AN award-winning cider maker is set to launch its ‘Disco Nouveau’ — the first tipple made from this year’s crop — at an open day tomorrow.

Little Pomona Cider of Avenbury, near Bromyard, will be opening its bar — for the last time this year — from noon to 4pm with mulled cider and snacks. There will also be a tour at 1pm and tasting session with preserve maestro Russell Sutcliffe of Innocent Pilgrim at 3pm.

The Disco Nouveau 2021 is based on the fragrant Discovery apple, which was blended with other early varieties including pink-fleshed Rosettes, perry pears and Egremont Russet. 

The event will be held in conjunction with drinks industry champion the Burum Collective. 

"We are so excited to be involved with this year's Disco Nouveau,” said Burum co-founder Helen Anne Smith. "It's been wonderful to work alongside Little Pomona on such a special project, especially knowing that more cider makers are taking part this year, and we're really looking forward to trying everyone's releases." 

Two disabled parking spots are available, which need to be reserved by emailing wassail@littlepomona.com. Well-behaved dogs on leads are welcome.

Last month, we reported how Little Pomona co-founder Susanna Forbes received the Campaign for Real Ale (Camra) Pomona Award for her commitment.

Like her cider business, the awards are named after the Roman goddess of apples. They are presented to a person or organisation that has made an outstanding achievement, commitment or contribution to the promotion of real cider or perry.

Mrs Forbes has a multitude of achievements under her belt. In 2018 she published the book Cider Insider, and she has also served as drinks editor of Imbibe magazine and as a member of the Guild of British Beer Writers.

She and her husband James Forbes established Little Pomona in 2015, crafting a variety of cider and perries from their orchard in Avenbury, near Bromyard, and partner growers around the area.

They moved to their current site in 2019 and opened a tasting room and cider garden last year.

She said: “It’s such an honour to be given this award by Camra – thank you!”