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Helping people discover proper cider!

If you like Magners or Bulmers, you'll love proper cider. Made using traditional techniques, rather than in industrial factories using chemicals and apple concentrate, proper cider is made straight from pressed apples, which makes them much tastier and authentic than most commercial cider.

Check out our Cider League to find new ciders to try, or consult our Cider Map to find the best places to get your hands on some proper cider in Edinburgh.

Latest Episodes

Episode 33 - "Entire Lot of Grass Clippings"

14 May 2019 - 41:43 - Download

We sample Turners Medium Cider, Dorset Nectar's Old Harry Rocks, Dragon Tears from Green Valley Cyder and a Normandy Perry from Templar's Choice. Niall is tested with a Mystery Cider and a Mystery Let's Branch Out, plus a discussion on leaves!

Episode 32 - "I can't believe you’ve never had kola cubes"

27 July 2018 - 40:02 - Download

We're back! After a brief hiatus, we return to try Dunkertons' Kingston Black, Harry Taylor's Crooked Branch, Oliver's Fine Perry and Himachal Indian Cider. We have a chat about some things that have been going on in the world of cider since our last show and Niall is challenged to a game of "Mystery Let's Branch Out".

Episode 31 - Bla Bla Bla Bla Bla

12 October 2016 - 40:29 - Download

We’re back and sampling a dry cider from Robinsons, a medium cider from Laurence’s, a hopped cider from Olivers and a strong cider from Orchards of Husthwaite. Niall tackles cider news, and we discuss some recent correspondence.

Episode 30 - Thirty Ciders and a Happy Ending...

25 September 2015 - 59:11 - Download

In this special show we try multiple ciders including Loch Ness Cider's Vintage, a Whisky Cider from Gordon Castle, Ashridge's Deven Blush, Himalia 2013 from Butford Organics and Breakwells Seedling from Dunkertons. There's also a staple of cider news, the cider quiz returns, Niall's tested with a mystery cider, we bring back Let's Branch Out and plenty of other cider shenanigans.

Episode 29 - Lazy Scottish Sugar Substitutes

18 March 2015 - 39:36 - Download

We taste Waulkmill's Muckle Toon Rosie, a keeved cider from Pilton, Lazy Jacks American Style Cloudy Cider and a cider sweetened with stevia from Laverstock Park Farm. There's a bunch of cider news, including a mention of One Direction and we have a chat about some of the best places in Edinburgh to find proper cider.

Episode 28 - Dry Australian Willies

13 January 2015 - 37:16 - Download

We're joined by special guest Hugh Mckellar of RealCiderReviews.com who brought us some Australian Willie Smiths cider to try. We also sample Perry's Barn Owl from Somerset and Sampford Courtenay from Devon. There's a bit of cider news and some general cider chat!

Episode 27 - Crouching Bumblebee, Hidden Dragon

5 November 2014 - 38:57 - Download

In this episode we check out the 2013 Kingston Redstreak from Once Upon a Tree, Planetbee from Tom Oliver, Ashton Brown Jersey Cider from Ross on Wye and Bolée D'armorique Cidre Brut. We also have some cider news, and pub chat.

Episode 26 - Jingling Cider Snobs

31 August 2014 - 45:26 - Download

Oldfields Orchard Medium Sweet, La Ferme de Kerloïck and Tricky Medium Dry all get sampled. Plenty of cider news including items on Polish cider, pub awards, Aspall and the brits becoming cider snobs! We talk about some Edinburgh pubs and cider festivals, and a listener has a new jingle created for us!

Episode 25 - Festival of Puffins

7 July 2014 - 52:05 - Download

After a slightly longer interval than usual, we're back! This time with a Dunkertons Breakwells Seedling, Puffin from Perry's Cider and Oliver's Classic Perry. A decent dose of cider news including talk of Orpens cider, CAMRA's championship results and some "spider"! We also talk about pubs in Southside, and some upcoming Edinburgh cider festivals.

