This maybe news to those numpties who drink Mugsners and Strongbow but what they are drinking often with ice to conceal the fact it tastes like Goats urine aint' Cider at all Kids. Cider, Scrumpy or real cider is not what all too sadly is served in pubs often from bottles to those who know no better. Cheap apple concentrates with added water & sugar shipped in from abroad, pasterised then carbonated, passed through a Goats bladder then advertised with a gimmick to entice the gullible on TV does not make real cider. Scrumpy [real cider/farmhouse cider/pint of rough ] is made from apples harvested from British orchards ideally in autumn / early winter, turned into pomace [pulped apple], pressed into a cheese like state to make apple juice, then into wooden casks and left to ferment[this happens naturally without yeast] at a low temperature for 3-4 weeks and then the lovely cider baby is moved into casks to mature often for up to a year. Unlike many non ciders being sold as the real thing Scrumpy normally is sold at a abv of 6-8% so go easy non Wurzels. Now for those who don't get any of that simply repeat the words Real cider must not/be - pasteurised before or after fermentation, filtered , contain concentrate and contain extraneous carbon dioxde, be contaminated with ice [diluted!!!], receive enzyme treatment , contain preservatives or colouring , have the natural yeast replaced by a cultured yeast , have a nitrogen source added unless essential to start fermentation , be diluted , contain sweetners if labelled dry, produced from anything other than freshly-pressed fruit or it's not bloody real cider , geddit?
Pubs around the Bristol City ground where you will get a pint of proper cider often in a true no frills pub environment are the Orchard Inn [highly recommended], Nova Scotia, Apple Tree [not for the pretentious], Avon Packet [have a look at the duck pond], The mighty Three Lions [ BCFC Unofficial supporters club], Little Grosvenor, Ship & Castle, The Velindra, Barley Mow [Look at the plush carpet!!], the Mardyke, The Albion, The Pump House & The Try Again.
God bless the mighty apple.
THE MIGHTY APPLE - SCRUMPY/REAL CIDER
I love the Clifton Supsension bridge
You would think that a bridge has nothing to do with football but in its way this icon of Bristol and the West Country has. For many of us it is a reminder as we come along the Portway that we are virtually at our spiritual home Ashton Gate. Away fans coming into Bristol underneath cannot fail to notice Bristol's finest landmark then the Gorge, Leigh Woods, the Docks and what a fine City Bristol really is. The bridges imagery is also what many fans think of when the clubs badge is mentioned proudly stood with a Robin. Looking up towards Isumbard Kingdoms finest work is a constant reminder you are deep in Bristol City country and a stroll over the Bridge confirm this.
In stark contrast to all this loveliness think of the Gas and hideous doleful images of the M32 and Ikea leap into the mind. The Suspension bridge is a picture of love, dedication, artistry, a testament to the human minds imagination and creativity. Rovers are a cheap bog stanadard flat pack from Longwell Green.
There is something soothing about the bridges ascetics reminding me of things good and red. It's Bristol City's bridge and it is more than time to restore the bridge back onto City's badge as a celebration of Bristol City and the West Country. It's ours, It's red and something to be proud of. Lets get rid of the badge we currently have as it's imagery has been used by The Gas, Bristol Rugby club and the lesbian loving sports loathing council. Gasheads have as much if not more claim to Bristols crest than ourselves as their support is less well spread than City's which stretches out into Somerset and Gloucestershire. Bristol City are truly a club of the West Country and what better way to symbolise that than with one of the West Countrys most impressive landmarks. Bring the Bridge and Robin back please.
