Stone Fence Cocktails and Virtues Cocktail Competition
January 15, 2019
Women in Action
January 22, 2019
We are here to celebrate another great year in cider! We laughed, we loved, we drank cider! See who stood out this year and what ciders you might need to try or cideries to visit in 2019. Much love, ciderseekers!
Best Food at a Cidery: Vander Mill
Boy, can that kid repeat! Just like 2017, Vander Mill holds the top spot for food at a cidery.
2017 notes: “With items like salmon carnitas, beef short rib, pan-seared walleye, cider donuts, and a full brunch menu, Vander Mill can fill some serious appetites. With two locations, menus will vary. But what won’t change is how good the food looks and tastes.”
View the full menu here.
Best Can Design: Kurant Cider – Pitch
Kurant cider has some of the most beautiful designs on their cans. Seemingly inspired by modern and contemporary art, their designs echo simplicity and class. With Pitch, you get the same simple pattern spiced with nostalgic color palettes that make the can scream on the shelf. Sometimes simple is more. Sometimes simple colors in combination have that draw-you-in effect. Kurant’s Pitch is that intersection.
Best New Cidery: Eris Brewery and Cider House
As we discussed in our Chicago cider day article, Eris Brewery and Cider House is a very welcomed spot to Chicago and the greater cider world. Crafting beers and ciders all in-
Most Dog Friendly Cidery: Newtopia Cyder
On many dog-friendly lists already, Newtopia is a perfect place for your four-legged friends. This quaint spot offers industrial-style decor equipped with indoor and outdoor space for pets to roam. Tables and seating are high enough but not too high to keep an eye on your fuzzy friends.
Most Positive Impact on the Industry in 2018
Winner: USACM Michelle McGrath
If you know anything about the changing landscape of cider, then you probably know the USACM. At the helm is Michelle McGrath who was recently named one of Wine Enthusiast’s 40 under 40. While this is a great accomplishment, her influence and objectives for the cider industry are almost unmatched.
Runner-Up: Blake’s Cider with Kinder Series
While we love Blake’s hard cider for many reasons, their Kinder series continues to bring unique flavors from their farm and pair them with charitable efforts. Their most recent works in 2018-2019 are with Fido and Great Lakes Coffee. Blake’s cider help support great causes like Freshwater Future and Pets for Patriots.
Most Unique Cider of 2018
Winner: Treehorn Cider Miyabi
2018 was the first year that CiderScene made its way to Atlanta to really delve into its cider scene. While there, we made a trip out to Treehorn Cider in Marietta, Georgia. While we were tasting their entire line of ciders, we were starstruck with their Miyabi cider. Infused with shiso and yuzu, this cider is a wild adventure throughout. Tart, tangy, herbal, and rich in apple flavor, this cider is unlike anything we have ever had.
Runner-Up: Noble Cider – Tea Series
Not to be outdone, Noble cider has an amazing line of tea-infused ciders for their taproom. Raspberry & Hibiscus; chamomile, honey & mint; and black tea & honey were just some of the ones we tried while at the taproom. These were relaxing, flavorful, and made me forget I was in a taproom and more like I was at home ready for a leisurely read. Top notch craft here!
Best Cider Name of 2018
Winner: Citizen Cider’s Sage Against the Machine
Maybe not a 2018 release, per se, but this cider rocks! And this name rolls off the tongue. Catchy, huh?
Runner-Up: Fable Fermentory’s Pronoia
Again, we just fell upon this one in 2018 and we loved the name. Pronoia. Here is a deeper description of the meaning behind the name:
“Pronoia is a neologism coined to describe a state of mind that is the opposite of paranoia. Whereas a person suffering from paranoia feels that persons or entities are conspiring against them, a person experiencing pronoia feels that the world around them conspires to do them good.”
Best Cidery to Work for in 2018: Citizen Cider
At Citizen Cider, you always hear great things about their products and their employees. Not only have they been around a while but they empower their employees, entice equality, offer free cider, and some great typical workplace benefits! Best of all, their team keeps producing great hard cider/non- alcoholic cider and their employees all say they feel like part of the family!
Best Cider Festival of 2018
Winner: Cider Summit (all venues)
Cider Summit it the best traveling show for a quality cider event. They hold this event in Chicago, Portland, Seattle, and San Francisco throughout the year. What makes each year better, including 2019, is the focus on bringing cider from all over the United States and the world. This is your truest opportunity to try cider from every corner of the world.
Runner-Up: CiderStock
Legit bands, cider, and the sweet views of the Vermont landscape. If that doesn’t seem enticing, I am not quite sure why you are even reading this article. And, it helps that Woodchuck’s is now working on making drier, more true-to-the-apple ciders.
Best or Breakthrough Cidery in 2018
Winner: Eden – Bringing heritage cider to cans and more!
It is very important that, as the cider industry grows, we keep some of the freshest, purest ciders in the forefront. Eden, a maker of fantastic cider, has heritage ciders in cans now. This is the perfect way to taste true-to-the-apple cider that is regional — the exact essence of what makes cider amazing. Great flavor. Not too sweet. Very conscious cidermakers. Making heritage reign supreme. We need more of this in the industry and we salute you, Eden cider.
Runner-Up: Double Shovel – Alaskan cidery
Anchorage, Alaska has a cider scene? Enough said. This micro-cidery grew tremendously in 2018 and is helping do exactly what cider needed in 2018, bringing drinking fans to craft cider. It really does bring a tear to our eyes. Thank you, Double Shovel cider!
