Longueville cider wins ‘big’ at craft brew fair
HAVING tantalised the tastes buds of discerning Irish cider drinkers for many years, Mallow’s Longueville House has added yet more accolades to its already bulging trophy cabinet.
This after its acclaimed ciders scooped a trio of prestigious international awards at last weekend’s Alltech Craft Brew and Food Fair In Dublin’s Convention Centre.
Its Longueville House Cider, which has already won numerous awards since its introduction to the market in 2012 won silver in the competition, which attracts craft brews from across the globe.
It got a lot better for Longueville House proprietors William and Aisling O’Callaghan after the newest addition to their stable, Cider Mór, not only won gold but was also crowned Overall Champion and the 2018 winner of the coveted Alltech Commonwealth (Cider) Cup.
To put this into some perspective, this years Cup attracted almost 400 entries from more than 70 breweries and cider mills from nine countries across the world.
Longueville House Cider is produced from Dabinett and Michelin apples grown and harvested on the 20-acre Mallow estate. They are crushed and the pressed juice allowed to ferment, producing a rich tasting amber cider that is filtered. Lightly carbonated and bottled on site No added colourings, additives, sulphites of preservatives are used and any stage during the process.
Mór, takes the process a stage further by allowing the cider to age for six-months in brandy casks – resulting in a robust cider with a unique taste and depth of flavour and an 8% ABV.
According to the awards organisers the Draft Cider Cup is only awarded to a beverage that “is an excellent product that displays the correct balance of taste, aroma and appearance appropriate for the style, and a high level of technical merit.”
Head judge, Dr Gearóid Cahill, said Cider Mór more than fulfilled the exacting criteria saying it “particularly impressed” the panel.
“This robust cider had tremendous complexity with a rich apple aroma that was well balanced with dryness and acidity. The oak notes added to the complexity in flavour observed by the judging panel,” he wrote.
A delighted William O’Callaghan said it was a “great honour” to be acknowledged by their peers and key industry influencers.
“The Alltech Commonwealth Cup acknowledges outstanding performance within the food and drink industry and we at Longueville are honoured to take our place in its esteemed list of winners,” said William.
“We have been blown away by the popularity of our newest addition and how well it has been received by those who love and appreciate independent, non-industrial, craft beverages and artisan produce,” he added.