How to Wassail the Portland Cider Co. Way

Wassailing has been an English tradition for centuries. Most historians can date it back to pre-Christian times. Back then, farmers would gather in the apple-growing regions of England during the cold winter months and pour hot mulled cider on the apple trees to ward off evil spirits and ensure a bountiful harvest the next year. 

You can read our Wassail history blog from last year to learn more.

Traditionally, each winter around the holidays, we would throw our annual Wassail Holiday Party. All of our entertainment was in collaboration with the Portland Revels, who led our pub songs, had a live band onsite, and had their Morris dancers lead a dance lesson.

This holiday tradition is one our crew has treasured over the years and have missed dearly, so we wanted to bring it back in some way!

Introducing Wassail To-Go…

This year, both Portland Cider Co. pubs will offer take-home Wassail kits. Choose from either a full festival kit, with six 19.2-ounce ‘Proper Pint’ cans and hot mulled spices, or simply a Hot Mulled Cider kit with Kinda Dry and spices.

The traditional mulling spices are crafted by Portland-based company, Plum Deluxe Tea. Each sip is full of festive spice and good times!

Pair these kits with a Wassail song and it will *almost* feel like your at the pub with us. Until then, we leave you with a traditional Wassail song:

“Wassail, wassail, all over the town

Our toast it is white and our Cider it is brown

Our bowl it is made of the white maple tree

With the wassailing bowl we’ll drink to thee”

— Gloucestershire Wassail Carol