DISCLAIMER

The statements made on this website are the personal opinions of Laura and Diane. If we feel that a restaurant visit is not up to par, please remember it is our opinion. If you disagree with us, feel free to write us at info@newenglandbites.com.

Sunday, September 23, 2007

B.F. Clyde's Cider Mill

129 North Stonington Road
Mystic, CT 06355
(860) 536-3354


Visiting Clyde's is the perfect way to kick off the start of the fall season, even though Mom and I made the trip a day early. At only an hour and 15 minutes away from Fall River, and only a few miles up the road from Mystic Village, driving to Clyde's was a breeze. We pulled into the gravel covered parking area at around 3:15 p.m.
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There are three separate buildings at Clyde's. One building is a knickknack shop that sells Clyde's T-shirts and assorted country crafts. The second building is a general store type market that sells all of the homemade goodies that Clyde's is known for. The third, and most interesting building, is the apple mill. Inside the small white barn is a working apple press, and the best time to catch the press in action would be to visit in the October and November months. With free admission, curious customers can watch firsthand how Clyde's famous apple cider is made, along with their apple jams, jellies, and butters.
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Since Clyde's was not pressing on this day, Mom and I got a chance to check out the inside of the mill without the stress of a large crowd. We saw all the old fashioned jugs hanging on hooks across the ceiling, an old cashier's desk complete with an telephone from the early 20th century, and the various tools and mechanisms used to keep the press running. The dark wood of the mill made it extra authentic, and the smell of previously pressed apples was pleasantly intoxicating.
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As Mom and I made our way to the store, we saw a wine tasting seminar that was taking place on the porch. We also stopped and checked out the large crates of apples waiting to be purchased, along with several rows of brightly colored floral arrangements and pumpkins. Inside the store, although we had to push our way through the crowd, we checked out all of the homemade jams, jellies, preserves, butters, spreads, and other condiments. Clyde's also has homemade infused oils, wines, and sweet and hard ciders, along with a appetizing list of freshly baked goodies such as pumpkin bread, apple cider cinnamon sugar donuts, cookies, and apple turnovers and tarts. Free samples of the different spreads and biscotti were available for people to try. Clyde's also carries pies from Connecticut's famous Stott Brothers. The pies were $16 each, but each pie was humongous and seemed to be well worth the price. We purchased:
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Quart of sweet cider - $2.50
2 apple turnovers - 3.00
6 apple cider cinnamon sugar donuts - 2.50
pumpkin bread - 4.00
sweet Vidalia onion relish - 3.98
pumpkin butter - 3.98
TOTAL = $19.96
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Although there was a slight mishap with our bag of donuts (the girl forgot to put them in our bag), it was quickly corrected. Mom and I also took a quick peek around the knickknack shop. Here we spotted the adorable T-shirts that read "I got my apples at Clyde's." They also sell custom shot glasses and a variety of New England specialty crafts. On our way out, we caught a glimpse of some customers eating their delicious baked goods at tables on the porch of the general store.
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This was the second time that Mom and I had visited Clyde's, and on both occasions the apple press was not running. If you definitely want to check that out, make sure you call ahead to see if they are pressing. Either way, everyone should definitely stop by Clyde's and get a sample of their tasty treats. It is places like these that make New England a special place to visit, and to live.