Another reason to visit western Virginia – Big Fish!
Kirk Billingsley of Big Fish has been charmed by cider ever since he was a kid. Coming home from school he fondly remembers being mentored by his dad who had a barrel of sweet cider (non fermented apple juice) outside the family’s home in the same county of Highland where he still lives today. In 2015 he opened Big Fish Cider Company after making cider non commercially for 25 years in his home.
In this Cider Chat with Big Fish
This chat was recorded at CiderCon2018. Sarah Collins Simmons who works with Kirk also joined us and offered a great perspective on the orchard care of all the trees helping Big Fish make such delicious cider.
Big Fish Varieties at the main apple orchard
- Golden Russet
- Northern Spy
- Jonagold
- Ashmead Kernel
- Dolgo crab apples
In total Big Fish has around 300 trees to pick from. Most, if not all, are heritage trees that were planted over a 100 years ago on farmland that was long forgotten.
- On any given day they are pressing 250 gallons of cider.
Cidermaking technique used at Big Fish
- Slow & cold ferment
- An occasional bit of back sweetening because the apples are so acid (sweet helps to balance out the acid)
- Use small 2000 liter and 1000 liter tanks and Oxygen barrier IBC
Big Fish has a Tasting Room
- The room is currently 400 square feet and has 3 tables and 12 chairs
- This year they are expanding the Tasting Room…maybe there will be 6 tables and 24 chairs.
- Kirk bought the building a while back. It was built in 1920 and built with wood called Wormy Chestnut
Kirk’s Cider Making Tip:
- Experiment with yeast
- Look at areas of the world that like the style of cider that you do.
Contact for Big Fish Cider Company
- Website: http://www.bigfishcider.com/
- eMail: info@bigfishcider.com
- Telephone: (540) 468-2322
- Address 59 Spruce Street, Monterey, VA 24465
Where to stay when visiting Big Fish Cider Co?
Mentions in this Cider Chat
- March Maple Festival http://www.highlandcounty.org/events/maple-festival/
- The second and third weekend of the month each year.
- Totally Cider Tour: Normandy – need talking points? Go to this link for all the details.
