Cider Chat

For Andreas' Brännland Cider is Ice Cider

Andreas Sundgren of Brännland Cider discusses iscider (ice cider) in this chat. A winner of multiple awards for his ice cider, he follows traditional techniques that are "true to the quality denomination of Quebec". He reached out to renown American ice cider maker Eleanor Leger of Eden Cider of Newport Vermont, crediting her for helping him understand the makings of ice cider.

Based in Sweden, Andreas uses cryoconcentration – which is where the apple juice pre-fermentation is frozen to separate the water from the juice. The juice is then racked (siphon) out of the frozen mass of water and then fermented.

Andreas

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• How to define cider? "A wine made from 100% apple juice. Made in the same way as wine.

"Honest cider that has at least 50-60% apple juice."

• Why not call it ice apple wine?
  • "Cider is the word used to differentiate a grape wine from an apple wine."

Ciders found at Brännland

1. Ice cider – won a gold medal at SISGA 15 held in Asturia Spain
2. Perle – slightly sparkling/semi dry

The specifics of Brännland iscider can be found here

Contact for Brännland Ciders

• Website: http://www.brannlandcider.se/

Mentions in this Cider Chat

• Christian Barthomeuf Quebec ice cidermaker
• Eric Bordelet French cidermaker
• Domaine Dupont French cidery
• Randall Grahm listen to 012: Randall Grahm | Bonny Doon Vineyard, CA

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Stem Cider was started by Eric Foster and Phil Kao, Michigan natives who founded their urban cidery in Denver Colorado. Since opening in 2014, they have already been awarded a bevy of cider medals at the Great Lakes International Cider and Perry Competition (GLINTCAP) see list below.

Eric Foster

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Stem brings apple and "single strength" juice in from Colorado's western Slope towns of Paonia, Hotchkiss, and as well as the state of Michigan and the Pacific Northwest.

Ian Capps, head Cider Maker, Eric Foster, co-founder and CEO, Phil Kao, co-founder and his son Jasper.

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10 GLINTCAP Awards 2016 for Stem Ciders

• Le Chene – Silver/Wood Aged Cider and Perry
• Whiskey Barrel Aged Apricot – Silver/Wood Aged Cider and Perry
• Banjo – Bronze/Wood Aged Cider and Perry
• Perry – Bronze/Wood Aged Cider and Perry
• Crabby Neighbor Bronze / New World Cider – Modern
• L'acier Bronze / New World Cider – Modern
• Winesap Bronze / New World Cider – Modern
• Branch & Bramble Bronze/Fruit
• Remedy Silver/ Hopped|Herbal Cider

Contact info for Stem

• Website: www.stemciders.com/

Stem's Tap Room hours

Stem Cider menu wall in Tap Room

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• @HVmidwinterfest Huon Vally Mid Winter Fest

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Who is Tim?

Tim Larsen was at the all day event, Pour the Core in Brooklyn, NYC waiting on a long line of thirsty cider drinkers. During a the break between sessions I was able to squirrel away with Tim in a back corner of the Brooklyn Expo Center and chat Snowdrift ciders and their perry.

Tim Larsen

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Snowdrift Ciders – 9 ciders that won awards in April of 2016.

cider making components such as,

• anthocyanin pigments generate the rose hue in rosé cider during cidermaking.
• polyphenolics in cider
• Procyanins – are members of the proanthocyanidin (or condensed tannins) class of flavonoids.
• Bittersharp ( low in tannin and high in acid) vs Bittersweet (high in tannin, low in acid and high in sugar) apples for cider

2016 GLINTCAP Awards for Snowdrift Ciders

• Barrel-aged Cornice 7.5% – Old World Heritage/Best in Class
• Cornice – English Cider/Gold
• Reserve Perry – Tradtional Perry/Gold
• Red Cider 7.5% – New World Cider Modern/Silver
• Seckly Perry – New World Perry/Silver
• Sickled Pear – Reserved Perry
• Cliffbreaks Blend 7.5% – New World Cider Heritage/Silver
• Orchard Select 8.3% – New World Cider Heritage/Bronze
• Semi Dry – New England Cider/Bronze

Contact Info for Snowdrift Cider

• Website: http://www.snowdriftcider.com/

What does Tim drink when he doesn't have a Snowdrift in hand?

• EzOrchard
• Alpenfire Cider

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Shannon Edgar's historical Cider town of Sherborn Massachusetts

Stormalong is already winning awards! In spring of 2016, at Michigan's Great Lakes International Cider and Perry Competition (GLINTCAP) Stormalong Hard Cider took home 5 medals! Look at the bottom of the page for the listing.

