Nowadays Tricky Cider is run by Matt Gillett, a life long lover of cider and Somerset. Matt grew up in nearby Taunton and after 10 years working as an automotive engineer in Essex, he decided to change direction and move back to his home county.
His passion for fermenting started in the mid 2000’s with 'Genghis Ales' his home brew label, and small batch cider making using fruit from neighbours’ trees. This background led to a micro-brewery installation project with friend Freddie Farnworth in the back garden of the Holman Clavel pub on the Blackdown hills, at that time owned by Tricky founder Steve Watkins. The pair purchased Tricky from Steve in 2018 and Matt is now the sole owner of the business.
Operating out of Higher Willand Farm on the Blackdowns, his aim is to produce and promote high quality traditional farmhouse cider and work to regenerate forgotten orchards. Matt is proud to be part of the tradition of Somerset cider making and the exciting revival of this fabulous natural drink.
minutemat (16258) reviewed U.F.O. (Draught) from Tricky Cider 2 years ago
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 7.5
Box @ Bailey Head. Misty bright gold appearance. Funky wild aroma. Good furry tannin from the off, pure natural orchard fruit with quite a characterful acidic bite. Interesting, decent.
danlo (13133) reviewed U.F.O. (Draught) from Tricky Cider 2 years ago
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 8 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 7.5
BIAB at Newcastle Beer & Cider Festival 2023. Yellow gold colour, afew bubbles on top and aroma of apple, fruity, acetic funk. Taste is sweetish, tangy, sourish, apple, fruity, fleshy, with some orchardy funk and drying tannins. Medium bodied, low carbonation, medium-dry tannic finish. Nicely drinkable
eurosoba (18570) ticked Abbey Apples Hells Bells from Tricky Cider 3 years ago
13/10/2009. STAR INN, 23 The Vineyards, BATH, Bath & North East Somerset, England
danlo (13133) reviewed U.F.O. #5 from Tricky Cider 3 years ago
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 8 | Flavor - 8 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 7.5
BIAB at York Beer & Cider Festival 2022. Hazy orange gold colour, some bubbles on top and aroma of apple, funk. Taste is sweetish, apple, fruity, funky hints, mellow, some balanced acidity and tannins. Medium bodied, low carbonation, medium dry finish. Quite balanced, nicely drinkable
fonefan (84534) reviewed U.F.O. #5 from Tricky Cider 3 years ago
Appearance - 4 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 7.5
Cask (handpump) @ Cock Tavern, 🇬🇧 315 Mare Street, Hackney, E8 1EJ Hackney, Greater London, England.
[ As Tricky Cider U.F.O. #5 ].
ABV: 5.0%. Clear medium orange colour with virtually no head. Aroma is moderate to light heavy apple, horse blanket - barnyard, manure. Flavor is moderate sweet with a average duration, manure, barnyard - farmyard, apple, dry. Body is medium, texture is watery - creamy, carbonation is flat. [20220805]
7-2-7-4-15
Grumbo (24387) reviewed Crimson King from Tricky Cider 3 years ago
Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 8 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 7
2/6/2022. From BIAB at the 35th Colchester Real Ale & Cider Festival. Pours hazy yellow gold with minimal head. Aroma is musty apple, mucky, farmyard, horse blanket, fruity, citrus. Light sweetness, moderate bitterness, tartness and body. Oily and watery, soft carbonation. Dry finish. Quite enjoyed this.
Harrisoni (26233) reviewed Wizard from Tricky Cider 3 years ago
Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 8 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 8.5
At Orchard Inn Bristol . hazy amber copper colour no head. wow that is dry. Yarlington mill apples. very parching. damn that's fun. very good cider. i can't feel my gums
Grumbo (24387) reviewed Wizard from Tricky Cider 3 years ago
Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 8 | Flavor - 9 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 7.5
20/2/2022. Bottle sample courtesy of danlo, cheers Ed! Pours hazy golden orange with a bubbly white head. Aroma is apple, slightly musty, funky, citrus. Light sweetness, moderate bitterness, light tartness. Medium body, slightly oily, average carbonation. Dry tannic finish. Nicely done.