A building surveyor who has set up a sideline in apple pressing is producing his own cider under the brand Moseley Cider Circle.
Andy Newman, 30, has set up a backyard business making his own cider in urban Birmingham after falling in love with the West Country – and its scrumpy.
Now, having developed links with orchards and perfected the art of apple pressing, he is selling his stock to Birmingham bars.
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He said: “About seven or eight years ago I started getting into cider more, but back then I was drinking the commercial stuff.
“Then slowly I discovered there was this other side, a ‘real’ side, and it really appealed to me.
“I had a day off work two years ago and just sat there, searching the internet, looking into how to make presses, how to make cider, and spent the whole day researching and making plans.
“I found a list of cider producers in Herefordshire and Worcestershire and wrote a blanket email to every single person on that list, asking how to get my hands on cider apples and I had about three or four replies from some really helpful people.”
Bit by bit Mr Newman acquired enough equipment to start up a cottage industry from his flat in Wake Green Road, Moseley, investing in an apple masher and following YouTube videos to build his own cider press using pieces of wood.
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Last year he supplied 40 litres from his small business to the Post Office Vaults off New Street.
This year he’s upped the yield to 60 litres, also supplying Moseley’s Prince of Wales and its new neighbour, Mo Dough.
In naming his venture Mr Newman was inspired by the concept of “cider circles”, which see producers grouping together in one area.
But for now, Birmingham’s urban cider circle consists solely of Mr Newman and the friends who help him out.
“I guess it’s optimistic”, he said, “but it has a nice ring to it and I like the idea.”