Single Batch Case of Ugly Dog 2021 Medium Sweet Cider

Style: Medium sweet, real cider, crisp and floral, full mouth feel, tannin finish.

Strength: 7% ABV.

Year: 2021.

Attributes: Gluten Free, Unfiltered, Unfined, Vegan, Vegetarian.

Allergens: Sulphites added.

Orchards: Terrible Down Barn, Quarry Fram, Rocks Lane, Donations

Varieties: Field blend of unknown cookers and eaters, Michelin, Dabinett cider varieties.

Apple Appeal Donations
Each year local folk bring us their unwanted apples and swap them for cider. Tons of apples arrive at the cidery in bags and boxes ready to be washed and pressed. We rarely know what we've been given, but we know its locally grown, untreated fruit that's appreciated by the donors. Most people tell us it alleviates their guilt to bring the fruit that would otherwise have rotted on the ground and they get the added bonus of going home with bottles of finished cider!

Rocks Lane, High Hurstwood
Our friend Mick bought an orchard by mistake. Out walking his dog one day, his footpath took him across a field being used as a builders yard. On meeting the builder he discovered the field was for sale and made an offer right there. A little further down the line he learned that the mass of brambles at the bottom of the field hid an old orchard untouched for 25 years. 3000 trees were waiting to be rediscovered pruned hard and brought back to life.

We visit this orchard every year on one of our picking days. there is loads of room for families and well behaved dogs and plenty of apples for all.

Terrible Down Barn
Possibly the site of a violent battle in the dark ages, certainly named after one. It may be associated with the battle of Lewes, but that is disputed. Perhaps more likely the name commemorates a terrible viking raid in which the land was stained red with the blood of defenders and attackers.

It's a less terrible spot these days situated just where the low weald meets the high. Sheltered by the south downs and drenched in sunshine and rain this orchard produces a great harvest most years, far more than Nigel and Jude can get through. We harvest the rest, each tree providing a different variety in a range of colours, sixes and flavours its a delightful orchard to harvest and regularly contributes to some of our favourite batches.

Quarry Farm, near Battle
The cider fruit used in this batch come from Sussex's only commercial grower of cider apples, Quarry Fram. Most of the fruit used to get sent to the west country but we now turn up to pick in the Autumn so some at least stays local - adding rich tannin depth and a long finish to our ciders. They have a farm shop with an excellent cafe, if you happen to be visiting nearby Bodium Castle.