075: Alan Shapiro | Cider Summit, USA

Alan Shapiro wasn’t looking to get involved in cider, being a craft beer enthusiast, one sip at the right time changed his mind and he isn’t looking back. He is founder of the widely popular Cider Summit that takes place currently in 4 major US cities (with a 5th city expected to come on board soon). His roots in libations began taking stock while working as one of the first sales representative for Pete’s Brewing Company ( does Pete’s Wicked Ale sound familar?) which helped him cultivate a relationship with Mark Browner, whom he credits with planting the seed for today’s Cider Summit.

Alan Shapiro, co-founder of Cider Summit, at Cider Summit — Alan Shapiro

In 2003 he founded SBS Imports and secured the rights to import Aspall Cyder of Suffolk, England . He says after a visit to this legendary cidery in Suffolk, “I had what I call a ‘Wow Moment’ when I realized that cider has more to offer than what I had expected.

Alan Shapiro addresses attendees during the opening toast at Cider Summit Chicago at Navy Pier in 2017. — Alan Shapiro welcomes attendees to Cider Summit Chicago at Navy Pier in 2017.

In 2012 Artisanal Imports of Austin acquired SBS Imports. The first Cider Summit in Seattle had already taken place two years earlier in 2010. From the start that first Summit was a hit. Alan says he scrambled to get 40 cider products and wasn’t sure what to exactly to expect for crowd size, but when nearly 500 people showed up, it was an obvious success. Since, the locations where this cider festival takes place has expanded to locations in Portland, Chicago and San Francisco.

This chat covers the beginnings of Alan’s journey to founding Cider Summit, what to expect at the Summit and his take on the current cider market.

What to expect at a Cider Summit

Souvenair glass for 4 ounce pours
Tasting Tokens
Usually 100-150 ciders available from 50 cider companies more or less
There is a guide that is published a few days before

How to attend a Cider Summit? …..Have a strategy

Download the Summit guide that is published a few days before the event.
Each festival has a local/regional focus.
Go for local ciders. Or specific styles, such as Asturias ciders or French, fruit ciders, hopped ciders.
Additional tokens are available for $2/token
There is also a VIP ticket too, where attendees can have conversations with the cidermakers attending.
There is a bottle to go shop at all the Summits except for Chicago.