Neutral Cider Hotel

Latest Episodes:

Endeavor To Remember You (Sam Nightingale from Nightingale Cider) Mar 21, 2021

Show notes

Join hosts Dumb Shmuck Gabe Cook, Grant Hutchison and Martyn Goodwin-Sharman as they forget to plug their microphones in at the Neutral Cider Hotel!

First, Gabe kicks off the book club and hatred of a national treasure, before going down the El Drainpour route in the world of cider, which kicks off a good discussion about the quality of cider as a whole. Grant picks up a tweet thread from Simon Wright, former head of Hawkes, which again, leads the guys down a serious route in cider, and ends in invitation to the show. A spotlight is naturally shone on everyone’s favourite subject; TAX! Then it’s time for this week’s deep dive into the cider world’s news!

In the news this week, Scott drops his lasso and six-shooter in shock at The Cider Salon’s return. It’s an event the guys hold near and dear to their heart, and showcases the world of cider for everything great it is and can be, just remember to eat and forgo the bloody pre-drinks! The full lineup will be revealed in May, fringe events announced as they come too, and tickets can be purchased here!

This week’s guest has been an ever prominent voice and presence in cider’s drive for modernity over the last few years. Absolutely sound guy Sam Nightingale has been combining the aromatic freshness and intensity of Kentish fruit with controlled wild fermentations has led to the creation of some of the most crushably outstanding ciders of the last few years. The guys crack two ciders in 440ml cans, which seems like a revelation in itself, so check out the guys’ reaction, and take a guess as to who finishes their can first! They chat about everything, from wild yeast, to the difference between pallets and palliative, forgetting you’ve met someone and saying no to the spitoon!

The guys then answer their first Speakpipe question! From Chris at PressthenPress.com, the question is fine cider and metallic vestibules in the UK. If you have a question, leave your voicemail for the guys at Speakpipe, or reach them at the socials below!

Cheers for tuning in, and checking out with us, at 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
The Rest of The Team:
Executive Producer/Editor: Scott Riggs
Music: Billy Kennedy
Connect:
Instagram: NeutralCiderHotel
Facebook: NeutralCiderHotel
Twitter: NeutralCiderPod
Website: https://www.neutralciderhotel.com/

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/...

No Quilt For You, Queeny! (James and Susanna Forbes from Little Pomona Return, Tutored Tasting with Little Pomona ) Mar 14, 2021

Show notes

Join hosts Gabe Cook, Grant Hutchison and Martyn Goodwin-Sharman as they get the social media handles, and ready the mop and bucket once again in the Neutral Cider Hotel!

First, Gabe dives straight in with some shameless plugs including work with Tasting Online and The Fishguard Roundtable, Grant felt a little left out against the esteemed ologists, and Martyn announces a new release from Pilton! As it was just International Women’s Day, Grant shines a spotlight on some of the names and faces that have made cider a better place, and Gabe is still not accepted onto a certain facebook group!

In the news this week, Gabe somehow makes it all about himself again! He’s bringing his foundation course online with the wonderful help of Crafty Nectar (not a quilt company), which you’ll be able to reap many benefits from. Gabe somehow, miraculously manages to plug a cider book that isn’t his own, this time the wonderful Dan Pucci and Craig Cavallo’s book; American Cider! Expect the book to bring as much in-depth analysis of America’s cider culture as our Producer Scott provides.

This week’s guests are a wild one for Neutral Cider Hotel, they’re the first guests to make a return, and this time, they’re changing the format of the show entirely! James, Susanna and Blair of Little Pomona have brought a tutored tasting to the hotel in an event called; Some Like It Still! Taking inspiration from the world of wine bringing samples of their latest releases to the consumer, Little Pomona are bringing a range of their interesting drinks in an affordable package and an online tasting format! Expect wildly intertextual jokes, callbacks, wild expressions of cider, and branded buckets coming to an online shop soon!

