Cider Chat

Who is Angry Orchard?

Angry Orchard is the #1 cider brand in the US and there is a very good reason why it holds this coveted place. Undoubtedly, being a subsidiary of Boston Beer Company means connections to Jim Koch's brewery empire a.k.a. Samuel Adams Boston Lager. But to think that Angry Orchard is merely tapping into the US cider mania would be short sighted.

yes – this is exactly how the Angry Orchard entrance looks – no photoshop! Back History on Angry Orchard

Boston Beer Co. has been researching cider since the early 2000s with the help of Alan Tringham, a retired cidermaker from the European brand known as Bulmers. I had the opportunity to meet Grant Wood from Boston Beer Co. who was working with Tringham at the time to "create the perfect cider for the American public". They both stopped by my cidermaking workshop at CiderDays back in 2004. Hoo wee! Imagine presenting cidermaking to the likes of the now late Alan Tringham.

Angry Orchard Inovation Center and Cider House, Walden NY

the first cider brand for Boston Beer Co. was known as Hard Core. That brand was shelved, and a few moments later we were seeing Angry Orchard commercials during the Super Bowl! Bingo! The new brand was taking hold with its flagship cider Crisp Apple.

Take note cidermaker wannabees….to think that a brand such as Angry Orchard would sit on it laurels with what many would consider an introductory cider made to entice a public that is still wrangling with cider is not time well spent.

Ryan Burk & Anna Hasan

Angry Orchard led by newly minted Head Cidermaker Ryan Burk and Assistant Cidermaker Anna Hasan is and will continue to move mountains in Ciderville! Listen to this episode and hear Ryan's story and what we can all expect from Angry Orchard. He and Anna have already started pushing the envelope with the likes of Stone Dry (5.5%) a new cider now available in six packs.

You have to visit the Walden location to taste select drafts that may or may not make it into the mass market.

What to expect at the Angry Orchard Tasting Room?

A very large, yet inviting room with windows that overlook the orchard.

If the weather is right, there is outdoor seating and a gas lit fire pit.

Each visitor of drinking age, receives one token that can be used for (3) complimentary samples in the tasting room. Cider styles available include the flagship cider, Crisp Apple (5%) and several other core offerings, as well as ciders exclusive to the tasting room. Such as the house cider – Farm Cider – an unfiltered cider made with apples from the orchard's 2014 harvest.

In this Cider Chat

• Listen to what Angry Orchard is looking for the future.
  • Cidermaking trends
  • Cider Act
  • How are they playing with the Cider House Series?
  • What will they do with their Ice Cider this coming winter?
  • How does terroir factor into the Angry Orchard cider house and what is their soil profile?
  • Classic misconceptions about Angry Orchard.

Contact Info for Angry Orchard

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

Mentions in this Cider Chat

• Farnum Hill – Steve Wood
• Aaron Burr – Perry
• Reverend Nate
• New York Cider Association
• Ria's book Recommendation on the Golden Gate Park's Boss Gardener

Les Vergers de la Colline, Quebec Now Cidrerie Milton

This epsiode was recorded in person with the team at that time of this Quebec based cidery.

Note: The name of this cidery has changed since the time of this recording. This was in part due to the the difficulty of pronouncing Les Vergers de la Colline. So the owners took on the town name and shorten it all to Ciderie Milton!

I, Ria, had the pleasure of interviewing four guys from Quebec who are passionate about cider making. Quebec is a french speaking province so were quite kind in helping each other and helping me understand what they are making at Les Vergers de la Colline. I know you will enjoy this Cider Chat!

Cider making Team Les Vergers de la Colline of Quebec Canada

Les Vergers de la Colline opened in 2003 and is now called Ciderie Milton

Ciderie Milton's team

The team is headed by Marc -Antoine Lasnier, whose family owns this Quebec cidery. Marc's family has been growing apples since 1926. They made cider during the Canada's prohibition and it should be noted that in 1920 beer, wine, beer and all alcohol was legal. Only cider was prohibited. Not until the early 1970's did cider become legal.

