John Edwards, longtime cider maker and integral team member at Ross on Wye Cider & Perry Co., and the creative force behind his personal label Fly be Night Cider was last on the podcast in 2019.
In this Cider Chat with John Edwards
ohn is part of the tight-knit crew at Ross Cider who keep things running from orchard to bottle. The team has embraced a belt press system, which John finds surprisingly nimble—even for small batches. While Ross is rooted in tradition, they’re also evolving their process to match the scale and diversity of their orchard.
- Transitioning to stainless steel fermentation tanks
- Working with old and rediscovered apple varieties
- Committed to wild yeast and natural fermentation
- Managing fire blight
- Diversifying the orchard’s apple stock with varieties like Kingston Black, Golden Ball, and Cider Lady’s Finger.
Fly Be Night: A Creative Outlet
Fly by Night remains John’s personal cider expression—just a few barrels a year, shared with friends. Each release gets a new label (last year’s was “Space Goat”), and while the iconic “0% Sh*t” label is retired, the spirit of fun and integrity lives on.
A Cellar Surprise for Ross Fest 2025?
John has one cider still in the cellar: a 2014 Foxwhelp that might just see bottles soon. Whether blending at Ross or bottling at home, John’s work reminds us that cider thrives on community, curiosity, and a bit of mystery.
Mentions in this Cider Chat
- Episode 195: Fly Be Night Cider | 0% Sh**, UK
- Totally Cider Tour UK Edition
- UK – One Juice Project in Episode 281: Cider Fueled Road Trip to NY and PA – go to minute 44 to hear Erica Jeter reading the labels.
