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craft cider

Episode 128 – Cidercon 2023

We had an amazing time at the 13th annual CiderCon in Chicago. An astounding 965 people registered for CiderCon 2023, including attendees, vendors, volunteers and speakers. According to organizers New York had the most registrants followed by Michigan, Illinois, California, Washington, and Virginia. Nine different countries were represented including Austria, Canada, France, Guam, Ireland, Korea, New Zealand, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.

This episode features our experience at Cidercon 2023 in Chicago.  You will hear our perspective of the incredible cider share which gave us the opportunity to enjoy a wide variety of ciders and perrys. The opening remarks by Eleanor Leger and Michelle McGrath set the tone for the convention. Keynote speaker Sunny Gandara gave the attendees an insight into the vegan consumer.

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and more…

The following were featured guests:

Northeast Barrel Company

Peterson Farms

Flextank

33 Books

Black Diamond Farm

Alma Cider

Uncle John’s Cider Mill

Brother Monk Ciderworks

Dressler Estate

BevFluence

Blakes Hard Cider

Cider Soms

Northwest Cider Association

CiderCon 2024 will be held in Portland, Oregon from January 16-19, 2024. We can’t wait to see you there.

Episode 126 – Botanist & Barrel – Lyndon Smith

This episode features Lyndon Smith of Botanist and Barrel.

Lyndon and his wife Amie Fields have an extensive natural wine background.  They also have a wonderful family heritage of being wine producers.  Grandpa Abe even produced bathtub tropical hooch.  A defunct blueberry farm came for sale nearby where Lyndon grew up.  This farm now grows a wide variety of fruits including blueberries, apples, pears, aw well ask botanical.  This is where Botanist and Barrel was born.  They create delicious nuanced natural ciders and wines.   

32 Broadway St Suite 110, Asheville NC 28801(828) 338-9516– www.BotanistandBarrel.com – Facebook

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Highlights From our Discussion:

Défi Wines

Good Food Guild

Eda Rhyne

DeAngelo Williams

Artifact Cider Project

Enlightenment Wines Meadery

Graft Cidery

Crooked Run Fermentation

Episode 121 – Good Intent Cider – Matt Simon

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Good Intent Cider - Matt Simon

NEW PODCAST EPISODE

Good Intent Cider – Matt Simon

Fermented Adventure The Podcast

Dec 14

1 hr 3 min

Episode Description

This episode features Matt Simon of Good intent Cider.

For Adam Redding, cidermaking began as a hobby.  He took cider making classes at Cornell University.  Growing up in Gettysburg, he was exposed to the amazing apples produced in Adams County.  Matt joined Good Intent almost 6 years ago.  He studied food science at Penn State.  Matt reached out to Adam as graduation approached.  Adam shared all his experience and it wasn’t long before Matt was putting his own personality into the cider being produced.  Good Intent is producing flavorful and complex cider.  This is a must stop for cider fans and new to be cider lovers.

167 S Potter St, Bellefonte, PA 16823 – (814) 355-1654 – www.GoodintentCider.com – Facebook

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Highlights from our discussion:

Mason Dixon Distillery

A. Smith Bowman Distillery

Gettysburg, PA

Bellefonte, PA 

Ciderfest of PA

Episode 113 – HMK Insurance – Todd Collins and Alan Pfizenmayer

This episode features Todd Collins and Alan Pfizenmayer of HMK Insurance.

HMK Insurance is located in Bethlehem, PA.  The inception goes all of the way back to 1914.  In the mid 1990’s they began to focus their attention on craft beverages.  Tim Kurtz brought on a few local breweries.  Today they have clients spread out across the United States.  As insurance agents they help their clients and potential clients to be well informed about insurance.