"You just need to give the whole liquid time to be what it's going to become." - James Forbes

Thank you for tuning in and checking out Neutral Cider Hotel. If you want to reach us, leave a voice message at Speakpipe or send us a message on our socials below!

There Goes Antifa Gritty (Ben Gibbard from Death Cab for Cutie and The Postal Service) Mar 07, 2021

Show notes

Join hosts Gabe Cook, Grant Hutchison and Martyn Goodwin-Sharman as they argue over which one of them is the Cutie, in the Neutral Cider Hotel!

First, Gabe brings his own t-shirts to the hotel, and a cleanly shaved face for his appearance on Sunday Brunch, expect hatred of dog instagram and Martyn cracks his first can of Oliver’s Cider which inspires a superhero story! Then onto this week’s interview...

Our guest today is Ben Gibbard; the frontman of not one but two of indie rock’s most loved bands, Death Cab for Cutie and The Postal Service. The guys chat about everything, from Gritty and his ties to the radical left, catching covid before it was cool, new music and file sharing, touring with Frightened Rabbit, sports, Death Cab The Musical and a mutual love of certain bands!

To honor Ben’s non drinking, the guys cracked a series of alcohol free ciders, including Westons Low Alcohol Cider, Martinelli’s Sparkling Cider, Cairn O’ Mohr Pictish, Hogan’s High Sobriety and Crafty Nectar 0.5. A game to play along, guess which of the guys has the gushing bottle this time around!
Then, onto Listener Questions where the guys are asked by Richey Featherstone about cooking with cider. If you’re lucky, there’ll be at least something you can cook after listening to them drunkenly rant about food!

So thanks for tuning in and checking out Neutral Cider Hotel, leave a voice message at Speakpipe for the guys, or reach them at the socials below!

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
Voicemail: https://www.speakpipe.com/NeutralCiderHotel
Instagram: NeutralCiderHotel
Facebook: NeutralCiderHotel
Twitter: NeutralCiderPod
Website: https://www.neutralciderhotel.com/

My Million Pound Jacket (Matthew Curtis from Pellicle Magazine, Pilton’s Fox Dog Cat Tasting) Mar 01, 2021

Show notes

Join hosts Dave Cock, Grant Hutchison and Martyn Goodwin-Sharman as their dings are misplaced in the Neutral Cider Hotel!

First, Gabe updates us on the demand for his book, Martyn confuses Wildling and Wilding again, and Grant, celebrates a birthday of a family member not really pulling their weight. Producer Scott drops two nuggets of gold, with the birth of the Perryologist, and our very own Voicemail Service! You can now leave audio messages for us from your phone, tablet or laptop and will be featured in future episodes, just follow the link here.

In this week’s news, the guys return to the Caledonian Cider Factory, with twigs and leaves in a barrel, before Gabe brings Japan’s Vinvie to the guys and their focus on low and no alcohoo drops.

The guys then sit down with Matthew Curtis! An award winning freelance writer and photographer, who made his name with Total Ales, then as the UK Editor of the legendary Good Beer Hunting and is now the co-founder and editor-in-chief of Pellicle Magazine. The guys chat everything; from his latest podcast episode on cider, his voice as a beer writer, and his new book (dong)!

They also have a taste of Pilton’s delicious Fox Dog Cat, which Martyn was part of the blending process, so expect deep insight, dissection and honesty from the guys!

And finally, Producer Scott has come up with a game that he’s passing off as his own creation; Like, Totally Recall! He’s done the deep dive into previous episodes, challenging the guys on their small talk for points!

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:
Voicemail: https://www.speakpipe.com/NeutralCiderHotel
Instagram: NeutralCiderHotel
Facebook: NeutralCiderHotel
Twitter: NeutralCiderPod
Website: https://www.neutralciderhotel.com/

Is It Jazz You’re Looking For? (Colleen O’Sullivan and James Mann from Duckchicken Cider) Feb 21, 2021

Show notes

Join hosts Gabriel William James Cook the 1st of his name, Grant Hutchison and Martyn Goodwin-Sharman as they rock their six inch wedges and for the Galloping of the Gabe, in the Neutral Cider Hotel!

