[Content from original press release.]
Austin Eastciders is proud to announce the opening of its new tasting room in East Austin, Texas, at 979 Springdale Road, Suite 130, on November 16. The tasting room, dubbed as a “collaboratory” (as in a collaborative laboratory), is a space for the brand to foster community, experiment with special releases and barrel-aged concoctions, and host weekly events with the creative community. The tasting room is open on Thursdays and Fridays from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m., Saturdays from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m., and Sundays from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
“Opening the tasting room allows us to host cider fans in our own space for the first time, which has been a major goal for the company,” said CEO Johnny Heiselberg. “We’ve seen the demand for a tasting room since our founding in 2013. We are excited that the conversion of our original cidery to have a bar is now complete and can’t wait to introduce visitors to the original drink of America.”
The new tasting room is in the same location of Austin Eastciders’ first urban cidery. The brand has operated at the location on Springdale Road in East Austin since October 2014. The Springdale location has served as the home of the R&D arm of the brand where they produce their limited-edition and special release ciders. Austin Eastciders has now transformed the space to be a tasting room for guests to enjoy their ciders in a relaxed, laid-back bar setting. Perhaps they will also offer a few bar snacks with the ciders, especially as there is many a restaurant equipment supplier in the area who could help them. We’ll have to see!
The new 1,960-square-foot tasting room, situated in a growing East Austin neighborhood, is directly adjacent to Friends and Allies Brewing Company, Austin Bouldering Project, and Springdale Station. The navy blue metal building boasts warm industrial design with a balance of natural lighting and festoon string lights that set a comfortable tone for gathering over great cider. Finding a building for holding such an event can be difficult, however, using prefab building kits could give you the space you need for your venue. The space offers beer garden-style picnic tables and a dog-friendly patio. Both the inside and outdoor areas have communal seating and large garage doors open the space. Guests are invited to play cornhole and darts or board games. Oak barrels from other local spirits companies such as Dulce Vida Tequila and Treaty Oak line the back bar area. Austin Eastciders regularly collaborates with other Texas-based spirits brands and wineries for its special release ciders and these large barrels house the aging cider.
Visitors can enjoy signature flavors such as Eastciders Original, Hopped, Texas Honey, Pineapple, Blood Orange, as well as limited releases like Cucumber, Ruby Red Grapefruit, and barrel-aged offerings, including the Bourbon Barrel-Aged and Cabernet Sauvignon on tap. In addition to the five rotating taps, the tasting room sells six-packs of the Austin Eastciders family of ciders and the newly available 12-packs to go along with branded 32-oz. Hydro Flasks available for refills. Four-glass flights and 64-oz. growlers will be available in the near future. This is also the Austin Eastciders shop, the only physical space for fans to purchase the brand’s merchandise, including select items exclusive to the tasting room, such as t-shirts, koozies, and pins.
Marc Brenton Smith joins the Eastciders team to open this facility as tasting room manager. Prior to this role with Austin Eastciders, Marc Smith was the general manager for Parkside and Bess Bistro and sommelier for Restaurant Jezebel. He also opened the esteemed Hotel Granduca Austin in 2015. A native Texan, Marc received his sommelier certification from the Court of Master Sommeliers and received advanced certification from the Wine and Spirit Education Trust.
“I’m driven by my love of delicious beverages. I’m thrilled to join this team and bring our beautiful liquids to the people!” said Marc Smith.
With the addition of the new tasting room, the brand hopes the space will lend itself as a “collaboratory” for the Austin creative community. This highlights Austin Eastciders’ commitment to supporting local makers, artisans, and musicians. Since its founding in 2013, Austin Eastciders has supported emerging artists and artisans, including chefs, mixologists, hobby brewers, and cider makers and partnered in events such as free concerts, outdoor film screenings, art shows, food festivals, and other community arts. The brand will host regular shows and events at the tasting room that involve working with and promoting local talent. Austin Eastciders kicks off regular programming on Thursdays and Sundays with live music in partnership with Drunk Luck. The official Launch Party will be held November 16th with long-time partner, Do512.
All Austin Eastciders products are naturally gluten-free, not overly sweet, and have a smooth, dry flavor. Austin Eastciders is one of the few cider makers in the United States using bittersweet cider apples to produce its beloved line of ciders. All widely distributed Austin Eastciders products are 5% ABV and are available by draft and in 6-pack and 12-packs of 12-oz. cans.
For more information on the new Austin Eastciders tasting room, the Eastciders team, or Austin Eastciders products, please find Austin Eastciders on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram under @Eastciders or visit austineastciders.com.
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