If there’s one thing that hits the spot on a warm Summer’s day it has to be a cold, crisp glass of Cider.
A certain thirsty farmer must have thought the same, for Mr Metford Fear first began making cider way back in the 1800’s. The first commercial batch was sold to a public house in Weston Super Mare. The Fear family, and their friends, continued to enjoy their wares for many years, as the same cider was made by Mr John Fear on his farms in the South West.
John continues to help his son Andrew make the Cider today, having passed down the art of real cider making. In 2005, Andrew, having settled in Nottinghamshire began to produce the cider named in honour of his relation, “Thirsty Farmer Cider”,
I was very kindly given a range of the ciders to try. My favourite has to be the Premium Nottinghamshire cider. For me, this one was the outright winner. Full of flavour, the gourmet of the cider world. This ridiculously good cider is thoughtfully presented in a dark bottle with gold branding indicative of the quality inside. Impressively tasty at 6%.
Runner up for me is Medium Nottinghamshire Cider. Coming in at 4.5%, it has a rustic quality which conjures up feelings of undeniable homeliness, whilst still remaining thirst -quenchingly refreshing.
The Dry Nottinghamshire Cider is again 4.5% and enjoys the taste of sweet, bitter apples, giving way to a crisp, sharp drink.
All are long fermented, still farmhouse ciders, rich amber in colour and packing an aromatic punch of apples. I also tried the fruit cider range. These are more subtly flavoured than most of your commercial fruit ciders.
My favourite would have to be the Strawberry Cider at 4.0%. This charming cider has many juicy, hand-picked strawberries packed into one glass, giving a slight red tinge to this excellent golden drink.
Feast your taste buds on the Blackcurrant Cider. The same wonderfully sweet cider mixed with juicy Blackcurrants, a taste to savour (4%)
The Mango Cider (4%) is a nice addition to the range. The blend of Mangoes mixed with juicy bitter sweet apples is spot on. The unique taste of tropical Mangoes make it a cider with a difference.
But don’t just take my word for it. The Cider won CAMRA’s Best Cider in the East Midlands in their East Midlands & Yorkshire Cider Competition 2010 and was awarded 2 Gold Stars by the Guild of Fine Food in the 2011 & 2012 Great Taste Awards. Today Thirsty Farmer Cider is considered the original Nottinghamshire Cider and continues to be enjoyed by an ever growing number of people, both at home and in local public houses throughout the counties of Nottinghamshire & Leicestershire.
You can buy bottles and 20 litre Bag in Boxes on Amazon. Tesco (East Midlands) stock the Medium Cider and Asda (East Midlands) will sell the Medium and Premium Ciders in store towards the end of this month.
You can also enjoy Thirsty Farmer in a selection of Micropubs and Pubs across the East Midlands.
A delicious Cider right on your doorstep.
By Tanya Louise
Editor
@tanyalouise_
