Episodes

  • Laxative-Soaked Baton (Christine Walter from Bauman’s Cider)
    Dec 9 2024

    This just in! Hot off the press, it's Gabe Cook, Martyn Goodwin-Sharman, Grant Hutchison and Producer Scott, with the current news, absolutely up-to-date.

    Gabe starts off with literally nothing, before a miniature railway saves the conversation. Martyn brings up Gabe’s historic substack about a magical pear tree, taking the boys down fire blight avenue, before cracking a bottle of something fitting. Scott has had a quiet time in the States, but introduces the boys to an up-and-coming indie artist, and Grant keeps things light and cheery.

    In the news, Martyn reflects on the end of Good Beer Hunting, Gabe brings the dour news of Ermine Moth and its effect on this year’s harvest for makers like Burrow Hill.

    Then, the guys speak with quite possibly the best cider maker in the US right now, with her company winning award after award. In the last 6 months, she has won Best Dry Tannic cider at both the International Cider Awards and at GLINTCAP and also picked Best in Show at North West Cider Cup. It’s Christine Walter of Bauman’s Cider! The guys chat about everything, from trips to the UK muling dirty British things, to the new Bauman’s tap room through to meeting Tom Oliver for the first time and the bloodlust of the American palate for local pineapples. Whilst they talk, they crack Bauman’s wonderful single variety of Kingston Black, but don’t take my word for it, for I am just AI generated text.

    Finally, wrapping things up is a quiz game from Grant, which we’re sure isn’t a plug for his shop Aeble.

    And with that, the hotel closes for another week, but fear not as more episodes and guests are coming to the Neutral Cider Hotel!

    Episode Sponsor: Press Then

    THE TEAM
    Gabe is a cider expert: The Ciderologist / Substack
    Grant owns a cider shop: Aeble Cider Shop
    Martyn loves to write about cider: CiderShit

    Executive Producer/Editor: Scott Riggs
    Music: Billy Kennedy

    CONNECT
    Instagram: NeutralCiderHotel
    Facebook: NeutralCiderHotel
    Threads: NeutralCiderHotel
    Bluesky: NeutralCiderHotel
    YouTube: NeutralCiderHotel
    Linktree: NeutralCiderHotel

    Listen and share episodes on our website: https://www.neutralciderhotel.net/

    Leave us a voicemail: https://www.speakpipe.com/neutralciderhotel

    Join the conversation: https://www.reddit.com/r/NeutralCiderHotel/...

    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 56 mins
  • Mainly Bothering Sheep (Sam Robinson and Steffan Smith of Seidir Tydecho)
    Oct 30 2024

    This just in! Hot off the press, its Gabe Cook, Martyn Goodwin-Sharman, Grant Hutchison and Producer Scott, with the current news, absolutely up to date.

    First off, Gabe brings us back to the UK election results, at the beginning of July, which brings the guys nicely onto a deep, insightful study of everyone’s favourite subject, TAX. Martyn brags about running, and videos from the wonderful Lally Macbeth at The Folk Archive. And more breaking news on this cider podcast, as Grant brings the guys together to congratulate Albert Johnson on the birth of his first child. And finally, Producer Scott is preparing for a hike and has to go on a quest beforehand…

    Even more breaking news in this episode, is the Bristol Cider Salon, as Gabe becomes the roving reporter for the show, with interviews aplenty from the UK’s premiere fine cider event.

    And then it’s onto the interview! The guys say Croeso i ddangos to Sam Robinson and Steffan Smith of Seidir Tydecho! This duo have combined passion for Welsh culture, language and storytelling with a desire to celebrate the produce of the land that surrounds them in the beauty of mid-Wales. The guys chat everything, from Troggy’s conservatory to honey trails, bothering sheep, second second homes and a certain company killing children. Whilst breaking the news in, the guys drink the brand new C’lanme 2022, which is available now!

    Finally, wrapping things up is a game from Martyn, which we’re sure we’ve already played, but doesn’t make it any less new and current!

