Cider Chat

Cider’s Best Friend is Perry Enjoy this panel discussion “Pear Necessities: International Perry recorded at CiderCon 2024. The panel was moderated by drinks writer, Adam Wells of the UK. Sitting to his right was Tom Oliver of Olivers Cider and Perry Ltd (UK), Laura Cherry of Dragon’s Head Cider (Washington State), Albert Johnson of Ross and Wye Cider and Perry Company (UK) and cider critic and blogger Natalia Wszelaki (Germany). (L to R) Tom Oliver (Oliver’s Cider and Perry), Albert Johnson (Ross-on-Wye Cider), Laura Cherry (Dragon’s Head Cider), Natalia Wszelaki (Cider Explorer), Adam Wells (Cider Review) Topics discussed during this Perry Panel Introduction of Perry Panel Speakers Overview of Perry in both Europe, the UK and America Tasting profiles of 4 Perry’s Oliver’s Cider and Perry Ltd. (UK) SHHH Ross on Wye Cider & Perry Company (UK) Thorn 2019 S.V. Perry Kertelreiter (Germany) Heiden 2021 Single Tree Perry Dragon’s Head Cider (Washington State, US) Sparkling Perry Perry critique

Escape to Olympic Bluffs a Dream Vacation Destination Olympic Bluffs Cidery & Lavender Farm is located on the northern coast of the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State. The farm is on a bluff that overlooks the Salish Sea, which spans the international waters between British Columbia and Washington State. The location is dreamy with views of Mount Baker, a 10,000+ foot mountain, to the east and Victoria Canada to the north. Olympic Bluffs was founded by Ginger and Scott Wierzbanowski, who found farm land years early on a trip to Washington State. Both are Air Force Veterans with Ginger serving as an Intel Officer and Scott as an Air Force F 16 pilot. Scott and Ginger next to F 16 – note Scott’s name on plane The two met in Korea, married in Denmark, and lived in Europe where in France they discovered Calvados. Years later their love of cider helped frame Olympic Bluffs Cidery and Lavender Farm which has an onsite Lavender shop, a cider production area, a Bed and Breakfast next door, and a commercial

Mike Biltonen and his wife Debbie founded Know Your Roots in 2008 and began offering a wide array of service for backyard and commercial orchardists in 2014. Mike This conversation tool place at the Berkshire Roundtable that was founded my Micheal Phillips 34 years ago. This annual meet up of orchardist and cider makers takes place in Massachusetts each spring. It is an informal discussion amoungst peers all on growing apples and assorted pomme fruits. Micheal Phillips was a renown orchardist and author of many books like The Holistic Orchard. Find all his books at Cider Chat’s book page. Listen to episode 312 dedicated to Micheal. In this Cider Chat The backstory of Know Your Roots Services offered by Know Your Roots What to consider before planting an orchard Mike’s background in Biodynamic (BD) orcharding Defining Holistic Orcharding Making a BD preparation Climate change – dealing with late season frost The future at Know Your Roots and…cider? Mike and Ria recording this episode Contact for Know Y

Find this episode and all episodes at the page for Cider Chat's podcasts. A Cider Log Documents Ferments from Start to Finish Find a free downloadable Cider Log for your next ferment below! Dan Gallagher of Frosty Twig Cider, a new startup based in Canton New York, has created a form for your next batch of cider. Dan who began making cider in 2017 found online cider making forums and cider influencer tips both informative, but also conflicting. The Cider Log was created to track what actually does or doesn’t work when fermenting. In This Cider Chat with Dan Gallagher Dan’s backstory The value of a Cider Log His goal for Frosty Twig Cider to begin commerical sales A step by step review of each stage of a cider ferment From sourcing fruit to bottling Working with Canton Apples Follow along as we review this filled in Cider Log below with Dan. Contact for Frosty Twig Cider Instagram @frostytwigcider Download this Cider Log for your next ferment. By going to https://ciderchat.com/podcast/407-cider-log/

Japan is not only Cherry Blossom, but also Apple Country! Lee Reeve of InCiderJapan kicks off this episode stating “Japan is Apple Country.” And he is right… because Lee has been on the podcast 3x’s and has taught listeners all about this apple country and the regions were orchards are abundant that the growing cider community. He is the Publisher and Editor of inCiderJapan, the country’s first and only bilingual magazine dedicated to all things cider. He was first on the podcast in Episode 114 and again in Episode 173. Each time we were able to catch up on the happenings in Japan. By the way, there are two main apple growing regions: Aomori to Nagano. In this Cider Chat Cider in Japan post the pandemic and updates for Lee as his role evolves The state of cider today Japanese culture and cider education Rules around making cider in Japan The Japan Cider Cup OK Adam Cider a Japanese cider brand Contact InCiderJapan Website: https://www.inciderjapan.com/ Japan Cider Cup – https://www.japancidercup.com/ M