Episode 24 - Dry Royal Papal Flush

28 April 2014 - 47:02 - Download

We try Tutts Clump Special Reserve, Dunkertons Dry Organic and a Burrow Hill Perry. Plenty of cider news including some discussion on festivals and the Queen. We also have a lengthy discussion about our Cider League Table, and have some interesting correspondence.

Episode 23 - Supermarket Sweep

19 March 2014 - 42:01 - Download

We try 4 supermarket branded ciders, including a medium dry still cider from Tesco (by Westons), a cloudy still from Waitrose (by Westons), Tillington Hills cider from the Co-op, and a french cider from Sainsbury's. We have a chat about cider in Canada, and try a banana beer and a coconut beer from Mongozo (one of which erupts).

Episode 22 - Vintage Cider Shambles

24 February 2014 - 41:25 - Download

Four vintage ciders are sampled: Sheppy's 2012 Vintage Reserve, Thatchers 2011 Vintage, Aspall's Vintage 2012 and McCrindle's 2012 Vintage. Niall tries his hand at cider news as well as his first quiz, and we talk about the perfect Edinburgh cider pub crawl.

Episode 21 - Full of Cider, Free of Gimmicks

13 February 2014 - 37:40 - Download

After last month's global failures, we come closer to home with 4 decent UK ciders: Newtons Golden Blush, La Mare Branchage, Sandford Orchards Devon Red & a Medium Sweet Tricky Cider. The quiz makes a return, and James has a show affecting announcement.

Episode 20 - Global Disappointments with a French Approval

16 January 2014 - 44:53 - Download

4 global ciders are sampled: Crushed Pear Cider from Montheith's in New Zealand, Lucky Duck Cider from Australia, a red thing from the Netherlands, and Cidre Artisanal Le Brun Biologique from France! A bit of cider news, and some Christmas cider chat.

Episode 19 - Pigs, Perth & Punch Discovery

12 December 2013 - 41:47 - Download

We try a Scottish cider from Cairn O' Mohr , Orchard Pig Truffler and a growler of Mr. Whitehead's Newtons Discovery. The famous quiz makes a long awaited comeback, and "Let's Branch Out" also makes a return with an apple whiskey punch from Jack Daniel's.

Episode 18 - One Year, Lots of Cider & Some Other Stuff

15 November 2013 - 51:03 - Download

In our anniversary show, we taste 3 very different ciders: A Rum Cask from Tutts Clump, Wild West from 146 Cider Company, and a Perry from Gwatkin. Cider news includes talk about CAMRA's Cider Pub of the Year, Mystery Cider makes a comeback, and we have an interesting discussion about "proper" cider.

Episode 17 - Morningside Growlers, Broughton Failures

6 October 2013 - 39:11 - Download

We try a Dunkertons Browns from England, a Cidreie de Prat-Rouz Cidre Artisanal from France, and Thistly Cross's Jaggy Thistle from Scotland for a tri-national tasting session. Discuss Britain's first growler shop launching in Edinburgh. Launch the Edinburgh Cider Map Web App, and dive into the cider postbag.

Episode 16 - Pigs in the West End

5 September 2013 - 45:43 - Download

We try an M&S cider from Sandford Orchards, an Orchard Pig Reveller & a Gwatkin's Yarlington Mill from Wales. Cider News includes a discussion on the health benefits of cider, we mention our plans for a "Proper Cider" campaign, and talk about some cider surprises in the West End of Edinburgh.

Episode 15 - Cider Surprises & International Rivals

8 August 2013 - 47:25 - Download

We taste ciders from Pure North, Flat Cap, Ross-on-Wye and 146 Cider. James introduces a surprise mystery feature, we fail on Let's Branch Out, and discuss some rivals from down under.

Episode 14 - Three Sweets & an Apéritif

5 July 2013 - 34:10 - Download

We try sweet ciders from Oliver's, Henney's and Tutts Clump. Plenty of cider news including an exciting announcement about cider growlers in Edinburgh, and some interesting news about Jeremiah Weed. We "branch out" with an Apple Apéritif, and discuss the best pubs in Morningside/Bruntsfield for cider.

