Traditional Cider Drinks by Francis Beswick

Title: Traditional Cider Drinks

Author: Francis Beswick

Year: 1994

Format: Booklet

Page Count: 29

Price used: Unrealistically expensive- hard to find (Amazon)*
*accurate at the time of posting

Description:

The first two thirds of the booklet contains a brief history of cider and details of how to make it. The last third contains details of how to make various cider based drinks such as Bishops, Cider Royal and Cyser amongst others.

Apple Games and Customs by Beatrice Mayfield

Title: Apple Games and Customs

Author: Beatrice Mayfield

Year: 1994

Format: Paperback

Page Count: 121

Price new: £0.01 (Amazon)*

Price used: £5.95 (Amazon)*

*accurate at the time of posting

Description: (TLDR)

Apples games customs superstitions and more from Common Ground in this approx. A6 sized book. (If we judged the value of books by their size and weight this one would be an instant fail). Www.commonground.org.uk/

On the back of the book it says:

"Apple pie beds, crabbing the parson, longest peel, gifting, fork apple, worsling, dookin' for apples, bite apple, griggling, a'scraggling, dubbing apples, souling, pothering and ponking, a cattin', going a gooding, pigface Sunday, whistle wassail night, clemmening, apple tree man, worsting, howling and youling, taking round the calennig.........

This book will help you sip from a huge wassail bowl of games, customs, sayings and stories, which remind us of the importance and meaning which the apple has in our culture. We hope it will inspire you to carry on the traditions of your own locality and help to build Apple Day on Oct. 21st into a new calendar custom."

Guide To Real Cider by Ted Bruning

Title: Guide To Real Cider

Author: Ted Bruning

Year: 1996

Format: Paperback

Page Count: 255

Price used: £2.86 (Amazon)*

*accurate at the time of posting

Description: (TLDR)

CAMRA's 1996 guide to cidermakers and outlets, 14 pages of associated articles and information including a couple of pages from Kevin Minchew.

On the back of the book it says:

"Cider is making a major comeback in popularity but Real Cider is still difficult to find. The aim of this guide is to help you find one of Britain's oldest, tastiest and most fascinating drinks. Cider has been made in Britain since before Roman times. But most cider you find in pubs today has been pasteurised with carbon dioxide added. The resulting drink bears little resemblance to the full flavoured taste of traditional Real Cider.

This book lists more than 2000 pubs selling the real stuff plus many farmhouse producers from all over the country, many of whom will sell you cider - and it's equally drinkable cousin perry - if you bring a container. Some will even sell you a container.

Ted Bruning is the editor of the Cider Press, a quarterly supplement to What's Brewing, CAMRA's national newspaper. He has collated information from all over the country to give you a taste of this fine traditional drink. So why not join him and savour a wealth of different flavours.

Somerset Cider The Complete Story

Title: Somerset Cider The Complete Story

Author: Philippa Legg & Hilary Binding

Year: 1998

Format: Paperback

Page Count: 79

Price used: £3.60 (Amazon)*

*accurate at the time of posting

Description: (TLDR)

A more complete version of 'So merry let us be' including a list of Somerset cider apple varieties.

On the back of the book it says:

"Somerset and cider are inextricably linked and have been for centuries, although the origins of cidermaking in the county  - as in the rest of Britain - are lost in the mists of time. From upper-class beverage to labourers perk to fashionable drink once again, the story of cider is a long and fascinating one. This book covers in depth and with humour the history and techniques of making cider. It also considers the present day passion for collecting and preserving varieties of apples, and the widely shared enthusiasm for a precious and vulnerable aspect of Somerset's traditional landscape and way of life."

Cider Hard & Sweet by Ben Watson

Title: Cider Hard & Sweet
Author: Ben Watson
Year: 1999 updated 2009, 2013
Format: Paperback
Page Count: 208
Price new: £6.02 (Amazon)*
*accurate at the time of posting

Description: (TLDR)
The back of the book says it quite nicely, informative, easy to read.

On the back of the book it says:
Drinking fresh or "sweet" cider is an annual fall tradition, it's taste reminiscent of crisp sunny days, bright foliage and ripe fruits. Currently, alcoholic or "hard" cider  is enjoying a popularity hasn't seen in 150 years. Today hard cider is readily available as a lighter alternative to grape wines or a refreshing alternative to beer. Many cider lovers don't realize, though, that this elegantly simple beverage is incredibly easy to make, and that producing excellent home made cider, both hard and sweet, is well within reach of any enthusiast.
In this richly informative and entertaining book, Ben Watson explores the cultural and historical roots of cider. He introduces us to it's different styles--including draft, farmhouse, French, New England, and sparkling--as well as apple wine and related products like apple juice and cider vinegar, and gives complete instructions for how to make them yourself at home with minimal time and equipment. This updated full-colour edition also provides:
detailed information on advanced techniques like barrel fermentation;
a chapter devoted to perry, or pear cider;
recipes for cooking with cider;
a celebration and description of Calvados (apple brandy), pommeau, ice cider, and Spanish sidra; and
advice on the best varieties of apples for cider.
Cider, Hard and Sweet teaches the reader how to recognize good cider and encourages us to make the leap from buying it to making the genuine article at home. A fascinating cultural document as well as a how-to-book, it will appeal to anyone who appreciates good food and drink.

