Neutral Cider Hotel

Latest Episodes:

Where Are Your Dungarees? (Nat West from Rev Nat's Hard Cider) Jun 27, 2022

Show notes

Join hosts Gabe Cook, Martyn Goodwin-Sharman, Grant Hutchison and Producer Scott as they drink dentist cider in the Neutral Cider Hotel!

Firstly, congratulations are due for our very own Gabe, as he’s soon to be a dad, don’t worry we’ll make a new bell noise for his latest release, the guys unpack their suitcases with a lot of travels, and someone has had a pesky bout of something wicked…

The guys also have a little voice note thanks to the beautiful Producer Scott, and it definitely caps off the first part, before it's off to the news!

Gabe details the hot news, with the Cider Salon first up! With heaps of makers, great liquids and a whole host of fringe events, it's sure to be the highlight of the cider calendar for sure! Gabe brags about his new best friend James Acaster, before the guys chat World Cider Day. Martyn shares the good news in London with The London Cider House and Scott announces we've passed the 50 episode mark.

Then it's onto this week’s interview, who happens to be the founder of one of the USA’s most pioneering modern cider makers. A self proclaimed die hard craft beer revolutionary, this Portland-based cider maker pushes the boundaries of flavour and process to make the most unusual ciders that (apparently) no one else will make! And if you’re really lucky, he might even officiate your wedding. Checking in to the Neutral Cider Hotel, it’s Nat West from Reverend Nat’s Cider! The guys chat about everything, including the honeymoon suite, starting making cider, the ciders no one else will make, standing up for flavour and fermenting meat in your drinks! It’s a full on chat with a lot of flavour, even if it isn’t right up Grant’s street!

Then, the guys close out the show by playing a little game that Gabe created. Its less of a game and more a random stab at a list, and if that doesn’t excite you, you might be a young conservative!

And with that, the hotel closes for another month. Please do check out the socials, and send us your messages to have your say in where the guys go next, what happens in the future, and just let us know how you’re doing! Bye for now, from the Neutral Cider Hotel!

The Team:
Gabe is a cider expert: The Ciderologist
Grant has two cider businesses: Re:Stalk and Aeble Cider Shop
Martyn loves to write about cider: CiderShit
Executive Producer/Editor: Scott Riggs

The Rest of The Team:
Music: Billy Kennedy
Connect:
Instagram: NeutralCiderHotel
Facebook: NeutralCiderHotel
Twitter: NeutralCiderPod
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBWwLBb4m47T-9fbEA6XIYg
Listen and share episodes on our website: https://www.neutralciderhotel.com/
Leave us a voicemail: https://www.speakpipe.com/neutralciderhotel

THE TEAM
Gabe is a cider expert: The Ciderologist / Substack
Grant owns a cider shop: Aeble Cider Shop
Martyn loves to write about cider: CiderShit

Executive Producer/Editor: Scott Riggs
Music: Billy Kennedy
CONNECT
Instagram: NeutralCiderHotel
Facebook: NeutralCiderHotel
Threads: NeutralCiderHotel
Bluesky: NeutralCiderHotel
YouTube: NeutralCiderHotel
Linktree: NeutralCiderHotel
Listen and share episodes on our website: https://www.neutralciderhotel.com

Leave us a voicemail: https://www.speakpipe.com/neutralciderhotel
Join the conversation: https://www.reddit.com/r/NeutralCiderHotel/...

May The 4th Be With You (Tom and Lydia from Artistraw Cider) May 04, 2022

Show notes

Join hosts Gabe Cook, Martyn Goodwin-Sharman, Grant Hutchison and Producer Scott as as they do a deep dive on Star Wars in the Neutral Cider Hotel!

