insideKENT Magazine Issue 161 - September 2025 | Page 78

FOOD + DRINK

Hops and Apples and Beer- Oh My! cont...

Wise Owl Cider, Maidstone wiseowlcider. com

With a glorious lineup of fresh flavours such as blood orange, cherry, pear and mango, each thoughtfully crafted with a perfected blend of eight different varieties of local apples, it’ s no surprise as to why Wise Owl has scooped up many a prestigious award for their creative crafts. Meticuously milled and pressed in-house, then left to naturally ferment before it is ready to be bottled, pouched or canned, Wise Owl ciders are proudly vegan and gluten free, and always made from 100 % Kentish apple or pear juice with no added water.

Turners Cider, Marden turnerscider. co. uk

Tucked away in the sweet village of Marden lies the wonderful Turners Cider. Carefully selecting each apple for its flavour, the family-run Turners is known and celebrated for its crafts made in an‘ Eastern counties’

style using only eating and cooking apples such as Cox, Worcester, Bramley and Russet. Resulting in truly scrumptious, clean and light ciders with the perfect balance of sweetness and acidity, the cidery’ s strong Kentish roots and values have remained firm since the day they made their very first cider- pressed from apples picked in nearby woods and fields on a sunny autumn morning surrounded by loved ones.

Nightingale Cider, Tenterden nightingalecider. com

For nearly 40 years, The Nightingale family farm and orchards have been lovingly nurtured by three generations who, each as passionate as ever about nature, tree health and fruit quality, have worked with indigenous wild orchard yeasts for ciders that beautifully capture Nightingale’ s story from branch to glass. This September, the team here will excitedly kick off another successful cider year, beginning with picking apples as they enter

their most thriving period. To immerse yourself within their wonderful world of cider, plan a visit to The Watch, the cidery’ s taproom set on the working farm offering lovely still, sparkling and fine ciders alongside delectable local charcuterie and snacks.

Biddenden Cider, Biddenden biddendenvineyards. com

While renowned for their outstanding wines, Biddenden Vineyard have also been producing delightful Garden of England ciders since the 1970s. Uniquely boasting vintage ciders with a sophisticated winelike taste, Biddenden seamlessly blends enduring winemaking techniques with top ingredients to create superb blends that are a masterclass in Kentish fruit and winemaking finesse. Be sure to try their Biddenden 2021 Vintage Sparkling Cider, which was named Supreme Champion at the British Cider Championships 2025 for its perfectly crisp bubbles, vibrant orchard aromas and refined dry finish.