Maker of Kertelreiter cider & perry. Planter of orchards. Pear freak, wannabe pomologist, cider historian, homebrewer, former beer blogger. Editor at Cider Review. ACA Certified Pommelier. Irish in Germany. Owned by a border collie.
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The 1st was the little white cat who I again found sleeping in the bucket full of wood chips. Then around the corner to another sleeping cat who quickly run away while being watched by a cat across the stream. Didn’t take a photo of the 4th cat under a tree on the other side of the valley. So many
Side-thread… This is the fifth cat I’ve seen this morning. At first I wasn’t sure if it was a bit of plastic from a silage pit. Stupid zoom lens can’t go closer.
And this month we should finally have the barn roof replaced, freeing the back meadow from the pallets of roof tiles. I need to mow, thought I’d do it all with the scythe again, but back pain the last 10 days has precluded that kind of work.
Yesterday morning, the first ever peach from our tiny tree fell to the ground. It was a bit mushy, but I’m looking forward to trying the rest of them and I’m not even a fan of peaches.
*Bavarian 😜
I’d also add governments
As someone who doesn't have kids and never will I'm aware I have no legacy to leave in the traditional sense but I will be leaving my mark in the orchard of @barmas.bsky.social in Germany . I asked to sponsor a Lullam because it comes from Witcombe, just a few miles south of Cheltenham.
And one of the earliest mentioned British perry pear varieties. I’m so grateful that you helped make this happen, and as someone who likely won’t have grandkids myself, this is just as a small contribution back to nature. I’ll try to make sure they thrive!
I think it was! Great channel!
Interesting! I would have automatically used less salt, just doing something like my chilli ferments for sauce (only 3%). I have a few empty jars, maybe I can take some of those Doppelte Philippsbirne I found today for a small test, then try some perry pears too 🙂
Anyone for a fruity #liquamen? This sauce or condiment was normally mass-produced from fermented fish & was a firm favourite of the ancient Greeks & Romans, but there's a version from Palladius c.420 that's pear-based instead. Translations & much discussion here: orchardnotes.com/2025/09/03/p...
Yeah, for sure! The one i saw involved leaving the fish pot in the sun, as it all disintegrated and looked pretty gross, but by all accounts the result was tasty! 😁 I have a carrot ferment on now, a small pear one would be fun. Will consult your post of course! Verjus is another I’d like to try.
Before that I was at the local archery club, where there is a suspected Brunnenbirne tree and a Luxemburger Mostbirne that is hanging full. This might be the year I do a single variety of that.
I think that last one is Gelbmöstler. This, on the other hand, is a dessert pear, the Doppelte Philippsbirne. Big! And loads of them!
On the late walk shift, but fine with that as still on pear tree evaluation. We’ve had permission to harvest from these trees for the past couple years but never have. I thought this tree was a different variety, but it never had much fruit on it. Awkward with a crop growing, but that’s see.
For the past few harvests I was thinking about making this (obviously), but then I saw a video making the original fish variant and it put me off 😆
Bayerische Weinbirne. The past couple of years have been poor, and this year not looking much better. Have a look.
For years on Twitter and Insta I did an annual tour of pear trees during harvest time, explaining where they came from and what their properties are and what we do with them. So thought I should continue that tradition here. I’ll do more details when harvesting 😉
Thanks to @badgermash.bsky.social, now know that what I thought were male flowers are the female flowers before they develop into hop cones! Every day is a school day. 🙂 So maybe I ask if I can use them for a locally-hopped, wild fermented cider.
Just googled pics, and yep, good way to describe them! Thanks! I’ll have to ask them if I can harvest. I think last year they chopped them off at the base.
Oh really! You know, I was thinking last week it looked like there were many more “male” flowers, so was surprised there were so many cones. Having never really seen male hop flowers I just assumed 😁
In the meantime, our yard is turning more and more into a doss house for the local cats. Still worried about that white one. But also amused she has chosen a bucket of mulch to sleep in.
Hmm, but not unusable? I was thinking of using them for a dry (or wet) hopped cider. Can’t get more local! Found some more climbing trees nearby too.
Back to the usual programming today. These hops have developed over the past couple of years. Seems to be male and female plants, and I seem to remember that if they fertilise they aren’t much use? Or am I remembering wrong?
