Hot Zider !!!
Natural Devonshire Cider!
Thompstone's Cider aims to uphold the virtues of "Quality, Stregth and Purity" and so our cider is made from 100% pure apple juice and is undiluted and free from added yeasts or chemicals. Thus its clean flavours reflect the varieties of our apples and the magnificent terroir of our region. It is also unpasturised and truly as live as the orchards it comes from so antioxidants and flavours that would have otherwise been destroyed remain for your health and enjoyment.
Ripe apples and grapes have a wealth of microbes living on them and so their juice always contains bacteria and fungi that can lead to framboisment. However good fermentation and care can eliminate their harmful effects to produce a live drink with a shelf life plenty long enough for most drinkers.
Unfortunately it is far easier and cheaper to produce a chemically stabilised drink and as the Soil Association allow it for both organic ciders and wines many organic drink manufacturers find it irresistible and use sulphite as a matter of course. Justifying it on account of the "infections" present.
Ever had one of those awful hangovers that starts almost the moment you begin drinking or nags on all the next day whatever you do? It's often the sulphite which in severe cases of intollerance can produce coughing and breathing problems, indegestion and rashes! Rather amazingly a medium glass of white wine contains, on average, 26mg of sulphites. The EU recommended "acceptable daily intake" is 42mg per day for a 60kg female. Look out for the numbers E220, E221, E222, E223, E224, E226, E227, E228, E150 they all indicate the presence of sulphites.
Gastronomy
At Thompstone's we're not just interested in drink we love to spoil our taste buds with all manner of gastronomic delights and have collected and developed a range of cidery recipies from fondus to cassoulets to suit every occasion. Remember "Pavlum ne noceat potus" food lest the drink harm ye!
We also take pride in how we drink our cider, finding the hum drum of the pub a little boring we like to create a worthy atmosphere for our tipple with mobile bars and hot cider stalls selling the finest mulled and vintage. All drinks are served in paper half pint cups for safety and environmental consideration. Check out our services page and see if you might like us to help you enteretain your guests for a verey reasonable fee.
Community
Gradually a core group formed what we now call "The Lodge of the Triple Apple" a very informal and only slightly hierarchical institution that encourages members to bring their own skills to the bar or table. As you will be able to see our symbol is the triple apple which reflects our Celtic heritage and Westcountry outlook together with our union of Quality, Strength and Purity.
Be you a DJ or chef, an entertainer or a scientist the lodge will welcome and reward anyone who contributes successfully to events which begin in January with the Wassail and end with the Yule feast in December. Once a member of the lodge you will recieve benefit from reduced prices and increased availability of our specialist ciders. Perhaps more importantly you will be invited to learn to the secrets of our craft.
Tradition
Besides our interest in the ingredients of our cider we are also keen to retain what we see as the important aspects of traditional cider manufacture and so although we use modern materials and ideas our process is quiet ancient. Apples are harvested and bagged for ripening before washing and milling in small batches to optimise ripeness and minimise infection. The pommace is then pressed through rack and cloth to release the juice which is firmented by wild yeasts present on the apples in a process taking several months. At no point is there a chemical or biological intervention and only scrupulous maintenance of conditions ensures success.