146 October Events...

OK, I should really keep the 146 diary up to date. Trouble is it has been a hectic year so far - and as I write this I am meant to be milling and pressing but keep having to put it off in order to get the mill working properly (or else I will have to borrow one!) I guess that deserves a separate post at some point!

October is turning out to be one of the busiest cider months since 146 Cider starts - its probably best just to list everything in chronological order... here are the festivals:

Fri 5th - Sat 6th - Ale-ing Beer Festival, Hayling Island.
This is the 3rd year 146 Cider's have been available at this festival - this year it will be Hampshire Heritage and Eastern Delight.

Fri 12th - Sat 13th - The 2nd Portsea Island Beer Festival, Portsmouth.
I guess you could say that this is the replacement of the Portsmouth Beer Festival (which is now sadly defunct). This is the first attendance for 146 Cider to what has been reported as a great and growing festival. Hampshire Heritage and Wild West ordered.

Sat 13th - The 2012 Wickham Beer Festival, Wickham.
This is a bit of a phenomenon - I didn't know Wickham was so popular, but this festival is definitely worth the trip. As far as I understand it, 146 Ciders are the main cider available - and all three (Hampshire Heritage, Wild West and Eastern Delight) should be readily available throughout the event.

Fri 12th - Sat 13th - Woolston Beer Festival, Southampton.
Third year out for this small but perfectly formed beer festival, and you will find Eastern Delight and a medium dry Wild West in attendance. Hampshire Heritage will probably be on standby in case it all gets drunk too quickly:-)

Fri 12th - Sun 14th - Hampshire Octoberfest, Basingstoke.
Probably the largest of the beer festivals in Hampshire - not as large as the awesome Nottingham 'Robin Hood' Festival, all three ciders will be available.

Thurs 10th - Sat 13th - Nottingham Beer Festival.
A massive festival with huge numbers of ciders available from small producers all around the country. Normally I don't send 146 ciders this far, but the cider organiser is a friend so its not one to miss. Hampshire Heritage, Eastern Delight and a medium dry Wild West will be shortly winging their way northwards.

And this is the list of other events for October:

Sat 13th - Orchard event at the Vyne, Basingstoke.
A National Trust property, how could I turn down the chance to sell my cider at an event with the word Orchard in it? I will be taking bottled cider and some small bag in boxes along and would be happy to chat to people.

Sat 20th - South Hants CAMRA Cider Month event - Pressing cider at 146 Cider Co.
As last year, places are limited so if you want to have a go at making next years Eastern Delight or Hampshire Heritage get in touch with CAMRA

Sat 27th - Apple Day Event; King Johns House, Romsey.
Another apple day event and 146 Cider will be available to buy in bottle or small bag in box. If the wind is in the right direction (nb - term of phrase, not a technical cider term) I will bring a press and do some demonstrating... lets see if I can get my old press together (the curse of upscaling is that things become less transportable!)

And that, I think, for the minute, is that.