City Fruit’s 2nd Annual Hard Cider Tasting Fundraiser

Thursday, November 1, 2012 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Olson Kundig Architects
406 Occidental Avenue
Seattle, WA 98104

Join us for City Fruit’s 2nd Annual Hard Cider Tasting event in Pioneer Square during the neighborhood’s First Thursday Art Walk night.

We are excited to have Alpenfire Organic Hard Cider, Finnriver Farm & Cidery, Snowdrift Cider and Tieton Cider Works pouring their fine locally crafted ciders.

More about it here…

The British are Coming!

If you haven’t heard the news we are hosting a couple gentlemen from the UK as they travel the world writing about and photographing the world’s best ciders for an upcoming book.

Read more about them, their visit, and the extra special cider events we are hosting in both Portland and Seattle.

Hey thanks to all for a great Washington Cider Week

First of all we’d like to acknowledge the many many folks who went to our 100 some events. We served up cider to many of a regular fans and found a whole bunch more cider drinkers too.

Second this all wouldn’t have been possible without the efforts of all our cidermakers that make or sell cider in Washington. Big shout out go to Angela our admin help and Sharon from Tieton Cider who organized the organizers, and big ups to Tieton Cider Works, Finnriver, and Alpenfire Cider for organized and participated above and beyond the call of duty. Great job guys!

See you all next year! Until then keep in touch with us here for more Northwest cider events and news.

 

Partying with the Reverend.

Nat West owner of Reverend Nat’s Hard Cider and one of our newest Nortwest Cider Association members is starting to throw a “Week-Long Mobile Launch Party” for Oregon Cider Week.

Here are some of Nat’s party time details:

  • Every night at a different locale.
  • Every night, a new keg pouring CHEAP PINTS.
  • Every night, free tastings from the full lineup.
  • Every location has food within or nearby that you can bring in.

On Monday June 25th, between 6-8 PM, the Reverend and his flock of ciders can be found at Belmont Station.

Tuesday June 26th, between 6 and 8 PM he’ll be at the  The Hop & Vine. Wednesday June 27th, from 6 to 9 he’ll be slinging his holy apple concoctions at The Beermongers. Thursday June 28th, again between 6-9 PM brings to Portland’s cider cathdral Bushwhacker Cider giving praise and thanks.

For more info on Reverend Nat’s Hard Cider Week-Long Mobile Launch Party visit his website at ReverendNatsHardCider.com.

For a look at Oregon Cider Week’s entire schedule, head on over to our Oregon Cider Week page.

Washington Cider Week planning underway!

Hey folks, as the official headquarters for Washington Cider Week we are now looking for Washington State businesses and business owners to that would like to help us celebrate in September by hosting their own cider events and/or cider specials. We are looking for the usual suspects and new comers alike.

If you need ideas we can help. Head over the our Washington Cider Week page and take a read… Or you can contact us for a few more ideas custom fit for your business.

Here is how YOU can help make Cider Week a success:

 

Got a suggestion? Pass it along!

Know of an establishment that would be interested? Connect them with us today!

Our Northwest Cider cidermakers will likely be in high demand and if you’d like them to make an appearance at your location, arrangements should be made early.

A Hard Cider Culture Grows in Washington

From the Puget Sound Food Network / Northwest Ag Business Center

NABC has offered classes in hard cider production since 2009. Recently, though, hard cider is growing in popularity by leaps and bounds (see articles, below).  Domestic cider production has increased from 1.2 million gallons in 2010 to 2.5 million gallons in 2011, and Washington state produced nearly two hundred thousand gallons of cider in 2011.

In 2011 NABC, in partnership with Washington State University and Northwest Cider Association, received a  Specialty Crop Block Grant from the USDA, giving a boost to the emerging hard cider industry in the region.  The grant has been used to support cider research, education and marketing, including the various cider courses NABC offers: Orchard Management: Cider Fruit Production; and Cider Making: Principles and Practice (including two parts — An Understanding of Cider & Perry; and Practical production of Cider & Perry). Through this course, NABC also offers a gateway for amateur cider makers to earn a NACM Certification from the National Association of Cider Makers.

Registration is currently open for the following classes and courses:

Orchard Management classes with Gary Moulton • June 23rd and July 28th.

This course will discuss the basics of tree fruit production, with a focus on cider and dessert varieties. Topics will include rootstock, nutrient management, pest management, irrigation, orchard layout planting, pruning, and harvest techniques.

   

 

Cider Making Principles and Practice PART 1 ONLY – An Understanding of Cider & Perry with Peter Mitchell • June 25 & 26 OR July 23 & 24

This course will provide students with a broad understanding of cider & perry, the cider industry, and the principles & practices of cider production.

   

 

Save the date for Advanced Cider & Perry Production with Peter Mitchell on December 10 – 14, 2012

This course will provide an in-depth understanding of cider microbiology, chemistry, sensory evaluation and technology.  Product development, marketing, and operating a successful cider business will also be addressed.

 

For more information or to register, visit the Northwest Agriculture Business Center website or contact Carolyn Goodrich: carolyn.goodrich@agbizcenter.org or 360-336-3727

Click here to see photos of our June 2010 cider courses

A press release about the cider project was distributed by WSU Communications and enjoyed robust press coverage, including the WSU newsletter On Solid Ground, Capital Press, The Missoulian, Seattle Times and more. NABC’s Executive Director David Bauermeister even coordinated an appearance on KCPQ Q13 local television news on March 13.  Sharing the television spotlight was Jonathan Roozen representing WSU and Sharon Campbell of Tieton Cider Works representing the Northwest Cider Association. Their joint appearance highlighted cider research, production, availability and a growing market for cider in the northwest. Here’s a toast to good cider press!

Here are more recent articles about Washington’s burgeoning hard cider industry:

Cider makers tout fruit ciders at wine event | Seattle Times | April 1, 2012
Federal grants reach specialty crops | Capital Press | January 5, 2012
Tasting Notes: Washington’s Hard Ciders | Seattle Magazine | September 2010

Snowdrift Cider Co. releases its first Méthode Champenoise Perry.

Slowly Matured.

It’s been a long time coming … 18 months to be exact. Our first-ever Méthode Champenoise Perry is now ready to enjoy after a time-intensive process. In September of 2010, when we were picking the perry pears that now reside inside glass walls, we knew we’d be in for a treat. They were small and odd shapes, but bursting with succulent flavors. Some had puckering acidity, others were full of bold tannin, some were soft with silky sweet juice.

Read all about it here, and while you are there sign up for Snowdrift’s newsletter list.