Posts by Emily Kovach
Our Top 5 Favs from the CiderCon 2019 Cider Share
Anyone who’s been to CiderCon knows there is a lot to do, see, learn, and tons of people to reconnect with and meet and, obviously, plenty of cider to drink. Aside from all of the seminars that include tastings, and dinner and drinks out on the town, there’s the annual Cider Share, when dozens upon…
Read MoreCider Creek Hard Cider to Release CBD Cider, ‘Nano Juice’
Recently, we shared the news that Vermont’s Stowe Cider was releasing a CBD cider, a development we are feeling pretty stoked about. Well, it’s looking like the craft cider industry is at a bit of a tipping point, because Cider Creek Hard Cider just announced on its Facebook page that it, too, will launch a…
Read MoreCider Institute of North America Announces New Advanced Certificate in Cider & Perry Production
Are you a cider maker looking to step it up? The Cider Institute of North America (CINA), which formed in 2016, has announced the launch of the Advanced Certificate in Cider & Perry Production. The courses and certifications it has offered so far have mostly been foundational, and the Advanced Certificate qualification is intended as vocational…
Read MoreStem Ciders Acquires Black Twig Cider House in Durham, North Carolina
News from the cider world: Stem Ciders has acquired Black Twig Cider House in Durham, North Carolina, the first cider bar of its kind on the East Coast, which debuted in 2016. The 60-seat restaurant, bar and bottle shop will undergo a re-branding as The Northern Spy, slated to open late spring 2019. The Northern Spy will be…
Read MoreCastle Hill Cider Launches Sister Brand, Big Pippin
Castle Hill Cider, beloved for producing beautiful heritage ciders from the heart of Virginia, recently announced the launch of its new sister company, Big Pippin. Its clever, fun name, vibrant can designs and modern flavor combinations all hint at something meant to be well-crafted, but not too serious. Castle Hill expanded to this line in…
Read MoreFresh Faces in Canadian Cider: Lekker Cider Co.
There’s a new kid on the block in the Canadian cider scene: Lekker Cider Co. This new urban cidery startup, founded by the wife-and-husband team of Liz and Brendan Kearns, is based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Lekker, which means “yummy,” “tasty” or “luscious,” is a popular slogan regarding South African culture and produce. Lekker Cider takes…
Read MoreAnother Tool in Your Kit: Leveraging Technology in Cider Making
Cider makers need technology: It’s simply a fact. Even the most “unplugged” artisan still must rely on tech, whether that’s electricity to run the lights and refrigeration, or a truck to make deliveries, or the phone to answer emails. And, increasingly, all kinds of makers, including cider makers, are relying on all sorts of technological…
Read MoreStowe Cider Releases Limited CBD Cider
CBD — you know, one of the cannabinoids found in marijuana plants that chill you out without getting you stoned (and have tons of other purported health benefits, too) — is everywhere. We started seeing it a few years ago in the usual health food-type applications: tinctures, gummies, oils, skin creams, salves and the like. But…
Read MoreYour CiderCon 2019 Cheat Sheet
We can hardly believe it, but it’s almost time for CiderCon 2019, our industry’s premier annual cider conference, organized by the United Association of Cider Makers (USACM). This year, CiderCon is taking place at the Hilton Chicago in Chicago, Illinois from Tuesday, February 5, through Friday, February 8, when thousands of cider makers, marketers, media…
Read MoreAustin Eastciders Releases Texas Brut Cider
New cider alert! And this one is set to be a fabulous sipper for sunny days ahead (think spring!). Austin Eastciders has released its new Champagne-inspired Texas Brut Cider, a limited release that is super-dry and exceedingly toast-able. We’ve seen a lot of these “brut” style ciders lately, and we welcome them with open arms. Less…
Read MoreCCP News: Cider Association Unveils Certified Pommelier™ Exam Objectives
It’s time for a quick update on the CCP exam front: The United States Association of Cider Makers (USACM), which designs and administers the Certified Cider Professional exams has just announced its Certified Pommelier™ exam objectives. Ever since debuting the CCP exam in 2016, USACM has worked to evolve and expand the test, adding updates in spring…
Read MoreHow to Build a Cider-Party Bar
So, you want to host a party. Great idea! Your friends/family/crush/co-workers are going to be psyched. Time to start planning out what kind of snacks you’re going to serve, putting together a Spotify playlist and strategizing about how you’re going to clean the entire house without going crazy. But the best part of all is…
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