Some of the most remarkable lost artefacts from the ancient world were the titanic wrecks of the Nemi ships, built for a Roman emperor. In their first-century heyday they held gardens, palaces and baths in a floating wonderland. But barely a decade after their recovery, they were lost forever.
Blurry licks, and a look that says don’t go away again please.
Shite.
I should buy a lotto ticket! Despite delays of flight and first train, made it to my last train by seconds. Saves me an hour! Feels like I’ve been away a long time.
We later went to the National Perry Pear Centre in Hartpury, where we were able to cross check some of our suspicions with known trees. Mystery pear is not Hellens Early, and though it looks similar to Thorn, and very similar to Moorcroft, we eliminated all of those. So a mystery for now.
Had to leave @rosscider.bsky.social at noon with my friend Jack, who kindly took me to Birmingham. But not before we did a perry pear safari, starting at an old orchard he discovered with old pear trees. We did a bit of harvesting of a variety he thought was Hellens Early, but the mystery deepened.
To those who have messaged me via Bluesky this week, I’ll reply when I’m back in Germany, not doing that verification while in the UK.
I know he likes to fetch them if you throw them 😁
No, Norman was banned last year. Or rather his owner was 😁
And now using the @rosscider.bsky.social rent-a-collie service again.
After which I was able to drink more, including sampling this incredible cider that was infused with sweet chestnuts. Bonkers. I’d like to experiment with our hazelnuts now.
Yesterday I gave a talk on “The Ancient Art of Adornment. Or Adulteration?” A short history of flavoured cider, with the point that those modern alcopops from Sweden and the like bear no resemblance to real cider, but adding full fruit, herbs and spices to cider is a very old and good tradition.
A Hungarian Trio from Abaliget Garden Project.
A walk was badly needed, so I have borrowed Albert’s border collie, Norman. He’s a big boy compared to Anu.
There were dogs too, border collies of course. This is Doug. He’s young and a licker 😁
Haven’t been posting much, which is odd given where I am. Last night was the launch cider club at @rosscider.bsky.social. Great food, great cider and perry, and great company.
Hobsons Best Bitter
Hahaa, I have heard of that man, and have similar hobbies 😁
I was also looking forward to the pizzas at The Yew Tree, Peterstow. So fucking good.
I’ve been looking forward to this since last week. I come to a cider farm but all I want is cask ale.
Not headlining like I was back in March, but have been convinced to give a talk 🤦♂️
Tried to take a photo of the hop fields we were passing, but the dirty window triggered the macro mode. I kinda like it! 😁
How’s the crop looking?
Yeah, they have very long traditions there, too, and like everywhere have their own regional chauvinism 😁 It’s the same everywhere, every place making cider/apfelwein/cider thinks theirs is the true form 🤪
Next stop Hereford. Planes, trains and automobiles (bus) to get to the @rosscider.bsky.social cider festival
Always wanted a Voivod t-shirt.
Has to be said, she loves eating perry pears too 😁
#tinyjoys for Anu, as she loves watermelon.
Pretty amazing stuff! I want one! 😂
Thank you! 😁 Nice to show the cultural traditions of rural Germany.
Anyway, es geht weiter mit Bier. And spotted this McCormick for sale. I’d be interested in it for the bar mower. Very nice.
Yeah, have to say, I was half expecting fingers to fly 😁
Here we go. This was only after the engine had been heated with that burner.
I have a video of this beast being started. That Bunsen burner type thing gets stuck into the engine, heating it up, then the diesel pumps are opened and a flywheel is manually turned back and forth till it starts. Such a laborious process, but the sound of that engine is *chef’s kiss*.
Also loving that green Lanz, and that Ursus, what a hulk.
Found a Porsche Diesel Junior, and a Standard Star. Is that not the sexiest tractor form you’ve ever seen? 😁 Years ago, when I thought I wanted a vintage tractor, the Porsche was the one I wanted.
Also here for this. The chicken is good, the fries not so.
Here, have a small McCormack. Tiny in comparison to a modern John Deere.