Tariq Ahmed on the Founding and Fermentation Styles at Revel Revel Cider was founded in 2014 and is located in Ontario a little over one hour west of Niagara Falls. Hear Tariq tell how he both got into fermentation, how Revel embraces foraging local resources for ferments, surviving the pandemic and how to get his cider! Tariq Ahmed In this Cider Chat with Revel Visiting the newly opened Tasting Room Co-Ferments Native Yeasts Carbonic Maceration Contact for Revel Cider Website: https://revelcider.com/ Address for Tasting Room: 62 Dawson Rd, Guelph, ON N1H 1A8, Canada Mentions in this Cider Chat New York International Cider Competition 2024 French Cider Tour 2024 – September 22th – 28th Paris, Normandy, Brittany #xpromotecider – Share the Cider Chat Podcast Info Flyer and help your patrons and friends find over 400 episodes on makers, orchards and cider travel. Follow our friend Marcel who is making cider in the Netherlands on Instragram @degerdenner Episode 306 with Elegast Cider, Netherlands Episode

Featuring Albert Johnson of Ross Cider and Perry Company Ross Cider and Perry is a family owned business located in the West Country of the United Kingdom in the region of Heredfordshire. The Johnson family have been farming this land now with 45 acres of bush orchards and another 10 acres of standard trees and perry pears. The apple trees were planted between 1978 and 2001. And the Perry Pears about 35 years ago by Albert’s father Mike. Pictured above: Cider Chat Host Ria, Mike and Albert Johnson - at Ross Cider Fest 2019 Today you can visit the newly remodeled Yew Tree Inn which is situated next to the orchards and all under the Ross Cider ownership. At the pub find 18 taps. They make a wide range of single varietal ciders (upwards to 90) and blends. One will always be guaranteed to be amazed by the offerings when visiting. In this Cider Chat with Albert Catching up since the first interview in 2019 with Mike and Albert – listen to Episode 194 Cider Making Practices The orchards Events Ciderganza A spri

Meet one half of the family team at Botanist and Barrel Botanist and Barrel is a family owned and operated cidery. Kether Smith and brother Lyndon and their respective spouses Derick McGuffey and Amie Fields make the magic happen at this eclectic cidery. They began selling cider commercially in 2017 and they all enjoy making cider. Lyndon Smith and Amie Fields There are two tasting rooms. Production happens at the Cedar Grove Location and in Asheville you can visit the Botanist and Barrel Tasting Room. In this Cider Chat Lyndon and Amie were interviewed while attending CiderCon 2024 in Portland Oregon. They provide tips on how to approach their products when visiting the tasting room. Try a flight. There are four flight options. Sour and Spice Flight Barrel aged Any thing goes Hybrids and co-ferments The ciders and co-ferments of Botanist and Barrel Tips for working with family members Visiting the tasting rooms Contact and Visit Botanist and Barrel Ashville Tasting Room We

Meet the Founders of Presque Isle Farm Cider a.k.a PIF Molly and Dion Stepanski are the founders of of PIF Cider with an inviting Tasting Room located in Alpena, Michigan. They met in New Orleans where Dion was working as a Jazz muscian and Molly in a store. In 2014 they move to farm vegetables at Dion’s family farm in Posen, MI. There they planted a one acre orchard which Dion describes as high density, but not trellised. They sources their apples from Michigan’s TraverseCity area which is to the west of Alpena. Dion and Molly From the outset they wanted to make English Style Ciders and by all accounts they are hitting this target straight out producing delectable ciders that please the palate and made this cider podcast host swoon with delight. In this Cider Chat with PIF Producers The backstory of PIF and the Stepanski’s journey to cider Cider making techniques at PIF Native yeas Barrel program Blends and Single varietal The cider fans of Presque Island and the surrounding area. What can guests exp

Chef Duffy Talks Cooking with Cider Chef Brian Duffy is one of the culinary’s industry’s most dynamic and innovative personalities.  Chef Brian Duffy With a career that spans decades, He has been captivating audiences with his infectious passion for food and his unique approach to the culinary arts. He is well known for his appearances on the tv and the series “Bar Rescue,” where Chef Duffy helped transform struggling bars, offering expert advice and renovations to revitalize their business and create successful, thriving establishments. In this episode of Cider Chat we are tapping into Chef’s contemplative side and getting his thoughts on the both cooking with cider and pairing cider with food. In this Cider Chat with Chef Brian Duffy We taste through 4 ciders Sweet Coyote Verde 4.25% Back Sweetened Tart Granny Smith Apple Producer Fishback Stephenson Cider House | Iowa Semi Dry Grapes in a Suit Case Producers Botanist and Barrel / North Carolina and Artifact Cider Project / Massachsetts Semi

