Campaign for Real Ale
Exeter and East Devon Branch
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Trip to Venton's Cyder
On the 11th November, a small group of our branch ventured to
Venton's Cyder at Clyst St Lawrence in Devon, in order to witness
the first pressing of the apples of the season.
We were very warmly greeted by Mark and Sharon who treated
us to several samples of cyder while they were setting up the
press and the apple crusher.
We watched as 1.5 tons of apples were mulched and layered
with straw in the press; after several hours (and drunken pints)
the cyder "cheese" was complete and several feet high, with
much juice flowing with just the sheer weight of the cheese,
some of this juice was sampled but the majority was poured into
a large barrel, ready for maturing into cyder. Mark indicated that
the cheese would be allowed to sit for a few days to absorb the sugars from the straw, to also add to the taste of the final product.
Whilst the cheese was draining, some of the party enjoyed a picnic outside, whilst others enjoyed more cider and chatted in the barn.
As the sun was setting and we boarded the mini bus, some of the group decided to take home a little souvenir, of yet more yummy cyder. We all had a very good time and a great day out.
Thank you Mark and Sharon for your hospitality and inviting us to Venton's Cyder, so we could witness how you make great cyder.
