186 Krista Scruggs of Zaffa Wine

186: Just Fucking Fermented Juice

“Just Fucking Fermented Juice” is splayed out in big white letter across the back of Krista Scruggs’ black hoodie. The slogan both amuses and taunts gawkers. Krista wore the hoodie with slogan while attending the annual United States Association of Cider Makers conference in Chicago in January of 2018, called CiderCon. I don’t know if … Read more

Simon Day, opening a bottle of "Chapel Pleck" a champagne method Perry

180: Cider Is Wine | Simon Day, UK

180: Cider Is Wine | Simon Day of Once Upon a Tree, UK This chat was recorded at CiderCon2019 in Chicago. Simon Day and I did not speak directly on the topic of the “Cider is Wine” debate, but I do suspect that his early upbringing which was intrenched in the wine culture certainly informs … Read more

beginner cider maker feature CiderCon2019

175: Beginner Cider Making Q & A | Pt 2

Part 2 of a two part series with a Question and Answer (Q & A) on Beginner Cider Making with 5 panelists in the cider industry Marcus Robert – Tieton Cider Works, Washington Tim Godfrey – Golden State Cider, California Eleanor Leger – Eden Specialty Cider, Vermont Brent Myles – Slye Clyde Cider, Virginia Ben … Read more

Beginner Cider Makers Q & A

174: Beginner Cider Making Q & A | Part 1

A Question and Answer (Q & A) on Beginner Cider Making with 5 panelists in the cider industry Marcus Robert – Tieton Cider Works, Washington Tim Godfrey – Golden State Cider, California Eleanor Leger – Eden Specialty Cider, Vermont Brent Myles – Slye Clyde Cider, Virginai Ben Calvi – Vermont Cider Co, Vermont Pre-recorded at … Read more

170 Is that Cider Dry or Sweet?

170: Is the Cider in your cup Dry or Sweet?

A “Dryness scale” as presented by the New York Cider Association The session was pre-recorded at CiderCon2019 Goals of this session: A Sensory Workshop on Perceptions of Dryness/Sweetness in Ciders This session was a structured sensory analysis of ten commercial New York apple ciders. Participants tasted anonymous ciders of predetermined sugar/acid/tannin contents. They were assigned … Read more

166: Cider Chat Live | Lift off to CiderCon2019

166 Cider Chat Live | Life off CiderCon2019 I was able to squeak in a mini episode before setting off to Chicago for the annual cider trade conference “CiderCon” hosted by the United States Association of Cider Makers. I’ve been talking a lot about CiderCon leading up to this week of February 4-9, 2019. With … Read more

Pro Tips with Apple and Perry

163: Pro Tips for Navigating CiderCon

Pro Tips for Navigating CiderCon 2019 Ambrosia Borowski is the General Manager of The Northman a cider bar in Chicago. She also spearheaded Chicago Cider Week. In this chat, Ambrosia chats: Tips for making a Calvados Cocktail Tips on getting around Chicago -Take the L, which is part of the CTA public transportation system Chicago … Read more

160 The Way of the Amateur

160: The Way of the Amateur

The Way of the Amateur How do you pronounce Amateur? Did you know there is more than one way to approach this word? Do you use “amateur” as a compliment or an insult? If you are swinging back and forth on your answers to these questions, you are not alone. In this episode we explore … Read more

Michelle CiderCon2019

158: CiderCon2019 | M. McGrath – USACM Exec Dir

The United States Association of Cider Makers (USACM) works on cider legislation, education, and cider promotion. In this chat: CiderCon2019 with the Michelle McGrath, Executive Director of USACM Why you should attend CiderCon2019 Why arrive early to CiderCon2019 Key programing presentation and lectures to attend at CiderCon2019 Which international company is the invited guest at … Read more

157 Killohora Orchards Producers

157: County Cork’s Killahora Orchards | Ireland

Killahora Orchards of County Cork is located on the southern tip of the Emerald Isle a.k.a. Ireland and was once the center of the world butter market.  Historically it is also known as the “rebel city”. Today it is a thriving city with Michelin star restaurants and makers like Barry Walsh and Dave Watson of … Read more