610-868-8507 – tcollins@hmk-ins.com – Apfizenmayer@hmk-ins.com – www.hmk.aleragroup.comFacebook

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and more…

Highlights from our discussion:

Meadcon2022

Brewers Association

Black Viking Brewing

Republic Restoratives

Funk Brewing Company

Hijinx Brewing Company

Five Maidens Craft Cider

Red Balloon

The Ferm Meadery

Episode 110 – Obscurity Mead Hall and Cidery – Luke Goucher and Carson Souza

This episode features Luke Goucher and Carson Souza of Obscurity Mead Hall & Cidery.

Obscurity started with friends getting together and having a passion for beer.  Carson had already been in the brewing industry for 10 years as a commercial brewer at a vegan brewery.  Luke and Carson decided to get a little wild and play with mead as well.  A adventure was born in the cornfields of the far west suburbs of Chicago.  Mead was a challenge for Carson so he jumped right in.  Luke and Carson flew around the country to check out some of the best mead makers and learn from their successes.  This episode is a master class on brewing, fermenting and business.  Obscurity is creating many tremendous expressions.  Enjoy as we sample through their story.

21 S Main St, Elburn, IL 60119 – 630-320-2255 – www.drinkobscurity.com – Facebook

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🎧 Google  https://lnkd.in/eqTCm2e4

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and more…

Highlights from our discussion:

Meadcon 2022

Braggot

Viking Braggot Company

Rabbits Foot Meadery

B. Nektar Meadery

National Honey Board

Charm City Meadworks

Episode 92 – Manoff Market Cider – Amy Manoff and Ellie Brehme

This episode features Amy Manoff and Ellie Brehme of Manoff Market Cidery.

We had such a fantastic tour of the orchard and farm.  Amy gave us so much insight into the earth to market to bottle concept that they have designed.  Their 37 acres feels more like a budding garden estate.  Gary and Amy graduated college in 1983.  The proceeded to explore the opportunity of starting a winery.  They land they had found didn’t provide for growing grapes.  Although, fruits, vegetables and apples in particular fit in perfectly.  Over time, Gary began experimenting with cider.  In 2018 they got their license to produce and sell their cider.  They have been focusing on grafting and planting apple trees specifically for cider.  The result is wonderful flavorful cider that is full of character.  You want to add this destination to your calendar.   Pick up a bottle, relax enjoy all that Manoff Market Cidery has to offer.  

3157 Comfort Rd, New Hope, PA 18938 – (215) 297-8220 -www.manoffmarketgardens.com/cidery – Facebook

Available on:

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🎧 Google https://lnkd.in/eTmr-seR

🎧 Spotify https://lnkd.in/eaum5YWR

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and more…

Highlights from our discussion:

Cidercon

Vinoshipper

New Hope

Dad’s Hat Rye

Gold Rush Apple

Ploughman Cider

Calvados

PA Cider Guild

Pommeau

Bucks County

Cider Fest PA

Episode 88 – Alma Cider – Dave Klawer

This episode features Dave Klawer of Alma Cider.

Dave moved to the Pacific Northwest with his wife Heather.  They are both registered nurses.  His passion in the 90’s was to be a professional snowboarder.  An accident in the Andes changed the trajectory of his life.  He knew of the lore of Mount Baker and it called to him.  He fell in love with the greenery and has made the Skagit Valley his home.  It wasn’t long before he and his wife were being introduced to home craft cider.  Dave was familiar with brewing beer from his days in college.  His first attempt at cider was a success.  Our in depth discussion covers the many ciders that Alma produces and the the production of fruit and apples at their orchard and farm.  

425-312-5734 – info@almacider.com – Facebook

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and more…

Highlights from our discussion:

Tulip Valley Winery

Bitters & Sharps Orchard

Press Then Press

American Cider Association

Northwest Cider Club

Northwest Cider Association

Earth Day

Cidercraft Magazine

Sip Magazine

Compass Wines

Renaissance Orchards

Ragged and Right Cider

Cidercon

Episode 87 – Beach Bee Meadery – Curtis Blodgett

This episode features Curtis Blodgett of Beach Bee Meadery.

