The Cider Chat Blog

Cider Wave graphic illustrating the expansion of a Connecticut cider producer into the Massachusetts market.

Historic Lyman Orchards Expands 1741 Hard Cider into Massachusetts

Connecticut’s Lyman Orchards, one of the oldest continuously operating family-owned farms in the United States, has expanded distribution of its 1741 Hard Cider into neighboring Massachusetts through a partnership with Quality Beverage, a division of Martignetti Companies. Located in Middlefield, Connecticut, approximately 25 miles (40 km) south of Hartford in the heart of New England, … Read more

New York Cider Association Request for Proposal (RFP) for the NY State of Cider marketing initiative.

New York Has a Big Vision for Cider. Now Comes the Hard Part.

By Ria Windcaller | eCiderNews August 4, 2026 NEW YORK — New York wants to become “The State of Cider.” The New York Cider Association (NYCA) is seeking a strategic marketing, brand and communications partner to help turn that ambition into a cohesive statewide identity, bringing together programs that already include Cider Week, cider festivals, … Read more

Hydes Cyder and Hydes Lyte alcohol-free cider displayed beside their draught taps at a pub in England.

Alcohol-Free Cider Is Moving Onto the Tap

Two English pubs are giving low-ABV cider equal footing alongside traditional cider, signaling a shift in how premium no- and low-alcohol cider is served. For years, alcohol-free cider has lived in bottles and cans tucked away in refrigerators while traditional cider claimed the taps behind the bar. That may be starting to change. Two pubs … Read more

A conceptual split-scene illustration showing a warm, inviting cider taproom transitioning into a modern cider production facility with stainless steel fermentation tanks, pallets of canned cider, and a forklift. The image symbolizes the evolution of some cider businesses from hospitality-focused operations to larger-scale production and distribution.

When Cider Brands Outgrow Their Taprooms

A series of recent taproom closures raises new questions about how successful cider businesses evolve. Within the past year, several established cider producers have closed taprooms while continuing to produce and distribute cider. Each decision reflects a different set of circumstances, but together they raise an important question about the future of the cider business. … Read more

Bottle of Albee Hill still cider produced by Eve's Cidery in Van Etten, New York.

What Is Still Cider? Why Some of the World’s Best Ciders Have No Bubbles

Still cider may surprise drinkers expecting a lively fizz, but for many of the world’s most respected cider makers, the absence of bubbles is a deliberate choice rather than a flaw. From New York to England and Latvia, cider makers say removing carbonation allows the fruit, tannins, and craftsmanship to take center stage, offering one … Read more

Ripe apples growing in an orchard with a USDA Organic certification logo representing organic orchard management.

Kordick Family Farm’s USDA Organic Certification Offers Lessons for Cider Orchards

After earning USDA Organic certification in June, North Carolina’s Kordick Family Farm is offering a firsthand look at what organic certification really means for orchardists and cider makers—from record keeping and regulations to the difference between growing organic apples and producing certified organic cider. WESTFIELD, North Carolina — Kordick Family Farm has become one of … Read more