Wassailing at 2 Doves, Bromley Common, Grt London 7th Jan 2012

It was a sharp January night for a trip from London to the outskirts of Bromley bordering on to Kent, for a Wassailing and a Mummerers Play.

The Ravensbourne Morris men has resurrected these events, this year was held at a lovely Young's pub.

First was a wassail in the rear garden where an apple tree had been planted in recent times,  the tree was well wassailed  with the time honoured chants and toasting. Afterwards we retired back to the warmth of the pub to recharge glasses.

 Later on in the evening we were treated to a mummerers play   ( see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mummers_Play   and www.bbc.co.uk/radio3/worldmusic/feature_mummers.shtml )  a rather comic play about  death and rebirth ( symbolic the changing of the seasons ) , featuring characters such as St George the Turkish Knight, The Doctor , Grandfather Christmas and odd references to the current political situation !

The pub had  additional cider supplies to their normal range , so we had Dunkerton's, Aspalls and Biddeneden, to assist proceedings along.

With thanks to the Ravensbourne Morris men in organising this fine evening.

www.ravensbourne.org

Euston Cider Tap - Euston NW1 - Bar Review

It has been reviewed in this weeks issue,
see
Euston Cider Tap - Euston NW1 - Bar Review

Quick visit to Cider Tap

On Friday was just passing so nipped into the Cider Tap , twice in one week !
Just to see how it was going and a good crowd in there at 6.30. Only chance for a half, but the Ross On Wye medium dry was excellent.
Seems word is getting around of this place.

Return to Cider Tap

I had a meeting in Euston so what finer place to go to?

Even on a Tuesday it was lively. They had some excellent Troggi cider , that had a dryness which didnt  dry the pallet too much.  Good taste and mouthfeel. so good I didnt  try any others that evening.

Euston Cider Tap Opens

London's only cider bar opened on Friday 18th November, I had the chance to visit it last night. A sister operation to the established and popular Euston Tap opposite, so  the Cider tap is housed in its own building,  has ciders on draught and bottles, plus also a few other drinks.  The draught come in 2 forms Still that is  Straight out the barrel/ Bag in Box  or cider  on tap that is carbonated and chilled,  so if natural flat/still cider is your taste then ask the staff for non carbonated.  I asked for Orchard Pig and a got a fizzy version, although the carbonation was not that much !

The premises is  small but convivial, with an upstairs consisting of a smaller room and toilets, reached by way of a circular staircase which could be fun after few ciders! They seem to be getting it up running gradually rather than a big bang - high publicity - grand opening, so food looks like is next to be added to the operation. They are considering "meet the producer"  and other events.

Ciders on offer at the time of visiting were Olivers, Orchard Pig, Crossmans, Sandfords, Swallowfields all agreeable to me !  Also on Tap Hogans, a Original Sin from the USA, Lilleys and Sandfords. Plus also Calvados and a selection of Bottled Normandy ciders that I have not seen before.

This is an exciting addition to London's bars and raises the profile of Cider in the Capital even more. I shall be returning and look forward to developments in due course and if possible hoping to run a some event there myself.

see

www.eustontap.com/

The Euston Cider Tap

Have twittered:

Cider tap open and packed.

I hope to be going next Thursday

http://www.eustoncidertap.com

Queens Head WC1X visit

Visited the Queens Head in Acton Street,  WC1X 9NB just south of Kings Cross. 
A Old Victorian pub with an enthusiastic landlord looking to have cider festival in due course,  
Had 4 ciders, 2 from Gwynt y Ddraig, a Millwhites and  Wilcox, plus Bottles From a new cider maker in London called London Glider.     
www.queensheadlondon.com