455: Zero Percent Sh*t  | John Edwards Returns

455: Zero Percent Sh*t | John Edwards Returns

Author: Ria Windcaller: Award-winning Cidermaker, Podcaster | Craft Beer Columnist April 16, 2025 Duration: 49:50

John Edwards, longtime cider maker and integral team member at Ross on Wye Cider & Perry Co., and the creative force behind his personal label Fly be Night Cider was last on the podcast in 2019.

Cider Chat Ep 455 John Edwards and Zero % hit
John Edwards

In this Cider Chat with John Edwards

ohn is part of the tight-knit crew at Ross Cider who keep things running from orchard to bottle. The team has embraced a belt press system, which John finds surprisingly nimble—even for small batches. While Ross is rooted in tradition, they're also evolving their process to match the scale and diversity of their orchard.

  • Transitioning to stainless steel fermentation tanks
  • Working with old and rediscovered apple varieties
  • Committed to wild yeast and natural fermentation
  • Managing fire blight
  • Diversifying the orchard's apple stock with varieties like Kingston Black, Golden Ball, and Cider Lady's Finger.

Fly Be Night: A Creative Outlet

Fly by Night remains John's personal cider expression—just a few barrels a year, shared with friends. Each release gets a new label (last year's was "Space Goat"), and while the iconic "0% Sh*t" label is retired, the spirit of fun and integrity lives on.

A Cellar Surprise for Ross Fest 2025?

John has one cider still in the cellar: a 2014 Foxwhelp that might just see bottles soon. Whether blending at Ross or bottling at home, John's work reminds us that cider thrives on community, curiosity, and a bit of mystery.

Mentions in this Cider Chat


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

Cider Chat
Podcast Episodes
307:  Gary Flowers & Diane Flynt | CiderCon2022 Keynotes [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:29
Keynote Speakers of CiderCon 2022 Gary Flowers is a keynote speaker, radio host and the tour guide who leads the Jackson Ward history tour. The tour was one of a number of pre-conference tour offerings for CiderCon2022 a…
306: Ciders for Every Season | Elegast Cidery, Netherlands [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:06:52
Elegast Cidery Beginnings Arjen Meeusem shares his story of living in Portland, Oregon and how a stop at Reverend Nat's Hard Cider to taste the cider inspired him to find out more about this niche market and its viabilit…
305: Cider Chat Live | Maker Tips [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:43
Maker Arjen Meeuwsen of Elegast Cidery Offers business tips before you break ground, when your product is being sold and how to tap into a wider audience. Arjen's goal is "Being Present and Being Visible... and Providing…
304: Falling for the Chocolate Pear [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:20
Falling for the Chocolate Pear Forager of fruits enjoy the hunt of finding hidden trees and more often than not fully laden trees in plain site. Ben Kunesh's path as a forage has led him to fruits of all natures, includi…
303: DIY Wassail Tips [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:27
What is a Wassail A Wassail is a celebration of the orchards, most typically apple orchards to honor the natural world and pay tribute with hopes of an abundant fruiting season moving forward. A Wassail is also a cheer W…
302: Cider Mills of Washtenaw County (1841 to today) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:27
Washtenaw County Cider Mills 1841 - Present Day Patrick McCauley grew up in south eastern Michigan and recalls visiting cider mills as a child, enjoying in the fresh pressed apple juice and the cider donuts. Today he is…
301: "Quality of Life" at the Water Wheel Cider Mill [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:52
Building a Water Wheel to Power a Cider Mill Phil Watson grew up on an old farm with an old cider press that powered a water wheel. When a water wheel turns it produces a lot of force, so his mom back then had the old wh…
300: Strange Apples - Make Them POP! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:28
Episode 300 and the song "Strange Apples" In this episode we celebrate the 300th episode of Cider Chat and release a new cider song titled Strange Apples! This song is one part poking fun at ourselves as cidermakers and…
299: Boomer Legends of America's Cider Trade Today [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:23
The Boomers of America's Cider Trade Hudson Valley Farmhouse Cider founder Elizabeth Ryan tells the back story of key legislation that reduce taxes for US cidermakers in the 1990's. Though she may consider herself to be…
298: Gallettes and Cider [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:31
Gallettes at Scott Farm with Eden Specialty Cider Gallette dinners have been showcased at Scott Farm in Dummerston Vermont on Wednesday throughout 2021. Gallettes are a French cuisine where a batter is swirled around a f…