CONTACT: JIM ANDERSON

01381 620 236

info@theanderson.co.uk

 

 

DRINK YOURSELF BLIND

 

On Saturday 15 October at 3:00pm, The Anderson in Fortrose will host a blind tasting of ciders made from apples grown by Ryefield Farms of Tore. This will be the first time Ryefield's ciders will have been tasted side-by-side.

 

Apples are a new crop for Ryefield Farm, which is just a few miles away from Fortrose on the idyllic Black Isle. They are best known for their strawberries and raspberries, which draw fruit-lovers from the four corners of the Highlands. But recently owner Torquil Fraser began to grow apples with cider-making in mind.

 

The ciders are made from different combinations of Howgate Wonder, Bramley and Discovery, varieties not normally associated with cidermaking.  "This is a long-term project," says Fraser, who makes the cider himself. "A real cider made from local apples is something nobody's doing in the Highlands."

 

"Since replacing Strongbow with Addlestone's cask-conditioned cider in the spring of 2005, cider sales have increased threefold," says Jim Anderson, resident Beer Geek at The Anderson. "This interest in a return to artesianal cider bodes well for what Ryefield is doing." The Anderson has been recommended both by The Good Beer Guide and Good Beer Guide Belgium for their selection of real ale & cider as well as their vast selection of Belgian ales.

 

The blind tasting will include six of Ryefield's ciders, which each guest will taste and rate as to appearance, aroma, flavour and balance. The results of the tasting will go directly to Ryefield for use in  shaping the flavour profile of the final product, which they plan to make commercial in the near future, both in 750ml bottles and limited-edition casks.

 

Admission to the tasting is £15 per person, and will include the ciders, an apple-based buffet from the highly-regarded kitchen of The Anderson, as well as a 10% discount on dinner that evening. A package that includes the tasting and B & B is available for £35 per person.