But first, Dr. Gabe brags about his dentist visit, a run with friends, a visit to The Bristol Vine and mystery guest. Martyn the vegan does the sales pitch for his mates at Two Belly and Grant announces his cider affair with the Manchester Cider Club! This month it was Ross on Wye on the art of blending, so check out their socials for more upcoming greatness.

In this week’s news, Grant shares the big investment in Sanford Orchards, sans wifi. Dr. Gabe is back with some positive medical benefits of our favourite drug, and Martyn shares the arrival of Cider Voice, in the wake of Malt Review calling last orders.

Then the guys jump on the tractor and make their way to the urban farm, to hang out with London’s favourite cider chimera; Duckchicken Cider! Colleen O’Sullivan and James Mann are cider makers spurred on by a mutual love of travel and fermented apples. Having only started in 2016 they have garnered quite a following in the cider community with their aptly named and much loved creation Gigglejuice.

The guys chat about everything; from a three legged Red Breasted Merganser, a certain book not ringing any bells, gooseblood, urban orchards and Eugene the urban animal! They crack two bottles; Easter Hill, and Demons of Spills Hill, wildly different from each other, and a testament to the variety that orchards can provide.

This week in Listener Questions, we have something different from Less_the_man on Instagram, and a question about Apfelwein in Germany, featuring a deep dive into Germanic cider culture, a Perryologist and the boring city of Frankfurt (according to Gabe).

Everyone’s Got Heartburn In Scotland! (Eleanor Léger from Eden Ciders) Feb 14, 2021

Show notes

Join hosts Gabe Cook, Grant Hutchison and Martyn Goodwin-Sharman as they salute their American Overlords in the Neutral Cider Hotel!

But first, Gabe brings Cidercon to the fore as the guys discuss the 7th most popular drink in the States, and Keifer Sutherland’s impact on the convention. Gabe shares the love with Cheers and Chat, and the possibility of having a room set up at the hotel in the future. Martyn then lives out a nightmare from the night before, nothing to do with cider. And finally, Grant explains why his body hurts, with Joe Wick’s Seven Days of Sweat. There’s no way of putting the smell in the show notes however, sorry guys!

In this week’s news Martyn announces his tasting; The Cider Box X Cidershit, which you can sync and drink with! Grant brings up the naughty doctor himself; Roger Wilkins and his illegal activities. The man who has the vaccine, breaking the lockdown rules, the guys are torn over how to feel about it all. If you’re in the States, watch the body cam footage and let us know how it compares to your police force.

Then the motorcade pulls up to the hotel, with Madame President herself; Eleanor Léger of Eden Ciders! Helming one of the most significant Cideries operating today, Eden Ciders are makers that the guys have loved from afar. Based 8 miles from the Canadian border in the State of Vermont, Eleanor and her team source, and grow, apples produced using biodynamic principles to create a range of ciders, specialising in minimum intervention styles such as ice cider and methode traditionelle. Talking everything, from terroir and Vermont, a very niche, weird thing called Ice Cider, blending cider, cider ice cream and fancy dress! This week’s tasting is Eden’s Extra Sec, a drink at the end of the line apparently. A champagne style cider with ice cider used for a light dose of sugar in the bottle.

This week in Listener Questions, it's a subtweet response to previous guest Dick Withecombe, who asks about chip shop dinner ciders. Featuring badminton nets, Nempnett Thrubwell, In Touch, Wildling, and pretty much every reference the guys have made making an appearance once again! And finally, a shout out to Perry’s Cider, and an invitation to the show!

Bracket Heart Bracket - (Sam Fitz and Greg Johnson from ANXO Cider) Feb 08, 2021

Show notes

Join hosts Gabe Cook, Grant Hutchison and Martyn Goodwin-Sharman as they buckle up for an exiting exploration of America!

