@NewForestCider - I love the autumn; in fact autumn is my favourite season. To me, autumn means golden browns, low golden sun, toffee and other apples, soups, stews, casseroles… and cider!
We’ve been to New Forest Ciders in Burley many times in the past, but on those occasions it’s simply been a visit incorporated into sightseeing around the rest of the village and only to nip in, buy some cider or scrumpy and then go off on our merry way. Yesterday however, we were privileged and lucky enough to meet and have time for a chat with cider maker Barry Topp,
If you want to know about cider, ask Barry. If you want to know about grafting techniques in orchards, ask Barry. If you want to know about artisan cider making, ask Barry. Yes, it was inspiring and encouraging to know that someone as passionate about local and natural food and drink as Barry is, was willing to share his experience, craft and skills. Look, you and I know that many of the well-known (and some very well-known) ciders that you can get from your local supermarket aren’t really natural ciders. New Forest Ciders contain the natural cider fruit as well as the natural sugars from the fruit themselves and are undiluted and made from the freshly pressed cider apples on site. Believe me that you really can taste this difference… you really can. As I said, these are natural ciders… cider as it should be.
Anyway, after a few generous samples from Barry I was invited into the New Forest Cider Pantry Rooms where the open fire and homely atmosphere was almost like a warm embrace from the autumn chill outside. As well bed and breakfast and self catering accommodation, the New Forest Cider Pantry Rooms provide a great menu and at the time of writing this, they’re also running a “special”, whereby if you obtain their special leaflet you can get 10% off from their brunch menu up until 31st March 2013.
All in all, Barry made us very welcome and it goes without saying that we came away with a good few litres of home-made cider. Yesterday’s evening meal of home-made Cornish Pasties went down very well indeed with some Hampshire New Forest Cider :-)
I’d like to take this opportunity in thanking Barry Topp and his family for making us very welcome yesterday and it won’t be long before we make a return trip to New Forest Ciders
For more information about New Forest Ciders, please visit - www.newforestcider.co.uk or follow that on Twitter - @NewForestCider
