A pressing engagement at the castle (From Worcester News)

A pressing engagement at the castle

10:20pm Monday 8th October 2012 in News

THE popularity of this year’s Worcester beer and cider festival showed there is growing affection for the county’s brewing heritage.

And visitors to the County Museum at Hartlebury Castle over the weekend could see and taste the age-old practice of cider-making for themselves during the annual County Fair.

Brewer Harry Bray showed how Worcester apples could be pulped and pressed into a fresh, sweet, full-bodied apple juice.

There was also a tot of fine, dry cider from last year’s pressed apples.

Volunteer Robin Hill said the petrol-driven pulping machine and hand-operated press were over 100 years old – having won awards in 1890 – and still as good at the job as ever.

Other attractions included heavy horses, craft demonstrations, corn dollies and dances.

Organiser Pippa Ashmore said: “It’s been great, and we’ve been really lucky with the weather.”