UPTON Noble’s very own cider is currently fermenting and it “tastes just as it should at this stage”, according to producer John White of Millwhites Cider. “I will look to rack the cider off early in the New Year and then send it for bottling in late February,” he added. 

John will send the cider to Branded Drinks in Coleford, Gloucestershire, to be bottled. “There is no intention to involve either myself or the villagers in this process. Branded Drinks will filter, carbonate (if desired) and pasteurize the cider and then bottle and label it. It’s all very professional.”

The intention is that around 1,800 bottles, packed in cases of 12, will arrive back in the village ready for sale. 

The idea of creating Upton Noble’s own cider came about after its successful inaugural Beer Festival in September. 

One Sunday back in the autumn, villagers collected 61 sacks of apples, donated by several local residents with trees in their garden or orchard. This produced just over 1,000 litres of pressed juice. 

“This is a really exciting new venture for the village,” says John. “After the Beer Festival, it just seemed like the natural thing to try.”

Upton Noble’s new cider will be on sale in the spring.