Locally-Produced Cider Returns to Sheffield at The Cider Hole!
Sheffield’s only cider-centric bar and urban micro-cidery has released its first three batches, produced with apples collected from 31 houses around the city of Sheffield.
In September 2021, The Cider Hole opened in Kelham Island, becoming Sheffield’s only cider-centric bar. This March, The Cider Hole fulfilled its promise of also becoming Sheffield’s only urban micro-cidery by releasing three ciders produced on-site.
The Cider Hole has begun pouring three 200-litre batches of cider – all of which contain local Sheffield apples and two of which were produced with 100% local apples collected from gardens around the area.
“As far as I am aware, no one has been producing cider using locally-sourced Sheffield apples in the city for at least a couple years,” said The Cider Hole’s owner and cidermaker Mike Pomranz who has been covering the cider industry as a journalist for seven years. “I’m excited to be salvaging fruit from people’s gardens and turning it into Sheffield’s best cider… not that I have any competition!”
This past autumn, Pomranz put out calls on Facebook and Reddit asking if anyone with extra apples would donate them in exchange for free cider. He received over 70 leads and eventually collected apples (and some pears) from 31 different houses around Sheffield – including plenty of unexpectedly interesting finds in neighbourhoods like Crookes and Pitsmoor. He then crushed, pressed, and fermented all of the fruit in his tiny shipping container bar in Krynkl on Shalesmoor.
All three ciders are being served in thirds and halves directly from the fermenters until either all of the cider has been consumed or bottling becomes required. Refillable milk bottles are also available for takeaway.
The Cider Hole also continues to be open as a bar and now stocks over 60 ciders as well as a large selection of beers and wine. For hours, check The Cider Hole’s website: istheciderholeopen.com.
The Cider Hole, Unit 1.3, Krynkl, 294 Shalesmoor, Sheffield, S3 8UL. Shalesmoor tram stop is across the road.