In The Press: Craft cider makes headlines, Fall 2024

Autumn and all of its abundance is a special time of year for the cider industry. When the time is just ripe, orchardists harvest their apples and cidermakers get to pressing. And too, cider journalists across the country are busy crafting stories about those apples.

This fall, cider was cited as a vessel for conservation efforts, a tourism driver, and a reason for beer lovers to try something new. Also in the press this season, cider companies in western North Carolina respond to Hurricane Helene. We’ll start there, and encourage anyone who can to contribute to those relief efforts. 

Hurricane relief in the Southeast

In September, Hurricane Helene ravaged communities in western North Carolina, creating a catastrophic flood path.

Asheville’s Noble Cider reported that their partner orchard, Lewis Creek Farms, among nearby orchards was significantly damaged. Lewis Creek and others launched a GoFundMe to help residents regain access to their homes and businesses. Botanist & Barrel also has a GoFundMe set up to support their staff in the aftermath. 

Bold Rock Cider and its sister breweries donated proceeds from some cider sales in October to the American Red Cross’ Western North Carolina Chapter (details on CBS19). East Bower Cider Company served as a drop off point for Operation Air Drop supply donations (more in Walter Magazine). 

Conservation in the Northwest 

Bend, Oregon’s AVID Cider just launched “Northwest is Our Core,” a new initiative to promote conservation and raise funds for conservation in the Pacific Northwest. All profits from custom Northwest is Our Core merchandise sold will be donated directly to Oregon Wild, an Oregon-based environmental nonprofit working to protect wildlands, wildlife and waters; and Conservation Northwest, which focuses on wildlands and wildlife from the Washington coast to the British Columbia Rockies. In October, AVID also gave 25 national park passes to sweepstakes winners of this campaign. Read more about this effort on KTVZ. 

Cheers to the Land 

OregonLive shared the ​​”Cheers to the Land” campaign that goes through November. Organized by the nonprofit Oregon Agricultural Trust, this initiative asked beverage producers to showcase Oregon-grown ingredients in new products that were released across the state this fall. Bauman’s Cider Tayberry, made with tayberries from Woodburn Farm, was among the new releases. “Tayberries,” the article says, “are a cross between a blackberry and red raspberry, named after the River Tay in Scotland.” 

Leaf peeping pit stops 

It’s no secret that cider pairs well with fall foliage. Some of the latest guides of cideries to visit along your fall color journeys were published in Food & Wine, this one about Northeastern cideries; and Seattle Times, with Washington cider day trip suggestions from the metro area. 

Cider for beer lovers

For the first time in its 42-year history, there were cider categories in the 2024 Great American Beer Festival awards. Among the winners in five new categories, 2 Towns Cider House won four awards, Gowan’s Heirloom Cider received three, and Snow Capped Cider took home two. Vermont Cider Co., McMenamins Breweries, Alpenfire Cider, Haykin Family Cider, Paha Cider Co., and Ozark Beer Co. also received recognition. 

The American Cider Association (ACA) supported this “historic inaugural cider competition” in collaboration with the Brewers Association to develop the new categories (No/Low Tannin Cider, Tannic Cider, Fruit or Botanical Cider, Experimental or Barrel-Aged, and Single Varietal) with input from experienced cider sensory professionals. “The ACA was pleased to share our expertise with the competition, and cider felt respected throughout the event and the planning,” said a blogbost on the ACA website after the festival. “The GABF solicits category feedback as part of its annual process, so next year’s descriptions will be even more improved.” 

Ozark, which received a silver medal for its Strawberry Rhubarb Cider,  is one of many breweries that also craft cider. New to this segment is AleSmith Brewing. In October, Brewbound announced the addition of a hard cider to their year-round lineup. The new cider program at this San Diego beer institution is lead by Director of Brewery Operations Ryan Crisp and Head Brewer Anthony Chen, who’s a certified pommelier.

Also in October, Beth Demmon’s book A Beer Lover’s Guide To Cider: American Ciders for Craft Beer Fans to Explore was named the second place winner at the 2024 North American Guild of Beer Writers Awards. Craft Beer & Brewing Magazine called this book a must read for every brewer and beer lover.