Cider Chat

Enjoy these Snapshots of Tales from CiderCon2020 which details a bit of what I experienced both before the conference, while on the Parajo Valley Cider Tour and then my recap on CiderCon held in Oakland. Thank you to Santa Cruz Cider Company for donating fresh pressed Newtown Pippin juice for the bus full of people on the Parajo Valley Cider Tour and Soquel Cider for donating bottles of the most delicious Laura’s Orchard. These two ciders were opened before 9am as we rolled down the highway to our first stop of the day - Serventi Ranch Cider. Serventi Ranch Cider Tasting Room The next stop was at Five Mile Orchard with Jake Mann and Eric Rider of Rider Ranch Cider who served up his Newtown Pippin ciders from Five Mile Orchard. Jake Mann and Eric Rider greeting the cider tour bus like two farmers For lunch and orchard walks we headed to Aptos where Tanuki and Santa Cruz Cider Company. Lunch was a buffet of Thai. This photo was taken in front of the 80 year old Sequoia tree next to the Apple Barn. From Aptos it was onward to our last stop of the day at Cider Junction, where Hemly’s Cider was also present. Publicans Tracy and Claudia provided a great presentation on the workings of running a successful cider bar, while filling our bellies with cheese and charcuterie. A great time was had by all! I also provide a recap of my time at CiderCon2020 once the conference got rolling. Mentions in this chat * UK Cider Tour September 1-6, 2020 send me an email now to get your name on the list for this upcoming tour Help Support Cider Chat Please donate today. Help keep the chat thriving! Find this episode and all episodes at the page for Cider Chat's podcasts. Listen also at iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher (for Android), iHeartRadio , Spotify and wherever you love to listen to podcasts. Follow on Cider Chat's blog, social media and podcast Twitter @ciderchat Instagram: @ciderchatciderville Cider Chat FaceBook Page Cider Chat YouTube

Daniel Emerson discusses his Irish cider brand Stonewell Cider and Cider Ireland, a trade association for Irish cider makers. The American Cider Association annual trade conference CiderCon2020 had the following Irish Makers as guest. Stonewell Cider Stonewell Cider Daniel Emerson, Founder, Stonewell   Cockagee Cider Mark Jenkinson, The Cider Mill   Legacy Cider Liam McDonnell of Legacy Cider   Tempted Cider Davy Uprichard -Tempted Cider Contact info for Cider Ireland Website: https://ciderireland.com/ Help Support Cider Chat Please donate today. Help keep the chat thriving! Find this episode and all episodes at the page for Cider Chat's podcasts. Listen also at iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher (for Android), iHeartRadio , Spotify and wherever you love to listen to podcasts. Follow on Cider Chat's blog, social media and podcast Twitter @ciderchat Instagram: @ciderchatciderville Cider Chat FaceBook Page Cider Chat YouTube