    And with that, the hotel closes for another week. Please do check out the socials, and send us your messages to have your say in where the guys go next, what happens in the future, and just let us know how you’re doing! And get ready for our next guest at the Neutral Cider Hotel!

    THE TEAM
    Gabe is a cider expert: The Ciderologist / Substack
    Grant owns a cider shop: Aeble Cider Shop
    Martyn loves to write about cider: CiderShit

    Executive Producer/Editor: Scott Riggs
    Music: Billy Kennedy

    CONNECT
    Instagram: NeutralCiderHotel
    Facebook: NeutralCiderHotel
    Threads: NeutralCiderHotel
    Bluesky: NeutralCiderHotel
    YouTube: NeutralCiderHotel
    Linktree: NeutralCiderHotel

    Listen and share episodes on our website: https://www.neutralciderhotel.net/

    Leave us a voicemail: https://www.speakpipe.com/neutralciderhotel

    Join the conversation: https://www.reddit.com/r/NeutralCiderHotel/...

    Show More Show Less
    2 hrs and 13 mins
  • A Tribute To Susanna Forbes of Little Pomona
    Sep 23 2024

    Join Gabe Cook, Martyn Goodwin-Sharman, Grant Hutchison and Producer Scott, for this special episode of the Neutral Cider Hotel, a tribute to Susanna Forbes of Little Pomona.

    A dear friend of the pod, Susanna Forbes, recently passed away. Susanna was one half of the legendary Little Pomona Orchard & Cidery, alongside her wonderful husband, James. Our hearts, like all who knew her, are broken, and we send our love to James during this difficult time.

    In our grief, we wanted to pay tribute to Susanna and hear her charm wit and laughter once more. So, we compiled all three appearances that Susanna and James made on the podcast and put them together in this special episode.

    We’ll start the show by sharing our thoughts on Susanna and what a legend she is. Then we dive into the interviews.

    The first interview is from August 2023, when Producer Scott traveled to Herefordshire for Gabe’s wedding celebration and spent a day eating, drinking, bottling, and catching up with Susanna and James.

    After that, we go back to their second appearance on the pod in March 2021, when Susanna and James brought several ciders for us to taste, along with their assistant cider maker, Blair.

    Finally, you’ll hear our very first interview from our very first episode of the Neutral Cider Hotel way back in October 2020. The audio quality for the guys is poor because they had some recording issues (and Producer Scott still loses sleep over it), but James and Susanna’s audio sounds fantastic, and that’s what really matters.

    We hope you enjoy these conversations as much as we do, and thanks, as always, for listening and supporting the podcast.

    Susanna - We miss you, we love you and the world feels a bit emptier without you. Wassail ❤️

    THE TEAM
    Gabe is a cider expert: The Ciderologist / Substack
    Grant owns a cider shop: Aeble Cider Shop
    Martyn loves to write about cider: CiderShit

    Executive Producer/Editor: Scott Riggs
    Music: Billy Kennedy

    CONNECT
    Instagram: NeutralCiderHotel
    Facebook: NeutralCiderHotel
    Threads: NeutralCiderHotel
    Bluesky: NeutralCiderHotel
    YouTube: NeutralCiderHotel
    Linktree: NeutralCiderHotel

    Listen and share episodes on our website: https://www.neutralciderhotel.net/

    Leave us a voicemail: https://www.speakpipe.com/neutralciderhotel

    Join the conversation: https://www.reddit.com/r/NeutralCiderHotel/...

    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 52 mins
  • Fingal’s Horticultural Society Diss Track (Ed Byrne, Rull Orchard Tasting)
    Sep 10 2024

    Καλωσορίσατε στο ουδέτερο ξενοδοχείο μηλίτη! Join Gabe Cook, Martyn Goodwin-Sharman, Grant Hutchison and Producer Scott, for this week’s booking, in a layover from Greece.