Marc -Antoine Lasner

You can listen to the story behind the prohibition of cider as Marc tells it.

Les Vergers de la Colline produces ciders that range all the way up to 11%. Below is a photo of the ice cider that we drank during this chat and discussed.

Benoit Gosselin Piette Hugo Papineau Jonathan Fontaine Quebec ciders from Ciderie Milton Cidre Bouche Contact for Ciderie Milton

• Website: https://cidreriemilton.com/

David and son Robert have spearheaded an organically certified cidery right in the heart of the wine country in California. Sonoma Cider is located in Healdsburg California, a bit east and north of San Francisco in the a region well known to wine connoisseurs. David was a commercial winemaker for 20 years and the first commercial cidermaker in California back in 1992. He and Robert opened Sonoma Cider in 2013. Says David, "We are making cider for the Millennials." But don't read to deeply into that statement because Sonoma Cider is a delicious cider for all generations and new cider drinkers will be impressed by their range of offerings. In this chat David discusses:

• Cider nomenclature and how it impacts consumer education
• US Cider Makers Association
• Cider Con
• Cider Act
• Cidermaker or Cidermaster
• The Cider Certification Program
• Sonoma Cider's Cider Club

And Sonoma Cider's love of good comedy...I asked David for a good cider joke and am still waiting....If you have one, please send it to [email protected] What are Sonoma Cider's flagship cider's?

• The Hatchet - crisp and tart
• The Pitchfork - perry
• The Anvil - Bourbon profile

David describes Sonoma's Anvil Cider (which I brought to the Netherlands to share back in Episode 002 ) and how they got the flavor of bourbon without adding bourbon directly. Click on the link above to find out about their Reserve and Limited run ciders. Find Sonoma Cider on Facebook @SonomaCider on Twitter Upcoming episode: Les Vergers de La Colline, Quebec. Make sure to subscribe to Cider Chat now via iTunes. Follow me (Ria) @ciderchat Here are just a few of the fun cider folks I follow on Twitter. @RebelSeedCider cidery in Delaware @RealCiderReview This little ditty below is from Hugh @RealCiderReview based in Australia.. When I tweeted to him what is the story behind the "squealer" or what you might know as a growler in the US. He tweeted" "A big boar hog growls, a piglet squeals. Some who gets drunk easily is also known as a squealer." @DrinkingCider - great resource on craft libations @newscotlandcidr Nova Scotia cidery Now - Grab a glass and Join the chat and Listen to David's chat on (Episode 007) and think sunny California and crisp cider.

Paul Zocco, of Zok’s Homebrewing and Winemaking, is a 12 time winner of the title “New England Cidermaker of the Year” and he is discussing cider recipes and trends in this episode.

Paul Zocco, New England Cidermaker of the Year with Ria

Paul has been running Zok’s Homebrewing and Winemaking Shop for the past 16 years. Over that time he has seen a growth of the homebrew shift from beer to cider grow exponentially.

In this episode, Paul chats...

Pasteurized versus not pasteurized apple juice

How to choose sweet cider from a cider mill

...Go to the cider mill and buy a pint of the fress pressed juice. Go out to the parking lot and try it. If it is good, go back and make a deal to buy 5 gallons. It is simple as that.

What does Paul uses to chop up his apples?

Answer: A machete

Paul chats about Angry Orchard, Woodchuck and their sweet ciders…and the benefit for new drinkers of cider.

Listen to Paul describe how to make classic New England Cider:

Key additives: Brown Sugar and Raisins

Links or Cidermaker's mentioned:

Zok’s Homebrew shop online :

Zok’s on Facebook

Contact him about his overseas and US beer tours or where to find a good sake bar in New York City.

Sparkolloid Clarifier – clarifies the cider

Paul’s favorite cider yeast: Wyeast 4766 on Amazon

Another popular option: Sweet mead cider yeast: White Labs WLP720

Urban Farm Fermentory: A Maine Cidermaker

Farnum Hill Cider

Listen to this episode

President John Adams chats cider & podcasting!

