WHAT’S IT ALL ABOUT

 For one weekend this summer, Scotland’s only dedicated cider-makers will give their time and attention to some of Scotland’s most dedicated musicians, and they think you should too.

A mainstay at many of Scotland’s independent music festivals, the bond between Thistly Cross and good music is already a strong one, and now the people behind the cider are inviting you along to the shed where it all began to explore a little further.

LINE UP

EXTRAS

TICKETS

Arena will open at 11am (TBC) Tickets will be available from thistlyfest.eventbrite.co.uk and will be priced at £28. 

TRAVEL

There will be a festival bus service running from central Edinburgh to the Dunbar site priced at £10 return, however numbers will be limited therefore seats must be booked in advance. This can again be done at thistlyfest.eventbrite.co.uk

Site Address: Belhaven Fruit Farm, South Belton, Dunbar, EH42 1RG

LOCAL BAND? – GET INVOLVED!

Organisers will also be running a competition for local musicians to come along and showcase their talents with four acoustic slots available on the big stage.

To be in with a chance of playing potential acts must upload what they think is their best track, along with name, contact and a little about themselves, to the drop box on the Thistly Fest Soundcloud by June 29th. From this the organisers will select their four favorites acts to play on the day and place a link to them on the official Facebook page where upon the running order will be decided by the number of ‘likes’ each track can get in the run up to the festival. Musicians of any genre are welcome to enter the competition but remember on the day it has to be an acoustic performance.

The Web address for the competition drop box is http://www.soundcloud.com/thistly-fest 

Cidermakers have matured cider in wooden vessels for a wee while now. The natural properties of the wood, combined with an element of oxidation, allows the cider to breathe and aid the natural proclivity of the conditioning cider. There are many flavours imbued by this process and it depends on the cask stock and the intention of the Cidermaker. At best, after an extended period of time, the cider can develop a rounded, full bodied flavour, with a soft mouth feel. This is a good example of desirable malolactic fermentation, as encouraged by most Red wine producers. However, the time spent in the wood, also increases the potential for other, more questionable characteristics to develop as the cider can turn to vinegar, whiff of the dung heap or peanuts!..Traditionally rum barrels were the currency of the Empire, as they would be used as an economical form of ballast. This has encouraged the accidental notion that it is acceptable for rum, or any other spirit characteristic to predominate over the cidery qualities.

The Cider Makers from Graham Trott on Vimeo.

1. Although we love our original labels, they were designed over a couple of wet winter afternoons, a few years ago…They have done very well for us but perhaps they are in need of a bit of a tidy up. After all, not everyone has heard of Thistly and the bottles are our best (and only) form of advertising.

2. Thistly is a premium cider and we are not about to start making the cider in a different way. So it was important for us to achieve a naturally premium look for Thistly – and “justify” the hefty price tag in the eye of the consumer.

3. We’ve got a better idea of what we’re all about! It’s important for Thistly to be strong and assert our identity in the market place. Play to our strengths and clearly communicate who we are and what we are all about. Our thinking was if we make the branding robust enough, Thistly will come out top!  - whatever happens…

4. Use the opportunity to have some fun – I like to think that we make the most of all that comes our way, and if we were going to do something new, it should be up to our usual standards: ie a bit different, farmhouse rough and ready and a positive force for good (in a great big nasty world).

The Thistly DNA would be coded; Scottish, hand made, premium, small batch, fruity, slow matured, good flavour, quality ingredients, bold modern design, provenance, tradition, innovation, independent…( Suggestions on a postcard.)

Please see below some good examples of what we have been working with. We want to do this properly, but lack the resources of other companies. I believe we have one shot to get this right, so I would appreciate any time you might have to consider the designs properly and fill in the QA.

After all we would not exist without you – our loyal friend of Thistly Cross!

I’ll buy everyone who fills in QA a pint at our Cider Fest in July!

Many thanks,
yours sincerely

Peter Stuart
Cidermaker

click to enlarge

click to enlarge

Please take some time to answer the questionnaire below

Thistly is out and about in Edinburgh, sponsoring two crackin’ events. Firstly, earlier on in the evening, is the RSA New Contemporaries. It’s a curated annual exhibition which focuses on the finest emerging artists & architects in Scotland. It features 60 prize winning graduates selected from the 2012 Degree shows by a team of RSA Members and will be a  real showcase of talent with a selection of work from each exhibitor. The show runs from 17 March 2012 – 11 April 2012. visit website

 EDINBURGH FIGHT NIGHT

Once our heads have been turned around by some good art, and turned inside out by some tasty cider, the plan is to shamble along from Princes Street out to the Corn Exchange for the Edinburgh Fight Night – where no doubt some heads will be rearranged again. As the speel reads (in a deep booming voice): ”On Monday 2 January 2012, 20 complete novices, will take to the boxing gym for 10 weeks of intensive boxing training, which will culminate in the night of their lives on Friday 16 March 2012. Each fighter will follow a professional boxer’s training programme, which will shake off the Christmas belly and help them evolve into the shape of their lives. Boxing fundamentals will be drilled into each fighter until throwing a punch, and taking one, will become second nature.It takes guts to step inside the ring. Many people talk a good game, but very few walk the walk.” All funds raised by the evening will support Edinburgh Community Rugby and Scotland Women’s Lacrosse. visit website

Now, at Thistly Cross we have many friends and let’s hope that remains to be the case as the Cider travels further afield! If you’ve been out and about at events this year in Scotland, you’ve been likely to discover some chilled Thistly on tap in the beer tent. ( It’s all about promoting small makers and well made drink.)

We’re looking forward to bringing in the foremost Craft Cider from the USA – JK’s Scrumpy next year, and are not above championing some of our UK compatriots! On that note, please see the article below. It’s a few months old now and I have been sitting on it, wondering if we should have some fun with the contents…? We’d have a hard time proving that Thistly Cross Ginger was the first Ginger infused cider ever, ever ( first sold at The Sheep Heid Beer Fest, summer 2009 ) and lack the enthusiasm / legal fees to blah de blah. So sit back, read, enjoy and count the typo’s!

( Dedicated to Shona from Stirling who is having difficulty fulfilling her TC Ginger Cider longings..)

Brothers launches ginger cider brand

From The Publican
By Claire Dodd Claire, 24-Feb-2011

Cider brand Brothers has entered the booming alcoholic ginger drinks category with a new cider-ginger hybrid drink. Brothers Ginger Cider – the first drink to combine ginger with cider, rather than beer – uses a base of Brothers Bittersweet Apple with added ginger extract.

A Thistlytastic Gift ( for you and a friend..)

At this festive time of charity, generosity and giving, it is important to remember that the best present is the present we buy ourselves. With Scrooge McCider’s Christmas Offer, we will include a free six bottle carrier with every on line purchase from www.thistlycrosscider.co.uk for the month of December. Buy a case of 12 – Gift 6 bottles – and have six left over for yours truly!