Tuesday afternoon, I get a phone call at work from Olivier (Part of the darts team) saying we have been invited for a drink from 6pm.
I couldn't believe it when he took us to this mobile distillery which had pulled up at the back of the village.
This 1940's contraption tours the villages of Brittany in early summer converting last seasons cider in to a clear spirit called gout (pronounced goot) or eau de vie.
People were bringing their barrels of home made cider to be converted to gout, which they normally then flavour themselves at home, normally cherries, prunes,plums are soaked in the alcohol for a few months, making a seriously strong drink.
The blue barrels are all full of heavily fermented cider.
A few locals help set up the equipment.
The distillation is heated by a wood burner under the stills.
In about 35 minutes the golden cider is completely distilled, and this 65-70% proof spirit is ready.
Some people were taking 20 gallon barrels away!
We bought 5 litres for 40 euros which was a "special" price as Olivier has known the Gout Man for many years.
More can be read on this extraordinary contraption on this website.
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