W H A T
S U P ?
DRINK UP ThY ZIdER SOME OF OUR FAVOURITE LOCAL FERMENTED JUICES TO GET YOU STARTED Development ed Matt says, “Now this is a dangerous one: a pale, lightly sparkling perry, not too sweet, definitely refreshing and easily quaffable – and 7.5% ABV! It’s rather lovely, something of a cult favourite, but handle with care."
LILLEY’S CIDER BEE STING PERRY
This Frome cidermaker is run by father and son Chris and Marc Lilley, whose family has a history with pubs (er, running them, that is). The pair have grown the businesses swiftly – as we’ll hear later, the market for fruit cider is strong, and Lilley’s makes these popular varieties to a high spec. The team have released three new flavours this year already: cherries and berries, pineapple and chocolate apple. Available in bag-in-box as well as by the bottle; find the whole range at Lilley’s Brewery’s on-site shop and online.
Ed Jess says, “A lovely medium cider with a soft, natural fizz. There’s a tartness here, and a murmur of refreshing citrus and caramel-esque notes. Drink it at the source this summer, while the pretty cider barn is open.”
BARLEY WOOD ORCHARD CIDER
This tiny outfit is located in the Barley Wood Walled Garden – which The Ethicurean also calls home – in a wooden roundhouse that looks like it’s fresh from a fairytale. (It’s open for visitors right now, too, serving its drinks to enjoy in the pretty surroundings.) The cider is made using an old-school manual press along with apples grown on-site (they also put fruit from neighbour’s gardens to work, swapping it for juice and cider). Drink it onsite, at Café Kino or The Ethicurean, or buy it from Better Foods andThe Mall Deli among others.
Online ed Dan says, “This is the Thierry Henry of cider – a real smooth character. There’s a tartness that coats your mouth, but the bubbles wash through with juicy sweetness to round it off.”
GANLEY AND NAISH DABINETT
Having begun as two mates making homebrew from leftover apples in their back garden in Totterdown, Ganley and Naish has become a well-loved cider brand. Within four years, production had outgrown its home and moved to Kenn, in North Somerset. The new residence is within spitting distance of some world-class cider orchards, which happen to have been planted by Andy’s great grandfather – this number is crafted solely from Dabinett apples. Find it at Corks on North Street and Brockley Stores.
Ed Jess says, “This freshtasting thirst quencher has a light and fine fizz and a crisp character which elevates its refreshingness. Nicely balanced flavour and a well-pitched level of sweetness. A grown-up summer cider”
IFORD CIDER PETO PRESS
Iford Cider was born when Joe Abbott met Will Cartwright-Hignett (owner of 950-acre estate Iford Manor) and discovered he had a stash of old apple orchards. Iford’s drinks are made from fresh-pressed West Country apples and are fermented and bottled in small batches. It has three varieties of cider, each with distinct character but all with a sessionable, easy-drinking style. We’ve been quenching that thirst with the Peto Press. Find it in Independent Spirit, BeerCraft, Wolf Wine and local farm shops.
042
CRUMBSMAG.COM
Ed Jess says, “The ginger beer and cider mellow each other out really nicely. You get the ginger first, which melts away into juiciness for a well-balanced mouthful. This would be a great shout if cider’s not usually your thing.”
HONEY’S CIDER STONEY BONK
In 2002 the Honey family decided to revive some old orchards on their Somerset farm just outside of Bath and have subsequently developed some award-winning ciders. They use traditional methods to ferment West Country apple varieties. The flagship medium-dry still cider is joined by sparking numbers – one filtered for a bright mediumdry result and one left unrefined for a light haze. We glugged the Stoney Bonk while barbecuing in the sun this month, which blends ginger beer with straight up cider. Find it at Bristol Cider Shop. Online ed Dan says, “A lovely balanced cider with all the natural flavours of the apple upfront. It has a medium sweetness – there’s still a touch of dryness thanks to the tannins – and lingering tones of honey and caramel.”
SHEPPY’S 200 SPECIAL EDITION CIDER
This is the oldest cidermaking outfit in Somerset, with a history going back to 1816. More than 200 years later (and still run by the same family) Sheppy’s manages 90 acres of orchards, grows more than 30 types of apple and uses the same traditional production methods – albeit with the enhancement of modern tech. Try out its cider down at the HQ – in a 100-year old, dried out vat, no less – or buy it from Bristol Cider Shop or Williams Supermarket in Somerton.