This chat begins with Shannon and Benjamin Roberts-Sano who works with Shannon creating their delicious ciders by discussing Sherborn's cider history and the Holbrook Cider Mill (1890).

Shannon and Ben The Town of Sherborn has Cider History

The Hollbrook Cider Mill exported Holbrook's Champagne Cider to Great Britain, Denmark, Germany and Belgium and in the US as far as Texas and Nebraska. It was advertised as "The World's Largest Cider Mill" producing 1.25 million gallons of cider per year.The mill in town was also invented and patented the Steam-Powered Cider Press (1871) and used sand to filter the cider to remove "impurities". The mill was the largest employer in the town.

Stormalong is a Folklore Hero

Hear about folklore hero A. B. Stormalong, who throw back barrels of cider like you and I drink pints. This sea faring storybook character felt like the right fit for Shannon to use in the branding of his cider.

Stormalong Hard Ciders

• Legendary 6.9%
• The Grand Banks 9.5%
• Dry Hopped
• And Stormalong has a Rare Apple Series too!
  • Wickson
  • Kingston Black
  • Heritage

GLINTCAP 2016 awards for Stormalong Hard Cider

• Category: New World- Modern
  • Bronze: Stormalong Cider – Boston Heirloom
  • Bronze: Stormalong Cider – Legendary Dry
• Category: English
  • Silver: Stormalong Cider – Kingston Black
• Category: Hopped/Herbal
  • Silver: Stormalong Cider – Dry Hop
• Wood Aged Cider and Perry
  • Bronze: Stormalong Cider – The Grand Banks – Whiskey

Tasting Room for Stormalong?

Visit Heritage of Sherborn which features flights of Stormalong.

More on Alfred Bulltop Stormalong – watch a fun tale via YouTube

Contact info for Stormalong:

• Website: http://stormalong.com/ciders/

Patrons of Cider Chat can listen to the full conversation with Shannon and Ben discussing cidermaking techniques with barrels, bottle conditioning or not, and cider analysis.

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Danielle von Scheiner is putting the "BIG" back into New York City's apple love, with her new cidery Big Apple Hard Cider.

Danielle von Schiener

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Danielle began learning the science of fermentation at the age of 12 while helping her dad make wine. More recently she began experimenting with apples and then after a motorcycle accident (she was hit by a NY cab) she thought of the old saying

"We all have two lives and the second one starts the moment you realize you only have one".

From that point on she's been going 'full throttle' into cidermaking.

Where can you find Big Apple Hard Cider? As it is a new cidery, it is still rolling out as this podcast goes live in the month of June. I recommend asking for Big Apple at your favorite cider taps and stores and when you head to New York check the Big Apple website

Big Apple Ciders mentioned in this chat? And do note that Danielle's makes ciders that are inspired by the people of New York City and its boroughs.

Brooklyn – inspired by a dear friend that Danielle speaks about on in this chat. This cider won a gold medal (2016).

Navy Yard – conditioned in a "Peated" bourbon barrel from Kings County Distillery.

Hell's Kitchen – made with Sriracha sauce

Gift Box

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The gift box pictured above and mentioned in this chat from Murray's Cheese had inside. Eclectic names for each cheese that would make any cider lover smile wide and say "More please!"

• Roomano 3 Year
• Ewephoria Sheep Milk Gouda
• Saint Stephens Four Fat Foul
• Apple Locust Honey
• MAST sea salt chocolate

Barrels used by Big Apple Hard Cider

• Kings County Distillery
• Van Brundt Stillhouse
• Breuckelen Distilling

Danielle and Josh von Scheiner at Brooklyn's Pour the Core

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What to do while in NYC or Danielle's notable locations.

Gingerman – may have ciders on tap or in bottle

Wassail – New York City's ciderbar – closed

Standard Beirgarten

Drunk Shakespeare

Contact info for Big Apple Hard Cider

• Website: https://www.bigapplehardcider.com/best-of-the-big-apple/

Ria at Drunk Shakespeare

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Adam Krakowsk's new book Vermont Prohibition: Teetotalers, Bootleggers & Corruption (2016 Arcadia Press) carves out the state of Vermont's cider, beer, and spirits history in relationship to prohibition.

Vermont Prohition: Teetotalers, Bootleggers & Corruption

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Vermont Prohibition covers, the politics, policy, economics, religion and social impact that prohibition had on Vermont.

Read about the Liquor Law of 1853 that targeted distilled spirits while conveniently protecting cider.

1880's to 1890s the term Hard Cider started being used in the law books. So was Hard Cider considered adulterated cider? The jury is out, but the verdict feels pretty close.

