An intentionally low-alcohol cider inspired by the historic ciderkin style has emerged as one of the standout winners at the 2026 Northwest Cider Cup held in Portland Oregon in late June. Heartland Ciderworks, based in Oregon, earned Gold in the Low Alcohol/Alcohol Removed category with The Little Rose, which also received the competition’s Best of … Read more
A draft proposal that could reshape how cider and perry are defined across the European Union is scheduled for discussion by national representatives on June 9 in Belgium. The working document, prepared for a Wine & Spirit GREX meeting, outlines possible marketing standards and reserved terms for cider and perry products. While still under discussion, … Read more
What does it take to carry a family cider business into its next generation while staying true to craftsmanship and quality? In this episode of Cider Chat, I sit down with Richard Yi of Brooklyn Cider House. We discuss growing up in a family passionate about food and beverage, learning from his father and cider … Read more
Three days after Hungary’s landmark April 12 election, Cider Chat MC Ria Windcaller arrived to find a country full of blossoms, possibility, and an emerging cider culture. In this episode enjoy a Budapest to Pécs travelogue featuring audio snapshots from Hungary’s first Cider Salon, with makers from across Central Europe, Eastern Europe, and beyond. Spring … Read more
A guide to cider making built from insights shared across 500 episodes of Cider Chat. After speaking with and featuring cider makers, orchardists, historians, and fermentation experts around the world, Cider Chat now holds a remarkable collection of knowledge about the craft of cider. This milestone episode reflects on a simple question explored again and … Read more
This archival episode of Cider Chat brings together five experienced cider makers answering real-world questions from beginners at CiderCon 2019. Originally released as Episodes 174 and 175, this combined feature presents a comprehensive Q&A covering everything from fermentation and stabilization to business strategy, equipment, and scaling a cidery. The discussion bridges the gap between hobby … Read more
This episode of Cider Chat explores the growing Maine cider scene through Absolem Cider Company in Winthrop, a farm-based cidery helping shape New England’s evolving cider identity. Located on a 60-acre farm in Winthrop, Maine, Absolem Cider Company is a cidery that expresses place, heritage apples, and hospitality. In this episode, Ria sits down with … Read more
How Canton Apples and Frosty Twig Fused Two Brands into One In New York’s “North of Upstate” region, in the town of Canton is the Canton Apples production building. It is now also home of a partnership shaping the local cider scene. Owner Joel Howie and cider maker Dan Gallagher live just a mile apart, … Read more
Drew Phillips opened the doors of Four Phantoms in Greenfield, Massachusetts in 2021. He began his fermentation career in the Pacific Northwest, and while waiting to open his own brewery, he took on the role as cider maker at Artifact Cider Project. Known for his creative ciders and beers, Drew blends tradition with innovation, sourcing … Read more
Michigan Cider: The Great Cider State with Paula Englin Michigan has earned its place as a leader in the cider industry, boasting the highest number of hard cider businesses in the U.S. In this episode, Paula Englin, Executive Director of the Michigan Cider Association, discusses the state’s growth in cider, the role of education, and … Read more
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