The Cider Insider

Book excerpt: “The perfect guide you need to find out about the apple, the orchard, the maker and blender – in short, CIDER.” – Tom Oliver, Oliver’s Cider & Perry, Herefordshire "Susanna's passion for cider has taken her from the heartlands of the old cider world to newer frontiers of it. Her straightforward common-sense approach combined with her love for the cider world means she has put together a neat little book full of the best bits of it to share. Well done!" – Bill Bradshaw, co-author of World's Best Cider "Susanna Forbes is one of the most knowledgeable and committed ambassadors for cider, both near and far, at the table, in the glass and in the orchard. Her passion is present in every page of The Cider Insider." Ryan Burk, head cider maker at Angry Orchard, board of directors, US Association of Cider Makers Cider is enjoying a resurgence! A wave of new generation producers are joining family cidermakers around the world to reinvigorate a drink that has been enjoyed throughout history by all. With a new-found respect for the orchard, the apple and the pear, today’s cidermakers are blending heritage with modern methods. In The Cider Insider, award-winning drinks writer and now, cidery owner, Susanna Forbes has hand-picked 100 of the world’s best craft ciders – and perries – that are worth seeking out and drinking now. Travel with her to each atmospheric orchard to meet the individuals that pour their souls into this glorious drink. For each entry, we hear about the region, the varieties of apples and pears in use, how each is made, find out about other ciders/perries to try, and explore how to experience the cider/cidery for ourselves. With a foreword by arguably the world’s leading cidermaker, Tom Oliver, alongside appearances from a cast of cider stars, everything you need to know about this golden nectar is right here. Meet the free-thinking French cidermakers, experience the culturally-vibrant Asturian and Basque cider scene, and hear how Australia’s cider pioneers want Tasmania to be renamed the Cider Island. While the cider leads the way, it’s the people that count for Susanna with their boundless energy and passion for the art of making cider and for preserving the land.