The Apple Cider Boat - Absolute Ploughmania
The boys at the Apple have been working hard over the winter months. No longer do you have to leave the warmth of the sun to trundle into the depths of this converted Dutch barge to order yourself a pint. That's right, there's now an outside bar that will be used during the busy summer. When filled, the seating area outside this beloved cider venue (in fact it was voted best cider pub 2014) will resemble something of a Westcountry Oktoberfest, such is the increased scale of the place (note to self, form Wurzels / Oompah fusion band)... We popped along to The Apple (twice) to check out the new bar addition as well as sampling from this years crop of ploughman's lunches. I opted for the Frenchman’s (Creamy French Brie, Murray’s Duck & Peppercorn Pate, Onion Marmalade, Fig Relish, Pickled Onion along with an assortment of Biscuits, Herberts Farmhouse White bread and finished with Mixed Leaves and a Heck’s Cider Vinegar Dressing. That list just about fit on the board (N.B ONE OF THE ONLY ACCEPTABLE TIMES TO USE A BOARD.)
I also took Shonette along, as she was knocking about the office complaining that I shouldn't ask her such high brow questions as "which Shakespearean ghost would you be" so early on in the week. Shonette opted for the Cheeseroller’s (Westcountry Mature Cheddar, 1st Grade English Blue Stilton, Farmhouse Pickle, Apricot & Ginger Chutney, Pickled Onion, Assortment of Biscuits, Herberts Farmhouse White bread, with Mixed Leaves and a Heck’s Cider Vinegar Dressing.)
Bristol Factoid: The most popular ploughman's so far this year at The Apple is actually the Spaniard’s (Serano Ham, Mexicana Spicy Cheese, Wild Garlic and Basil mixed Olives, Red Pepper and Tomato Salsa, Chilli Jam, plus biscuits etc)
Whichever Ploughman's you choose, you won't be disappointed. At around £9 and boasting a wealth of locally sourced ingredients you could say that the value for money is Brie-lliant. The Cheeseroller left us... head over heels. I could go on and I will. It's ABSOLUTE PLOUGHMANIA. What a PICKLE we've found ourself in. Ok, I'm finished. Just grate... Shut up it's my blog...
