By Ria Windcaller | eCiderNews™
Whether you’re attending your first cider festival or your fifteenth, there’s one thing two of America’s most experienced festival organizers want you to know:
Have Fun!
It may sound obvious, but that’s exactly what cider festivals are all about. While you’ll certainly discover new ciders and meet the people who make them, you’ll also find a community that doesn’t take itself too seriously.
In fact, at Cider Chat we even have a T-shirt that says it best:
You don’t need to know the difference between bittersweet and bittersharp apples. You don’t need a sophisticated palate. And you certainly don’t need to worry about “doing it right.”
As Jimmy Carbone, who has hosted CiderFeast events since 2014, puts it:
“There’s no mistake! Just by attending you are part of the hard cider revival.”
Carbone also helped organize some of the earliest Cider Week NYC organizational and press/trade events beginning in 2011. On the West Coast, Alan Shapiro has spent years building Cider Summit into one of the country’s premier cider tasting experiences. Together, they’ve spent decades introducing thousands of people to cider through two of the nation’s longest-running consumer cider festival series.
Despite their different events, their advice is remarkably consistent: take your time, enjoy the people as much as the pours, and leave room to discover something new.
You’re Here to Discover
For Carbone, cider festivals aren’t about trying every cider in the room.
They’re about discovering something unexpected.
“Tasting-format festivals are a great way for consumers to get to know different cider styles and producers,” he says. “Be prepared to be inspired when you taste new favorites.”
Shapiro has watched that sense of discovery evolve over the years. Experienced attendees often study the producer list before arriving, deciding which cideries, styles, or new releases they most want to explore.
Some seek out traditional ciders. Others head straight for fruit ciders, perry, mead, or fruit spirits. Many simply want to reconnect with favorite producers while leaving room for a few surprises.
The goal isn’t to taste everything.
It’s to discover something memorable.
Come with Curiosity, Not Expertise
One of the biggest differences between first-time attendees and seasoned festival-goers isn’t what they drink.
It’s how they engage.
Carbone says longtime CiderFeast attendees often know a few favorite producers, but they still spend time talking with cider makers and tasting through an entire lineup instead of stopping after a single pour.
His advice is simple.
Ask questions. Enjoy yourself.
“It’s OK to talk with other attendees and develop a community,” he says.
There’s a good chance you’ll find yourself speaking directly with the cider maker, orchardist, brand owner, or longtime representative behind the bottle.
Shapiro says today’s Cider Summit audience spans every level of cider knowledge. Some visitors ask detailed questions about apples or fermentation, while others simply want to know which cider to try first.
Both conversations matter.
Cider Is One of the Friendliest Beverage Communities
Carbone believes one of cider’s greatest strengths is its accessibility.
“Good hard cider is very accessible and the people involved are usually very welcoming. It’s not stuffy nor intimidating.”
Whether someone is attending their first festival, considers themselves a die-hard cider geek, or simply wants to spend an afternoon tasting with friends, everyone belongs.
That openness is one of the qualities that sets cider festivals apart. Visitors aren’t expected to be experts—they’re simply invited to explore.
Shapiro has noticed that same welcoming atmosphere at Cider Summit.
Even guests who know very little about cider often find themselves comparing tasting notes, swapping recommendations, and learning from the people around them.
“It’s a nice way to spend an afternoon,” Shapiro says, “and maybe just learn a few things while you’re at it.”
Have a Strategy
While Carbone emphasizes discovery, Shapiro believes a little preparation helps visitors make the most of the day.
“Have a strategy,” he says.
His advice begins with three simple reminders:
- Eat well.
- Stay hydrated.
- Have a transportation plan.
“As an event producer and alcohol license holder,” Shapiro explains, “we have the same responsibilities a bar or restaurant has regarding the service of alcohol.”
He also suggests arriving with a general plan for what you’d like to taste and attending with a small group whenever possible. Sharing tasting portions lets everyone sample more ciders while naturally moderating overall consumption.
Taste Widely
One thing surprised Carbone when he first began hosting cider festivals.
People didn’t just want one cider.
They wanted to taste through everything.
He likes to compare cider to other beverages.
- Cocktails? Have a full drink.
- Wine? Have a glass.
- Beer? Have a pint.
- Hard cider? Have multiple tastes.
That’s one of the greatest advantages of a tasting festival.
Small pours allow visitors to compare apples, styles, producers, and fermentation methods—all in a single afternoon.
Carbone has one final piece of advice.
- Get there early.
- Skip the long lines.
- Find the brands you’ve never heard of.
“There’s a good chance,” he says, “you’ll discover a new favorite.”
Whether you leave with a new favorite cider, a conversation with a cider maker, or simply a greater appreciation for the diversity of apples in the glass, chances are you’ll already be looking forward to your next festival before you get home.
Why This Matters to Ciderville
For many people, a cider festival is their first meaningful introduction to cider. These events connect consumers directly with the people growing apples and making cider while creating an atmosphere that encourages curiosity instead of intimidation. As Jimmy Carbone and Alan Shapiro have shown through years of organizing successful festivals, the best cider events aren’t just about tasting—they’re about building community, supporting independent producers, and helping more people discover the remarkable diversity of cider.
Upcoming Festivals
CiderFeast – East Coast Tour
Brooklyn, New York — October 3, 2026
Boston, Massachusetts — November 14, 2026
Website: www.ciderfeasthq.com
Stay Tuned for a Discount Ticket Promo Code for all 2026 CiderFeast events! Listen to Cider Chat to hear when the promo code goes live!
Cider Summit
Seattle, Washington — September 11–12, 2026
Website: www.cidersummit.com
Use promo code CIDERCHAT-5 starting August 1, 2026 for a $5 discount for tickets to Seattle Cider Summit –
Visit each festival’s website for tickets, participating cideries, and event details.
Join the Fun!
Get your Cider = Fun t-shirt at Teapublic
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eCiderNews™, published by Cider Chat®, delivers independent reporting, industry insights, and global cider stories for the people who grow, make, sell, serve, and enjoy cider.
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