The 10th Annual American Cider Association trade conference CiderCon will be held in Oakland California, January 28th through to January 31, 2020. This episode provides an overview on the following topics: Oakland weather in winter & What to wear How to get to CiderCon via public transportation and using BART to get around Oakland and San Francisco Where to find morning coffee and bagels Madison Park’s morning Tai Chi session in Oakland The Bay Area Cider Week Oakland graffiti on the Marriott Hotel where CiderCon will take place Oakland Marriott City Center where CiderCon is held 1 block from the 12 Street/City Center BART stop. 7 blocks (0.4 miles) to Crooked City Cider Tap House. 9 blocks (0.6 miles) to Jack London Square. Oakland Weather in late January Low 60s Fahrenheit, 15 Celsius Dress in layers and always bring a cap to wear as it usually drops down to the 40s in the evening. Transportation options BART or Ferry Service Via BART - aka the metro line Oakland Airport to CiderCon is 30 minutes - $2.60 one way San Francisco Airport to CiderCon - expect an hour ride - $2.60 one way Use Bart to San Francisco and to Redfield Cider Bar get off at the Rockridge stop. Redfield is a 500 foot walk from the Rockridge stop. Crooked City Cider And Taphouse is an 11 minute walk and there will be evening events through the week Jack London Square archway, within view of Crooked City Cider. Go here to board the San Francisco Bay Ferry Take a ride on the San Francisco Bay Ferry from Oakland to the SF historical Ferry Building The commuter ferry leaves form jack London Square, which is about a 12 minute walk from CiderCon. $7.20 one way $5.40 with Clipper Card - but you need to keep a balance of $5.40 on your card. Clipper Card https://www.clippercard.com/ClipperWeb/getTranslink.do Order online: https://www.clippercard.com/ClipperCard/order.jsf Buy in-person: Need a card right away? Get an adult card in person at: Many Walgreens, and Whole Foods Market stores and other participating retail locations Transit agency ticket offices and Clipper Customer Service Centers Muni Metro and Golden Gate Ferry ticket machines and SMART fare machines (minimum value required) There is a ticket machine at the Coliseum station, and at 12th St / City Center station. There is a Walgreens at the 12th St / City Center station. [ Looking back at San Francisco via the SF Bay Ferry. Morning Coffee and Bagels 5 min walk from the Marriott/CiderCon location to Awaken Cafe which opens at 7:30am to 3pm 10 min walk to Beauty Bagels Shop - opens at 8am - 3pm 16 min walk to Farleys Coffee Monday - Friday 7am-8pm, Saturday- Sunday 8am-8pm Clear you cider palate with some bitters via craft beer Along the way, 1/2 block off Broadway is The Trappist (Belgian & specialty beer cafe), Beer Revolution (bottle shop and tap house), Federation Brewing (brewery). Chat with Michelle McGrath, the Executive Director of the American Cider Association Michelle provides an overview of key speakers at CiderCon Get the Conference App - Attendify This app provides contact info for speakers, sponsors, and fellow attendees Check your reservation to CiderCon to get the code for the Attendify CiderCon program Check out cider events happening all week long during CiderCon Bay Area Cider Week begins January 25 and run through to February 1, 2020 Bonus Sightseeing Tip: If you have a car, take a drive to Almeida about 15 minutes from the Marriott and visit the USS Hornet. This is a fantastic place to catch the sunset with San Francisco in the background. The big battleships are quiet and you will find yourself right on the water with barely a person around. USS Hornet museum in Almeida, California. San Francisco can be seen in the distance. This is a powerful spot to catch the sunset, but you will need a car to get to this little know battleship area. It is super cool and puts you right on the bay with spectacular views. Help Support Cider Chat Please donate today. Help keep the chat thriving! Find this episode and all episodes at the page for Cider Chat's podcasts. Listen also at iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher (for Android), iHeartRadio , Spotify and wherever you love to listen to podcasts. Follow on Cider Chat's blog, social media and podcast Twitter @ciderchat Instagram: @ciderchatciderville Cider Chat FaceBook Page Cider Chat YouTube

The tables are set with 6 stemmed glasses per person, each holding a tasting of Calvados or American Apple Brandy. There are over 60 settings. It is a sold out night. At 6:30 pm, the house lights are lowered and it is ready-set-go! On this 1st of November we are here to taste brandy and find out the difference between Calvados and Apple Brandy, and believe me there is a very wide difference between these two spirits. The event is is the kick off to the 25th Annual Franklin County CiderDays. I have asked Ambrosia Borowski to present, because like me we both love Calvados and have traveled to France to taste this spirit where it is born. Ambrosia Borowski and Ria Windcaller This episode will follows my typical script of having an intro and an end. You also have the option to view the presentation at the Cider Chat YouTube Channel and see the slide show presentation too. Here are the main topics discussed. How to Taste Calvados Look Smell Taste Imagine How to taste Calvados History Brandy Calvados American Regions Normandy Climate American Major Regions Regulations Norman AOC American Brandy Laws Apple Jack Brandy vs eau de vie Distillation Alembic Still Hybrid Still Maturation Barrel Types Climate Blending Order of Products Tasted Uncle John's Apple Brandy, Michigan Rhine Hall - Apple Brandy - Louisville, Kentucky Copper & King Apple Brandy Sang-Froid single variety Grimes Golden, Maryland - this is a bonus Brandy that was brought to the Tasting by the producer Calvados Claque-Pepin Fine Calvados  Coquerel  Calvados Chauffe Coeur VSOP Slide 1: Calvados and Brandy producers All these products can be found in the US. Ask your local liquor store to for these and other fine Calvados spirits. Click on link below to view the Slide Show Presentation used at this Tasting Calvados & Apple Brandy Tasting Help Support Cider Chat Please donate today. Help keep the chat thriving! Find this episode and all episodes at the page for Cider Chat's podcasts. Listen also at iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher (for Android), iHeartRadio , Spotify and wherever you love to listen to podcasts. Follow on Cider Chat's blog, social media and podcast Twitter @ciderchat Instagram: @ciderchatciderville Cider Chat FaceBook Page Cider Chat YouTube

