Subject: Cider Digest #1549, 31 January 2010 Date: Sun, 31 Jan 2010 11:45:59 -0700 (MST) From: cider-request@talisman.com Cider Digest #1549 31 January 2010 Cider and Perry Discussion Forum Contents: Water in Cider (Dennis.Marijan@gmail.com) RIP Terry Maloney (Ben Watson) Re: Cider Digest #1548, 18 January 2010 (Stephen Wood) Terry Maloney (Dick Dunn) NOTE: Digest appears whenever there is enough material to send one. Send ONLY articles for the digest to cider@talisman.com. Use cider-request@talisman.com for subscribe/unsubscribe/admin requests. Archives of the Digest are available at www.talisman.com/cider#Archives Digest Janitor: Dick Dunn ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Subject: Water in Cider From: Dennis.Marijan@gmail.com Date: Tue, 19 Jan 2010 20:38:46 +0000 I have read that post fermentation water can be added for blending and other practical purposes. I believe it was 10-15% without effective flavour and still maintaining a True Cider status. Does anyone have experience with this. How common is this practice? What happens if you add too much water either by mistake or on purpose. What do you have to do to correct it? Does this include addition of maltic acid (or citric) and something for sweetness? I tried Lactose but found it soapy tasting? Lastly, I was looking at taking the Cider Principles course out west in Mount Vernon in June. Did anyone see or hear of anything in Eastern US which I would prefer? I am trying to manage the expense of travel. Dennis in Ontario ------------------------------ Subject: RIP Terry Maloney From: Ben Watson Date: Sat, 30 Jan 2010 13:53:44 -0500 Dear Fellow Cider Digesters, It is my sad duty to report the untimely death of one of the best-known and best-loved of America's craft cidermakers -- Terry Maloney of West County Cider in Colrain, Massachusetts. Terry died in what can only be described as a freak accident yesterday (Friday) in the basement cidermaking room at his home. From what I understand, a piece of filtration equipment full of cider under pressure "exploded" with sufficient force to knock Terry back, and he hit his head hard, causing his death. Already this morning (Sat), some of Terry's closest friends in the cider community have been on the phone with one another, discussing this shocking and unexpected event. In the course of time, I'm sure that we will organize at least one memorial or tribute (and probably more) to this gentle, affectionate man who -- as much as anyone -- was responsible (along with his terrific wife Judith) for the modern rebirth of cider culture in the US. I first met Judith and Terry Maloney more than 20 years ago, and we almost immediately became friends. The Maloneys came to western Massachusetts with experience from California vineyards. The beautiful hill towns of Franklin County, MA are a traditional apple-growing and cider-making region, so Terry and Judith began a winery that focused on locally grown fruits like apples and blueberries. Over the years, they have everything from unfiltered Farm Cider (still one of my favorites) to artfully crafted cidre doux and a whole range of distinguished varietals that included Reine de Pomme, Baldwin, Roxbury Russet, Kingston Black, and the astonishingly good, copper-colored Redfield, a signature product of West County Cider and an example of Terry's skill as both a cidermaker and fruit grower. In addition to making their own cider, Terry and Judith have been central players in promoting craft ciders from all over the US -- as founders and organizers of the annual Cider Days festival, which over the past 15+ years has provided an ever-expanding showcase of the best American ciders. All of us -- producers and drinkers alike -- owe the Maloneys our profound respect and gratitude. Those of us who knew Terry personally will always remember him as a thoughtful, soft-spoken, cultured, but also passionate man, and will miss him greatly. But Terry's death is also a loss to many in the cider world who never met him -- he was a real pioneer who showed the way for so many of today's craft producers. He willed be missed. As I hear of any tributes or memorials being planned, I will try to pass along that information to everyone. Respectfully yours, Ben Watson Francestown, NH ------------------------------ Subject: Re: Cider Digest #1548, 18 January 2010 From: Stephen Wood Date: Sat, 30 Jan 2010 13:39:35 -0500 A mighty man, a brilliant cidermaker, and my great friend has stepped away. Terry Maloney left us on an unlucky moment, fiddling with a filter in his cellar. How did that ever happen? I'm faintly cheered to hope that he had an instant for a wry chuckle at the way of his passing. Anyway, here we all are now, without him -- we've heard that gentle voice for the last time in this world. Please, each of you, fill a glass of the best cider you've ever made, go outside, and lift it to the sky in gratitude for your great good luck for having known him, or of him. Steve Wood. ------------------------------ Subject: Terry Maloney From: Dick Dunn Date: Sun, 31 Jan 2010 11:43:21 -0700 Shocked and saddened to hear of Terry's death. Terry really was a key figure in starting the renaissance of cider in the US--in promoting it, helping other cidermakers, making fantastic cider, and generally setting an example for the rest of us. His thoughtful and never-unkind approach to issues and concerns was particularly valuable to those of us who tend to the dogmatic or temperamental side. But that's enough eulogy from me; others can do far better. What I've been thinking since I got the bad news is: What can we do to remember Terry? Most obviously: Carry on with what he was trying to do. Plant cider trees. Share scionwood. Help the folks just starting orchards to learn quickly. We are connected to the land--something that the public is starting to understand and appreciate. Make good cider! Share it and compare it. And even if you're just a cider drinker, not growing or making it: Seek out good cider, tell friends about it. Cider was an American tradition; let's try to recover it. Think about "local food" events and festivals, and how you might be part of them to let people know about cider. - -- Dick Dunn rcd@talisman.com Hygiene, Colorado USA ------------------------------ End of Cider Digest #1549 *************************