But first, Gabe announces the logistical problems with Ciderology (ding) in the USA, before Grant announces his rival podcast appearance, and Martyn brings back the founding fathers ahead of the news.

In this week’s news Grant brings up the new Brum Cider Club, inspired by friends of the show Manchester Cider Club, and Martyn tries to take credit for it all! Then it's a deep dive into Matt Curtis’ latest episode of the Pellicle Podcast; ‘Does Cider have an Image Problem?’. Obviously, the guys have some thoughts on the episode and don't hold back! Then, it's onto the interview.

This week the guys fly the Hotel out of the UK, and to Washington DC’s ANXO Cider! Inspired by the bold ciders and food matching of ciders from the Basque Country, this cider maker and restaurant has gained a cult following in the USA and now around the world. The guys chat to Sam Fitz and Greg Johnson, first cracking their Hereford Gold which is a lovely collaboration with British Cider legend Tom Oliver, then onto their core drink; Cidre Blanc.

The guys go through everything in American cider, from Gold Rush apples to the American palette, the counterculture and the flavour game, the regulations and state law, moving from craft beer to craft cider, and the Basque Country’s influence on them as makers. It’s a dense chat, good fun, and after a few 6.9% cans it put the boys on their backs!

The guys then finish off with recommendations, as Martyn asked the listeners: ‘what are your favourite American and/or Canadian Ciders? Then the guys move on with one of Grant’s gateways whilst touring with Frightened Rabbit, and the problem with putting good drinks on the rider! This part was a great way of giving you guys the listeners, more of the good stuff you can find in your area.

Thank you for tuning in and checking out Neutral Cider Hotel, we’re checking out of the US, quarantining in the UK and then it's back to work ASAP!

A Little Bit Brutal (Spanish Cider Feature - Sidra Natural Trabanco) Jan 31, 2021

Show notes

Join hosts Gabe Cook, Grant Hutchison and Martyn Goodwin-Sharman as they get lost on their way to the Neutral Cider Hotel!

This week’s episode takes a left turn, as the guys skip their usual interview, and take on the country of Spain with history, tasting and a shocking amount of clean up, even for the hotel room! Gabe kicks things off with some music recommendations from Grant, Producer Scott and Martyn to help fill the time it takes to vacuum his manor house. Grant announces his new venture; Aeble Cider Shop and asks for your recommendations, and Martyn congratulates the team’s 1000th instagram follower, twice?

Then it's time for the news, and after some quiet weeks it's a big one! Cider Con, the world’s largest cider event happening Feb. 3-5, 2021 is online this year, and includes a virtual pub chat with Gabe along with Meredith of Along Came a Cider! Thatchers announce their search for young cider makers with a fantastic opportunity, and the guys discuss the worries of Long Covid, and the side effects of loss of taste for everyone in the food and drink scene. Then, the guys are on a plane as they travel to Spain!

A beautiful cider culture, and the oldest in the world is that of Asturias, Spain. Gabe breaks down the pouring technique needed for the perfect drink, and the science behind it, before the guys go for a Sidre Throw Throwdown! The guys take turns to take to the floor, before making different sized puddles and discussing what has actually landed in the glass! Heritage, quality and a great journey for the British trio into the wonderful cultures of another country.

The guys then finish off with questions from the listeners, featuring a heap from back in July last year courtesy of One_Phil_Wells. Starting off with one word answers, they then snowball into some eye openers about the guys, their history and their love of cider. Side note, Martyn got drunk enough that he did in fact get his gateway cider totally incorrect, so see if you can spot the edit!

HONK FOR SALVATION! (Simon Neil from Biffy Clyro, Tasting Pilton's In Touch and Eve’s Albee Hill Cider) Jan 24, 2021

Show notes

Join hosts Gabe Cook, Grant Hutchison and Martyn Goodwin-Sharman as they check the rider for cider in the green room, before it kicks off at the Neutral Cider Hotel!

Gabe the Ciderologist™ kicks things off with some religious solace coming from Cider Sleuth’s question, Martyn denounces the new deity whilst Grant questions the monetary value and the guys end up discussing a little show called Book of Mormon.

