| Author |
 Topic  |
|
|
Gents
HMZ God
Trinidad and Tobago
2214 Posts |
 Posted - 02/12/2004 : 15:33:19
|
Following on from the discussion a few weeks back, here are the first ever HMZ Cider Awards! I thought the best way to do it would be to ask you all for nominations in each different category, then compile a shortlist (of about 5 nominees) in each category that we can then vote on. hope this sounds ok to everyone. So, please give me as many nominations as you like in each of the following awards:
BEST PINT OF CIDER 2004 (best draught cider/ sold on tap)
BEST BOTTLED CIDER
BEST PERRY
BEST CIDER MAKER/COMPANY
BEST CIDER PUB - IN HMZ TERRITORY (SOMERSET & BRISTOL)
BEST CIDER PUB - INTERNATIONAL (OUTSIDE OF SOMERSET & BRISTOL)
BEST CIDER INITIATIVE (original/unusual cider, ie "cider in rum barrels", "cider with lemongrass", etc)
OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO CIDER (an individual who has done a lot for cider making this year, maybe a celebrity from the Famous Cider Drinkers Page, a particularly enthusiastic cider-maker, landlord, etc)
I thought it would be best to keep it simple and keep the number of categories quite low, although if anyone thinks of a really really good idea for another category we may add that on too. Cheers for any help i get. ciderrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
ZIDER! |
|
|
Al Caholic
Cider Bus Convert
Vatican City
145 Posts |
Posted - 03/12/2004 : 09:12:33
|
Right then, my nominations are....
BEST PINT OF CIDER 2004 (best draught cider/ sold on tap)
If it's on tap from a pub JJJ, if it's draught from the farm, Hecks single variety Kingston Black
BEST BOTTLED CIDER
Sheppy's Taylors Gold
BEST PERRY
Got to be Long Ashton Research Station
BEST CIDER MAKER/COMPANY
Hecks/Wilkins tie
BEST CIDER PUB - IN HMZ TERRITORY (SOMERSET & BRISTOL)
The Beaufort
BEST CIDER PUB - INTERNATIONAL (OUTSIDE OF SOMERSET & BRISTOL)
Clytha Arms near Abergavenny http://www.clytha-arms.com home of the welsh cider festival
BEST CIDER INITIATIVE (original/unusual cider, ie "cider in rum barrels", "cider with lemongrass", etc)
Biddendon Special Reserve aged in whiskey barrels (13%) http://www.biddendenvineyards.com/
OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO CIDER (an individual who has done a lot for cider making this year, maybe a celebrity from the Famous Cider Drinkers Page, a particularly enthusiastic cider-maker, landlord, etc)
Gents for his continuous promotion and enthusiasm and Common Ground http://www.commonground.org.uk/ for all their work to preserve orchards
Al 
Zider I up barkeep! |
Edited by - Al Caholic on 03/12/2004 14:22:50 |
 |
|
|
Gents
HMZ God
Trinidad and Tobago
2214 Posts |
Posted - 03/12/2004 : 09:31:12
|
Wow thanks very much, im very honoured to be nominated along with those other great names!
quote:
Originally posted by Al Caholic
BEST PINT OF CIDER 2004 (best draught cider/ sold on tap)
If it's on tap from a pub JJJ, if it's draught from the farm, Hecks single variety Kingston Black
- I reckon it can be a tap in pub or farm for this category, because many ciders overlap and are sold in both ways (like JJJ).
Just to make it clear, im not counting these nominations towards the final vote, just trying to compile a shortlist for each category, so you can nominate as many ciders/pubs/farms for each section as you like.
That Biddendens sounds fantastic, is there anyway we can get hold of some round here??
ZIDER! |
|
|
|
Tharg drinker of cider
Cider Bus Convert
Borneo
184 Posts |
Posted - 03/12/2004 : 13:47:43
|
My own nominations would be:
Best cider on tap: Wilkins, Gwatkins, Orchards, Broadlands Farm……I’ve had loads this year, and they’ve all been great.
Best bottled cider: Sheppey’s Dabinet. A real surprise for me this one, sweeter and fizzier than my preferred cider, but with a lovely flavour.
