Black Dragon – Traditional Welsh Farmhouse Cider

Today's post is actually about a cider, but I have included some of the nicest travel memories I have from a special country. Tasting this cider transported me back to a happy time, but also made me miss Wales very much. I occasionally get this longing for a holiday in Wales, as I have spent a couple of good ones there. I keep nagging to my partner regularly and out of the blue "When will you take me to Wales again?" or saying "I miss Wales.".

A few years ago (in July 2012) I visited the Llandudno area and Snowdonia and everything I saw took my breath away. I have added a couple of archive photos from that trip here and keep dwelling in nostalgia while I drink this cider that I also drank during that holiday. Just look at those beautiful beasts also known as the Great Orme goats, a Welsh waterfall, a view from the Snowdon mountain and an early evening scene overlooking the Llandudno Bay – one just has to adore these views!

And now to the actual cider. It's the Black Dragon by the Gwynt Y Ddraig The Welsh Cider & Perry Company 6,5 %. The look of the bottle is very attractive and the art work is nice. I do pay attention to that whenever I buy drinks (or food). Initially the drinker is encountered by a very appley taste and the freshness of the fruit is apparent. The cider is very smooth and dangerously easy to drink for its 6,5 %. It's medium dry with spicy notes and a clean aftertaste of apples and minerality. It's a refreshing drink, great to be served at parties.

Now I'm off to look at my Wales photo folder! See you soon!

Your VegHog

Orchard Pig ciders

I have been tasting the Orchard Pig ciders from Somerset and they are fast becoming my favourites, not alone because of the cute design on the bottles. I think I'll use these ciders soon for cooking as well. 

Here are some tasting notes from three different Orchard Pig ciders.

Reveller 4,5%

• Medium sparkling cider
• Light, clear and refreshing
• A fine drink for a hot day
• “A riotous celebration of apples”, says the Orchard Pig itself and I agree
  

Truffler 6,0%

• Dry sparkling cider
• Earthy and woody notes in the scent
• Background flavour is like an earthy apple crumble with vanilla

Charmer 6,0%

• Medium sparkling cider
• Taste of fresh apples
• Noticeable carbonation
• Light nuttiness
• A slight maple character
• A charming little cider

Follow The Pig!

Swanage Railway Diesel Gala & Beer Festival 2014

I was lucky enough to be able to spend last Saturday at the Swanage Railway Diesel Gala and Beer and Cider Festival. During the gala weekend you can travel on traditional old diesel trains between Swanage and Norden through the beautiful landscapes of the Isle of Purbeck, or just do some train spotting and visit a beer festival. Some of these trains operate normally as well in this distance with the addition of steam trains, but this gala is a special occasion. Have a look at my photos below.

The beer festival took place in a tent in the picturesque village of Corfe Castle with a view on the impressive medieval castle on the hill. Here are my tasting notes of the ciders and beers that I tasted (and in case you're asking, I didn't have full pints of all these drinks!).

Ciders:

Gwynt y Ddraig – Pyder 4,5%

- pear cider; fruity and fresh; makes the perfect starting drink for a beer and cider festival

Orchard Pig – Philosopher 6,0%

- well balanced with slightly nutty taste; slight cloudiness; tastes like a Finnish apple pie of my youth

Mr Whitehead – Purbeck Pomme 4,5%

- could be what a cow shed tastes like, but in a good way!

Mr Whitehead – Strawberry/Blackberry 4,0%

- fruity and light; strong strawberry in the front taste and mild blackberry in the after taste; also this cider reminded me of some flavour from the early 1980s, but I can't quite put my finger on it

Beers:

Piddle – Piddle 4,1%

- a well hopped ale with a good citrus after taste

Exmoor – Exmoor Gold 4,5%

- golden beer with fresh hop notes and a good balance between malts and bitterness

Downton – New Forest Ale 3,8%

- a pleasant session beer with a deep bronze colour and the malty character that goes with it

Yeovil Ales – Star Gazer 4.0%

- reddish copper in colour with moderate hop character throughout and a slightly more pronounced malty-sweetness than many ales

The Isle of Purbeck is one of my favourite holiday destinations, it's such a pretty and chilled out place. If you're interested, also have a look at my other Isle of Purbeck related posts: The Bankes Arms Country Inn and Great British seaside chips.

Your VegHog

Black Fox Cider

Good morning! What a suitable time for a cider review... Anyway today I want to introduce to you the organic Black Fox Cider by Dunkertons, which is one of my main favourites among the British ciders.

In my opinion this cider tastes like a very traditional English cider should taste like. It's dry but fruity and it has a certain bitterness to it. There is a freshness of apples with light spicy notes and a fruitiness that runs through without being too sweet. The light crispy finish completes the package.

But beware, with its 7% this cider also makes you very sneakily drunk!

Happy Sunday!

Your VegHog