A Special Valentine to Ciderville with Love This episode is a special valentine to Ciderville with a little bit of help from the Talking Pommes and an eventful appearance by The Nose!  We are in the Cider House reviewing the last year and have written a special card to everyone out there in your special spot in Ciderville. In this episode we say good bye to Season 8 while reviewing the uniques of cider, what we all need to do to keep relationships in Ciderville healthy, and how to help keep cider going up a.k.a #ciderGoingUP. Mentions in This Cider Chat Find all past episode from Season 8 of Cider Chat @cidersoms - follow along on Instagram Work with Cider Chat French Cider Tour September 24 - 28, 2024 Send Cider to Cider Chat Support Cider Chat Cider Chat Swag Store - get your cider t-shirt today!

The Low ABV Cider Revolution in Sweden In Strängnäs Sweden, circa 2017, Johan Sjöstedt, Oskar Palm, and Patrik Svensk began selling ciders commercially under their brand Pomologik. They didn’t set out to make low alcohol cider nor even non alcoholic cider when they started, but a lot can change in a few short years. Johan In this Cider Chat John Sjöstedt’s journery to cider How a US cider bar encouraged Swedish cider makers How a cider purist can shift perspective Low alcohol by volume (ABV) ciders and Non Alcohol Ciders in Sweden Cider techniques Cider Styles Cider Fests in Sweden – Nordic Craft Cider Festival Who are Sweden’s cider fans Who can visit Pomologik…for now. Contact for Pomologik Website: https://www.pomologik.se/ Mentions in this Cider Chat New York International Cider Competition 2024 2024 French Cider Tour to Paris, Normandy and Brittany – Reservations are live now and there are only 4 spots left Amsterdam Cider Salon, Netherlands March 8, 2024 (7-10 pm) Non alcoholic cider in US – fo

Saint Peterburg on Florida’s West Coast Welcomes Green Bench Green Bench can boast being a microbrewery, meadery, and cidery in a region where palm trees rule! Despite that small inconvenience of no apples trees to speak of growing in Florida, maker Brian Wing has been rolling out the cider barrels since 2015. Green Bench itself has been producing select beers beginning in 2013. Brian Wing In this Cider Chat with Maker Brian Wing Fermenting in Florida. Where is the production facility located. (Webb’s City Cellar?) How did this all come about? Brewing begins in 2013 then 6 yrs later (2019) cider & mead. Brian’s journey to cider What are the challenges of cider making in FL (resourcing from…NY…) Who are the cider fans in St. Peterburg and the surrounding area. Has this changed since you opened and if so, how. Training of staff to pour and discuss cider – loved how you were planning for this on the tour What can guest expect when visiting. Is there a flagship cider that one should try first? Malus is

Fermentations Run without Fear at Wildcraft Sean Kelly founded Wildcraft Cider Works in 2014. His journey to cider making began in 2008. It follows his botanicals passion, quest for tree resources & conservation, in concert with travels to Latin America where he learned how to ferment. He honors the preservation and the medicinal value of the plants and does a mighty fine job of capturing the essence of a wide variety of pomes, grapes and botanicals in the glass. Sean Kelly Cider Making at Wildcraft Only Native Yeast No sulfites Co-ferment botanical grapes pome fruits – pear, quince, medlars Barrel aging Cider’s Tasted in this Cider Chat Pisgah Heriloom Restoration Perry – wild rootstock pears Medlar Wildcraft Products Ciders Perry Brandies – POM-MISTELLE – a set of 3 brandies, apple, quince and pear Fire Cider Hot Sauce – Peppers gleaned from Camas Swale Farms. Fermented and aged in house brandy barrels Annual Events at Wildcraft March 2nd Tap Takeover – an array of ferments on tap Fiddlehe

Pre-conference PDX Audio Clips This Cider Chat Live features clips from CiderCon 2024 which took place in Portland, Oregon. What was particularly unique about this year was the ice storm that took place. Pictured below is a car driven from the border of Oregon and California to PDX. It is incased in ice and is a testament of just how ferocious the storm was. Despite the ice, the cider kept pouring. Enjoy this Cider Chat Live Ander's car and its Ice Cap when he arrived at the main hotel  