Cider Chat MC Ria chats with the 2nd US President John Adams about cider and podcasting - via this mini promo/spoof for "Thanks, Podcasting".

Welcome to “Thanks, Podcasting!” where you’ll get to hear

stories of inspiration, transformation and impact because of podcasting.

My name is Ria Windcaller from Cider Chat over at CiderChat.com

Listen to the Bubbling Carboys in the background

That bubbling in the background is the sound of sweet, fresh pressed apple juice transforming into qualfable cider or what some folks in the US call hard cider. It is a fact of US history and World history that cider has been both an inspirational drink that has transformed the lives of many.

John Adams who was both a founding Father and became the 2nd president of the United State and who worked with Thomas Jefferson on the Declaration of Independence was known to have a pint of cider every single day. And, I am sure if John Adams was joining me on this special edition of “Thanks Podcasting” today, he would most certainly say,

Who could that be? Don’t they see the sign that says, Podcasting Shhhh - Hmmm?

Ria: President Adams?

John Adams: I heard that President Obama was on a podcast and I er. heard you were doing a Thanks Podcasting show and sooo.

Ria: Absolutely Mr President here the mic.

Adams: Here the President clear his voice....If we had podcasting back at the time of the birth of our nation, I would have been able to thank podcasting for helping me, avoid having to ride my horse all the way from Boston, Massachusetts to Philadelphia Pennsylvania to quibble with Jefferson about that Declaration of Independence. Podcasting is a form of free speech that benefits all and I raise my trusty tankard of cider to podcasting.”

Ria: Well thanks John! I mean Mr. President!

John Adams: You are most certainly welcome, now carry on.

Ria: Mr. President would you like a glass of cider before you get back on your horse?

John Adams: Well yes, I most certainly would.

Ria: Excellent! Well, What do you think of that Mark Maron? Anyone can have a president on their show, but a Founding Father? Geez Louise!

Now before I roll out the barrel I would like to once again say, Thanks Podcasting. As a online medium and I’m not taking Ouija boards now –

John Adams: Eh um - Certainly not Ria!

Ria: Podcasting has inspired me to reach out to you and transform the airways into a virtual chat room where we can all grab a glass and join a chat with the likes of John Adams and you.

And that is dear listeners and friends of Ciderville is not only the impact of cider but the amazing impact of reaching out to you via podcasting

Hear the pop and pour of the cider bottle

Ria: You were Spot on sir.

John Adams: Well, Thank you Ria.

This is Ria Windcaller, of Cider Chat looking forward to seeing you in Ciderville. Thanks Podcasting

Contact Libsyn.com to host your podcast! Who knows maybe you will be able to chat with a Founding Father too!

Visit me in Ciderville via http://www.ciderchat.com

Follow us on Twitter @ciderchat

Gunn and White on a Cider Road Trip

Nick Gunn of Anthem Cider and Wandering Aengus in Oregon (as of 2024 both cideries have closed – Nick is now with BenchGraft a cider consulting business) and Dave White, Whitewood Cider in Washington sat back for a chat about west coast ciders and the cider trend in the US

Nick Gunn has been in the cider business for eleven years working two labels: Anthem Cider and Wandering Anegus. He is married to Mimi Casteel the winemaker and member of the founding family at Bethel Heights Vineyard. Says Nick, "Winemaking is basically same thing as cider making. We are making a tank fermented chardonnay more or less, but are using apples instead of grapes."

Dave White started the cider blog "Old Time Cider Blog" years ago, but knew he was always destine to make his own cider commercially. He launched Whitewood Cider Company, in Olympia Washington in 2012. Dave describes Whitewood as a nano cidery.

l to r, Dave White of Whitewood Cider Co. Olympia Oregon and Nick Gunn of Anthem Cider & Wandering Aengus Salem Oregon at CiderDays 2015

Nick and Dave discuss:

• The Northwest Cider Association (NWCA)
• The US Association of Cider Makers (USACM), now called The American Cider Association
• The Cider ACT
• Cider wiki – cider maker's tool kit
• Dealing with regulations: Carbonation levels in cider and how this impacts cider makers in the US.
• Oregon being the first state to allow cider in growlers
• Northwest Mobile Juicing
• And where to go when you land in either Portland Oregon or Tacoma Washington when looking for a lass of cider.

