The story of Arsenal Cider House is rooted in founder/owner Bill Larkin’s desire to create a cider that stood out from the rest. The Pittsburgh-based cidery has a unique Civil War theme and specializes in handcrafted hard apple cider, fruit/grape wines and mead. For more than 12 years, they have offered high-quality products and a nostalgic experience. As Western Pennsylvania’s first cidery, they have shaped the local craft hard cider industry.
Pittsburgh natives Bill and Michelle Larkin, a husband-and-wife team, run the show. Bill, the passionate founder, transitioned from finance to winemaking, then started making ciders like he’d always wanted to make them. Michelle, a former Montessori teacher from the nearby Polish Hill neighborhood, was initially hesitant about the venture, but she saw it as a chance to spend time with the kids. Michelle played a vital role in preparing the tasting room, including charring wood planks.
What started as a hobby in 2008 quickly grew into a thriving business, driven by the demand for dry ciders in a market saturated with overly sweet options.
“Arsenal Cider House is the result of my husband Bill’s hobby that went a little awry,” says Michelle. “The demand for his cider experiments became insatiable. People kept asking where they could savor our exquisite concoctions. That’s when we realized we had stumbled upon something truly remarkable.”
Running a beverage business with family has been a rewarding experience for the Larkins, albeit with its share of sacrifices. Starting with a shoestring budget, their Lawrenceville neighborhood home underwent a massive transformation, becoming the very first tasting room, utilizing every nook and cranny. The entire family played a role in the venture, with their children growing up alongside the business. “It was snug, to put it mildly,” Michelle laughs. “We produced in the basement and turned the first floor into the tasting room. Our living room, dining room and kitchen became Arsenal Cider House.”
Arsenal Cider House prides itself on using fresh, locally sourced ingredients and avoiding the use of chemicals. With Soergels Orchards in Wexford, Pennsylvania, as their apple source, Arsenal Cider House maintains strong ties to the local community and supports regional agriculture. “What you are tasting is the true fruit, spice or sometimes even vegetables,” says Michelle. “Yep, we created a celery cider.”
The cidery offers a diverse range of ciders, meads and sparkling fruit wines — there are more than 40 rotating options throughout the year. While their core ciders like Grierson Ginger, Picket Bone Dry and Col. Kellys Concord Grape are consistently popular, they also surprise customers with unique creations. Ciders like Black Pepper, Celery, Coffee, Lemon and Spicy Archibalds, which infuses five different peppers into the cider, have found unexpected success. Michelle’s favorite food-and-cider recommendation? “Try the fruity ones like Rifle Pit Red Raspberry as an after-dinner drink or the ZuZu Oaked Blueberry with a steak. Yum!”
As the cider market in Pittsburgh continues to evolve, Arsenal’s commitment to quality, local ingredients and unique flavor profiles sets them apart. “In all honesty, when we decided to open a ciderhouse in our home, everyone thought we were crazy,” Michelle reflects. “When we opened in 2010, I would have never guessed we would one day have employees and other locations. I never thought that we would have customers that would enjoy our ciders in bars and restaurants.
“Most of all,” she adds, “it’s so awesome to show our children that with hard work, dreams can become a reality.”
Arsenal Cider House
Lawrenceville, Pittsburgh
300 39th Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15201
aresenalciderhouse.com