Bookmark this episode for loads of Portland Oregon a.k.a. PDX Tips Oregon Cider Week and CiderCon 2024 are all converging in PDX and this episodes has all the tips you need arrive and hit the ground running. Portland resident Sean Connolly, who is also known as Cider Experience on Instragram and Facebook has delivered big time with tons of tips and insider knowlege to help everyone feel like a local. Sean Connolly In this Cider Chat on PDX Tips Temperature Highs 47 degrees 50/50 chance of rain or sunny Bring layers What to wear Jeans and plaids work Casual dress code and functional PDX Tips to look like a local: Loose the umbrella and let your hair get wet! When using an umbrella, it is obvious you are from out of town! Transportation Airport (PDX) to CiderCon – The Met Red line is not in service beginning January 14th. Service will be still provided via shuttle buses which will take a bit longer than the 30 minute ride. It is still a great deal at $2.80 go to Trimet.org for more info Dri

It’s time to make your Cider Notes for 2024 The list of cider notes can be quiet long, but in this episode we are going to make it doable and easy for you. In this Cider Chat on Cider Notes The Talking Pommes encourage Ria to slow down Sign up for the last cider tour heading out at CiderCon 2024 French Cider Tour reservations Wassails January 5th at the Botanist and Barrel, Cedar Grove North Carolina January 28th Berkshire Cider Project at the Tourist in North Adams Massachusetts Learn about Wassailing in Episode 393 Past Cider Making Episodes 381 DIY Cider Making for Beginners 382 Beginner Tips for Squeaky Clean Cider Equipment 384 Beginner Cider Making Tips forPrimary Fermentation  386:  Managing Cider’s Secondary Fermentation – DIY Tips Equipment needed for Cider’s Secondary Ferment Find a complete list with links to purchase at the Cider Making Equipment page at ciderchat.com Extra Apple Juice to for topping off Secondary Fermenter – glass carboy of equal size Airlock and Bung Racking Cane or

What does Wassail & Drink Hail mean? In this episode learn about meaning behind Wassail and Drink Hail from the Butler himself, Al Sax. A Wassail is a celebration of the orchards, most typically apple orchards to honor the natural world and pay tribute with hopes of an abundant fruiting season moving forward. A Wassail is also a cheer When you hear someone say “Wassail” it means -Be Healthy! The reply is “Drink hail” –  To your health! Al as the Butler at the Wassail When time of year to Wassail? Historically a Wassail would be held on the 6th of January or what is known as the Twelfth Night.  Or on the 17th of January which is called “Old Twelvey” Procession to the main Wassail fire In these modern times a Wassail can take place when it is most appropriate considering the weather and outside temperatures. There is no strict protocols, but rather traditions that when followed harken us all back to our ancestral roots and pagan ways. Where do Wassails take place? In the orchard surrounding a lar

The Vodraska Brothers Chris & Matt of Bent Ladder In the midst of a rich farming legacy emerged Bent Ladder Cider and Wine, based in Doylestown Ohio. Chris and younger brother Matt Vodraska are following in their father Dale’s footsteps. Chris is the orchardist and viticulturist and Matt is the cidermaker. The farm is the story. Chris Vodraska Dating back to 1995 their father Dale was eyeing farmland that was by all accounts destine for development. In 2004, he “finally wore down the seller” as his sons put it and bought the 128 acre farm. Today there are 3-4 acres of vineyards and 30-40 acres of orchards. The site hosts both the Bent Ladder production area and stunning tasting room and Rittman Orchards & Farm Market. Matt Vodraska In the Cider Chat with Chris and Matt Sunset view from tasting room The Vodraska Family’s back story to present day The orchards, Size, terrain, soil typeNumber of apple varieties Orchard practices Kazakstan and Krygzstan scion wood graftings at Bent Ladder

Saint Lawrence Nurseries is a specialized tree nursery in New York state, renowned for its expertise in cold-hardy fruit and nut trees with a committment to sustainable and organic practices. The nursery, which was originally founded in the 1920s by Fred L. Ashworth of Heuvelton, NY, was initially more of a hobby and experimental station for Ashworth. Bill MacKentley met Fred in 1971 and they developed a strong, almost familial relationship. After Fred’s death in 1977, Bill and his wife Diana purchased the land in Potsdam, NY, where Fred had done much of his grafting and breeding. In 1981, they produced the first official St. Lawrence Nurseries catalog. For 34 years, the MacKentleys cultivated Saint Lawrence Nurseries into a unique and well-loved business, carrying on Fred Ashworth’s passion for growing and propagating fruits and nuts suitable for northern climates. The MacKentley, were planning their retirement and phasing out their business around 2015. Connor Hardiman who began working at Saint Lawrence