Cider Chat

John Edwards, longtime cider maker and integral team member at Ross on Wye Cider & Perry Co., and the creative force behind his personal label Fly be Night Cider was last on the podcast in 2019. John Edwards In this Cider Chat with John Edwards ohn is part of the tight-knit crew at Ross Cider who keep things running from orchard to bottle. The team has embraced a belt press system, which John finds surprisingly nimble—even for small batches. While Ross is rooted in tradition, they’re also evolving their process to match the scale and diversity of their orchard. Transitioning to stainless steel fermentation tanks Working with old and rediscovered apple varieties Committed to wild yeast and natural fermentation Managing fire blight Diversifying the orchard’s apple stock with varieties like Kingston Black, Golden Ball, and Cider Lady’s Finger. Fly Be Night: A Creative Outlet Fly by Night remains John’s personal cider expression—just a few barrels a year, shared with friends. Each release gets a new labe