Spring has sprung and summer is on the horizon, and with it will come long sunny days and warm relaxed evenings. Our drinking habits often change this time of year as many step step away from heavier drinks such as beers and stouts and opt for something something more laid-back and refreshing.
For many this will be cider, though the drinks on offer in some pubs can feel limited. Jaspels on Anglesey does away with that notion and the boutique craft cidery does an incredible job of bringing new life to this longstanding tipple.
The firm, which have been making cider near the seaside town of Rhosneigr since 2016, pride themselves on coming-up with making fresh and exciting new flavours, all made with local fruit. While their ciders are sold across much of North Wales, they also have their own bar operating on their farm factory on the island.
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The best thing about it is you can pay them a visit, and we decided to do just that. Finding Jaspels' bar can be a bit of tricky process however.
This hidden gem sits a little way out of town and down a series of winding roads and out into the grassy wilds of the Anglesey. Signs are in place to help you navigate though, so keep and eye out for them and you'll soon find your way to a large barn brandishing the familiar Jaspels logo - and if you somehow can't see that, just follow the inviting cidery smell wafting from inside.
Stepping into the barn, you're immediately met by a funky bar area which is attached to a side shop selling Jaspels' full selection of wares as well as drinks from several other local breweries for you to take home. Customers are able to sit inside the bar for a bevvy or take advantage of the benches set either side of the barn door at the front.
I was given a warm and friendly welcome by one of the team behind the bar, we shared a friendly discussion and I the chance to try all of the six main ciders on offer. They were all exemplary!
Personally, I'm a dry cider fan but each of the sweeter ciders I'd have happily drank as well. And the best thing was, there wasn't a sugar saturated commercial cider in sight!
After a quick taste test I plumped for the Sundaze, a medium dry cider and second in Jaspels range going from dry to sweet. It came trickling out of the tap looking like a golden apple coloured nectar of the gods.
I whisked my golden beauty outside to lounge in the sun to enjoy it - which I surely did. I could have spent hours lounging at that spot working through the rest of Jaspels range.
Have you visited Jaspels in Rhoseneigr, which of their ciders is your favourite? Let us know in the comments.
Jaspels' remote location boasts some truly unique views you likely won't get from any other bar. You can sit and look out across the fields and sand dunes and gaze as the sun rolls gently across their surfaces.
The lack of sounds of cars or roads, with the exception of the tractor, just adds to experience. Not many people came-in while I was visiting, which seems like a real shame because this spot is a treat for those willing to make the journey and can easily be paired with a great day on the beach. It really is the best spot for cider and sun.
Sadly I couldn't stay as long as I'd have liked to, but I knew I had to try some more of what Jaspels had on offer, so I bought a couple of bottles to take home with me. Picking the two sweeter options on the menu, the Blakfroot and Autumn Spice, the latter which is now by far my favourite as it blends cinnamon into the cider, creating a drink that tastes like the perfect apple pie and a real smooth sipper for a summers night.
Jaspels may well have done the impossible and convinced me to stay on cider for the rest of the summer, and perhaps even beyond. Anyone on the fence about ciders should get themselves over, you might just find yourself discovering your new favourite drink.
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