    The guys chat holiday and work for Gabe, the now-not-so-new release of In Touch IV for Martyn, tickets to the hottest show in town for Grant, and a training montage from the 80’s for backpacking with Scott.

    Then it's the news, with the slow moving cogs of the local cider industry on full show, with the guys discussing the recent grubbing of 300 acres of orchard by the company Heineken. Having a surprisingly balanced look at the situation, the hoteliers give their hot takes on the subject, before this week's big interview.

    The first celebrity cider maker, the artist formerly known for Mock the Week is the one and only Ed Byrne! Fresh on tour with his new show: Tragedy Plus Time, Ed discusses everything with the guys. From horticulture to brotherhood, second place apples to beautiful people exclusives, its a laugh chatting to a comedian in incredible physical shape. The guys chat and drink, and this week it's Starlight by the wonderful Rull Orchard.

    Finally, the guys have heard the hotel guest complaints, and are responding to the backed up pipe running through the hotel. Busting open with messages throughout the years, the speakpipe is back, and this time with some very lovely notes.

    And with that, the hotel closes for another week. Please do check out the socials, and send us your messages to have your say in where the guys go next, what happens in the future, and just let us know how you’re doing! And get ready for our next guest at the Neutral Cider Hotel!

    THE TEAM
    Gabe is a cider expert: The Ciderologist / Substack
    Grant owns a cider shop: Aeble Cider Shop
    Martyn loves to write about cider: CiderShit

    Executive Producer/Editor: Scott Riggs
    Music: Billy Kennedy

    CONNECT
    Instagram: NeutralCiderHotel
    Facebook: NeutralCiderHotel
    Threads: NeutralCiderHotel
    Bluesky: NeutralCiderHotel
    YouTube: NeutralCiderHotel
    Linktree: NeutralCiderHotel

    Listen and share episodes on our website: https://www.neutralciderhotel.net/

    Leave us a voicemail: https://www.speakpipe.com/neutralciderhotel

    Join the conversation: https://www.reddit.com/r/NeutralCiderHotel/...

    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 49 mins
  • The Boys Are Back (And Rustier Than Ever)
    Jul 16 2024

    Join Gabe Cook, Martyn Goodwin-Sharman, Grant Hutchison and Producer Scott Riggs at the Neutral Cider Hotel! The lads warm up for another victory lap around the specialist drink podcast circuit, regale of fatherhood, and lament using their mum’s dialup!

    The guys select a drink that represents their last year, with Martyn selecting Wilding Cider’s Dabinett & Foxwhelp, Grant carefully opening Oliver’s Gold Rush 10, Gabe brings New Zealand’s finest to the table with Peckham’s Apple, and finally Scott cracks a blast from the past with Oliver’s Bottle Conditioned 2018.

    The guys diverge from tradition and plug a different book, Perry: A Drinker’s Guide by fellow podcaster Adam Wells. There’s tour discussions with The Twilight Sad and The Cure, the wonderful Cidercon and a conversation with Minnesota natives, an old friend and some new enemies.

    Producer Scott shares a tale of the tooth and some sad news about an old friend. Then, the guys close out the show by playing a little quiz that Gabe created. It's more of a slog, but feel free to scream out your answers at home!

    And with that, the hotel closes for

    THE TEAM
    Gabe is a cider expert: The Ciderologist / Substack
    Grant owns a cider shop: Aeble Cider Shop
    Martyn loves to write about cider: CiderShit

    Executive Producer/Editor: Scott Riggs
    Music: Billy Kennedy

    CONNECT
    Instagram: NeutralCiderHotel
    Facebook: NeutralCiderHotel
    Threads: NeutralCiderHotel
    Bluesky: NeutralCiderHotel
    YouTube: NeutralCiderHotel
    Linktree: NeutralCiderHotel

    Listen and share episodes on our website: https://www.neutralciderhotel.net/

    Leave us a voicemail: https://www.speakpipe.com/neutralciderhotel

    Join the conversation: https://www.reddit.com/r/NeutralCiderHotel/...

