Shandy Shack Raspberry Lagers and Ciders

If you fancy something fruity and different, Shandy Shack has released a lager and cider, both in refreshing fruity raspberry flavours.

Cider is simply made from fermented apple or pear juice, but some brands filter through isinglass (fish bladder), gelatine (bones) or casein (milk). There are better brands on the market.

For cans, always pop the ring-pulls back over the can, to stop wildlife getting trapped, before recycling. Never buy brands wrapped in plastic (these trap wildlife). If you see littered ones, rip up the holes and securely bin.

Scrumpy (the history of West Country cider)

Scrumpy is the name given to rustic cider from the West Country, the name originating from ‘scrumped’ (stolen) apples. Windfall apples used to have more bruising and natural yeasts, which gave the strong flavour.

Years ago, farm workers were paid in cider (some receiving up to four pints a day!) And Captain Cook carried cider on his ships, to treat his crew for scurvy.

Scrumpy tends to be more cloudy and unfiltered than traditional cider (though this means it should not be consumed by anyone with weak immunity). It also has a high alcohol content, with some homemade versions particularly high, so most people just stick to good commercial brands.ly bin.

Donate Waste Apples (to make more cider!)

Why is scrumpy so popular in the West Country? Simply because it’s full of apple and pear orchards! The Orchard Project and Wasted Apple lists places where you can donate waste apples (leave some for the wildlife!) which are often turned into cider.

Apples are England’s most wasted fruit, with 800,000 (which could make 100,000 pints of cider) thrown away each day.