Redfield Cider Bar and Bottle Shop is located in the Rockridge neighborhood of Oakland California. Owners Olivia Maki and Mike Reis opened the doors to patrons in January of 2019.  Olivia Maki and Mike Reis of Redfield Cider Bar What to expect at Redfield A one room venue with an abundant supply of both national and international cider bottles to grab and go 16 taps 11 usually of cider, with 5 taps of beer Cider by the glass Cider Flights Cider to go - the store has a wide selection of both foreign and domestic ciders [caption id="attachment_4816" align="aligncenter" width="169"] Front of Redfield Cider Bar and Bottle Shop Getting to Redfield Via the BART system (metro) - get off at the - Rockridge stop in Oakland The store is a 500 foot walk from the Rockridge stop From San Francisco via BART it is approximately 30 minutes From Oakland airport to Redfield - when the traffic light 20-25 minutes via the Bart 30 minutes. Contact Redfield Cider Bar and Bottle Shop Website: https://www.redfieldcider.com/ Address: 5815 College Ave. Oakland, CA 94618 eMail: info@redfieldcider.com Telephone: 510-250-9058 Mentions in this chat February 9, 2020 New York International Cider Competition January 28-31th - CiderCon 2020 Oakland California Interested in a UK Cider Tour with Ria, the host of Cider Chat in 2020? Send me an email to get you name on the list mailto:ria@ciderchat.com Help Support Cider Chat Please donate today. Help keep the chat thriving! Find this episode and all episodes at the page for Cider Chat's podcasts. Listen also at iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher (for Android), iHeartRadio , Spotify and wherever you love to listen to podcasts. Follow on Cider Chat's blog, social media and podcast Twitter @ciderchat Instagram: @ciderchatciderville Cider Chat FaceBook Page Cider Chat YouTube

Crooked City Cider Tap House is located in the Jack London Square area of Oakland California. A mere stone's throw away in the Square you can take the fast speed ferry to San Francisco and other nearby ferry hops, making the neighborhood surrounding Crooked City a very happening scene. The owner of this spacious tap house is Dana Bushouse, who has been bound and determine to open a cidery in Oakland ever since she made her first batch of cider in the basement of her home. She decided to go commercial when she became gluten free and couldn't find ciders that she enjoyed drinking. The name Crooked City Cider is a “tip of the glass” to her two Uncles Peter and John, who were both busted by the Feds during Prohibition for bootlegging. Giant photos of their mugshots flanks the walls of the tap house. Crooked City Ciders Juice sourced from pacific northwest and Apple Hill in California Sulfites Free No sugar added Contact Crooked City Cider and Tap House Website: http://www.crookedcitycidertaphouse.com Address: 206 Broadway Oakland, California 94607 Mentions in this Chat February 9, 2020 New York International Cider Competition January 28-31th - CiderCon 2020 Oakland California Interested in a UK Cider Tour with Ria, the host of Cider Chat in 2020 send me an email to get you name on the list mailto:ria@ciderchat.com Below is the link to watch the video of the Founder's Panel for Franklin County CiderDays - on the Cider Chat YouTube Channel Help Support Cider Chat Please donate today. Help keep the chat thriving! Find this episode and all episodes at the page for Cider Chat's podcasts. Listen also at iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher (for Android), iHeartRadio , Spotify and wherever you love to listen to podcasts. Follow on Cider Chat's blog, social media and podcast Twitter @ciderchat Instagram: @ciderchatciderville Cider Chat FaceBook Page Cider Chat YouTube

