around Bilbao too, but never in the cities, in farm houses in small towns. Bilbao locals normally rent a bus for 20 or 30 people (friends, family, acquaintances) and it´s really fun, we like to stop in Zarautz first for a few glasses of wine and pintxos, and then we continue towards the chosen cider house (with reservation, if on a weekend). Public transport can take you to Donostia-San Sebastian and then an easy bus or taxi to Astigarraga. Menu is fixed, last time price was 35eur and it includes a fantastic cod and vegetables omelette, fried cod, peppers, all the steak you can eat (medium rare, you cannot choose the cooking point), followed by sheep cheese and walnuts, all you can eat as well. During the meal, in long tables shared with others (no, you don´t have your own private table) or just standing, the owners of the cider house will yell "TXOTX!!" and everyone will queue with their big glasses in hand, taking the cider directly from the barrels, forming an arch that you follow with your glass but you don´t fill it. And there´s always someone with an accordeon and a "txistu", the Basque flute, and dancing, and a very, very merry atmosphere. Cider houses do not offer music, we bring the music. Rather chaotic, but with an order, and very joyful. Check for videos on YouTube, so you can be prepared.
