Cider Making

Learn how to make cider on this cider making course with award-winning local cider maker James McCrindle of McCrindle’s Cider.
You’ll start the day by visiting a local orchard where James will talk about keeping an orchard and the varieties of apples suitable for cider-making. Then it’s time to roll up your sleeves and gather cider apples to take back to the farm.
During the afternoon you will help to wash, mill and press the fruit, creating your own apple juice to take away. You will learn how to calculate predicted ABV and anaylse the sugar levels. James will explain how to care for your juice, including how to pasteurize for safe consumption.
This course also includes a tutored tasting of McCrindle’s Cider. James will explain how different production methods create the varying tastes in his range of cider and perry, you’ll get to taste the differences.
Cider Making only takes place in the autumn because that’s when the apples are ready!
You'll visit a local orchard where you'll find out more about the varieties of apples to plant & collect apples to bring back to the farm for pressing.
Wash, mill and press the fruit to make your own apple juice.
Learn how to calculate predicted ABV and anaylse the sugar levels. Learn how to care for your juice, including pasteurisation.
Enjoy a tutored tasting of McCrindle's award-winning cider and perry.
The course will finish with tea and cake and the opportunity to ask any further questions.
How to do it! Brilliant & very practical course.
Fantastic course and looking forward to seeing the results of our labours!
Lovely day out and hugely satisfying to see the first batch of juice cascading from the press! Can't wait to try my own!
Cider Making will run from 10am until 4pm and includes a delicious farm lunch.
This course includes a visit to a local orchard.
You will make 5L of apple juice to take away and pasturize at home. The apple juice, a 5-liter container and airlock are included in the course price.
James McCrindle of McCrindle’s Cider is based in the Forest of Dean. James has his own orchard and hand-picks his…