    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 27 mins
  • The World Needs To Hear The Voices Of Three White Guys (Checking In With Martyn Goodwin-Sharman)
    Sep 22 2023

    Join Producer Scott as he chats with NCH Host Martyn Goodwin-Sharman on this special episode of the Neutral Cider Hotel podcast!

    For the fifth and final stop on his 2023 UK tour, Producer Scott traveled from London back to Bristol where it all began. Sitting down with the podcast host that induced the most side-splitting laughter...The guy that told Rainn Wilson to fuck off within five minutes of their interview with him...A man with a heart of gold and the hardest working man in cider, Mr. Martyn Goodwin-Sharman.

    They started out by discussing what Martyn has been up to over the past year, why his popular Cidershit Instagram account is so quiet lately, what has motivated him to be so damn fit and what's this impending baby news we've been hearing so much about.

    They also talked about how Martyn's views on cider have changed, his outlook on fatherhood and what the Neutral Cider Hotel means to him.

    And for this final episode, it was fucking fantastic chatting and laughing with Martyn, a genuinely funny and good human.

    So, here we are. The final episode of this little mini-series checking in with the guys and a couple of cider makers we love. We really hope you've enjoyed these conversations as much we enjoyed making them.

    And a heartfelt thank you from all of us at the Neutral Cider Hotel for supporting us for all of these years. We are truly humbled and grateful that you listened, wrote us, left voicemails and just always gave us the motivation to carry on.

    And, we will carry on.

    Please feel free to reach out to us on social media, leave us a voicemail or send us a note. We read them all and really appreciate each and every person that listens.

    Also, do check out the other conversations from this trip in the podcast feed or any other episodes you've missed.

    Thanks again for listening to the Neutral Cider Hotel podcast!

    The Team:
    Gabe is a cider expert: The Ciderologist
    Grant has two cider businesses: Re:Stalk and Aeble Cider Shop
    Martyn loves to write about cider: CiderShit
    Executive Producer/Editor:

    THE TEAM
    Gabe is a cider expert: The Ciderologist / Substack
    Grant owns a cider shop: Aeble Cider Shop
    Martyn loves to write about cider: CiderShit

    Executive Producer/Editor: Scott Riggs
    Music: Billy Kennedy

    CONNECT
    Instagram: NeutralCiderHotel
    Facebook: NeutralCiderHotel
    Threads: NeutralCiderHotel
    Bluesky: NeutralCiderHotel
    YouTube: NeutralCiderHotel
    Linktree: NeutralCiderHotel

    Listen and share episodes on our website: https://www.neutralciderhotel.net/

    Leave us a voicemail: https://www.speakpipe.com/neutralciderhotel

    Join the conversation: https://www.reddit.com/r/NeutralCiderHotel/...

    Show More Show Less
    34 mins
  • I Apologize For The Frequent Squeals (Checking In With Grant Hutchison)
    Sep 21 2023

    Join Producer Scott as he chats with drummer and NCH Host Grant Hutchison on this special episode of the Neutral Cider Hotel podcast!

    Stop #4 on his trip through the UK finds Producer Scott heading north...to the coastal town of Anstruther in Scotland to spend some time with a cider rockstar and literal rockstar as well as a cider shop owner, Grant Hutchison.

    Over the adorable squeals of his baby daughter Wren, Grant and Producer Scott got right into a proper chat and spoke about how he's been getting on for the past year. They also talked music and Grant's feelings about getting back into it after Frightened Rabbit ended. You see, last year Grant joined this Scottish band called The Twilight Sad as their drummer and soon after joining, they went on a massive worldwide tour opening for a little band called The Cure!!! So, it was really interesting to hear how that came about.

    They also talked about his ambitions to expand cider in Northern Scotland, an exciting bit of news about his legendary cider shop Aeble, and his aspirations for the future of the Neutral Cider Hotel.

    It was so nice hearing two longtime friends (and a wee baby) have a proper catch-up. We hope you enjoy the conversation as much as they did.