Gunn and White West Coast Cider Bar Recommendations

• Cider Bite
• Bushwacker Portland – now closed
• Rev Nat's Taproom – now closed
• Portland Cider House

Washington Cider Bars:

• Capital Cider – Capital Hill Seattle
• Shilling Ciderhouse – Fremont

Mentions in this Cider Chat

• Book Links From Peter Montgomery,
  • A Potted History of Fruit (2011) Mike Darton
  • The Perfect Fruit: Good Breeding. Bad Seeds, and the Hunt for the Elusive Pluot, (2009) Chip Brantley
• Contact Peter at: Montgomery Orchards LLC: Heirloom Apples and Orchards
  • [email protected]

Robert Colnes, of New Salem Preserves wanted to build a ciderhouse for the farm's bountiful orchard. Little did he know when he started that he was on journey that would take him two years to complete.

New Sale Preserves is situated on the edge of the Quabbin Reservoir, which provides drinking water for the city of Boston.

Robert tells his tale of what it took to jump through the federal, state and local hoops to build the ciderhouse.

Carol B. Hillman the owner of New Salem Preserves wanted to maintain the aesthetic of the old New England homestead. By the way, Carol is an author and her recent book Sense of Place is a photographic book of the farm and show's her warmth and connection to the place. She also has an amazing cookbook for Garlic lovers. Contact Carol directly, if you are interested in either books, via the link to New Salem Preserves.

I hope you enjoy this special tale as Robert and I journey into the orchard and out to the Ciderhouse.

Please follow us along on Twitter @ciderchat

Find photos and show notes at CiderChat.com

Wouter Bijl's opened CiderCider in 2009 online and then as the first cider store for the Netherlands. The Dutch can now proudly proclaim cider has arrived. Proost!

This cider chat goes back and forth to the US to the Netherlands discussing the range of the ciders available, country styles, and the current and future state of cider in the Netherlands. Wouter is a cider importer who is helping cider get its footing in the land of tulips and cheese.

Grab a glass and join the chat! on twitter @ciderchat

Field Maloney of West County Cider Field Maloney of West County Cider Terry, Judith and Field Maloney – American Cider Pioneers

West County Cider, of Colrain Massachusetts was one of the very first producers of cider post prohibition in the US, starting back in 1984.

Terry Maloney made the cider on the side while continuing to work as head of the local hospital's ER.

Terry Maloney

He and wife Judith worked tirelessly selling their notable ciders and were founders of a yearly event in November called CiderDays one of the first cider fests in the US (1994-2019). In 2020, CiderDays felt the weight of the pandemic and muddled leadership that pressed the organizing Committee to dissolved.

Before West County became named a cidery

It was a long road for the family, even with write ups in the New York Times and Ebony magazine touting their ciders. Just as cider was beginning its long awaited comeback, tragedy struck the family in 2010. Terry died when a valve released on a tank of gas throwing him back into a nearby wall. Field who had helped plant apple trees with his dad as a kid, stepped up to the plate and is now full-on as cidermaker at this renown orchard. Listen as he speaks with Cider Chat about the cider revival in the US, working with Redfield apples, and the bountiful future of West County Cider.

Contact for West County Cider

• Website: West County Cider

Mentions is this Cider Chat

• Sow's Ear Cider

Welcome! Let’s begin the journey to Ciderville!

Interviewing cidermakers importers, orchardists, foodies, farmers and cider enthusiasts around the world.

Let’s delve into the semantics of cider…or is it hard cider, cidre, sidra or fermented apple juice? The truth is out there in Ciderville and we are going to find it. We toast in celebration of cider; As a libation, a gift from the gods, a taste of terroir, and a hard pressed good time. Ready to quench your thirst? Grab a glass and join this chat!