Chicago Cider Summit 2018 Preview
February 6, 2018
5 Valentine’s Day Gifts for Cider Lovers
February 13, 2018
Submitted by info@chicagociderweek.com
Surrounded by Michigan, Wisconsin, and Northern Illinois, Chicago enjoys a rich culture of apples. Cider is naturally Chicago’s drink of choice for celebrating and keeping warm through the cold Windy City winters. It is home to boasting Right Bee Cider and now open Eris Cider House, as well as The Northman, Chicago’s first cider pub, and countless bars and restaurants with truly delicious cider.
We are thrilled to announce the city’s second annual Cider Week, which will be taking place February 12th to 17th. Events will include tastings at bars, restaurants and retail locations across the city, community gatherings and educational opportunities. The week-long festival is a unique opportunity to spend time with an learn from makers, growers, and cider drinkers.
Chicago Cider Week will kick off at 5 pm on the 12th at The Northman, which will be the one-stop place to gain all of the information for the week, ask questions, and enjoy an unrivaled collection of ciders. The week’s events include our Cider Education Series on Tuesday night, with Charles McGonegal, of AeppelTreow winery, and Darlene Hayes, author of “Cider Cocktails – Another Bite of the Apple”. We will be exploring “How to taste apples” and “Apfelwein: The Aepfelwein traditions of Germany”, two sessions not to be missed! Virtue Cider will be offering a “Cider and Cheese pairing” at Butcher’s Tap on Tuesday as well.
For Valentine’s Day we have no short list of events, so grab your best half and take your pick. Highlights of the night will be “It Must Be Love”, a romantic evening with Stem Cider at The Northman for their 1 year anniversary, and on the flip side, “St. Valentine’s Day Massacre” at The Native, a prohibition style party complete with costumes and drinks concocted by the team from Redemption Whiskey and Blake’s Cider.
On Thursday night, Hopleaf will feature cider maker and fifth generation apple grower Mike Beck, of Uncle John’s Cider, for a “Meet and Greet” experience and rare tappings. 2 Towns Ciderhouse, Original Sin, and Seattle Cider Company are also throwing a blow out event at Easy Bar called “Cheese Sex Cider”. The event will feature a cheese and cider pairing with @cheesesexdeath and burlesque performances by Scarlett Begonias and Miss Fancy. That’s not all though, clear your vocal chords for an Ireland & UK Karaoke Competition at Harrigan’s Pub, where you can win great prizes! All proceeds from participation fees will go to the Helen David Relief Fund which helps bartenders with a breast cancer diagnosis. Cider specials for the occasion by Aspall, Craigie’s and Thistly Cross, and a helping hand from Slane Irish Whiskey.
Friday night will be packed with events all over the city from Open Outcry in Beverly to Right Bee Cider opening their doors to their “Urban Cidery”. No one will get any rest for the grand event Saturday.
The week comes to a close with the Cider Summit at Navy Pier’s Grand Ballroom. Two sessions throughout the day will let you taste and explore 150 ciders from all around the world. And don’t forget The Northman will be hosting both Pre and Post Summit parties. It’s the perfect way to cap off a delicious week of cider.
Get all of the details you need about Chicago Cider Week events at www.chicagociderweek.com, facebook.com/chicagociderweek, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram @ciderweekchi.
Happy Drinking!