The Scotsman forgets that it's Burns Night, but luckily the Cornishman is on hand to help. They pick their ciders with barrel character in honour; Martyn goes for Pilton’s Tamoshanta, Gabe goes for a full range of Hallet’s Cider’s and Grant picks the Caledonian Cider Factory’s Islay Cask that gives a wee slap on the face. No news this week so it's on to the big interview.

The guest this week is a literal rock star, the front man of Scotland’s second best guitar band Biffy Clyro; Simon Neil! A switch from the usual format, the guys talk music and introduce Simon to the finer side of cider. Talking everything from their latest album, ‘A Celebration of Endings’, the life of the band without touring, mental health, to the music from Lethal Weapon 3 and everything in between. The first cider the guys crack is Eve’s Albee Hill, featured previously on the show and loved by the team. A great introduction to the drink for the frontman, before Martyn brings his blend In Touch with Pilton Cider to the table, chatting the poetry and sweet side of cider with Simon. It was a night the guys absolutely loved in the hotel, and we hope you can hear the joy in our voices between the slurring at the end!

The guys then finish off with questions from listeners, featuring complaints of the edit on a previous episode that’s missing some Foxwhelp, and advice for new cider makers, including drink, drink, drink and drink!

Thank you for tuning in and checking out Neutral Cider Hotel, we’re getting back on the bus!

Tomato Knives and Badminton Nets (Jonny Hamilton from Pellicle Magazine, Bushel+Peck Tasting) Jan 17, 2021

Show notes

Join hosts Gabe Cook, Grant Hutchison and Martyn Goodwin-Sharman as they stop reading the label, and zone back into the Neutral Cider Hotel!

Gabe starts things off with some hotel research as well as some quiet lusting for Hiddle Piddle, Grant goes through British television hotels and Martyn threatens the boys with an axe.

Gabe steals the news from Producer Scott this week, as a dive into alcohol advertising through Angry Orchard’s new advertisement which considers the word "sweet" a swear-word! The boys then dive into their memories of alcohol advertising including these Red Rock Cider ads featuring Leslie Nielsen and this Guinness ad, and the wilder side naturally comes up, as does Grant’s infatuation with Bill Bailey in Strictly Come Dancing!

Our interview this week is with a top brewer, and co-creator of Pellcile Mag, Jonny Hamilton. Quickly becoming a publication of note in the food and drinks scene, Pellicle’s focus on cider with the same level of care as beer and wine has made it one to watch with each new article. Jonny’s first published piece, Where You’re Meant to Be, is a personal dive into the beginnings of the publication, through a lens of mental health and the effects of life. Lots of personal, raw conversation here and Jonny’s honesty shines through. The guys go through everything, from imposter syndrome, reliving struggles, the beginnings of his cider journey, lockdown and eggs benedict. It’s a thoughtful interview, with only one obviously long-winded question from Gabe!

This week’s tasting sees the boys try a bottle of Bushel + Peck’s Dabinett. Gabe praised them on the final episode of 2020, so the guys have been keen to sync up their tasting, and a single variety was the best excuse!

Finally, it’s question time at Neutral Confectionary Hotel, with this week’s question comes from Batch Cider, asking if Scott is the only one shaving during lockdown (yes) and how to improve tasting and the language involved, before Gabe’s mysterious finger wound is fully opened up by the guys. This was the most hysterical the guys have been, just to be warned before the screaming starts!

The Team:
Gabe Cook wrote a book: Ciderology
Grant Hutchison has a cider business: Re:Stalk
Martyn Goodwin-Sharman loves to talk about cider: CiderShit
The Rest of The Team:
Executive Producer/Editor: Scott Riggs
Music: Billy Kennedy
Connect:
Instagram: NeutralCiderHotel
Facebook: NeutralCiderHotel
Twitter: NeutralCiderPod
Website: https://www.neutralciderhotel.com/

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