Monday 20 February 2017

Pomona (a modern reproduction) by John Evelyn

Title: Pomona, Or an appendix concerning fruit-trees in relation to cider the making                         and several ways of ordering it.
Author: John Evelyn
Year: 1670
Format: Paperback
Page Count: 71
Price new: £13.99 (Amazon)* (I'd wait for the price to drop before buying)
*accurate at the time of posting

Description: (TLDR)
A recent reproduction of the original in the Bodelian Library. The scanned pages in paperback.

On the back of the book it says:
EARLY SOCIAL CUSTOMS. Imagine holding history in your hands. Now you can. Digitally preserved and previously only accessible through libraries as Early English Books Online, this rare material is now available in single print editions. Thousands of books written between 1475 and 1700 can be delivered to your doorstep in individual volumes of high print quality historical reproductions. Social customs, human interaction and leisure are the driving force of any culture. These unique and quirky works give us a glimpse of interesting aspects of day-to-day life as it existed in an earlier time. With books on games, sports, traditions, festivals, and hobbies it is one of the most fascinating collections in the series.

Monday 13 February 2017

Cider for All Seasons by Mary Berry

Title: Cider for All Seasons
Author: Mary Berry
Year: 1977
Format: Paperback
Page Count: 96
Price used: £1.91 (Amazon)*
*accurate at the time of posting

Description: (TLDR)
Over 50 varied food and drink recipes, using brands of Bulmers cider which were available at the time, with the food recipes split into seasonal recommendations.

On the back of the book it says:
There can hardly be a more versatile drink than cider - not only because of the wide range of blends to satisfy every taste but also because of the variety and interest that cider can add to your cooking. In this book cookery expert and TV personality Mary Berry describes her own special selection of cider recipes - some traditional, others completely new - as well as her choice of refreshing drinks that use cider as a main ingredient. Among these recipes, many illustrated in full colour, you will discover a meal or a drink suitable for any occasion, for any time of the year... And, who knows, it might not be long before you have tried them all.

Monday 6 February 2017

Traditional Cider Directory by David H. Kitton

Title: Traditional Cider Directory
Author: David H. Kitton
Year: 1984
Format: Paperback
Page Count: 160
Price used: £22,90 (Amazon)*
*accurate at the time of posting (I managed to buy mine for pennies, if interested, wait for the price to drop again)

Description: (TLDR)
The first cider guide by David Kitton in the same format used when it was adopted by CAMRA including some short articles..

On the back of the book it says:
Cider has doubled in popularity in the last few years. Besides the well-known keg and bottled brands there is a wealth of traditional and farmhouse ciders giving an even richer choice of flavour and experience. The recent revival of interest in country style products has created widespread demand for  traditional draught cider - made from natural ingredients by natural methods, and served without gas pressure - and it is now a favourite drink across the country, dispensed from hand pumps, casks and wooden barrels.

Here for the first time is a directory to help you track down and enjoy the delights of one of England's oldest drinks.

a county by county section shows which ciders are on sale where, with details of pubs, cafes, wine bars, clubs off licences and farm shops
each cider farm and it's products are described, and the places where the brands of each maker can be found are listed
farm cider makers selling direct from their premises are included, with directions on how to reach the more obscure locations

Plus features on: the extraordinary institutions the English cider house, where beer is banned, how cider is made; and some of the ancient customs associated with this most English of drinks.

Monday 30 January 2017

CAMRA Good Cider Guide 1987 by David Kitton

Title: CAMRA Good Cider Guide
Author: David Kitton
Year: 1987
Format: Paperback
Page Count: 192
Price used: £0.01(Amazon)*
*accurate at the time of posting

Description: (TLDR)
The first CAMRA Good Cider Guide in the same format as David Kitton's original guide with sections on producers and outlets at the time along with short articles on cider. 

On the back of the book it says:

Cider is one of the simple pleasures of life, a simple drink that was made and enjoyed in Britain long before the Romans arrived.

Cider at it's best means taking the sweetest and finest apples, crushing them, fermenting the juice, maturing it...and then savouring the rich taste.

But cider at it's worst can be a standardised factory product, pastuerised, chilled, carbonated and given artificial colouring. It is expensive too as a result of multi-million pound advertising campaigns to promote it.

Real cider, like all the best things in life, has to be sought out. David Kitton has scoured the country in search of cider makers large and small and the inns and pubs where you can enjoy their products. He details every known cider maker with a nationwide list of outlets.

The Good Cider Guide is a journey of discovery and a treat for jaded taste buds. Good drinking !

Monday 23 January 2017

Cider at the Bath & West Show by Alan Stone

Title: Cider at the Bath & West Show
Author: Alan Stone
Year: 1998
Format: Paperback
Page Count: 48
Price new: £3.50 (Amazon)*
*accurate at the time of posting

Description: (TLDR)
Cider and the history of cider at the Bath & West Show which is probably the biggest annual cider event in the UK.

On the back of the book it says:
The Royal Bath & West Society has a history dating back to 1777 when it was first formed to encourage agricultural improvement and orcharding. Cider production has been part of that since the start.

In this booklet local historian and cider enthusiast Alan Stone explores the history of Cider, and in the cider classes at the show, through highs and lows culminating in the vibrant Orchard and Cider section of today.

Monday 16 January 2017

Finding Good Cider by Alan Stone


Title: Finding Good Cider
Author: Alan Stone
Year: 2016
Format: Paperback
Page Count: 202
Price new: £7.99 (Amazon)*
*accurate at the time of posting

Description: (TLDR)
A book seeking to define and explore 'Good Cider'

On the back of the book it says:
In this all new book Alan Stone explores the concept of 'good cider'. This time he goes much further than product and producers. He covers the shows, festivals and the pubs which not only serve good cider but have a wonderful atmosphere.

'Good Cider' encompasses the heritage of cider and it's living tradition including the orchards that provides the raw materials.

'Good Cider' is part of the beating heart of the West Country and for some of us an essential refuge away from our busy lives in a modern world.