191: London Got Cider | Cider Chat Live

191: London Got Cider | Cider Chat Live

Author: Ria Windcaller: Award-winning Cidermaker, Podcaster | Craft Beer Columnist September 5, 2019 Duration: 48:59

Here is the first dispatch from the United Kingdom, specifically London where my journey began.

191 London Got Cider

"The Talking Pommes" (The Medlars, Mr. Quince, Perry Pear) and I arrived at Heathrow and went our separate ways. The Pommes headed off to Buckingham Castle to meet the Queen and I headed east to London to meet with Felix Nash. Felix is the owner of Fine Cider based in London. This business is called "cider merchant" in the UK or what would be called a distributor in the US. He has just finished a book called "Fine Cider" and it will be released in October of this year.

Felix Nash

Later that same day I met up with Colleen O'Sullivan and James Mann of Duckchicken Cider. They were the catalyst for this trip to the UK and offered to host me at their home in South London. Stay tuned for a full episode with this dynamic couple who are making cider commercially in their home!

James Mann & Colleen O'Sullivan - Duckchicken Cider James Mann & Colleen O'Sullivan - Duckchicken Cider

One of the highlights with Colleen and James was enjoying a "Train Beer" is a popular term used in the UK when one imbibes on the train. For me I was more interested in a "Train Cider" which we did have while making our way to the Royal Oak Pub in London.

My final day in London I met up with Roberto Basilico the Head Cidermaker at The Hawkes Cidery and Taproom. He presents two styles of cider being made at this both modern and traditional cidery.

Roberto Basilico - Hawkes Cidery and Taproom Roberto Basilico - Hawkes Cidery and Taproom

Mentioned on this chat

2nd Annual New England Cider Tour October 31, 2019

 


There’s a whole world in a glass of cider, and Cider Chat is your invitation to explore it. Hosted by award-winning cidermaker and writer Ria Windcaller, this podcast travels far beyond the bottle to meet the people who make the global cider culture so vibrant. Each conversation is a journey-you might find yourself in a heritage orchard learning the history of forgotten apple varieties, in a bustling taproom with an importer explaining regional traditions, or in a kitchen with a chef pairing cider with unexpected foods. The discussions get into the delightful nuances, too, whether that’s the semantics of what we even call this drink or how the concept of terroir translates from soil to sip. It’s not just about production; it’s about the community, the travel, and the stories that fermentation unlocks. This is for anyone curious about the craft, history, and sheer enjoyment of fermented apple juice in all its forms. So, pour a glass and settle in for a series that feels like a wide-ranging, informative, and genuinely good-humored chat with friends who happen to be obsessed with cider. You’ll come away with a deeper appreciation for every effervescent, tart, or sweet sip, hearing directly from the growers, makers, and enthusiasts who are shaping this drink’s exciting present and future.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 501

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