As I write our brewing team are flat out with the bottling line running frantically in non-ideal hot and humid conditions to complete packaging of our Mad Brewers Summer Limited Release Hoppy Hefe. Simultaneously we have increased batches of our tap only limited release cider, James Squire Orchard Crush, which is fermenting away in the Camperdown vats.
We released the cider in October 2011 to a controlled number of accounts in NSW, Victoria and W.A. only, as we tested the market and sought to secure a supply of Australian grown apples. Juicing apples are in short supply locally as the vast majority of the crop is snapped up as eating apples. The mini-explosion of the cider market in Australia has sent cider producers scrambling for apples and many have resorted to the use of imported juice concentrate and sugar to meet production needs. The use of freshly crushed apple juice is however a major point of difference for our cloudy, James Squire Orchard Crush cider and critical to the flavour profile. Although we have been committed to a slow build to date, however acceptance by consumers has been excellent.
We are now preparing to launch the cider on tap into SA for the Fringe Festival in March, followed by full national availability shortly afterwards.
The bottom line is that January has been a very busy month in the brewery and February is set to be the same. 2012 is off to a flyer.
Sorry Our Charity MSB Tour and Hoppy Hefe tasting is sold out. -But fear not, Brewers Byte is back.
You can join Malt Shovel (Mad) Brewers Rob Freshwater and Dayton Coffey to get a heads up on our new brew as they profile Mad Brewers Hoppy Hefe limited release on Brewer’s Bytes click here
Our CHIEF BREWER Road Tests the BEER MACHINE click here
By the way, the photo above is our annual Christmas BBQ for the Malt Shovel Team. Was a great afternoon had by all!
Cheers to you all,
Tony Jones
Chief Brewer
How long has the cider been in devlopment for? You mentioned the mini explosion in the beer market with ciders, is the James Squire cider a reaction to that or something that was in development before that?
I had 2 glasses of the EXCEPTIONAL cider at the Coopers Arms in Newtown yesterday and went looking for it in bottle-shops today. Now I know why nobody knows about it. Love it. Please keep making it.
This cider is delicious. Please never stop making it
Hi just wondering if you are ever going to bottle your cider so that we can buy it and drink it at home instead of the local pub?
If so when will it hit shelves? It is AMAZING!!!
Tried it in Newtown couple of weeks ago and had been looking for it on the shelves… a useless endeavour it now seems.
Love the sour finish, very refreshing, easy to drink. Most ciders are far too sweet. Your’s is bang on. Hope it becomes a regular feature of your bottled products soon.
We started our interest in cider several years ago when we used fresh apple juice in a Mad Brewers release called Orchard Ale, so we have definately been sniffing around for a few years. Having said that we are mindful that cider making & brewing are two different crafts, so we have been keen to venture slowly into the relm of cider. Our partner in the Orchard Ale release, James Kendall from Small Acres Cyder, has been a consultant & partner to us in developing our own cider, first with the Mad Brewers Fallen Apple limited release, and now with James Squire Orchard Crush Cider. While currently Orchard Crush is only available off the tap, we will be looking to move to the bottle format when we have that capability in place. So stay tuned.
Cheers Tony
Do you have a list of pubs in Adelaide that have the cider on tap? Tried it at the Stag and loved it. Good work.
This cider is by far the best i have ever had! I drove 100k’s last weekend to the only place i had ever had it before The Zebra Bar in Ocean Grove, Vic. As i ordered a Pint, i had already started licking my lips when the bartender nervously looked at me whilst pulling the tap with no cider flowing… i have never experienced such dissapointment… Please please get brewing and bottle this liquid gold so i can buy myself a lifetume supply!
Any updates would be much appreciated!
Hi I had several glasses (hic) of James Squire’s Crush Apple Cider on tap in Carnarvon, Western Australia….are you able to tell me where it can be purchased in WA, never had cider so good!
Tried James squire apple crush cider at the astral hotel in adelaide and it is awesome up there with my favourites. Pretty sad I can’t find it in any bottle shops
I had a pint of this st the International in Spring Hill, Brisbane. Excellent cider, can’t wait to see this in my local bottle-o. Seriously I can’t wait RELEASE THE CIDER!!
Your Orchard Crush cider is THE best cider that I have ever had the pleasure of tasting. I didnt even find one in the UK that came close to this quality. I had it at the Steampacket in Williamstown VIC - went back the following week to find the keg was finished and Plopsqueak was in its place due to availability. ;-( I’m heading back to NZ soon as work project is over - if it is only available on tap, how much for a keg to be sent to NZ?!??
Was looking for a cider really hot day,,, I’ve only had the apple cider, but it is so smooth,, Great beverage my friend loves cider so I’m passing it on…. the place I purchased it from only had singles which was dissapointing cos I want at least 4 :)