Grant Hutchison is back on the podcast explaining why he missed the previous episode’s recording. Gabe lets the guys know that he’s recently won CAMRA’s Campaigner of the Year Award and we’re all so proud of him and his relentless cider (and self) promotion. Finally, Martyn shares a wonderful story of drinking culture in the UK and a night of fun capped off with a vomit shower.
Then, it’s onto the news where Gabe details a new release from Strongbow that’s edging into the Hard Seltzer world with their new Dark Fruit Ultra. There’s also a discussion of some of the big cider competitions that are back on this year including GLINTCAP, Hereford Cider Museum and Royal Bath and West Show. Grant reveals that his cider shop (Aeble) has launched a new cider subscription service offering high quality ciders for subscribers throughout the UK. Finally, Gabe and the guys raise a glass to Gabe’s former boss Alex Peckham from Peckham’s Cider in New Zealand as Alex recently passed away from illness. Cheers to you, Alex. RIP.
Then it's onto this week’s interview and, as Producer Scott likes to say, it’s a doozy! This week, the guys invite onto the show a couple of committed environmentalists and permaculture practitioners that apply strong sustainable credentials to their cider making. The result is a spectacular range of delicious ciders that we can’t stop talking about. Checking into the hotel is Lydia Crimp and Tom Tibbits from Artistraw Cider!
In between loads of laughter, the guys chat about how they got started, getting high on their own supply, their unique and environmental approach to cider, how they work together as a married couple, their obsession with puns and their favorite radio station, Cider.fm!
Finally, the guys close out the show by highlighting some of the favorite things they are watching lately which leads to a fairly lengthy discussion of Star Wars movies and shows (The Mandalorian).
Thanks for listening and supporting the podcast.

The Team:
Gabe is a cider expert: The Ciderologist
Grant has two cider businesses: Re:Stalk and Aeble Cider Shop
Martyn loves to write about cider: CiderShit
The Rest of The Team:
Executive Producer/Editor: Scott Riggs
Music: Billy Kennedy
Connect:
Instagram: NeutralCiderHotel
Facebook: NeutralCiderHotel
Twitter: NeutralCiderPod
Listen and share episodes on our website: https://www.neutralciderhotel.com/
Leave us a voicemail: https://www.speakpipe.com/neutralciderhotel

Has Cinema Ever Been Better Than Con Air? - (Sam Leach from Wilding Cider) Apr 03, 2022

Show notes

Join hosts Gabe Cook, Martyn Goodwin-Sharman and Producer Scott as they laugh themselves to tears at the end of this episode of the Neutral Cider Hotel!

Grant Hutchison is away this week, but the show must go on! Gabe lets the guys know about his recent holiday where he met Zimbabwe’s own Nyanga Craft Cider! Impressed by his wares, Gabe got to have the best of the sun, and some wonderful cider, made with the most high-tech equipment! Martyn’s been blending again, but keeping stuff secret until it’s all confirmed!

There’s positivity right out the gate as Gabe takes part in raising funds with Drinkers for Ukraine, encouraging solidarity brews, auctions and anything the drinks community can do to help out in their small way. Then onto actual joy, with news brought to the guys attention thanks to Blair, as cider makers bring back an ancient tradition in style. And finally, Gabe gives us the official date of the Bristol Cider Salon, so be there or be square! (An old Americanism, apparently).

Then it's onto the interview. The guys welcome the co-founder of one of the UK’s most name-checked cider makers, whose ciders have graced this podcast on more than one occasion. Having achieved local infamy in Bristol with their small field to fork restaurant called Birch, our guest and his wife ditched the kitchen for the orchard to focus on creating ciders exuding grace and skill and with a focus on the landscape they came from. Checking into the hotel today is Mr. Sam Leach from Wilding Cider!

The guys chat everything including the first horse of knowledge of the year, orcharding practices, new techniques, Russian Oligarchs in wine, the disappearance of Clive and everything in-between those long arms!

Then, it's onto the first listener question of the year and this would have been perfect for Grant as he's a fan of a certain band. Iain from the Pittsburgh Penguins calls in with a little question.

And with that, the hotel closes for the month, so please do check out the socials, and send us your DMs, social posts and Speakpipe messages to have your say in where the guys go, what happens in the future, and just let us know how you’re doing! Cheers!

Gabe Finally Gets His Tax Episode (Cider Tax Special, Barny from Sandford Orchards, Kingsley from Thornborough Cider) Feb 28, 2022

Show notes

Join hosts Martyn Goodwin-Sharman, Gabe Cook, Grant Hutchison and Producer Scott as they count down to the end… of the financial year at Neutral Cider Hotel!

The guys kick things off with a horse of knowledge, brought out of its slumber, for a dive into Wassail! Martyn didn’t attend, instead drinking cider by the glass at The Old Bookshop, Grant instead listened to a playlist, and Gabe insults Martyn’s height. Then it's onto the exciting main event… TAX!