Best perry: Obviously I’m going to go for Orchard’s Blakeney Red, fantastic stuff. I also enjoyed a perry that Ivanhoe fetched back from one of his expeditions, I’ve got no idea who made it, but he’d very helpfully wrote “PERVY” on it in felt pen.
Cider pubs in your neck of the woods, are unknown to me.
Best international pub has got to be The Railway in Newnham on Severn, run by David “Pele” Price (Shamefully, I’ve still not been). Pele is trying to get bottled examples of every cider produced in Britain, he’s certainly got the largest range available in any pub.
Best cider initiative: It’s got to be the various rum and whiskey barrelled ciders that have appeared in recent times. I’ve had several, including one effort that was more whiskey than cider, incidentally, it wasn’t for sale to the public.
Outstanding contribution to cider: There are many people worth nominating:
Charles Martell of Dymock, collecting and preserving native variety fruit trees, rescuing many from extinction, encouraging others to do the same, and then donating his collection to the nation.
The Three Counties Cider and Perry Association, for being recognised in 2004, by the Italian Slow Food Movement, for the outstanding quality of their product, this movement was set up to counter-act the overwhelming fast food culture that prevails today, and acknowledges that perry, resistant to mass manufacturing techniques, hence its scarcity, is a high quality product that fully deserves to be championed, and is now being hailed across Europe.
All the many cider drinkers and cider makers, who gave unstintingly of their time and expertise, to help us make our own cider in London this year.
This marvellous site.
Finally, worse cider: IKEA perry.
And you will know us by the trail of empties.... |
|
|
|
Al Caholic
Cider Bus Convert
Vatican City
145 Posts |
Posted - 03/12/2004 : 14:15:35
|
I'll second the IKEA perry for the worst award Tharg, that stuff is proper nasty.
Sadly Gents the Biddenden is only availiable direct from the vineyard shop and I have drunk all that I had  sorry!
Al
Zider I up barkeep! |
Edited by - Al Caholic on 03/12/2004 14:18:46 |
|
|
|
Ivanhoe Martin
Cider Bus Convert
Oman
273 Posts |
Posted - 03/12/2004 : 15:12:58
|
Oddly, I found my cider notebook a couple of days ago and was looking through my notes on a great trip to Somerset earlier this year. My votes would be:
Best tap cider: Wilkins, Bennett's (Chestnut Farm, Edithmead,Burnham on Sea. Tel: 01278 785376 - I highly recommend this one), the pint of Westons I had in the lovely pub in Wookey Hole village.
Best bottled cider: tough one for me, this. I like the Thatchers Spartan, Orchard's KB, and (controversial possibly) the odd bottle of Duche de Longueville
Best Perry: Orchards Blakeny Red, Lyne Down, Broome Farm
Best cider maker/company: (On the grounds that they have a decent product and good distribution, and have introduced all those single variety ciders) Thatchers. I think they are keeping traditional values but marketing it to non-traditional cider drinkers and expanding the potential market
Haven't been in a good cider pub for ages, so won't vote on either of those categories (unless I can nominate our kitchen in the International category. It's seldom been without at least one manucube of draught cider or perry throughout this year, and at one time had about six on the go at once.)
Best cider initiative: the Thatchers single varietals. Not necessarily the nicest examples of their kind, but probably the one most likely to get into the most places and to expand interest in cider
Contribution to cider: Surrey Docks City Farm. Site for the pressing of what will undoubtedly be the best cider from 2004 apples (i.e. ours) ;0))
|
|
|
|
Gents
HMZ God
Trinidad and Tobago
2214 Posts |
Posted - 06/12/2004 : 10:14:00
|
Thanks for the nominations, keep em coming everyone else...
Ok, WORST CIDER/PERRY is officially a category now, and my nomination has to be Green Yalley Cyder (http://www.hannahmorezider.co.uk/new_forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=842) - the worst thing ive ever tasted. . I'll post my other nominations later.
ZIDER! |
|
|
|
Jack the Hat
Blackthorn Experimenter
64 Posts |
Posted - 06/12/2004 : 12:52:21
|
BEST PINT OF CIDER 2004 (best draught cider/ sold on tap)
Hecks - sort of sold on tap provided it goes in a gallon bottle.
