Cider Chat

375: Cider's Low Carbon Footprint | Wildbranch Cider, Vermont


Listen Later

Cedar Hannan began selling his ciders branded as "Wildbranch" in 2020.

He both forages apples and has a small orchard planted that he planted four years ago on his farm based in Craftsbury, Vermont. The ciders are both wild ferments and occasionally have cultured yeasts too.

He sells locally at Vermont farmers markets and doesn't have any immediate plans to increase his production which is currently at 900 gallons per year.

Cedar Hannan

The Low Carbon Footprint of Cider

Cedar was originally looking at brewing as a retirement goal, but (as he notes in this episode) there are already a fantastic number of breweries in the surrounding area. In addition, the carbon footprint of beer is a bit larger than that of making cider at a local scale. Thankfully for us all, Cedar went with his hunch and is making Wildbranch Cider his full time gig, having quit his IT job.

Each of the following is what Cedar looks for when foraging apples or pears for Wildbranch.

  • Flavor - aroma
  • Tannin
  • Acidity
  • Sugar content
Wildbranch Ciders tasted in the Episode
  • The Spiney - Flagship cider 6.8%
    • Try with cheddar cheese and grilled pork chop
  • Golden Russet 8.3%
    • Intense fruitiness, Little bit of cooked apple
  • Perry
    • Made with culinary pears - Barlett's and Big Earl (a local variety)

Perry

Contact for Wildbranch Cider

  • Website: https://www.wildbranchcider.com/

Mentions in this Chat

  • Fermentis: AC-4. SafCider™ AC-4 stands for Apple Crisp and is one of 3 SafCider™ Yeasts for your cider!
  • Visit Idaho and taste the ciders! More info at https://nwcider.com/map
    • The Idaho University Extension Program - has a Fermentation Club - Find out about the July 29, 2023 Fermentation class
...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

Cider ChatBy Ria Windcaller: Award-winning Cidermaker, Podcaster | Craft Beer Columnist

  • 4.8
  • 4.8
  • 4.8
  • 4.8
  • 4.8

4.8

85 ratings


More shows like Cider Chat

View all
Radiolab by WNYC Studios

Radiolab

43,837 Listeners

Freakonomics Radio by Freakonomics Radio + Stitcher

Freakonomics Radio

32,246 Listeners

Fresh Air by NPR

Fresh Air

38,430 Listeners

The Tim Ferriss Show by Tim Ferriss: Bestselling Author, Human Guinea Pig

The Tim Ferriss Show

16,174 Listeners

The NPR Politics Podcast by NPR

The NPR Politics Podcast

26,012 Listeners

On the Media by WNYC Studios

On the Media

9,238 Listeners

In Our Time by BBC Radio 4

In Our Time

5,576 Listeners

The Daily by The New York Times

The Daily

113,121 Listeners

Up First from NPR by NPR

Up First from NPR

56,944 Listeners

Radio Atlantic by The Atlantic

Radio Atlantic

2,380 Listeners

Today, Explained by Vox

Today, Explained

10,331 Listeners

The Prof G Pod with Scott Galloway by Vox Media Podcast Network

The Prof G Pod with Scott Galloway

5,610 Listeners

Beyond Organic Wine by Beyond Organic Wine

Beyond Organic Wine

54 Listeners

The Ezra Klein Show by New York Times Opinion

The Ezra Klein Show

16,525 Listeners

The Weekly Show with Jon Stewart by Comedy Central

The Weekly Show with Jon Stewart

11,013 Listeners