Involved in almost every decision a cider maker in the UK makes, from the packaging, ABV, ingredients to processes, it's one the guys have discussed at length, but this time, it's personal. Or business, I should have written business there. Gabe lays down the law, with in-depth descriptions of the current rules testing even the biggest of cider aficionados and their patience. Then how these are being changed, and what the future may look like once those changes are in place. Grant gives insight into the purchasing and wholesale, and what products might change, and Martyn drinks two ‘made wines’ which will definitely see a change with the new rules. Gabe throws a left or right hook, and the gabe finally gets his minimum juice content conversation back on the table!

To help discuss the change of tax in the world of cider, the guys discuss the issue with two makers of different sizes, with Barny Orchards of Sandford Butterfield and Kingsley Ash of Thornborough Cider. First up is Barny, who comes bearing bad news about the unique ciders of bigger markers, his take on the anti-alcohol brigade and what scale he started to form a team. It’s an eye opener for the guys who usually chat on the smaller side of things, before it's over to Kingsley. Talking about the change of the cliff-edge from the previous tax bracket, to business plans, mushroom corks and MPs.

If this wasn’t a taxing enough episode, Gabe decided to make a tax-related game. No, really.

And with that, the hotel closes for the night, so please do check out the socials, and send us your messages and Speakpipe messages to have your say in where the guys go, what happens in the future, and just let us know how you’re doing! Bye for now. We'll see you again next month. Until then, cheers from the Neutral Cider Hotel!

I Am A Wine Spurt (Olly Smith, First Waltz Tasting) Jan 31, 2022

Show notes

It's out with the old shameless plugs, and in with the new shameless plugs, as Gabe Cook, Grant Hutchison and Martyn Goodwin-Sharman check back into the newly refurbished, Neutral Cider Hotel!

The guys welcome Season 2 in a wildly unceremonious fashion, but lay down the expectation of a monthly schedule, so get ready for a new and different pace for the show. First things first though as Producer Scott has to ready the sound effects because the author of Ciderology announces his Patreon (Ta Da)! With wonderful exclusives, tier names and writing propositions, there’s plenty to get excited about with Gabe’s latest venture!

Then it's onto the news, with a cider subscription service in the UK, the chain Wetherspoons have ditched Strongbow for Stowford Press, and a certain person is not going to Cidercon, so there’s a whole broadsheet in this week’s opening of the show.

Then, we have a brilliant chat with national treasure Olly Smith. He’s an award winning communicator, author and podcast host and, without question, the jolliest drinks expert in town, He has regular television spots, books, and Pingu writing credits to his name! The guys chat everything, from Jason Orange, to parents loving Gabe, George Harrison and his Olly's own range of glassware! It's a full, wild ride of enthusiasm from a wine loving guy, who makes it incredibly tempting to pick up a bottle of plonk pronto!

After the chat with Olly, the guys drink Little Pomona’s collab with our own Grant; First Waltz. A rich, wild ride that the guys drink and dissect, whilst using a word that doesn’t sound right in a British mouth! The guys then break down how collaborations come together in cider, so definitely a chat you might want to listen to if you’re looking to make something in cider.

Alas, that’s the end of the show, so please do check out the socials, and send us your messages and Speakpipes to have your say in where the guys go, what happens in the future, and just let us know how you’re doing. And, thanks for listening. We appreciate you.

It Was The Perfect Time For Fred Durst To Come Back In My Life (2021 Year in Review) Jan 01, 2022

Show notes

Celebrate the death of another year with Gabe Cook, Grant Hutchison and Martyn Goodwin-Sharman, as they ring out 2021 at the Neutral Cider Hotel!

It’s an episode of reflection, as our own Narcissus Gabe jumps on the cider horse and guides the guys down a winding track to hunt a certain cider mole, offending his own mum and Scotch cider makers along the way!

As 2020 was eventful to say the least, it felt right to round out the year with an episode dedicated to the sequel and all its highlights. The guys chat everything they’ve loved about the year just gone, with their top moments, tv shows, films, music and of course, ciders. Who will make the list from 2021’s guests? Which host’s tastes do you hate the most and why is it Martyn’s? All these questions and more will be answered in this deep dive into the things that kept the Hotel going, just don’t expect a live show any time soon!

And with that, the year is wrapped up officially, and with no plans for any more episodes just yet, the hotel closes its doors. Take care of yourselves, and make sure you drink enough of the good cider to give us a reason to come back at the end of the year!

