Prost! Cheers! Wassail! Salud! Skal!

by Susanna Forbes June 3, 2023

Happy World Cider Day everyone!

To celebrate this wonderful occasion, we have some special bottles on tasting today at our Tasting Room and Cider Garden, to share and explore just what the humble apple - and pear - can become in the hands of talented makers.

Since our cidery's been open we've been so lucky with the number of visitors from around the world. Whether makers or imbibers, sellers or grafters, we've all shared a story or two. Many leave gifts with us. So, alongside our own by the glass selection today, we've chosen a trio for you to catch a glimpse of the sheer variety and diversity out there.

There's an exciting Swedish cider from Frukstereo - Adrian joined us for a few days back in March. We've raided our home cellars for a complete ice cider gem from Eden Cellars in Vermont - Eleanor Leger, the maker, is the president of the American Cider Association, and one of the most inspiring folk you're likely to meet. She's also appropriately @appleellie on twitter. And to bring it back home, we have on tasting Ross on Wye Cider's Spanish Apples Cider, produced with Spanish varieties at Broome Farm.

Big thumbs up to Association of Apple Wine and Fruit Juice Press Houses in Hesse for introducing World Cider Day 10 years ago! Check out the busy map on its website to see where else is celebrating today!

Here's just a few of the wonderful people we've had the good luck to catch up with in recent months.

Thanks to our intrepid global supporters, the journey is two-way, with our ciders reaching out beyond Blighty too. More on that in another post. And James recently had the joy of experiencing the incredible Asturian cider culture.

For those who love to explore, there's so many wonderful opportunities, including Cider World itself in Frankfurt in Germany. The eagle eyed among you will have spotted Ciderzale's cap - with the fab words, Cider Without Borders. The brains behind Ciderlands, the international network of cider destinations, it's always worth tuning into their website for the latest international happening.

Back here in Blighty, the fantastic Big Apple has been joined by Hereford Applefest - first fortnight in October, returning this year after its successful debut last year, this returns for the first fortnight in October, culminating in a special Perry Banquet at the historic Town Hall. Organisations like CAMRA are leading the way, British Cider Week had its second outing recently, and the Cider Salon in Bristol in early August has international stars alongside its British brethren.

But for today, World Cider Day 2023, we're bringing the world of cider to you!

We're open 12-7pm. Alongside our international guest stars, we have our own selection by the glass, including the fragrant Simcoe Pear Hard Rain, When Burum Met Pomona, crafted with fruit from Brook House Farm itself, plus the ever popular barrel-influenced Root & Branch. There's matching cheese, meat and vegan platters, our full range is available by the bottle, with more than enough picnic tables to enjoy the weather plus the new Cable Table.

Feel free to delve into our library as you taste your way around the orchards of the world.

If you miss us today, we'll be at Bromyard's colourful Market in the Square tomorrow morning too.

And if not this weekend, there's always next, with behind the scenes and into the orchard tours on Sunday afternoon also. Still a few spaces, this is bookable via our website.

So why not join us and some of the world's foremost cider ambassadors, Joran from Belgium and Darlene from California, and the Basque Country's irrepressible Mikhael, pictured here amid the splendour of Cider World in Frankfruit, as we toast the hugely exciting world of cider?

Wassail!