BEN WATSON is a writer, editor, food and farm activist, and the author of several books, including Acts of God: The Old Farmers Almanac Unpredictable Guide to Weather and Natural Disasters and Taylor's Guide to Heirloom Vegetables. He is also coauthor of Passport to Gardening and The Slow Food Guide to New York City. Watson lives in New Hampshire.

Farmhouse Cider & Scrumpy

Title: Farmhouse Cider & Scrumpy

Author: Bob Bunker

Title: Farmhouse Cider & Scrumpy

Author: Bob Bunker

Year: 1999

Format: Booklet

Page Count: 32

Price used: £0.01 (Amazon)*

*accurate at the time of posting

Description: (TLDR)

Briefly covering history, production and a couple of drink recipes.

On the back of the book it says:

"Small scale cider making on local farms has been  part of life in the south west for centuries. This bewitching art has been passed down from one generation to the next, each aspiring to create their own special liqor - distinctive blend of specially selected apples and their juices which thrills and delights the drinkers palate.

The love of making and savouring traditional cider is as strong as ever. Using only natural ingredients and simple fermentation techniques, and adding a few secrets of their own, local cider makers are keeping alive the true spirit of the West Country. This book shows how they achieve their well deserved success."

Cider - The Forgotten Miracle

Title: Cider - The Forgotten Miracle

Author: James Crowden

Year: 1999

Format: Paperback

Page Count: 120

Price used: £0.08 (Amazon)"

*accurate at the time of posting

Description:

History, anecdotes and poems on cider and a description of working at Burrow Hill Cider.

On the back of the book it says:

"Cider: the forgotten miracle is a witty, energetic unforgettable investigation into the history of farm house cider. A fresh assessment of ancient traditions that have not only influenced the landscape for the better, but produced excellent cider into the bargain. Cider that in the past rivalled French wines and can still  do so today. Not surprisingly these myths, superstitions and anecdotes, revolves around farms and farmers, their families and their orchards. This fascinating story, set against the backdrop of 17th and 18th Century England, is told by the poet James Crowden with humour and clarity. It involves not only vivid description of working at burrow Hill Cider Farm during the autumn, but also charts the early days of the Somerset Cider Brandy Company."

Cider's Story Rough and Smooth by Mark Foot

Title: Cider's Story Rough and Smooth
Author: Mark Foot
Year: 1999
Format: Paperback
Page Count: 144
Price used: £8.75 (Amazon)*
*accurate at the time of posting

Description: (TLDR)
Ciders history told through the stories of various producers and characters as told by a real enthusiast. A Good read.

On the back of the book it says:
"The wide ranging and affectionate account of Ciders history - through generations of good cheer, and from necessity at times, defiant progress. The book reflects on some of the age-old drink's most influential figures, while introducing the reader to a host of great rural characters. It takes us down country lanes as into the computerised factories. Above all, it is a human story - about village people and the drink they have made for centuries."

The Sheppy's an everyday tale of ciderfolk

Title: The Sheppy's an everyday tale of ciderfolk

Author: David J. Hinton

Year: 2000

Format: Paperback

Page Count: 134

Price new:  £7.99 (Amazon)*

Price used:  £0.01 (Amazon)*

*accurate at the time of posting

Description: (TLDR)

A history of the Sheppy family and their cidermaking going back over 200 years with plenty of photographs.

On the back of the book it says:

"Sheppy. The name is synonymous with good quality cider throughout Somerset and beyond. This revealing book brings to life the Sheppy family over the past 200 years. It traces the ups and downs of the family fortunes from their beginnings at Iwood, Conglesbury to Three Bridges Farm near Taunton.

Lavishly illustrated with photographs, 'The Sheppys' tells the story of a disastrous fire, how a record-breaking trout came to be 'fried' in as Gun Shop, the world-famous Model Maid and how gold Medal winning cider was imbibed by two Prime Ministers.

A fascinating book which should be enjoyed together with a glass of Sheppy's cider."

CAMRA's Good Cider Guide 2000

Title: CAMRA's Good Cider Guide
Author: David Matthews
Year: 2000
Format: Paperback
Page Count: 396
Price used: £0.01(Amazon)*
*accurate at the time of posting

Description: (TLDR)
CAMRA's guide to producers and outlets in 2000 with over 100 pages of additional articles, 'a snip at the used price' Dave Matthews (then a teacher) took a year off work to prepare this book, He later went on to become a cidermaker and a founder of The Welsh Perry and Cidermakers Association.

On the back of the book it says:
"One of the great drinking experiences of the world is natural cider, made from traditional apple varieties. It is deliciously mellow, aromatic and intoxicating. Equally exquisite is the fragrance and flavour of perry, a wonderful drink made from pears.
CAMRA's Good Cider Guide, edited by Dave Matthews, brings you the information you need to find and enjoy these fine drinks, and is fully illustrated with photographs and cider labels throughout.
Guide to Producers and Outlets
The guide is organised into counties with each county section containing a map, listings of all cider producers, a selection of cider outlets, and information about other places of cider interest.
Features Articles about Cider and Perry
Meet the cider and perry makers of Devon, Gloucestershire and Somerset, the Pays d'Auge in France and Asturias in Spain and the Pacific North west in America. Travel around Britain's four remaining classic Cider Houses, try some recipes from Susie Dunkerton, Chef at the Cider House Restaurant, and take a look at cider on the internet.
Learn about the history of cider (both in Britain and the US) and how apple and pear varieties influence the taste of cider and perry. Try making your own with our pocket guide to fruit, harvesting juicing and fermentation."