I was going to start out by saying sorry I’ve not been around doing cider reviews for a while now, with thinking it was only a year or so. Turns out more like 2 and half years! Ouch! I guess they can say that life has got in the way of doing this hobby of mine. In that time life went a bit off the rails with a long term relationship ending and now onto better things in a new relationship (she likes cider too, which is a bonus!) and buying my own house. Though the big thing getting in the way is work and the lack of free time. Add into the mix a bit of a healthier lifestyle, DIY on the house and you don’t get much free time at all. How some people do it I don’t know!
Anyway, all of that is what has happened and time to get this blog back up and running again in some shape or form and revive the hobby once again. Not to the same level as before, as I think that’s where my enjoyment left in feeling it was all about publishing content and I am not really a writer either; I’m just a man with an opinion! It’s time to get the blog back to what it was intended for all those 9 years ago when I started it, which is to make it a record of what cider I like/dislike, where is good to drink cider and just information mainly that I would find useful. I guess you can say I am making this blog more about what I want to look back on and not what I think other people might want to see. I’ve for too long always thought about what other people may think and that has to change.
So what’s changing you ask? Well here’s a start for 10….
Cider Reviews – I’m going to keep these short and sweet again and more to the point. It may not always be the most descriptive but I’m going to use it more of a notepad for myself to keep track on what I like/dislike in the cider world. If a producer wants me to put some background info on them, then more than happy to. Though I’m thinking of opening up a different section of the site for background info on cider makers to keep it separate and easier to find. Maybe a Q&A section of such, as per below.
Cider Producer Q&A – Thinking of setting this up just so I can keep producer information in one place. Just need to think of a list of questions first.
Cider Events – I’m not going to actively search these out. I wasted far too much time in the past trying to find this out and the amount of events organisers who couldn’t even send me/advertise a cider list or similar was shockingly high. If you have an event that wants listing then fill out the details here and I will get it on the site. If your cider/perry list is predominantly “fruit cider”, then this site isn’t for you. I want to promote real cider on this site.
Cider Pubs/Bars/Restaurants – This is what I have mainly been doing the past year or so, though never really publicised it. I like to know where is good for a pint/bottle of cider/perry. If you have any suggestions then let me know and I’ll go check it out. Below is how the map currently looks but will sort out a page on the site in due course. Zoom out to show more than just Bristol too.
Apple Core = No Real Cider/Perry
Bronze Apple = 1-5 Real Ciders/Perries
Silver Apple = 6-10 Real Ciders/Perries
Gold Apple = 11+ Real Ciders/Perries
Cider Recipes – I may dabble in this occasionally. Like the cider reviews, will be short and sweet and to the point and not done like some swanky food critic. If you know anything simple(ish) that is worth a go then give me a shout. I am not a great cook, but I can follow a recipe and always have an opinion on my food.
So yes I’m back and will hopefully put up a new cider review soon and update other parts of it where I can. Just need to make myself a bit of time from now on (where I can) and let this get back to what where it should be. It’s good to be back cider world!
The Cider Blog 