Drinking – Page 3 – Spirit of Dee

2018 Ciders #62: La Fauconnerie Cidre de Bretagne

8 October 20188 October 2018 Dee Leave a comment

When Mum and Dad go to France, they usually bring me back some Breton or Normandy cider. It’s always much appreciated!

I developed the taste for French cider on childhood family holidays, when we used to drink it out of cider bowls outside on the terrace at the gîte we were staying at. It has a distinctive apply taste, with even the dry variety tasting quite sweet, and it takes me right back to the summer of 1995, when we spent many long weeks in Brittany. I don’t have Breton cider very often, but it’s really nice as a treat.

2018 Ciders #61: Magners Pear

5 October 20185 October 2018 Dee Leave a comment

After getting my taste for Bulmers Pear in the pub in South Shields after the GNR, I went for Magners Pear in the next pub to continue the theme!

Magners Pear is a bit sweeter than Bulmers Pear, but it’s still very nice and nowhere near cloying. Another good option for pubs where I’m not keen on the draught offering.

2018 Ciders #60: Bulmers Pear

3 October 20183 October 2018 Dee Leave a comment

I was a bit surprised I hadn’t already had this one this year, but when we arrived in South Shields after the GNR I needed bottled cider (the draught was crap) and it was pear cider a-go-go at the local pubs.

Bulmers Pear actually has near-perfect sweetness – it’s very slightly dry, which you wouldn’t expect from a commercial pear cider. I should remember to look for it more often!

2018 Ciders #59: Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Cider

2 October 20182 October 2018 Dee Leave a comment

I came across this cider at a Frankie & Benny’s while in Bradford for Infest.

Jack Daniel's Tennessee Cider — Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Cider.

This one is insane – you can really taste the bourbon! Way whiskier (it’s a word, honest) than Thistly Cross Whisky Cask, but not as strong a cider. Very interesting, but not one for every day!

2018 Ciders #58: Sheppy’s Dabinett Apple

1 October 20181 October 2018 Dee Leave a comment

Yes, it’s another Sheppy’s, but I promise this is the last one.

Sheppy’s Dabinett Apple is a bit like the Kingston Black variety I logged yesterday, except it has more of a medium taste. It also has a very spirit-y aftertaste, which was quite a nice surprise.

2018 Ciders #57: Sheppy’s Kingston Black

30 September 201830 September 2018 Dee Leave a comment

It’s another Sheppy’s cider, ’cause I was drinking them all in a row.

Apparently I forgot to take a photo of this one, but you can see what it looks like on the website!

The Kingston Black variety is very dry, but quite light-tasting despite the 6.5% strength.

2018 Ciders #56: Sheppy’s Organic Cider

29 September 201829 September 2018 Dee Leave a comment

More Sheppy’s cider today!

Sheppy's Organic Cider — Sheppy’s Organic Cider.

This one has a very good south-west taste – it’s fairly dry and rough-tasting, and also quite strong. Very summery!

2018 Ciders #55: Sheppy’s Original Cloudy Cider

28 September 201828 September 2018 Dee Leave a comment

This is another one that Dad brought me from the south-west.

Sheppy's Original Cloudy Cider — Sheppy’s Original Cloudy Cider.

This has a lovely comforting warm sweet taste, and is my favourite out of all the Sheppy’s ciders I’ve tried. When Mum and Dad went back to the south-west a couple of weeks ago, they asked if there was a particular variety I wanted, and this is the one I chose! I’ve not checked yet if they managed to find it, but I hope they did ’cause it would make a lovely Christmas drink this winter.

2018 Ciders #54: South West Orchards

26 September 201826 September 2018 Dee Leave a comment

This is one I tried in the bar of the Jesmond Dene House hotel when my in-laws were staying there. I’ve also since had it at another bar in central Newcastle.

South West Orchards is lovely and sweet, but there’s definitely a southwest ‘farm’ taste about it, which gives it a sharper edge. Very nice though!

2018 Ciders #53: Harleston Cideroad

25 September 201825 September 2018 Dee Leave a comment

(This post did try to call itself ‘1989’. Tempted as I was to leave it, my need for my cider series to be organised properly is greater.)

This was a cider that I tried last month when the Free Trade Inn in central Newcastle had it on draught.

It wouldn’t be a British summer without one independent real cider! It’s quite light-tasting for a rough, but it shows its true colours towards the end of the pint, when the taste gets stronger. I presume this is due to the stuff that sinks!

You can see the proper logo on the Harleston website.