Duckchicken makers Colleen O’Sullivan and James Mann are based in South London. Colleen is a certified Arborist  and works as a Tree Officer in London and James works in “Knowledge” at a law office in London.  Duckchickens Colleen and James Duckchicken is a home-based commercial cidery Imagine row houses with a first floor apartment and a second family above. Now imagine a "rented car" pulling up to the residential street and the husband and wife team of Duckchicken pulling out crates of apples to heft into ther home and stack in their hallway. During bottling season the hallway is filled with bottles. The kitchen which is no bigger than 10 feet by 12 feet becomes the packing room and measuring room during cidermaking season. Right outside the kitchen window, is a wooden shelving unit they built to hold 4- 300 liter IBC tanks and other cider vessels. This part of the back yard is called the “Light Well”  and is found on many row homes in London. It is the space between another house and helps to provide light into the homes. As such, it also is a very temperate place to keep cider, getting neither too hot or too cold while the bulk cider is conditioning. Making Duckchicken in the Kitchen Duckchicken Cider Style is “East Country” East Country (as opposed to West Country, which is west of London and in the area of Herefordshire and Somerset, and the surrounding regions. The apples in East Country are more culinary than the classic bitter sharp and bitter sweet varieties sought by makers, but there are a number of very good varieties that Duckchicken uses. James in the Light Well of Duckchicken, right outside the kitchen window Duckchicken Apple Sources You could call it "The Boss Connection" that helped them find orchards. James was referred to “Linda’s Orchard by his boss. And a second large orchard by another boss. Husband and Wife Team cider roles Colleen is the lead washer James is the lead scratter ] DERIC is an anagram for Cider Cidermaking Practices at Duckchicken They were inspired to make something they enjoy to drink, so No sugar added A hydro press is used for pressing Delivery is via a bicycle. If they have too, they will rent a car to deliver. During harvest season they rent a truck to bring the apples back to their home. Yeast? 1st year they experimented - with pitching or not - made 240 liters years the first year 2nd year - Pitched yeast into all cider 4-300 liter tanks 3rd year - the motto is “Let’s just hope for the best” as they are doing both wild and pitched yeast. Ciders to look forward to in 2020 Gigglejuice 7% Blend of 50/50 blend of Edmond Russet and Bramley Easter Hill - single variety Cox’s Orange Pippin - expect it to be acidic, fruity and some sparkle And a few blends still yet to be named so stay tuned. Find Duckchicken Cider - go to 43 minutes in to hear a description of each location. The Harp - near Traflago Square Spartan Brewery Caps and Taps Salt House Bottles - South London Joyce started by Salt House qwner with a great selection of ciders on tap - The Station House - north east England in Durham The Landlord and and Landlady of The Station House in Durham Mentions in this chat Jim Passed the Cider Entrance Exam Read his blog on passing the BJCP February 9, 2020 New York International Cider Competition New Designs at the Cider Chat Swag Store January 28-31th - CiderCon 2020 Oakland California Help Support Cider Chat Please donate today. Help keep the chat thriving! Find this episode and all episodes at the page for Cider Chat's podcasts. Listen also at iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher (for Android), iHeartRadio , Spotify and wherever you love to listen to podcasts. Follow on Cider Chat's blog, social media and podcast Twitter @ciderchat Instagram: @ciderchatciderville Cider Chat FaceBook Page Cider Chat YouTube

Every Tuesday, when Steve was growing up, his Dad would be out that evening drinking cider with friends at the Cider Cellar, at the farm outside of Buffalo. That memory is his first on cider. Years later this professional musician and self taught cidermaker merged his love of the Finger Lakes and quality craftsmanship into South Hill Cider. In 2019, the brand new Tasting Room and Production facility for South Hill was opened. This new site provides a lovely setting to taste the large selection of South Hill Ciders and for Steve to manage his orchard that is just outside the door of the Tasting Room. In this Cider Chat with South Hill Cider Cider Books that informed Steve – Andrew Lea Randall Grahm’s Been Doon So Long Starch test for checking an apple’s stage of ripening Refractometer for checking sugar in an apple Repairing a leaky oak barrel Using oak barrels Visiting and hiking from the cidery to the Lick Brook Gorge What cider’s are in Steve’s fridge? Karen, Kendal, Steve and a box of beautiful Quince Contact Info for South Hill Cider Website: https://www.southhillcider.com/visit Address: 550 Sandbank Road, Ithaca, NY 14850 Mentions in this Cider Chat More Finger Lakes cider episodes Episode 196: Goat Zen to Cornell Episode 198: Becoming a Pomologist February 9, 2020 New York International Cider Competition New Designs at the Cider Chat Swag Store January 28-31th – CiderCon 2020 Oakland California