But also here for this. That’s our Bierwagen, and I hate seeing how the renters abuse our taps 😁
I promised tractors today, so off we go. The local “Bulldog Freunde” club (bulldog being the local name for tractors in general) host a festival every two years. People come from far and wide with vintage tractors. Here one of my favourites, the Porsche Diesel. There is a larger Diesel Master… hmm
I was trying to figure out when grapes were last grown there. I know that in the 1950s it was still clear of trees, & the terraces were used as small meadows and some fruit trees were planted. I had been assuming maybe up to the 1870s, when phylloxera hit, and probably wasn’t worth growing them here
This is cool. The tree line on the left marks the edge of a field system called Helden, which is a south facing steep slope that was once a terraced vineyard. A couple weeks ago we spotted two grapevines climbing up the trees. Fun to think they are ancestors of what used to grow here.
Oh dear. Lots of Gelbmöstler down, but they aren’t yellow yet, so neither they nor I are ready to start pressing.
Good morning. Perry pear trees have all sorts of useful functions.
My plan tomorrow is to bore the shit out of you with photos of beer and vintage tractors.
Yeah, the reactionary outcomes vs elite prefence is interesting. It feels like that's inverted now. Thanks to this site I read this really interesting story of prohibition and wiping out fruit trees in Switzerland. bsky.app/profile/barm...
Next party. Getting tired now. Probably shouldn’t have switched to wine 🙂
No work getting done today, but beer, cake and chilli is fine by me.
We’re off to a birthday party, but first dropping three cases of perry off for shipping, and on the way inspecting pear trees between here and Mosbach, as my wife says things are falling.
A lot of cider and especially perry being sold this week. I’m running very low on some of the older, rarer vintages. But plenty in the pipeline, though bigger batches c which is unusual for Kertelreiter. I like small batches. More fun.
Hold on, it’s not a comedy? 😄 But sounds fun.
I really like that channel.
@finnovski.bsky.social @barmas.bsky.social and other craft beer/German beer enthusiasts heading to Dresden tomorrow, the Girlitz, then Leipzig... any top tips for Good Bars?
Fucking hell, that’s quite a tour! For Leipzig, you probably have to visit Ritterguts and the Bayerische Bahnhof for Gose.
Frau Blücher.
But I’ve also been asked to take the lead on a new planting project not far from here, one that I think will be a really great project, but I’m feeling a little overwhelmed at the moment as I just don’t have enough time at this time of year. I’ll have to see if I can get some help.
Growth has been good on the meadow after all the rain at the end of last month (while we were on holiday), so this will be be mown for silage next month. I only got half the tree planted in spring, so I have to do the rest at the end of this year
The one mature Tree that was already on the site is a great specimen.I think it’s a Geddelsbacher Mostbirne. I had cleared under it over a year ago, but didn’t keep on top of it so I won’t be harvesting this year.
But I got it done. Forgot my phone at home, and then forgot my water bottle up here, so back again to look at the trees. A couple are looking a bit sad, the Barland trees, they didn’t like being moved and maybe needed more water than the rest.
Do a bit of mowing of the field tracks at the phase 2 orchard, I thought, that’ll relax me. Till I realised the deck is crooked because a bit is ringed. Fixed.
Happy 7th Birthday to Anu! 🎉🐾 We’re so delighted to see her living her best life. Big birthday cuddles from all of us at MADRA! 🎂✨ #adoptdontshop #rescuedogs
Posting a day earlier than normal for the day that’s in it. So no post tomorrow! 😁 I have to wait till next Thursday to try the 2023 release.
Oh wow!!! 😍 Brilliant, you’re gonna have such fun 😄
Have a little snack at the apple Orchard, then meet up with some friends. What a nice birthday morning.
Then a walk through the International Perry Pear Project phase one flowering meadow. Who wouldn’t want to do that on their birthday? ☺️
The birthday girl really just wanted to have a lie in this morning, but she’s happy to be out now. 7 today, according to the passport we got from the lovely people at @madradogrescue.bsky.social. Happy birthday Anu! 🎂
Saw something similar on an Apple I think might be Discovery yesterday. Was very tasty.
I see that a lot on our Boskoops. No idea what it is, but the cider doesn’t mind 😁
Didn’t even knock it over, tapped it off a shelf while putting it away 🤦♂️😁
I like these glasses, but you only have to look at the sideways and they fucking smash. Oh well.
Keeping up my end of the various deals made with perry pear tree owners.
If it’s made by the Peaky people, I’m just imagining constant shots of Guinness family members walking down cobbled streets in slow motion with some cool music playing. I’ll be curious about the accents.
Bottling these two experiments. Some people will get to taste them at Rossfest 🙂
