With cider gaining so much popularity in recent years, finding a great glass to enjoy has become that much easier. And while there are plenty of styles and options to explore, diehard cider enthusiasts may want to take their love for cider even further.
Making your own cider can be done, but it certainly requires the proper equipment and knowledge of where to get started. And that’s where Brownrigg Hard Cider comes in. Owner and cidermaker Chris Brownrigg is inviting those who are cidermaking-curious into the Seattle-based cidery to learn all about it.
By launching a series of classes, Brownrigg is excited to show people how to take whole apples and turn them into hard cider. It’s a fun and educational opportunity for those who have tried making their own cider without any luck, or for those just getting started. “I was encountering several home cidermakers who were flummoxed or disappointed with the experience,” he says. “I recognized some common pitfalls and thought a simple cidermaking course that ran through the entire process would be valuable.”
The upcoming set of classes will be held in three sessions over six weeks. The first on May 16 will focus on fresh pressing and pitching yeast. “It’s been great. [The response has been] better than expected for a startup, as I wasn’t sure how many people would be interested,” says Brownrigg. “We’ve got students now from all across Puget Sound.”
Students will learn the entire process, from pressing apples and hydrating yeast to fermentation, blending and carbonation. According to Brownrigg, it’s very hands-on. “Students can expect to do everything, including turning the apple press or agitating their own yeast hydration or installing airlocks,” he says. “If they chose a late station bubbly cider then they actually force-carbonate the beverage themselves at the last class.”