Adam Krakowski

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In this chat Adam discusses:

• Why Vermont actually had 80 years of prohibition
• The Temperance movement
• The difference between ethanol alcohol and methanol alcohol
• How the law was written to help cider avoid prohibition
• NASCAR's ( National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing) relationship to prohibition
• Switchel

Adam Krakowski's book on Vermont Beer

Mentions in this Cider Chat

• Scott Wheeler"s book:Rumrunners Revenuers: Prohibition in Vermont
• Caledonia Spirits
• Mad River Distillery
• Vermont Historical Society
• Bottle Pasteurization link to help you stop fermentation of back sweeten carbonated cider

Part 2 at Farnum Hill Cider

Delve into tasting 7- ciders with the Farnum Hill Cider team. This is Part 2 with this OG cidery and orchard. Steve Woods, whom along with his wife Louisa D. Spencer who founded the cidery, explains how this tasting, which takes place 3-4 times per week, is conducted.

Nicole Leibon, Steve Wood, Louisa Spencer

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The descriptors fly, laughter follows and somehow despite tasting 7- ciders the team is able to stay on task and get their notes completed as they work towards perfecting their cider.

We then head back up to the orchard with Nicole Leibon and Steve to finish our chat from last week. We explore terroir and discuss the cider market. Soon Louisa Spencer arrives to join in and Nicole heads home.

This recording offers a treasure trove of cider info and a front seat to a chat where we wrangle with what is currently going on with cider, how Farnum Hill is maneuvering the market and misconceptions on cider apples.

Cider topics covered in this chat

• Will the cider market crash?
• What can we find out from the craft beer market?
• What defines Farnum Hill Cider?
• Should cider be saved for special occasions?

Listen to 031: Steve Wood in Part 1

Contact for Poverty Lane Orchards & Farnum Hill Ciders

• Website: https://farnumhillciders.com/orchards
• Address: 98 Poverty Lane, Lebanon, New Hampshire 03766 Telephone: (603) 448-1511

Become a Cider Chat patron and help keep #cidergoingup

• Enjoy Part 1 of a two part chat with the founders and cider makers of Farnum Hill Cider, in Lebanon New Hampshire. This OG cidery sits on the slope of Farnum Hill with nearby town of White River Junction and the Connecticut River to the east. Like many New England orchards and farms there is not necessarily open continuous land, but small acreage here and there, wherein the case of FHC- cider apple trees are planted in large and small fields of 3 to 4 and 20 acres plots.

  Farnum Hill is highly regarded for their cider, producing select cider apples, and is one of the key tap roots for moving cider out of the back room barns and into the minds of craft libation connoisseurs for the first time post prohibition.

  Not that there is anything wrong with back room barn cider.

  The Founders of Farnum Hill

  Steve M. Wood and Louisa D. Spencer Founded the cidery in 1995 while already planting Poverty Lane Orchards in the late Make sure to note during this chat how many scions have passed out of this site and across the US.

  Steve Wood in the Orchard
  " data-medium-file= "https://i0.wp.com/ciderchat.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/32-feature-Steve-Farnum-Hill-200x300-1.jpg?fit=200%2C300&ssl=1" data-large-file= "https://i0.wp.com/ciderchat.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/32-feature-Steve-Farnum-Hill-200x300-1.jpg?fit=200%2C300&ssl=1" /> Steve Wood in the Orchard In Part 2 /Episode 032, a candid chat with Steve and Louisa. Lousia Spencer
  " data-medium-file= "https://i0.wp.com/ciderchat.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/32-Louisa-Spencer-Farnum-Hill-200x300-1.jpg?fit=200%2C300&ssl=1" data-large-file= "https://i0.wp.com/ciderchat.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/32-Louisa-Spencer-Farnum-Hill-200x300-1.jpg?fit=200%2C300&ssl=1" data-src= "https://i0.wp.com/ciderchat.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/32-Louisa-Spencer-Farnum-Hill-200x300-1.jpg?resize=200%2C300&ssl=1" /> Lousia Spencer

  For this chat, we (Steve, Nicole and Ria) walked up the hill to the top of the orchard where Steve provides the backdrop surrounding the early beginnings of Farnum Hill.

  Nicole Leibon LeGrand
  " data-medium-file= "https://i0.wp.com/ciderchat.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/32-Nicole-Leibon-LeGrand-300x200-1.jpg?fit=300%2C200&ssl=1" data-large-file= "https://i0.wp.com/ciderchat.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/32-Nicole-Leibon-LeGrand-300x200-1.jpg?fit=300%2C200&ssl=1" data-src= "https://i0.wp.com/ciderchat.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/32-Nicole-Leibon-LeGrand-300x200-1.jpg?resize=300%2C200&ssl=1" /> Nicole Leibon LeGrand Ria and Steve Wood, chatting above an orchard on Farnum Hill A chat overlooking Farnum Hill
  • 1965 – Steve was eleven years old when he started working at the farm. His dad was an apple farmer and the local doctor.
  • Steve and Louisa arrived back to the farm in 1973…post college
  • 1984 bought Poverty Hill Orchards
  • 1989 planted the first commercial size cider orchard in the US – a 1000 trees
  • 1995 Became bonded to begin selling cider
  • 1990s – Steve began studying winemaking
  • Throughout the 90s they began planting more and more fruit trees

  "During the 90s we started throwing apples in the ground."

