293: Lee McAlpine of Montana CiderWorks | Established 2002

Who is Montana CiderWorks

Lee McAlpine is the Founder and Owner of Montana Ciderworks based in Darby, Montana. In 2022, Lee will celebrate the 20th year of operations and has a special Pommeau release made with her cider and distilled locally. It has been aging for 3 years and will only be available at the cidery.

In 2002, she planted over 700 cider varieties that focused on 7 English Cider varieties that Lee felt would blend well with the covet Montana grown Macintosh apples.

Lee was a firefighter who had a passion for sustainable agriculture and for Montana.

Ep: 293 Cider Chat 293 Lee McAlpine — Lee McAlpine

The Cidery set up

Lee has a 20 x 20 foot production room and primarily ferments in Flex tanks and has a small batch program.

The Cidery has no Tasting Room, but you can show up and buy cider on site.

Lee’s cider are fermented for a year before bottling!

Topics in this Cider Chat

Why the McIntosh is so coveted in Montana
- The region going back to 1880 specifically growing the McIntosh was a vibrant orchard region at one time. Lee notes that it is the temperatures between day and night in this region that really helps elevate the Macs and thus they she finds notes of cinnamon to this apple variety and the cider.
- There are 33 different spourts of McIntosh.
Local food to pair Montana CiderWorks cider – Lee recommends the Cheddar cheese made by Lifeline Farm a Biodynamic farm.
Why Lee chose not to have a Tasting Room

Mentions in this Chat

Northwest Cider Club – The final special cider box for the end of the year features Montana, Idaho ciders in the Discover Box and Elevated Box
Read Richie’s Thesis on this topic: https://arrow.tudublin.ie/tfschcafdis/10/
BudWood.org BudWood is a not-for-profit Montana CoOp whose members are apple growers, apple product manufacturers, and those aspiring to grow or manufacture.
McIntosh Apple Days is held the first weekend of October and has been held for over 42 years!
Ep 220: Can Sorbus Domestica Save the World
Ep 286: A Living Language for Cider – Richie Brady’s Thesis on the topic go to this link