-NCH x
Favorite Album of 2021
Martyn: Limp Bizkit - Still Sucks
Grant: Olivia Rodrigo - Sour
Gabe: Calibre - Feeling Normal
Scott: Bo Burnham - Inside
Favorite TV Show
Martyn: I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson
Grant: Mare of Easttown
Gabe: Succession
Scott: The Other Two
Favorite Film
Martyn: Bo Burnham - Inside
Grant: Luca
Gabe: The Sound of Metal
Scott: Summer of Soul
Important Cultural Moment
In the episode
Top 3 Favorite Ciders
In the episode
The Team:
Gabe is a cider expert: The Ciderologist
Grant has two cider businesses: Re:Stalk and Aeble Cider Shop
Martyn loves to write about cider: CiderShit
The Rest of The Team:
Executive Producer/Editor: Scott Riggs
Music: Billy Kennedy
Connect:
Instagram: NeutralCiderHotel
Facebook: NeutralCiderHotel
Twitter: NeutralCiderPod
Listen and share episodes on our website: https://www.neutralciderhotel.com/
Leave us a voicemail: https://www.speakpipe.com/neutralciderhotel

The Cardboard Explosive (Andy Hull from Manchester Orchestra) Dec 24, 2021

Show notes

Leave out a mince pie and a glass of cider, as Gabe Cook, Grant Hutchison and Martyn Goodwin-Sharman slide down the chimney of the Neutral Cider Hotel!

After some time off, the boys felt that a one off was the only call to make for you, the listener! They’ve been counting down the seconds it seems, Gabe’s been on the tax filing, Martyn has been with friends of the show Little Pomona for harvest, and Grant has been running two businesses whilst chugging the oatnog! Producer Scott has been getting paid to produce an alternative reality version of the hotel, featuring a sport the guys are unsure of.

Gabe and Grant discuss ciders they’ve made and Martyn reveals a secret identity before moving on.

For this special Christmas episode, the guys head back to the world of music to talk with the singer and songwriter from Manchester Orchestra, Mr. Andy Hull. With a new album released this year (The Million Masks Of God) and fresh from a recent US tour, the guys have a great conversation covering evertyhing from the anxiety of touring during a pandemic, doubting music, collaborating with Scott from Frightened Rabbit on the song "Architect," cider in Atlanta, sight-seeing in Hull (and the famous Hull accent) to what Andy's music means to a certain hotelier!

Then the guys discuss Christmas traditions highlighting some of the ciders they plan to drink on Christmas including Burrow Hill, Little Pomona, Braanland, Eve’s Cidery, Oliver’s cider, Angry Orchard, Westcounty Cider and Sanford Orchards.

The guys then wrap up this show with a Christmas game from Martyn! The usual highs and lows are about, we won’t spoil it here, but let’s just say things get tense...
And with that, the guys say goodnight, kiss baby Jesus on his head, and check out of the Neutral Cider Hotel.

See you soon,

NCH x

Season 1 Finale (Robby Honda from Tanuki Cider, Surprise Guests) Aug 30, 2021

Show notes

Grab your bags, double check you have everything from your room, and head to reception, as Gabe Cook, Grant Hutchison and Martyn Goodwin-Sharman check out of the Neutral Cider Hotel.

As Season One of the show draws to a close, the guys discuss how it started, who takes the blame for the show, and their favourite moments. Certain things pop up so keep an ear out for some surprises! Martyn finally gets his arms on a bottle of Wilding or Wildling (it’s too late to check which ones which now), Gabe can’t leave out any references to tackle and bait headphones, and grant cuts the unaired bedroom-session episode to ribbons, like a badminton net with a tomato knife.

Then it's onto the final interview of the season -- Robby Honda from Tanuki Cider! The guys chat everything: from Robby’s interest in starting a cider company with his brother even though he had no skills to offer, how his family and their history with apple orchards inspired him to start a cider business, his DIY ethic and approach to Tanuki to dry farming in a place where water is scarce, the lore of the Tanuki and the challenges of growing apples in a geography that encounters heat waves, droughts and dry lightning. Robby also turns the tables and asks Grant about drinking and playing drums which leads to a lovely discussion of how cider brings us all together.

While chatting with Robby, the guys crack two Tanuki cider bottles; Wild Fermented Gravenstein and, you guessed it, Newton Pippin! Both wonderfully different, equally interesting and downright unexpected in one way, the guys loved cracking some specifically imported stuff for the episode, so thanks again to the guys of Tanuki for shipping over the good stuff!

