To CiderCon and Back: Highlights from the National Cider Conference

by | Feb 12, 2015

By Erin James

The most promising piece I pulled away from the United States Association of Cider Makers fourth annual conference held in Chicago last week wasn’t the impressive statistics. According to Boston Beer Co. and Angry Orchard’s Robert Vail, the number of cider drinkers grew more than six times in the last two years and my hometown of Seattle is the No. 2 market in the country. It wasn’t the 353 cideries, 35 states and 650+ people represented at the conference either. It was the infectious enthusiasm and sincere fervor founding the craft beverage that really engaged me—whether it was banding together against the TTB in a somewhat heated roundtable discussion, pressing the press about how to pitch their story to media or promoting the next door neighbor’s upcoming cider license, the spirit of cider was alive in Chicago.

The number of cideries with plans to have product in the market later this year and even by 2016 was encouraging, from a consumer’s view as well as that of a publishing house that prints a magazine devoted to the beverage…

Bringing in some of the top names in the industry from the big players to the family orchardists, the Windy City was inundated with cider enthusiasts, makers and more. Seminars took place and covered topics from distribution market views and yeast strains to analytical approaches to cider making, starting a small business and U.S. apple crop updates.

The conference was exclusive to members of the industry but once the sun set, cider makers held events throughout the city to spread the good word and excitement behind the craft beverage. The Globe Pub hosted the folks of Artisanal Imports for the U.S. premiere tapping of Aspall’s John Barrington still cider while Kevin Zielinski of E.Z. Orchards and Steve Wood of Farnum Hill tasted and explained their farmstead ciders. Karaoke and cider took hold of Emporium Arcade Bar with 12 lines dedicated to cider and the stage open for all. Fountainhead (a cider hotspot that is also opening the highly anticipated The Northman) held a tap takeover that included E. Dupont, Tieton Cider Works, Vander Mill, Uncle John’s, Original Sin, Ace, Farnum Hill and Wandering Aengus Ciderworks.

As inspiring and romantic as getting a church-full of evangelists together can be, the bottom line is still that cider has a long way to go to catch up with its beverage competition. Although cider is only 1 percent of the beverage consumption market, it is on the rise and is the fastest-growing segment of the beverage industry—with more than 16 million consumers tossing back the drink in 2014 (up from 11.6 million in 2013 according to Statista.com). And that is enough to raise a glass.

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@ciderfeasthq Portland is kicking off the 2025 East Coast Tour this Mother’s Day, May 11th, at Oxbow Blending & Bottling in Portland, ME. With over 15 hand-picked cideries showcasing their finest pours, plus incredible food pairings from local food trucks, this festival is the ultimate treat for cider enthusiasts! 

Discover unique ciders, connect with passionate producers, and indulge in flavors from Maine and beyond. Tickets include cider tastings, a souvenir glass, and the perfect excuse to spoil mom this Mother’s Day. 
 
Want to learn more about this one-of-a-kind event? Read more at cidercraftmag.com!

#CiderFeastPortland #DrinkCider #MothersDay #PortlandME
Sustainably sourced from family orchards in Somerset and Kent, Kicking Goat Cider is all about keeping it real—100% fresh-pressed British apples, no concentrate, no shortcuts.

Whether you’re into crisp dry cider or something a little sweeter like Fresh Berry, there’s a flavor for every vibe. Plus, they come in lightweight, recyclable cans, so they’re picnic and BBQ-ready.

Made by James Pearce and his family, this cider is as real as it gets—simple, delicious, and full of apple-y goodness.

Check out @kickinggoatcider or head to kickinggoatcider.co.uk to see what all the fuss is about.

🍏 #CiderGoals
BIG NEWS from @finnriver today! 

Finnriver Unveils Canned Craft Cider Made with 100% Organic Fruit.

The Pacific Northwest's first B Corp certified cidery, announces the launch of two premium craft ciders in convenient can format. The new offerings, debuting in April 2025, extend Finnriver's commitment to making craft cider from 100% organic fruit as accessible as possible.

The initial release features two of Finnriver's most popular varieties: 

Bloom (6.5% ABV) - Semi-dry, fruity and bright. Crisp, organic Washington apples meet sweet, organic blueberries, which give this sparkling cider a lovely purple hue. 

Blush (6.5% ABV), Dry, crisp and light. Tart, organic Washington apples meet organic black currants in this beautiful, pink sparkling cider.

“Washington State grows more than 85% of organic apples in the U.S., yet that’s rarely reflected in canned ciders. We saw a lack of premium craft ciders in cans in the market, and knew we could fill that niche,” says Amanda Oborne, Finnriver’s CEO. “With an organic orchard and a cidermaking team that sources all organic, local and wildcrafted ingredients, sustainability is paramount to us,” continues Oborne. “By putting our values-driven products in cans, we make them accessible to a much broader community of responsible, discerning drinkers.” Finnriver is a certified B Corp cidery known for innovating farmcrafted blends using all organic juice, berries and wild foraged botanicals. 

Both varieties will debut in late March with full market rollout beginning April 2025. 

More details on distribution can be found in the link in bio. 🌷

Photography by @jenleelight 

#pickcider #drinkcider #cidercraft #cidernews #finnriver #nwcider
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🍍
🌴🍍 Introducing Island Daiquiri from @portlandcider! 🍊🥥 

Close your eyes, take a sip, and you might just hear the waves crashing. This tropical escape starts with the unmistakable juiciness of pineapple, smoothly blended with velvety coconut. A bright twist of citrus from orange gives it that refreshing zing, and just when you think it’s over, a gentle touch of nutmeg leaves you with a warm, spiced finish. 

What pairs best with this tropical delight?
Spicy tacos 🌮, grilled seafood 🐟, Caribbean flavors, and BBQ straight off the grill. Honestly, though, it pairs perfectly with sunshine and good vibes.

Available now in 12oz 6-packs, 19.2oz single cans, and on draft.

👉 Check out @portlandcider for more details. 

#PortlandCider #IslandDaiquiri #CiderRelease
The wait is over! Award-winning @snowcappedcider introduces exclusive cider club. 

With two membership tiers – Rootstock Club and Graft Club – members can enjoy award-winning cider selections, a first taste of new releases, exclusive discounts, and more throughout the year. 

“We’re so excited to share some of our incredible ciders with members across the country while celebrating the amazing orchards of the Western Slope. ​ Our members get an exclusive sneak peek at our new releases, have access to limited special small-batch ciders, and can experience our award-winning selections in the comfort of their own homes,” said Kari Williams, Owner and Head Cider Maker at Snow Capped Cider.

For the full details visit our link in bio! 

#pickcider #drinkcider #snowcappedcider #cidercraft
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@ciderfeasthq Portland is kicking off the 2025 East Coast Tour this Mother’s Day, May 11th, at Oxbow Blending & Bottling in Portland, ME. With over 15 hand-picked cideries showcasing their finest pours, plus incredible food pairings from local food trucks, this festival is the ultimate treat for cider enthusiasts! 

Discover unique ciders, connect with passionate producers, and indulge in flavors from Maine and beyond. Tickets include cider tastings, a souvenir glass, and the perfect excuse to spoil mom this Mother’s Day. 
 
Want to learn more about this one-of-a-kind event? Read more at cidercraftmag.com!

#CiderFeastPortland #DrinkCider #MothersDay #PortlandME
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