The Craft of Pips Cider

From Orchard to Glass

When people think of traditional cider, two extremes often come to mind: sweet and fizzy or dry and flat. But true craft cider offers a richer, more nuanced experience. At Pips Cider, we pride ourselves on producing a cider that goes beyond expectations—crafted with care, tradition, and 100% apple juice.

The widely accepted definition of craft cider requires at least 85% apple juice and no artificial colourings or flavourings. At Pips Cider, we take it further, using a unique blend of seven bittersweet and bittersharp apple varieties harvested entirely by hand from our Herefordshire orchard.

A Thoughtful Harvest

Our apples are handpicked from October to December to ensure they remain undamaged by machinery. While this method takes time, it’s a labor of love for our dedicated orchard team. Harvesting by hand not only preserves the quality of the fruit but also fosters a sense of camaraderie as we enjoy the crisp autumn air and spirited conversations.

Crafting the Perfect Cider

The cider-making process at Pips Cider is similar to winemaking, balancing patience, precision, and respect for tradition.

Preparation and Milling

After harvesting, the apples are stored briefly to maximize juiciness. They’re then washed, sorted, and passed through a scratter mill, which grinds them into a pulp. Our original handmade scratter mill, built from wood and stainless steel, could process 200kg of apples per hour—a proud relic of our early days!

Pressing the Pulp

Once milled, the pulp is pressed to extract the juice. While our early wooden press holds fond memories, we now use more efficient methods to meet demand. Freshly pressed juice is collected into food-grade fermentation vessels, starting its transformation into cider.

Fermentation

The juice ferments naturally as yeasts convert sugars into alcohol. This stage is sensitive to temperature, with colder winters slowing the process. Using airlocks on our fermentation vessels, we ensure gases escape while keeping oxygen out. Our quality control system meticulously tracks sugar levels, helping us determine the perfect timing for the next stage.

Maturation

After fermentation, the cider is racked into sealed containers, where it matures over several months. This is when the cider develops its final taste and color—a delicate balance between nature and craft.

Packaging and Enjoyment

When maturation is complete, it’s time to bottle the cider—a culmination of months of hard work. Each batch is a unique expression of our orchard and the seasons, ready for you to savor and share.

A Taste for Every Occasion

We offer our ciders in three distinctive styles: Dry, Medium, and Sweet, each bottled in elegant 750ml bottles with an ABV of approximately 7.5%. Whether paired with pork, cheese, curry, or roast meals, or enjoyed as a social drink with friends, Pips Cider is designed to elevate every occasion.

Responsible Enjoyment

At Pips Cider, we encourage drinking in moderation and support responsible consumption. For more information, visit DrinkAware.

Experience cider as it was meant to be—crafted with care, steeped in tradition, and made to be shared. Discover the true taste of Pips Cider.