Cider/Perry tips

Mark · 09-09-2010, 21:48

Having discovered that I might actually like cider and perry, but having been restricted to the usual suspects (yes, Magners, among other similar or worse), I figure I'd like to venture out and try some of the (more) genuine article.

So, there's a local beer festival this weekend, and they may have what I'm after, but I'm clueless and know neither what I want, nor what I should want. The idea of course is to try things but being the lightweight I am 2-3 will be my limit, so I'd rather play it safer and stand a chance of enjoying myself than go random and risk being put off for life at the first hurdle!

Any tips from the seasoned participants?

Thanking you muchly!

PS - here's the provisional list, if it helps.

LeperousDust · 09-09-2010, 21:52

Pick things you like the sound of or know where it's produced, guess, ask there for small tasters, pick silly names, names of friends etc... Stick with what you like, i find when there's so much on offer unless you are a connoisseur, don't get too caught up in it, and just enjoy yourself

semi-pro waster · 09-09-2010, 22:08

Sounds like quite an interesting selection although I can't claim to have heard of any of them - I think Alex's advice is good, just try a few and see what you like, small tasters and see what appeals.

Mark · 09-09-2010, 22:15

Was hoping it'd be as simple as that. Assuming I'm not working (boo) and it's not raining (double boo) then I'll give it a go. It's within stumbling distance of work should the emergency need arise.

Desmo · 10-09-2010, 07:45

My novice beer festival advice is to stick with halves

Lozza · 10-09-2010, 07:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by Desmo

My novice beer festival advice is to stick with halves

I'd even say third for Mark... that way he gets to taste a few with out the worry of having too much! most beer festivals will do 1/3 even if not advertised!

I'll have a look at the list later to see if I can recommend any for you Mark

Joe 90 · 10-09-2010, 10:08

If you're just getting in to them, don't drink two of the same, that way you'll have a better chance of finding your favourite sooner

Feek · 10-09-2010, 12:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by Desmo

My novice beer festival advice is to stick with halves

That's not novice advice, it's damn good advice! I pretty much only drink half pints at beer festivals.

A lot of festivals now will do what they call a 'nip' which is about a third of a pint - It's worth checking.

Also, most places will let you have a quick taster anyway if you ask "Can I just try the 'Old Bob Bowel Basher please?'" and put half an inch or so in your glass. There's nothing worse than getting a glass full of beverage and finding out that you really dislike it, that happened to me at the Clacton festival a couple of weeks ago and the staff were really good and poured it away for me and gave me something else at no cost.

Lozza · 10-09-2010, 23:21

Here's my recommends from the list.. very impressive list too

Hecks - Wine of Glastonbury
Watkins Perry
Upton Valley Medium/Sweet (I've never had this but would try it)
Gwynt-y-Ddraig - two trees perry
Troggi - Cider/perry
West Croft Cider - Janets Jungle Juice
Gwatkin - regular perry

50% on cider and perry, but of course get the book read what's on offer and how they descibe it, if you like the sound give it a go!

Mark · 10-09-2010, 23:29

Ta! Weather looks ugly but might clear enough in the afternoon. Got to work too which won't help, but if I can...

09-09-2010, 21:48	#1
Mark Screaming Orgasm Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Newbury Posts: 15,194	Cider/Perry tips Having discovered that I might actually like cider and perry, but having been restricted to the usual suspects (yes, Magners, among other similar or worse), I figure I'd like to venture out and try some of the (more) genuine article. So, there's a local beer festival this weekend, and they may have what I'm after, but I'm clueless and know neither what I want, nor what I should want. The idea of course is to try things but being the lightweight I am 2-3 will be my limit, so I'd rather play it safer and stand a chance of enjoying myself than go random and risk being put off for life at the first hurdle! Any tips from the seasoned participants? Thanking you muchly! PS - here's the provisional list, if it helps. Last edited by Mark; 09-09-2010 at 21:50.

09-09-2010, 21:52	#2
LeperousDust Bananaman Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Liverpool/Edinburgh Posts: 4,817	Pick things you like the sound of or know where it's produced, guess, ask there for small tasters, pick silly names, names of friends etc... Stick with what you like, i find when there's so much on offer unless you are a connoisseur, don't get too caught up in it, and just enjoy yourself __________________

09-09-2010, 22:08	#3
semi-pro waster Provider of sensible advice about homosexuals Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: London Posts: 2,615	Sounds like quite an interesting selection although I can't claim to have heard of any of them - I think Alex's advice is good, just try a few and see what you like, small tasters and see what appeals. __________________ "Your friend is the man that knows all about you, and still likes you." - Elbert Hubbard

10-09-2010, 07:45	#5
Desmo The Last Airbender Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Pigmopad Posts: 11,915	My novice beer festival advice is to stick with halves __________________

10-09-2010, 10:08	#7
Joe 90 Absinthe Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Chester Posts: 2,345	If you're just getting in to them, don't drink two of the same, that way you'll have a better chance of finding your favourite sooner __________________ 360 Blog \| Join GiffGaff \| Twitter

09-09-2010, 22:15	#4
Mark Screaming Orgasm Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Newbury Posts: 15,194	Was hoping it'd be as simple as that. Assuming I'm not working (boo) and it's not raining (double boo) then I'll give it a go. It's within stumbling distance of work should the emergency need arise.

10-09-2010, 23:21	#9
Lozza Appreciates the very fine things in life Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Simplicity Posts: 457	Here's my recommends from the list.. very impressive list too Hecks - Wine of Glastonbury Watkins Perry Upton Valley Medium/Sweet (I've never had this but would try it) Gwynt-y-Ddraig - two trees perry Troggi - Cider/perry West Croft Cider - Janets Jungle Juice Gwatkin - regular perry 50% on cider and perry, but of course get the book read what's on offer and how they descibe it, if you like the sound give it a go!

10-09-2010, 23:29	#10
Mark Screaming Orgasm Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Newbury Posts: 15,194	Ta! Weather looks ugly but might clear enough in the afternoon. Got to work too which won't help, but if I can...