The Cider Chat Blog

Illustration of an apple tree under extreme summer heat with a high-temperature symbol

England’s Cider Apples Shrink as Heat and Drought Grip Orchards

August 13, 2026 Want to know what your cider will taste like next year? Watch the weather now. From heat-shrunk apples in England and Germany to freeze-damaged orchards and wildfire threats in North America, the 2026 growing season is already shaping what cider makers will have to work with. For cider drinkers, the connection starts … Read more

Editorial illustration showing an orchard, EU flag, Carlsberg branding, and a proposed EU cider labeling document beneath the question "What Does 'Cider' Mean?"

Why a Global Beer Giant Just Waded Into a Fight Over What “Cider” Means

August 10, 2026 Here’s a question that is best asked over a glass of…cider: What actually makes something a cider? Many traditional producers, particularly in France and Spain, have been asking that question for years, urging EU regulators to adopt a clearer legal definition that distinguishes cider made entirely from fermented fruit juice from more … Read more

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