Curtis began his journey by considering opening a distillery.  He and his wife Madeleine met with distillers to understand the process and what was needed to get started.  They completed a meeting with a rum distiller and to decided to visit a meadery that was close by.  They never had mead and they were totally blown away.  Curtis was familiar with making wine and brewing beer, but he wasn’t familiar with mead.  He looked at Madeleine and said, “this is what I want to do”.  The whole experience was life changing.  We got to talk mead, cider, yeast, barrels and so much more.  

Brewscuits is the sponsor of the podcast.  Be sure to check them out at www.brewscuits.com.  Type in Fermented Adventure at checkout to get 15% off your first order.

589 Long Branch Ave, Long Branch, NJ 07740 – (732) 403-3558 – www.beachbeemeadery.com –Facebook

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Highlights from our discussion:

Melovino Meadery

Long Branch Distillery

Long Branch, NJ

Green Bench Brewing Co

Cidercon

Black Heath Meadery

Buskey Cider

The Veil Brewing Company

Armageddon Brewing Company

Mermaid Spirits

Caledonia Spirits

Texas Mead Cup

The Mazer Cup

Meadcon

Dutch Gold Honey

Cidercraft Magazine

Episode 84 – Green Bench Brewing Co. – Brian Wing

This episode features Brian Wing of Green Bench Brewing Co.

For Chris and Brian the partnership began as home brewers.  The brewery opened in 2013, all along, mead and cider was in the plan.  They honed their craft and built up a following with their beer.  They enjoyed drinking cider and mead so much in Florida.  However, craft mead and cider was not common.  They introduced mead and cider to the Saint Petersburg faithful in 2015.  We had a lively and spirted discussion about Cidercon 2022, apples, orchards and all that is Green Bench Brewing.  

Brewscuits is the sponsor of the podcast.  Be sure to check them out at www.brewscuits.com.  Type in Fermented Adventure at checkout to get 15% off your first order.

51133 Baum Ave N, Saint Petersburg, FL 33705 – (727) 800-9836 – www.greenbenchbrewing.com – Facebook

Available on:

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🎧 Google https://lnkd.in/dUQF5en3

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and more…

Highlights From our Discussion:

Cidercon

Tampa Bay Beer Week

VinoShipper

Community

Saint Petersburg

CIDERCON 2022

We arrived at the Richmond Convention Center, in Richmond Virginia, just in time for Cider Share. Approximately 40 cideries from across the United States lined the perimeter of the ballroom. Bottles were open and on ice ready to be sampled and discussed. Cidercon welcomes those from all stages on their own cider journey. From experienced cider aficionados to newbies the convention provided something for everyone. Dawn an I made our way to the farthest corner where the throngs of attendees had not gathered yet. Our first cider experience was with Two Broads Cider Works. They hail from San Louis Obispo, CA. From the moment that we took our first sip we knew we were in for an incredible tasting experience. We talked to producers from Oregon, Washington, Florida and even cider producers in our own back yard that we had not yet tried. We sampled ciders from Virginia, New York and Maryland. There were single varietals, apple blends, barrel aged and even an iced cider. The evening was about more then tasting. It was about the energy and people sharing their love of these nectars produced from apples. We had conversations with people that still had not produced one batch of cider but where looking to open a cidery. There were quite a few newbies in the room. Well established cideries got exposure to methods and apples that they were not familiar with. The 90 minutes went by in a blink. We only made it around half the room. The room was full of laughter and shouts of sadness that it had to end. Convention goers spilled out into the hallways, the lobby bar and into Richmond. The night was still early. Great discussion, more cider and delicious food awaited.

The convention opened with a presentation and discussion of Lessons for the 21st Century: The surprising history of southern apples and cider and what it means for modern growers and makers. The keynote helped to set the tone of diversity and growth in todays cider industry. It touched on American ciders rich past and fruitful future. The struggle of those that have been laying the foundation of bringing back lost apples and cultivating trees for future generations. One theme that echoed loudly was that when you are growing apple you are living each day in history. When you drink cider you are drinking that history.