Then it's onto the speakpipes, and you guys honked the pipe for the last show! Featuring new voices and previous guests, you’d be safe to guess that some foxwhelp content will be demanded, opinions will be given, and some lovely little send off messages will be taken to heart by the guys.

And with that, we sign the guest book and check out of the Neutral Cider Hotel...for now.

See you soon,

NCH x

It's The Space Between The Notes (The National, The Bristol Cider Salon) Aug 23, 2021

Show notes

Get your indie rock sensibilities tuned up with Gabe Cook, Grant Hutchison and Martyn Goodwin-Sharman as they build a fake empire at the Neutral Cider Hotel!

Gabe kicks things off with a reflection on the Bristol Cider Salon. Beyond the cider makers that stood out (it’s a long list) they also chat about secret fleshy meetings, the awkwardness of being pseudo celebrities, the size of Sam from Wilding's arms, Grant’s overflow status at his table and Martyn’s special “Cider Dance” to the delight of Cider Jim, Gemma and anyone else nearby.

Then it’s onto our big interview where we welcomed two-fifths of one of the most successful indie rock bands in the world. The National took the long route to success with the age-old approach of touring relentlessly and writing music for themselves. They’ve worked with groundbreaking artists including Justin Vernon (Bon Iver), Sufjan Stevens and most recently, Taylor Swift. Checking into the hotel this week, it’s Aaron Dessner and Scott Devendorf of The National.

The guys chat everything; being creative during the pandemic, working with Taylor Swift and her Folklore album, touring with Frightened Rabbit, the drain of touring, Martyn’s favorite song from The National, Aaron getting doxxed and the thousands of threats they received, their perspectives on streaming, Aaron’s experience producing Frightened Rabbit’s last full length album (Painting of a Panic Attack), Big Red Machine and what a tour for them might look like, when The National anticipates releasing new music, how they rep their Ohio roots, their process for writing music and their outlook on the future.

Finally, we hit the Speakpipe yet again for a couple of great calls. First up, Blair has a question about the influence of certain swamp creature on Scottish children and Timmy Towers wants to know more about terrior and Gabe is absolutely willing to blag it for his longtime friend from New Zealand.

Only one more show left of Season One, so make sure to tune in next week for an excellent interview with US cider maker Robby Honda of Tanuki Cider as well as stories about the show and it’s future. We’ll also play everything left in the Speakpipe queue, so if you haven’t called in yet, now is the time.

Not Keith Chegwin? (Ryan Burk, Head Cider Maker at Angry Orchard) Aug 16, 2021

Show notes

Get ready to rock with Gabe Cook, Grant Hutchison and Martyn Goodwin-Sharman as they get their apologies in order at the Neutral Cider Hotel!

First off, it's a reunion of sorts, with tales of hot sauce, cocoa butter, ghost writers, Gabe’s Book and the reading ability of the Scottish! Grant is in the hotel and the gang is back together.

Then it's onto the news where Gabe’s got the facts and he’s talking rubbish. It’s GLINTCAP, and we’re celebrating friends of the show with Once Upon a Tree and previous guest Gidon of Original Sin. Then the nature of a certain live show comes up, have a guess as to who the salty one of the group is! Back onto helping friends of the show’s small side projects, with Biffy Clyro and Death Cab For Cutie both getting the Neutral Cider Helping Hand. Grant’s also got Cheggers in the house?

Then it’s onto our interview, this week, we’re welcoming one of the most important voices in US cider making. Growing up in the apple country of Western New York State and having tinkered with home fermentation, he got his big break working for Virtue Cider in Chicago more than a decade ago before becoming the Head Cider Maker at the USA’s largest producer. Famed for collaborations with many of the world’s best producers, including NCH regular, Tom Oliver, and for winning countless awards, today’s guest is a tireless advocate for cider and has been a board member of the American Cider Association since 2014. Checking into the hotel, it’s Ryan Burk from Angry Orchard!

The guys chat everything: Ryan’s retirement, spitting on shoes, cow sound effects, mistakes made, fermented weed, the hardcore scene, the greenest place on the planet, and what it takes to make Gold Rush It’s a chat the guys have been waiting to record, and just goes to prove how good a chat the live show would have been, not that we’re bitter or anything.

Finally, it's onto listener questions, this time from Diana and Gemma. What magic there is in an alternative Scotland, and even more magic in a heart felt thank you.

And, please leave us a voicemail on our Speakpipe page as soon as you can air them on our last few episodes of the season.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected