Whether you’ve decided to celebrate MLK Day with a weekend trip or just staying at home, it’s important to remember the reason for the extra day off. For many, the weekend has become a time to honor the civil rights leader through community service and cideries, regardless of time of year, are following suit by giving back to their communities, programs, fundraisers and causes that speak to their mission and philosophies. After a hard day’s work, there’s nothing like raising a glass of cider to celebrate. Try one of these ciders that give back.
Fido | Blake’s Hard Cider
Here’s a cider for the dog lovers. As part of Blake’s Kinder Cider series — is philanthropic focused line of ciders that aims to bring awareness to social and environmental issues that directly impact Blake’s small farm community — Fido is a raspberry, grapefruit cider which will support Pets for Patriots, a charity that pairs veterans with shelter animals. Not only can you drink a delicious cider but you can while supporting a good cause and repping Blake’s merch which also supports the charity.
Farmstead | Finnriver Farm and Cidery
Made on Washington State’s Olympic Peninsula, this cider is particularly unique in the apples used. Finnriver invited friends and neighbors to gather apples and bring them to the farm to use in the cider. The result of this endeavor — inspired by World Apple Day in October — is an amber-colored, rustic cider. Part of the proceeds from the cider is donated back to local charities making it that much more enjoyable.
Huckleberry | Two Rivers Cider
This Sacramento-based cidery welcomes guests into its taproom each Sunday to enjoy one (or more) of its 16 ciders on tap — many being taproom-only exclusives — with all of the proceeds spent that day going to local charities. In between skee ball, pinball, corn hole or board games, guests are encouraged to grab a couple pints of ciders like the off-dry, berry-forward Huckleberry cider to give back to the local good.
River Elder | Meriwether Cider Co.
There’s nothing like a good old community apple crush and press to bring everyone together. Every fall Meriwether invites the community to bring their backyard apples for this special cider. All of the proceeds of this cider go to the Treasure Valley Food Coalition, which works with local farmers and legislators to promote agriculture and preserve open spaces. Meriwether also has a cider made with Idaho elderberries benefitting Snake River Waterkeeper and a bourbon-soaked smoked applewood cider with proceeds going to Wildland Firefighter Foundation which helps families of fallen and injured firefighters.
Storm Cider | Annapolis Cider Co.
This Canadian cidery has a whole line dedicated to not only showcasing the diversity of the Annapolis Valley in Nova Scotia’s western peninsula but also to give back. The Something Different line pairs the current release with a local charity. Most recently, the Storm Cider — a rose-hued, fruity, sparkling sip — is the featured Something Different offering. For every refill or pour of the cider, 50 cents goes to The Red Door, emergency shelter supporting refugees, evicted families and women fleeing violence at home.
Sweet Aged Apple | Locust Cider
Now with three locations in Washington and one in Fort Worth, Texas, where founder Jason Spears is from, Locust Cider supports its underlying cause with all of its ciders. Spears’ daughter, Lucy, was born with Hydrocephalus, a rare condition in which fluid builds in the brain and is only treated with brain surgery, and he has dedicated his business to giving back to the research and foundations that are helping Lucy. With the purchase of any Locust cider (in bottle or can), a portion of sales go to the Hydrocephalus Association, and memberships to the cidery’s cider club includes an immediately donate $25 to the association. Drink the widely distributed and heralded Sweet Aged Apple to start making a difference.