The next 2 days were full of classes. Our first class that we attended was 400 years of American alcohol: Cider, History, Cocktails and more. The standing room only crowed was there to hear The Drinking Coach, Tiffanie Barriere. She definitely brought her energy and knowledge to the stage. She taught about the historical black figures in cocktail American history. There were 2 delicious cocktails created with what else… cider. Check her out at: www.thedrinkingcoach.com

For Cidercon attendees there were 32 classes to choose from. Truthfully, it was hard to select which classes to go to. They all were fascinating and informative.

We made sure to stop by and explore the vendors at the trade show. Bottlers, Canners, Barrels, flavoring, yeasts, tip handles and labels are just a sampling of those offering to help the cider producers improve on their craft. There were even more ciders being offered for tasting and enjoyment.

The first afternoon class that we sat in on was High Latitude Ciders from Michigan. The presenters for this class were: Dan Young of Tandem Ciders, Bryan Ulbrich of Left Foot Charley and Dion Stepanski of Presque Isle Farm Cider. It was such a learning experience to understand how the location, climate and the fermentation process have such an impact on the flavor and character of cider. It is so comparable to the wine industry and their regions. The terroir plays such an important role in the creation of cider. For us it was so much fun to sample each pour and provide our own tasting notes on the nose and palate of each cider. Nicole LeGarnd Leibon moderated the panel and was excellent at pointing out her own observations on the ciders and cideries.

One class that we continue to fall back on was yeast-derived characteristics and hands-on blending. Aaron Homoya and Anne Flesch gave us an amazing perspective of how yeast impacts the flavor profile of cider. The key here is how much we are now able to pull out the yeast notes in beer, wine and even whiskey.

Day two found us attending the class, Southern Cider Apples: A recipe for complex flavor in a changing climate. Diane Flynt from Foggy Ridge Ciders was the moderator. She was also the keynote for the opening of the convention. Her knowledge of southern cider is unparalleled. The presenters were: David Thornton of James Creek Cider House, Will Hodges of Troddanvale at Oakley Farm and Tim Wright of Wise Bird Cider. Three states represented the south. It was enlightening to try ciders from Kentucky, Virginia and North Carolina side by side.

OK, so, introductory palate training was an experience for the taste senses. Sour, acidity, sweet and bitter were all covered by adding a varying degree to a host cider. Like the yeast class, this for us increased our appreciation for cider and our ability to select complex notes and nuances. Darlene Hayes from www.allaboutcider.com and author of Cider Cocktails – Another Bite of the Apple, took us on a fantastic journey. Teaching us where different flavors and textures fall on the tongue. We learned more of why we are sensitive to bitterness and why we shy away from those IPA’s.

During the breaks there was even more cider to swirl, sip, swallow and converse about.

Sadly, it came time for the last class. Rich selected Barrel programs: A wine perspective for cider, moderated by Jocelyn Kuzelka. Dawn selected Social media advertising 101. Once again, each offered a treasure trove of information.

Check out our podcast wrap up of Cidercon 2022.

Available on:

🎧 Apple https://lnkd.in/dXi9yBtZ

🎧 Google https://lnkd.in/dGpXfVwx

🎧 Spotify https://lnkd.in/dgdrcHie

🎧iHeart Radio https://lnkd.in/diqsYSbd
and more…

In our first episode of 2022 we review OK Cider Company, Party Pic. A hopped cider from Oklahoma City.

A huge takeaway from the convention is that craft cider is poised to enter the main stream even more than it already has. Consumers will find ciders that rival a fine wine. Ciders will be competing strongly with craft beer taps across the country. This heritage beverage from our past has a bright future. What we can look forward to in 2022 is seeing more cideries open and share their individual expressions.

We can’t wait for Cidercon 2023 in Chicago.

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