BEST BOTTLED CIDER
Thatcher's single variety (cos it's the only one i've had except K)
BEST PERRY
Never tasted it but I'm sure it's very nice
BEST CIDER MAKER/COMPANY
Hecks/Wilkins. Hecks for the taste and Wilkins because you are greeted with a broad "wanna drink me babber?" by someone with a big red nose.
BEST CIDER PUB - IN HMZ TERRITORY (SOMERSET & BRISTOL)
The Grosvenor, Bedminster. For its warm welcome and enthusiastic fighting.
BEST CIDER PUB - INTERNATIONAL (OUTSIDE OF SOMERSET & BRISTOL)
The Wenlock - the only place outside of Somerset I've dared to try cider.
BEST CIDER INITIATIVE (original/unusual cider, ie "cider in rum barrels", "cider with lemongrass", etc)
Strongbow. For it's determination to market this filth as "cider", concentrating on it's unusual "bitter yet sweet" taste. Fair play to them for trying, and obviously succeeding. If they can convince people to drink this crap, imagine what the proper cider producers can achieve given the right outlet? Time to set up the Cider Bar.
OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO CIDER (an individual who has done a lot for cider making this year, maybe a celebrity from the Famous Cider Drinkers Page, a particularly enthusiastic cider-maker, landlord, etc)
HMZ for introducing me to drinkin cider and Al for the virtuous activity of apple pickin and cider making.
WORSE CIDER
Thatchers from the Nova Scotia. Rank - even with a slice. I'll have a Fosters instead chuurs keep. |
|
|
|
Jungle Jim
HMZ God
Falkland Islands
1872 Posts |
Posted - 06/12/2004 : 13:27:46
|
BEST PINT OF CIDER 2004 (best draught cider/ sold on tap):
JJJ
BEST BOTTLED CIDER:
Thatchers Katy
BEST PERRY:
Brothers Bar (at Glastonbury Festival)
BEST CIDER MAKER/COMPANY:
Burrow Hill
BEST CIDER PUB - IN HMZ TERRITORY (SOMERSET & BRISTOL):
The Old Barn, Wraxall
BEST CIDER PUB - INTERNATIONAL (OUTSIDE OF SOMERSET & BRISTOL):
Ye Olde Cider Bar, Newton Abbot, Devon
BEST CIDER INITIATIVE (original/unusual cider, ie "cider in rum barrels", "cider with lemongrass", etc): I think our best cider-related initiative was attempting to walk to Clevedon to get a kebab, but if that doesn’t count I’ll go for hot & spicy cider
OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO CIDER (an individual who has done a lot for cider making this year, maybe a celebrity from the Famous Cider Drinkers Page, a particularly enthusiastic cider-maker, landlord, etc):
The bloke who is now selling proper cider in his restaurant – it was on Points West a couple of months ago, think I mentioned it on here somewhere. Will find out more details if he makes it to the nomination stage!
WORST CIDER:
Strongbow (or Jack Ratt if Strongbow doesn’t even count as cider)
WORST INTERNATIONAL CIDER:
All the welsh ones from the CAMRA cider award list.
WORST PERRY:
I’ve only had the Brothers Bar one all year, but Ikea Perry sounds pretty horrible.
Are we going to let the winners/nominees know? Or will they then expect something from us?!
Cider's coming home...
 |
|
|
|
Gents
HMZ God
Trinidad and Tobago
2214 Posts |
Posted - 07/12/2004 : 12:55:38
|
Some nominations given to me by a cider-drinker who wishes to remain anonymous:
BEST PINT OF CIDER 2004 (best draught cider/ sold on tap)
- Westons Old Rosie, Thatchers Traditional, Stowford Press
BEST BOTTLED CIDER
- Dunkertons Premium
BEST PERRY
- Westons Perry
BEST CIDER MAKER/COMPANY
- Westons
BEST CIDER PUB - IN HMZ TERRITORY (SOMERSET & BRISTOL)
- Avon Packet (Southville), Old Barn (Nailsea), Blue Flame (Nailsea)
BEST CIDER PUB - INTERNATIONAL (OUTSIDE OF SOMERSET & BRISTOL)
- The Old Green Tree (Bath)
BEST CIDER INITIATIVE (original/unusual cider, ie "cider in rum barrels", "cider with lemongrass", etc)
- Burrow Hill Cider Brandy
OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO CIDER
- Me (Gents). Quote: "no one has contributed more about cider in my life".
