Mahogany in colour, Wye Valley Brewery’s Country Ale is almost halfway between a stout and an ale, with a malty nose and rich, full-bodied palate. With beers like this, it’s not surprising this small independent wowed the BBC Food & Farming Awards’ judges. A great food beer, with sweet, malty, nutty flavours and coffee bitterness […]
Seriously blackcurranty with the the merest zip of ginger, this is rather like adult Ribena, with the ginger calming the sweetness. Made with 60% blackcurrant juice from Edward Thompson’s fruit-haven of a farm, the ginger quotient of Pixley’s Blackcurrant & Ginger has been upped since its first appearance in 2009. This is lovely when cold […]
Another delightful first from Simon Day at Once Upon a Tree, this is the UK’s first “ice” pear wine. Using techniques from the wine world, he froze the pear juice, concentrating it before fermentation. Simon chose Conference and Comice pears for their sweet yet subtle pear character, instead of traditional perry pears with their tannic […]
Rich both in colour and flavour, this cider is bursting full of sweet, caramelised Cox apples, balanced by a sherbet tang. Smooth and uplifting. 7.5%/500ml/£36 for a case of 12. Available from Middle Farm Cider & Perry Collection, direct from Gwatkin Cider’s online shop as well as from selected local outlets
Chase Vodka beat off 100s of other contenders to scoop the World’s Best Vodka title at the prestigious San Francisco Spirits Competition in 2010. But then, this Herefordshire spirit has been a bit of a head-turner from the start. Originally its sole ingredient – potatoes – were simply sold as that to the supermarkets. Then […]
Chapel Pleck may be a new name for what was Ribston Lawn (seen here in the picture), but it’s the same delectable bottle-fermented perry inside. Created by emerging cider and perry maestro Simon Day at Once Upon a Tree, the good news is that this year’s harvest isn’t going to run out quite so quickly. […]
Made from 100 percent Blakeney Red perry pears from Dragon Orchard in Herefordshire, Priggles Perry is still, medium dry and pale gold in appearance. A slightly suggestive scrumpy nose is followed by caramelised pears and citrus notes on the palate, making way for a soft and delicate finish. It would make a great accompaniment to […]
Oliver’s Perry has intriguingly delicate aromas, as is often the way with Perry, light citrus – lemonade – through to a mellow tropical fruit – melon/guava/pineapple. Even elderflower. Light to medium body, this has a little sweetness and light texture from the tannins. One to enjoy on its own or with light fish dishes.
An exceptional perry from the award-winning Ivor & Susie Dunkerton in the apple and pear hotspot of Herefordshire. Perry pear trees can cut quite a dash, often being strikingly tall and surprisingly ancient – some are over 300 years old. Lightly fragranced, Dunkerton’s organic perry has plenty of elegant pear flavours powered by a gentle […]
As Ian the brewer says, “Why Einstein on the label? It’s not rocket science… but it is thinking drinking.” And when you take a sip, you’ll see what he means. With an inviting nose of bananas and cloves, enjoyable hoppy flavours from the fresh German hops marry the pale malt well to give a beer […]