Episode 13 - Dancing Tingle of Fire

3 June 2013 - 36:51 - Download

We swap roles for a slightly inverted show where we try 3 medium-dry ciders from friends of the show: a Traditional Farmhouse from Tutts Clump, Ampleforth Abbey Cider and Shezam Cider from Oliver's. Niall attempts some cider news, we check out a few pubs in Leith, and "branch out" with Ginger Grouse.

Episode 12 - Very Merry Perry

15 May 2013 - 40:16 - Download

We try perries from Dunkertons, Severn Cider, and a french one from Christian Drouin. The world famous quiz returns, we check out 3 Edinburgh pubs, and try some Cornish Mead!

Episode 11 - A Bowlful of Little Dwarfs

30 April 2013 - 37:33 - Download

We try 3 French ciders: La Bolée les Korrigans, a Cidre Breton from Kerisac and a Normandy cider from Waitrose. Plenty of cider news including some controversial thoughts on Thatchers Gold and Carling's so called "British Cider". We are also pleasantly surprised by a pink "Let's Branch Out" from France: Ecusson Cidre Rosé.

Episode 10 - Snakebite and the Craft Agenda

8 April 2013 - 48:47 - Download

We interview Peter Stuart, the cider maker from Thistly Cross, while at the launch event for their new Snakebite. We also try a Cider & Blackberry from Welsh cider maker Gwynt y Ddraig, and a medium sweet cider from Dunkertons.

Episode 9 - Apple-cart-ography

20 March 2013 - 40:27 - Download

We taste Samuel Smith's Organic Cider, a Somerset cider from Burrow Hill, and Henney's Vintage 2011. Niall struggles with the quiz, we review the Cumberland Bar, and also try a ginger beer from Hollows & Fentimans in "Let's Branch Out".

Episode 8 - Dry Rum Foxes

3 March 2013 - 33:45 - Download

We check out a Perry's Dry Cider, a Dunkertons Black Fox, and an interesting Rum Cask Cider from Mill Whites. Some cider news, we review the Jolly Judge pub, and revisit Sheppy's Dabinett Apple.

Episode 7 - Global Apples & Scottish Branches

13 February 2013 - 42:04 - Download

JK's Scrumpy Cider from the US goes down well, along with el Gaitero from Spain and a dry Henney's from HerefordshIre. We try a Raspberry Lager for Let's Branch Out, along with a Quiz and a few interesting snippets of cider news.

Episode 6 - 'Realing' in the Cider

29 January 2013 - 28:03 - Download

We go back to France and sample some Cidre Fermier, along with a Marks & Spencers' Thatchers, and a Westons Old Rosie. 'Real' cider is debated, coffee is discussed in 'Cider News', and we check out the Cloisters Bar, in Bruntsfield.

Episode 5 - Organic Swedish Rats

7 January 2013 - 35:17 - Download

We sample 3 rather different ciders, including Sweden's number 1, Herrljunga, Black Rat from Somerset and an organic cider by Dunkertons. We also review Hector's in Stockbridge, and branch out with a Breton bottle.

Episode 4 - Fruits, Flowers & Festivities

16 December 2012 - 33:36 - Download

Addlestones, Swedish & Celtic temptations, but no branching out for Christmas.

Episode 3 - Normans, Beards and Whisky Cider

24 November 2012 - 38:17 - Download

We review our first Norman Cider, a £1 bottle, some Thistly Cross class and IT unexpectedly introduces a new feature.

Episode 2 - Aspall's Redemption

16 November 2012 - 39:10 - Download

Aspall gets another chance after the blackberry incident, Niall brings some treats back from Ireland, and we have a fruitful helping of cider news.

Episode 1 - The Pilot

25 October 2012 - 47:39 - Download

Our first attempt, including discussion on Thistly Cross, Aspall, Sheppys and Jeremiah Weed. (Apologies for the less than perfect audio, if the feedback is good, we promise to invest in some better equipment!!)

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