Cider sells out!

The creator of one of the world’s most unique ciders has promised another batch after selling out in a matter of hours.

John Jenkins, from Old Monty Cider, discovered that Montgomery had a unique apple tree that is not found anywhere else in the world.

He has had it named Camlad, and produced a cider from it for last week’s Montgomery Street Fair which sold out in hours.

The problem with discovering such a unique tree is keeping up with demand so he has taken some saplings from it in readiness for future years.

“The experimental batch of Old Monty Camlad Cider was extremely successful and sold out quickly at the Street Fair last Saturday,” he said. “There is one more batch which will be kept for next year, as cider is best in its second year, so cider lovers are in for a treat.

“It is difficult to predict the future production as there is only one mature tree, and the young trees which have been grafted from it will take some years to reach maturity.”

Meanwhile, Monty’s Brewery, also based in Montgomery, has been shortlisted as finalists in the Best Rural Tourism Business category of the Rural Business Awards 2019/20 for the Wales & NI region, held in partnership with Amazon.

Monty’s Brewery was founded in 2009 by Pam and Russ Honeyman. Their Visitor Centre in Montgomery was opened in 2015, where they are able to showcase their beers, sell merchandise, and develop new brews.

Russ, who is also Commercial Director for Monty’s, said: “This is exciting news. We are used to our beers winning awards, but this is the first time we have entered the Visitor Centre. I hope it shows we give visitors whether beer drinkers or not an enjoyable relaxed experience and an insight into what the brewery is all about.” 

There are 12 categories judged by an independent panel of judges drawn from the rural business sector, rural public sector agencies, and rural charitable organisations.

The Rural Business Awards is hosting a series of regional finals in the North, East, Midlands, South East, South West, Wales & Northern Ireland, throughout October and November 2019, ahead of the National Final next February.