We’ve signed up as a sponsor of Bug Life as they promote the well being of all insects which are pretty important for maintaining the health of our ecosystems, biodiversity and life on our planet. There’s an obvious synergy with making cider and perry as the existence of our business is predicated on the work of insect pollinators who ensure the continuation and success of the yearly apple and pear crop. We think of sunshine and rain as being necessary but insect pollination underpins the whole process. ‘If we and the rest of the back-boned animals were to disappear overnight, the rest of the ..read more

Warning - this is an apolitical newsletter full of cheery content for our readers…..”always look on the bright cider life…” Hello! Enjoy a pint of Hogan’s at home!! We’ve just launched our 5lt (8.8 pint) mini kegs - Original Draught and Libertine blends. Other blends coming soon include French Revelation and Got Anything Fruity. Available from our shop and website. Limited stocks until we see how these sell. First 15 orders receive a Hogan’s pint glass as well ! We are still offering free local delivery to B49/B50/CV37 postcodes or within 15 miles if you buy 3 cases or equivalent. I’ve trie ..read more

I hope this newsletter finds you well and able to enjoy some summer sunshine. Just a brief update to tell you about Ciderworld 2020 held in Frankfurt recently.  The original competition was planned for April, but of course, was cancelled. The organisers replaced it with a virtual competition.  Our ciders underwent rigorous analysis and tasting as previously and the medal winners were announced in a audience free surreal ceremony in Frankfurt and filmed for YouTube, see Ciderworld2020. And for the second year in a row, Libertine has won ‘Best in Class’, with a total of 117 out of 120 ..read more

Evening, I'm not sure if this is the start of week 13 or 14 of lockdown.  Things are easing a little.  I’ve made a couple of trips to see isolated parent/parents-in-law.  My own father was not backwards in coming forwards about the state of my big hair… I’d deceived him over previous zoom calls !   He appreciated my cake offering though.  Allen's parents were far more polite! Update on the garden - frost bitten courgettes and beans are making a comeback but a mouse seems to have discovered the strawberries… Elderflower picking continues and the recent rain will have ..read more

Hello all, Moving into the 9th week with big hair now and some confusion over the relaxation rules…. This lockdown has meant Allen and I haven’t attended any events or festivals along with the rest of you.  Which has meant that although our weeks are busy supplying shops and drinkers at home,  our weekends are suddenly free. “Let’s grow some veggies”, something I used to do years ago.   I planted a myriad of bean seeds, courgettes, beetroot and other leaves.  It is a long time since I’ve flexed my green fingers.  The courgettes and beans popped up nicely, I pla ..read more

Notes from lockdown... Hello all, As Easter weekend recedes and it's the end of the third week of lockdown, we hope you remain well and positive and have been able to enjoy some sunshine.  We're feeling pretty fortunate to be holed up in a house with a garden.  I can hear birdsong and bumble bees, and migratory swallows have just returned for the summer.  Nature carries on and is probably benefiting from all this lack of human activity. Despite my hankerings and enjoyment of city life (living where we do is rubbish if you want to enjoy all the social offerings), the banning of ..read more

Cooking at home... Hello all, It goes without saying, it’s been a tough week for everyone. We hope you’re all keeping well, mentally and physically, and finding the positives in a pretty tough situation. It is very apparent how indiscriminate COVID-19 is, there are very few corners of society which have not been affected. That said, it has been lovely to see some sun this week, and a glimpse of cider season which will go ahead regardless - the sun will shine and the apples will grow. Speaking of seasons, it isn’t pickling season but in a bid to not leave the house, and preserve some beetroot ..read more

Watch this video - I think this cockatoo is for real ..read more

Great Taste Awards news.... We've won Great Taste Awards for French Revelation, Libertine, Killer Sharp and our 3 year oak aged Cider Apple Spirit (aka brandy)... French Revelation stole the show with a two star award; Libertine, Killer Sharp and our 3 year oak aged Cider Apple Spirit were awarded one star. This is an easy newsletter to write as I've used the judges comments to give you a flavour! These were table 5 judges comments on French Revelation: Crystal clear, bright and lightly carbonated. The aromas are yeasty, fruity and bold, and the flavour that fills the mouth is sweet apple ..read more