    Please do check out the other conversations from this trip in the podcast feed or any other episodes you've missed. Our socials are a great place to stay connected with us (links below), or send us your voice messages and let us know how you’re doing!

    Thanks for listening to the Neutral Cider Hotel podcast!

    The Team:
    Gabe is a cider expert: The Ciderologist
    Grant has two cider businesses: Re:Stalk and Aeble Cider Shop
    Martyn loves to write about cider: CiderShit
    Executive Producer/Editor: Scott Riggs

    The Rest of The Team:
    Music: Billy Kennedy

    Connect:
    Instagram: NeutralCiderHotel
    Facebook

    THE TEAM
    Gabe is a cider expert: The Ciderologist / Substack
    Grant owns a cider shop: Aeble Cider Shop
    Martyn loves to write about cider: CiderShit

    Executive Producer/Editor: Scott Riggs
    Music: Billy Kennedy

    CONNECT
    Instagram: NeutralCiderHotel
    Facebook: NeutralCiderHotel
    Threads: NeutralCiderHotel
    Bluesky: NeutralCiderHotel
    YouTube: NeutralCiderHotel
    Linktree: NeutralCiderHotel

    Listen and share episodes on our website: https://www.neutralciderhotel.net/

    Leave us a voicemail: https://www.speakpipe.com/neutralciderhotel

    Join the conversation: https://www.reddit.com/r/NeutralCiderHotel/...

    Show More Show Less
    37 mins
  • He Was Literally Crying In The Wilderness (Checking In With Tom Oliver of Oliver's Cider)
    Sep 20 2023

    Join Producer Scott as he chats with Tom Oliver of Oliver's Cider & Perry Company on this special episode of the Neutral Cider Hotel podcast!

    The third stop on his trip through the English countryside finds Producer Scott still wandering about in Herefordshire, but this time with Tom Oliver at his cidery and farm.

    The conversation delves into what sets Oliver's Cider and Perry apart from the rest, the challenges of the new UK cider tax scheme and Tom's perspective on the biggest challenges facing cider today.

    They also explore Tom's passion for music and his long tenure as a tour manager and sound mixer for loads of popular bands including The Proclaimers, Everything But The Girl, Van Morrison and so many more.

    Finally, Tom explains his love for American Football and his favorite team, the Pittsburgh Steelers.

    It's a fascinating conversation with a brilliant man that we hope you enjoy.

    Please do check out the other conversations from this trip in the podcast feed or any other episodes you've missed. Our socials are a great place to stay connected with us (links below), or send us your voice messages and let us know how you’re doing!

    Thanks for listening to the Neutral Cider Hotel podcast!

    The Team:
    Gabe is a cider expert: The Ciderologist
    Grant has two cider businesses: Re:Stalk and Aeble Cider Shop
    Martyn loves to write about cider: CiderShit
    Executive Producer/Editor: Scott Riggs

    The Rest of The Team:
    Music: Billy Kennedy

    Connect:
    Instagram: NeutralCiderHotel
    Facebook: NeutralCiderHotel
    Threads: NeutralCiderHotel
    Twitter: NeutralCiderPod

    THE TEAM
    Gabe is a cider expert: The Ciderologist / Substack
    Grant owns a cider shop: Aeble Cider Shop
    Martyn loves to write about cider: CiderShit

    Executive Producer/Editor: Scott Riggs
    Music: Billy Kennedy

    CONNECT
    Instagram: NeutralCiderHotel
    Facebook: NeutralCiderHotel
    Threads: NeutralCiderHotel
    Bluesky: NeutralCiderHotel
    YouTube: NeutralCiderHotel
    Linktree: NeutralCiderHotel

    Listen and share episodes on our website: https://www.neutralciderhotel.net/

    Leave us a voicemail: https://www.speakpipe.com/neutralciderhotel

    Join the conversation: https://www.reddit.com/r/NeutralCiderHotel/...

    Show More Show Less
    38 mins