  Contact and Visiting info Poverty Lane Orchards & Farnum Hill Ciders
  • Website: https://farnumhillciders.com/
  • Address: 98 Poverty Lane Lebanon, New Hampshire 03766

For patrons of Cider Chat, via Cider Chat's Patreon page there will a YouTube clip available for viewing Steve Wood blending cider. It will go live on Thursday May 26th. It is easy to become a patron and it really helps this chat thrive. Please do consider becoming a Patron of the Chat today!

Sam Reid is based in Tasmania, a state of Australia. He is a partner at Willie Smith's Cider and President of Cider Australia.

Sam Reid Cider in Australia

Tasmania is what Sam calls the smallest state of Australia…which by the way mainland Australia is equal in size to the continental United States. It was colonized by the English who used it in the 1700's as a penal colony. It is also in the southern hemisphere so the apple growing region is found in the south on both Australia and Tasmania. It use to be well known as the Apple Isle a claim to fame that I suspect will in time return full on.

Dr Tim Jones Willie Smith's cider maker Apples and Cider Making in Australia

There are 30 apple growers in Tasmania.

When asked what would best describe Australian cider, Sam said the overall cider style for the country is a New World commercial style, with fresh apples, filtered (crossed flowed filtered), carbonated and a bit sweet to please the current customer palate – with an overall ph of 3.6. Whereas for Tasmania ciders Sam says, "There isn't one specific style". Willie Smith's where Sam is the CoFounder/Managing Director they tend towards the French Style of cidermaking, with less emphasis on the acid. Willie Smith's ciders are also unfiltered and oak aged and note that they do have special release ciders in 750 ML bottles which makes a visit to their Tasting Room (The Apple Shed) even more worthwhile.

Andrew and Ian Smith How to get to Tasmania?

• Take an hour and half flight from Melbourne
• Take an overnight ferry from Melbourne to the port in Devon. You can take car on the ferry.
• Spreyton Cider is the first cidery that you can get to once off the ferry.
• Head south into Cole Valley and look for Red Brick Road Cider and Two Metre Tall Farmhouse Ale and Cider in Launceston.
• Lost Pippin cider, Pagan Cider, Frank's Cider and so much more
• Click on the link to Tasmania Cider Trail and put it on your plans for a perfect cider holiday
• Huon Valley Mid Winter Festival July 15-17, 2016

The Apple Shed at Willie Smith's

All of Willie Smith's ciders are produced on site. The farm itself is 150 acres (40 hectares).

Willie Smith's Apple Shed

Willie Smith's is 30 minutes south of Hobart, Tasmania. Hobart is the capital of this Australian state. The actual region where Willie Smith's is located is the Huon Valley.

Contact info for Willie Smith's

• Website: https://www.williesmiths.com.au/our-story

Mentions in this Cider Chat

• Cider Australia

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"There is always something going on" say Nat West at his Reverend Nat Taproom in Portland Oregon.

Nat West in the 3500 square foot Packing Room In this Cider Chat

Ria met with Nat before she headed over to CiderCon2016 later that same day. This chat provides a tour of the taproom and production space. Discussed are some of his crazy ass fermentations that aren't cider, but does show Nat's passion for – Fermenting!

The facility has both a Taproom that shares space in the front room which is 3500 square feet. You can hear the cider workers in the background bottling and getting the site ready for a 100-person bus tour that was rolling in later that same morning.

• Nat chats on how many of the Pacific Northwest cidermakers use Juice from: Hood River Juice and Fruit Smart
• We discussed non cider fermentations:
  • Tepache – a fermented pineapple drink
  • Kumiss Mongolian Milkwine
• And the Fermented Lamb Leg Cider made with an 8-pound lamb leg.
  • Listen to 019: Neil MacDonald | Orchard Parks Farm, UK discuss how the Brits have had meat added into ciders in the past and his mention of lamb legs.

The production area at Rev Nat's is directly behind the Tasting Room The large window door rolls up letting the TapRoom open to the outdoors The well worn forklift in the packing room Reverend Nat's Hard Cider Update

Closed in September of 2023 after twelve years in business

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