Craig and Karen Shipman had been making cider for friends and family for years before they started to sell it to the public in 2008.
Toby’s Handcrafted Cider is made only from apples grown within walking distance of the farm. From apple tree to bottle, their craft cider is made completely within the historic orchard county of Armagh.
Toby's cider is a completely natural product – no artificial sweeteners, preservatives or concentrates – and, after pulping, the pomace (pulp) is racked and pressed in the traditional way. Only yeast is added, and it is fermented slowly over winter. Finally, it is bottled conditioned, which means it is bottled at just the right stage of fermentation to allow the process to be completed in the bottle and produce a very light carbonation (fizz).
When Craig and Karen started to sell their cider, they thought it would be a great way to raise money for charity. As such, they’ve pledged that a percentage from every bottle of Toby’s Handcrafted Armagh Cider sold will be donated to the Toby Fund, which was set up to raise funds to help sick children.
Made in several styles, Toby’s Handcrafted Cider has been finding favour at festivals and events.
Check the website for stockists, which include some well known pubs such as Mulligans in Dublin and some selective off licences including the Wine Company outlets in Northern Ireland and, in Co Dublin, Jus de Vine, Portmarnock and Gibney's of Malahide.
