Our CIDER PARTNERS
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THE APPLE THIEF
Any fruit grower knows that the finest fruit often sits right at the top of the tree where it ripens to perfection in the sun. It also means the local apple thieves can spot it from miles around. In honour of the scamps who love our fruit as much as we do, we’ve adopted a cheeky, thieving bird as our mascot. Fortunately, there’s always enough fruit to share... and to create our award-winning ciders for you.
Our fearless founder Dave Purcell was practically born under an apple tree. He grew up on the family farm in Batlow where his Dad first planted an orchard of stone fruits and apple trees.
Dave's first dive into cider used fruit from his family's own orchards. His ciders proved so popular that Dave was soon buying in fruit from friends and family, supporting local growers throughout the Batlow region. Local fruit is still the preferred juice for crafting The Apple Thief Ciders. To bring you the very best premium ciders, Dave's made it a rule to only use pure fruit juice and never juice concentrate... so every cider is 100% fruit, 100% natural and 100% delicious. From old orchard rarities to new fruit hybrids, Dave knows where to find the fruit that will make the very best ciders. Apples have been a key part of Batlow's economy and history for over 120 years. With an elevation of around 800m above sea level, deep rich soils and generally consistent rainfall, Batlow's sub-alpine location and climate provides a sweet spot for growing the tastiest and juiciest apples around.
Dave's first dive into cider used fruit from his family's own orchards. His ciders proved so popular that Dave was soon buying in fruit from friends and family, supporting local growers throughout the Batlow region. Local fruit is still the preferred juice for crafting The Apple Thief Ciders. To bring you the very best premium ciders, Dave's made it a rule to only use pure fruit juice and never juice concentrate... so every cider is 100% fruit, 100% natural and 100% delicious. From old orchard rarities to new fruit hybrids, Dave knows where to find the fruit that will make the very best ciders. Apples have been a key part of Batlow's economy and history for over 120 years. With an elevation of around 800m above sea level, deep rich soils and generally consistent rainfall, Batlow's sub-alpine location and climate provides a sweet spot for growing the tastiest and juiciest apples around.
TILSE'S APPLE TRUCK CIDER
Tilse’s orchard is situated at the foot of the Barrington Tops in the Hunter Valley and has been in the family since 1916. The apples are enriched by two mountain streams which run through the property helping to create what we think are some of the most beautiful red delicious and granny smith apples in the world.
The orchard originally had peaches, plums, pears, nectarines, walnuts, and of course, our famous apples. For decades decade’s we sold the produce through our three Upper Hunter Fruit and Vegetable shops in Singleton, Muswellbrook, and Scone. But, we deemed the shops untenable as the large supermarket chains gradually moved up the Hunter Valley. As such, we were left with a problem – what to do with all of our delicious fruit? After much deliberation, the sad decision was made to rip up all fruit trees except for the apples, and re-plant wine grapes.
With the wine grapes, came the idea to utilize our amazing apples to make apple wine, and cider. Apple Truck Cider was born!
From a way to utilise some of our apples each year, we now use our entire crop of apples every year in cider production. Once this runs out, we use the same variety of apples but from orchards in the Orange Region.
With the wine grapes, came the idea to utilize our amazing apples to make apple wine, and cider. Apple Truck Cider was born!
From a way to utilise some of our apples each year, we now use our entire crop of apples every year in cider production. Once this runs out, we use the same variety of apples but from orchards in the Orange Region.
GOLDEN AXE APPLE CIDER
Just like biting into a fresh apple, Golden Axe Cider is a thirst-quenching all-apple cider, carrying just enough sweetness to satisfy, with aromas of fresh-cut apples and blossom.Golden Axe Cider is made without added sugar or concentrate, using the best Aussie apples, is certified gluten-free by Coeliac Australia and is vegan as well.
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BIG SHED BREWING
Sensible… not exactly something we are known for. However, sometimes you need sensible. We got you! Enter straight up. No crazy booze, no weird fruits, just Adelaide hills apples fermented clean, crisp and delicious. Drink it cold over ice or straight from the can. Who knew sensible could taste so good?
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BLACKMANS CIDER
Winnie is a deliciously crisp cider using 100% Australian apples. The perfect balance of sweet & dry.
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COMING SOON
Coming Soon