Cider Voice

With Albert back in the fold and Justin finally having picked his ciders up from his friend's house we journey back in time into cider's murky past via a fantastic conversation with Elizabeth Pimblett of the Cider Museum – no, Museum of Cider!

We learn about cider in the Civil War, Bulmers Pomagne, the hidden history of women in cider, riots and crystal glassware, and along the way dig into archery on football pitches, apples named after people and why Albert thinks the old Pomonas are useless.

Contribute to Our Pomona

Albert makes cider @rosscider

What are the ciders that have shaped the way you look at the drink, and possibly changed your life?

In this episode, Albert hands the pod keys to Justin and Adam, who sit down to answer this very question.

In the process they discuss their seminal ciders and perries, with only a moderate number of seismic conversational segues to discuss mid-20th century Japanese cinema, what you’d top up a Raison d’Être bottle with and how a paucity of sand is actually dooming us all.

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Albert is king of the sandcastle @rosscider

Ciders today by:

and… erm… Waterford Whisky

Today we take another massive step on our ‘cider with food’ adventure as we jet off (not literally, guttingly) to the Basque Country for a chat with Haritz Rodriguez, the cider artist best known as @Ciderzale.

With a mere several segues for conversations about scurvy, neolithic wheat harvesting and the proper looms for making 16th century sails, we learn about one of the world’s greatest cider cultures as well as the legendary ‘txotx’ celebration that runs from January to April in the Basque Country and where food and cider pairing scales its Olympus.

Basically, if you’re hungry, don’t listen.

Albert captains the ship @rosscider

Adam charts a course @cider_review

Justin’s timbers shiver @justinwellsjustin

Ciders to day served by @smithhayneorchards @thecatintheglass @musker.eus #Leduc-Piedimonte

In our mini episode for this week, Justin gets back at Adam for being muscled out of the last episode, to sit down with Albert as they two talk about group cider tastings. Justin has been planning a tasting to host with his friends, and we talk about why that's a good idea and how you think about formatting your tasting! Find out Albert's one simple trick to always have an amazing time in a cider tasting.

• Albert makes cider @RossCider

*Albert won’t be talking about bittersweets*

In this new episode you get a break from food content, because the UK’s number one aspirational cider convention – Craftcon – is steaming towards us on April 5th and 6th and Albert and Adam can’t wait.

To tell you all about this brilliant event and why you should buy a ticket whether maker, advocate, seller or drinker, we sit down digitally with Lydia and Tom of Artistraw – two of Herefordshire’s most exciting cidermakers and long term stalwarts of Craftcon.

We talk about the upcoming convention, including nonexistent seminars from Albert, Adam’s non-nonexistent keynote speech on perry and the host of cider and perry talks and tastings on offer. And we get into Tom and Lydia’s journey as aspirational cidermakers themselves.

Albert crafts at @rosscider

Get your tickets for Craftcon right here this instant: https://craftcon.co.uk

We talk about how BBAW went from a roadside honesty box to its beautiful new home in Walthamstow, chatting plant-based-baking, interior design and whether sourdough is actually wild fermented cider along the way.

Then it’s challenge time as Laura comes up with two sensational bakes featuring perry from Artistraw and Ice Cider from Burrow Hill, before Albert and Justin present their own showstoppers. Will Brown Snout Pancake Squolch be enough to topple Laura? Only one way to find out.

Albert kneads the dough @rosscider

Albert and Adam, ably assisted by stand-in producer Norman, catch up about their recent trip to Portland, Oregon, to fulfil a long-held dream of attending CiderCon and speaking on a panel. What did they learn, what did they taste, what were their highlights and can Norman resist thrashing the tug of war toy about for 15 minutes? Only one way to find out.

• Albert makes cider @RossCider

In this episode we go up in the world as we’re privileged to talk to Michelle McGrath, CEO of the American Cider Association. We talk about her 8 year tenure and how the American cider industry has changed in that time, then get into apples, approaches and, most of all, the inspirational and epic annual event that is CiderCon – which Albert and Adam are both attending and speaking at for the first time this year.

A massively informative and revelatory conversation we were super grateful to Michelle for joining us in.

• Michelle is the CEO @McGeePDX

In this episode the team go back to basics to discuss the reason we're here podcasting in the first place. With hot takes, rambles, sporadic bickering and even a bit of education here and there, we cover varieties, making, perceptions and definitions as we attempt to figure out exactly what cider even is.

No knowledge assumed; precious little imparted. Enjoy the ride!

Albert makes cider @RossCider

Justin just sort of hangs out at @justinwells1346