Good Life Farm was started in 2008. On this same spot of land overlooking Cayuga Lake after the barn was built, the Finger Lakes Cider House opened 6 years later in 2014. Both the farm and the Tasting Room and Cidery were founded by Melissa Madden and Garrett Miller. Much has changed over the years the past 11 years. Madden and Miller have parted way and what was once a corn field now stands an formidable barn. That barn houses the cidery in the lower level and a full service Tasting Room and Cider Store on the main floor . Brothers Jimmy and Garrett Miller There is now a pond in the center of the field, rotating crops, and a flock of geese that are both entertaining and semi watch dogs of the hawks overhead. This site is a destination stop that is worth taking your time to settle in drink cider, have a bit of food, and take in the beautiful surroundings. Kite and String Cider Flight with lunch Garrett Miller at the Cider Press In episode 96 of Cider Chat, Alex Kroh interviewed both Madden and Miller on the farming practice known as permaculture used at the farm on site called “Good Life”. ] A well organized cidery! In this episode, I speak with Garrett on the journey of starting a business at 22, and looking back at lessons learn and the future of the Finger Lakes Cider House and Good Life Farm looking forward. This cylinder is used to freeze the neck of large bottles, so that they can be disgorged for Traditional Method Cider. Garrett's chat begins at 16:46 minutes in. Contact Fingers Lakes Cider House  website: http://www.fingerlakesciderhouse.com/ telephone:  607-351-3313  email: info@fingerlakesciderhouse.com Good Life Farm website: http://www.thegoodlifefarm.org/ Mentions in this Chat February 9, 2020 New York International Cider Competition New Designs at the Cider Chat Swag Store January 28-31th - CiderCon 2020 Oakland California Thank you to the following producers for helping to sponsor Cider Chat’s tour of the Finger Lakes CiderWeek! Bellwether Cider and Wine Black Diamond Cider South Hill Cider Finger Lakes Ciderhouse Redbyrd Cider Go to VisitIthaca.com/craft-cider/ to find the cidermakers by location. Help Support Cider Chat Please donate today. Help keep the chat thriving! Find this episode and all episodes at the page for Cider Chat's podcasts. Listen also at iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher (for Android), iHeartRadio , Spotify and wherever you love to listen to podcasts. Follow on Cider Chat's blog, social media and podcast Twitter @ciderchat Instagram: @ciderchatciderville Cider Chat FaceBook Page Cider Chat YouTube

"Everything about cider started for me in this old orchard, up the road." Says Eric. That abandoned orchard which first inspired Eric isn’t there anymore, but he recalls the wild seedling trees that were growing in the hedgerow around the forgotten orchard. It was there that he found "the mother tree" which he took scion from and began grafting and eventually naming the future trees and their apples: Gnarled Chapman. Gnarled Chapman - a special variety found by Eric Shatt Eric Shatt and wife Deva Maas began planting apples tree in 2003. In 2013, they began selling their Redbyrd Orchard Cider brand commercially. Deva Maas Eric has a solid fermenting background having worked in the wine industry. He is also the Research Farm Manager at Cornell University, which is right down the road from where their Biodynamic Certified Farm is located. We begin this chat in the Pressing Room at their Burnett location. He uses a rack and cloth press, with an apple elevator that carries up to two boxes of apples to the scratcher that is situated above the press. It is a classic press that can be found in many New England mill houses. The Press at Redbyrd From the Pressing Room, we head up the hill to his original 1 acre orchard. Graft line at Redbyrd Says Eric, “The cider revival is going to hopefully bring back the orchards.” Topics discussed in the Orchard M7 root stock for his particular orchard is a winning combination. Ashmeal Kernel’s is a great apple for the Finger Lakes site. Apple tree tips for root stock and variety - Pick the right root stock for this site. What he has learned working at Cornell that helps him now? “…delving into the reality of growing apples. What does it mean to be a commercial apple grower. The day to day and what to watch out for.” Two different kinds of mindset and two orchards - high density and free form-free standing Gnarled Chapman  - Eric found this apple and named it “Gnarled Chapman” He then grafted the scion onto a tree in 2008 and grafted onto Bud9 This apple is a late October ripening variety Slight russet and pink blush Sweet and tannins, not sharp and a nice size Disease resistant Both Fedco in Maine and Indian Creek Farm in New York, sell scion of the Gnarled Chapman as does Eric. Cider Dinner at Hazelnut Kitchen Contact Redbyrd Orchard Cider Website: https://redbyrdorchardcider.com/ Find Redbyrd Cider: https://redbyrdorchardcider.com/cider-shop/ Mentions in this Chat New Designs at the Cider Chat Swag Store Diemand Egg Farm Cider Chat Patron Matts recommends the following cider yeasts for a fast ferment "Voss" and "Opshaug Kveik" strains from Norway. Matt writes that "these yeast go high and fast, yet no off flavors and the aromatics don't get stripped away. The fermentation temperature ranges between 85F and 100F! Says Matt, "It ages really nicely and quite quick, changing day to day." Thank you to the following producers for helping to sponsor Cider Chat’s tour of the Finger Lakes CiderWeek! Bellwether Cider and Wine Black Diamond Cider South Hill Cider Finger Lakes Ciderhouse Redbyrd Cider Go to VisitIthaca.com/craft-cider/ to find the cidermakers by location. Help Support Cider Chat Please donate today. Help keep the chat thriving! Find this episode and all episodes at the page for Cider Chat's podcasts. Listen also at iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher (for Android), iHeartRadio , Spotify and wherever you love to listen to podcasts. Follow on Cider Chat's blog, social media and podcast Twitter @ciderchat Instagram: @ciderchatciderville Cider Chat FaceBook Page Cider Chat YouTube