The Renaissance

 The English

Making Cider since 3000 BCE, fermented apples in a variety of ways was perhaps the first thing the Stone Age Brits were famous for. Crab Apples, Old English Sweet Apples for drinking, and Cider Vinegar for washing and healthcare. The Apple was closely reveared by the Celtic peoples long before Julius Caesar or the introduction of Christianity. Possibly the reason that the Westcountry and Scotland never succumbed to the Roman occupation was that on arrival the Romans found the Celts to be so deft at Crabapple Cider, and viewed the process as quite interesting. Making Cider was very well established in the UK long before Jesus was even born and very important to the native humans there, which is understandable. Explaining to the ancient Celts that they should worship the Holy Trinity instead of trees, nature, and the environment did not go down too well and thereby was never completely adopted, the Celtic 'Religion' lives on to this day and forth. Gin, the highly distlled drink made from Barley Grains and Juniper berries or often adding Sloes being more linked to Godliness is the spirit popular with sailors through time, there are other books on that some quite good. I used to walk past a Gin Distillery on my way to work on Plymouth Barbican that has been making Gin on the same site since before the Pilgrim Fathers set off to live in America! The Sailors used to stock up their ships as the Gin kept away skurvy and helped with keeping the ships and saliors clean and merry. Perhaps more Godly? Or Spiritual? Or maybe a Higher purpose intent? Somerset is world famous for Orchards of Cider worthy Apples, as are numerous other Counties across the Isles. When the Normans from Normandy in Northern France invaded on the shores of Pevensey beach setting their camp 10 miles east at Hastings on the 28th September in 1066 with William the Conqueror they brought with them their Apples grown in their own region of France which thanks to their native climate and cultivation methods had a higher content of tannins that proved to be handy in creating a different taste to the already well known and cultured Celtic methods. Harold I's reign was over and we know from the Bayeux Tapestry he had his eye on those Française Apples! For England! The Olden French word 'Cisdre' given to the name of the drink C(See/Sea)-Is-Dr-E(arth), started to rise in popularity and useage. The name then changed slightly to 'Cidre' over time for the French influenced version and is still in use 1000 years hence. Old English Cider is still fashioned today amongst a community of traditional and modern experimental Cider Makers, away from the larger well-known brands, home craft Cider fans are also accepted as worthy Cider counterparts. I now include myself to be one of them. Experience grows with knowledge in the particular field and the river never flows the same way twice. So, I think to start my press with a select choice of flavours that I know very well. Bringing the learning and respect from ancient culture into the modern world. I learn from the artisans of ancient times and thoroughly appreciate what I can make of it. Monks were for a phase the keepers of the large apple presses creating a Cider that's equipment and record exceeds that of the Dark Age home cider press, that would have served the inns and taverns around the UK bringing in money for the Crown. Home distillery is illegal in Great Britain to a large degree, selling Spirits that you would make in your shed or bathroom is not acceptable without a license and government approval. Though making Cider is acceptable and if you find the Time, Apples, and Equipment in your friends house or your partner keeps a few Apple Demijohns in the spare room you need not worry that they're involving you in criminal activities by sharing a sip on the surmise of their talent and efforts. At certain times in the year many Urban or even Towns put together an Apple Pressing event, where you may take in your own bags of apples and return home with your own fresh Apple Juice! A community event around the same time as the Harvest Festival. Dwarf Patio Potted Apple trees are my selection as they sit well in my yard and are marvelous pollinators during the spring and summer months, saying that I chose self-fertile varieties as I'm a beginner I wasn't 100% sure how to get a fantastic amount of juicy apples to last the winter months and into next spring. Also the pots are movable for the best conditions and I can control the nutrient levels going into the trees better while deciding on the accompany herbs or flowers to go around there. More about that later.