WORST CIDER
- Magners
I'll finally get around to posting my own later today...
ZIDER! |
|
|
|
Jungle Jim
HMZ God
Falkland Islands
1872 Posts |
Posted - 07/12/2004 : 13:26:57
|
quote:
Originally posted by Gents
BEST CIDER PUB - INTERNATIONAL (OUTSIDE OF SOMERSET & BRISTOL)
- The Old Green Tree (Bath)
Bath is in Somerset!
Cider's coming home...
|
|
|
|
Gents
HMZ God
Trinidad and Tobago
2214 Posts |
Posted - 07/12/2004 : 14:37:27
|
quote:
Originally posted by Jungle Jim
Bath is in Somerset!
- is it really though? Im not so sure. When I went there last it was full of Americans, Japanese and Ponces, it seemed foreign enough to me to be classed as International. If not it can move to the other category then.
ZIDER! |
|
|
|
Gents
HMZ God
Trinidad and Tobago
2214 Posts |
Posted - 08/12/2004 : 16:00:54
|
My nominations:
BEST PINT OF CIDER 2004 (best draught cider/ sold on tap)
- Janets Jungle Juice (West Croft Cider)
- Westons Vintage
BEST BOTTLED CIDER
- Dunkertons Premium
- Kersiac
- Thatchers Katy
- Sheppys Kingston Black
BEST PERRY
- Long Ashton Research Perry
BEST CIDER MAKER/COMPANY
- Thatchers (i really don't like what they are doing to some of their tap ciders, but they are making a real effort to keep cider alive by investing in marketing it at a new audience, their single variety ciders and their Thatchers Heritage are lovely, and it is their centenary year after all).
BEST CIDER PUB - IN HMZ TERRITORY (SOMERSET & BRISTOL)
- The Beaufort (Bristol)
- The Coronation (Southville, Bristol)
- The Miners Rest (Long Ashton)
- The Crown (Churchill)
BEST CIDER PUB - INTERNATIONAL (OUTSIDE OF SOMERSET & BRISTOL)
- Ye Olde Cider Bar (Newton Abbot)
- The Victory (Hereford)
BEST CIDER INITIATIVE (original/unusual cider, ie "cider in rum barrels", "cider with lemongrass", etc)
- Thatchers Oak Matured in Rum Barrels.
OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO CIDER
- The people who did Save Our Orchards Campaign (can't remember who they were tho!)
- Adge Cutler (30 years on from the year he died and his songs about how great cider was are still being sung today in the West Country).
WORST CIDER
- Green Vally Cyder
ZIDER! |
|
|
|
Chowie
Cider Bus Convert
USA
229 Posts |
Posted - 13/12/2004 : 20:54:37
|
My Votes, a bit of delay has I've been bed bound and am still obviously not well as I've not had a drink/cider since the night in the Beaufort.
My nominations:
BEST PINT OF CIDER 2004 (best draught cider/ sold on tap)
- Janets Jungle Juice
- Stowford Press
- Thatchers Gold
BEST BOTTLED CIDER
- Thatchers Oak Matured in Rum Barrels
- Duche de Longueville
- Thatchers Spartan
- Thatchers Katy
- Westons Organic
BEST PERRY
- Long Ashton Research Perry
BEST CIDER MAKER/COMPANY
- Thatchers
- Westons
BEST CIDER PUB - IN HMZ TERRITORY (SOMERSET & BRISTOL)
- The Beaufort (Bristol)
- The Coronation (Southville, Bristol)
- The Orchard (Bristol)
BEST CIDER PUB - INTERNATIONAL (OUTSIDE OF SOMERSET & BRISTOL)
- That place in Newton Abbot sounds mighty fine but have never been to a cider establishment outside of the area.
BEST CIDER INITIATIVE (original/unusual cider, ie "cider in rum barrels", "cider with lemongrass", etc)
- Thatchers Oak Matured in Rum Barrels.
- Westons Low Cal/Low Carb Cider.
OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO CIDER
- The people who did Save Our Orchards Campaign.
- Gentz & Al
WORST CIDER
- Thatchers Old Rascal
- Thatchers Mendip Scrumpy
- Strongbow |
|
|
| |
Topic |
|
|
|
HMZ Cider Awards - Nominations Please!
