Cider Chat

The Low ABV Cider Revolution in Sweden In Strängnäs Sweden, circa 2017, Johan Sjöstedt, Oskar Palm, and Patrik Svensk began selling ciders commercially under their brand Pomologik. They didn’t set out to make low alcohol cider nor even non alcoholic cider when they started, but a lot can change in a few short years. Johan In this Cider Chat John Sjöstedt’s journery to cider How a US cider bar encouraged Swedish cider makers How a cider purist can shift perspective Low alcohol by volume (ABV) ciders and Non Alcohol Ciders in Sweden Cider techniques Cider Styles Cider Fests in Sweden – Nordic Craft Cider Festival Who are Sweden’s cider fans Who can visit Pomologik…for now. Contact for Pomologik Website: https://www.pomologik.se/ Mentions in this Cider Chat New York International Cider Competition 2024 2024 French Cider Tour to Paris, Normandy and Brittany – Reservations are live now and there are only 4 spots left Amsterdam Cider Salon, Netherlands March 8, 2024 (7-10 pm) Non alcoholic cider in US – follow Jonathan Mark on instagram for more info

Saint Peterburg on Florida’s West Coast Welcomes Green Bench Green Bench can boast being a microbrewery, meadery, and cidery in a region where palm trees rule! Despite that small inconvenience of no apples trees to speak of growing in Florida, maker Brian Wing has been rolling out the cider barrels since 2015. Green Bench itself has been producing select beers beginning in 2013. Brian Wing In this Cider Chat with Maker Brian Wing Fermenting in Florida. Where is the production facility located. (Webb’s City Cellar?) How did this all come about? Brewing begins in 2013 then 6 yrs later (2019) cider & mead. Brian’s journey to cider What are the challenges of cider making in FL (resourcing from…NY…) Who are the cider fans in St. Peterburg and the surrounding area. Has this changed since you opened and if so, how. Training of staff to pour and discuss cider – loved how you were planning for this on the tour What can guest expect when visiting. Is there a flagship cider that one should try first? Malus is the Flagship cider – try this one first! Cider styles and techniques Fermenting with fruits from Florida for co-ferments Florida honey ferments Filtering using a centrifuge Barrel program Cider Tasted During this Interview Chaconne A dry cider made by Green Bench Brewing Company. It’s made with Wickson Crab, Yates, and Harrison apples, and has an ABV of 6.4% Contact for Green Bench Brewing, Mead & Cider Website https://www.greenbenchbrewing.com/mead-cider Mentions in this Cider Chat French Cider Tour 2024 – September 22nd – 28th

Fermentations Run without Fear at Wildcraft Sean Kelly founded Wildcraft Cider Works in 2014. His journey to cider making began in 2008. It follows his botanicals passion, quest for tree resources & conservation, in concert with travels to Latin America where he learned how to ferment. He honors the preservation and the medicinal value of the plants and does a mighty fine job of capturing the essence of a wide variety of pomes, grapes and botanicals in the glass. Sean Kelly Cider Making at Wildcraft Only Native Yeast No sulfites Co-ferment botanical grapes pome fruits – pear, quince, medlars Barrel aging Cider’s Tasted in this Cider Chat Pisgah Heriloom Restoration Perry – wild rootstock pears Medlar Wildcraft Products Ciders Perry Brandies – POM-MISTELLE – a set of 3 brandies, apple, quince and pear Fire Cider Hot Sauce – Peppers gleaned from Camas Swale Farms. Fermented and aged in house brandy barrels Annual Events at Wildcraft March 2nd Tap Takeover – an array of ferments on tap Fiddlehead Festival – Last weekend of April Harvest Party – fall Mentioned in this Cider Chat Freeman Rowe French Cider Tour – September 22-28, 2024 Reservations are now open

Pre-conference PDX Audio Clips This Cider Chat Live features clips from CiderCon 2024 which took place in Portland, Oregon. What was particularly unique about this year was the ice storm that took place. Pictured below is a car driven from the border of Oregon and California to PDX. It is incased in ice and is a testament of just how ferocious the storm was. Despite the ice, the cider kept pouring. Enjoy this Cider Chat Live Ander's car and its Ice Cap when he arrived at the main hotel  

Bookmark this episode for loads of Portland Oregon a.k.a. PDX Tips Oregon Cider Week and CiderCon 2024 are all converging in PDX and this episodes has all the tips you need arrive and hit the ground running. Portland resident Sean Connolly, who is also known as Cider Experience on Instragram and Facebook has delivered big time with tons of tips and insider knowlege to help everyone feel like a local. Sean Connolly In this Cider Chat on PDX Tips Temperature Highs 47 degrees 50/50 chance of rain or sunny Bring layers What to wear Jeans and plaids work Casual dress code and functional PDX Tips to look like a local: Loose the umbrella and let your hair get wet! When using an umbrella, it is obvious you are from out of town! Transportation Airport (PDX) to CiderCon – The Met Red line is not in service beginning January 14th. Service will be still provided via shuttle buses which will take a bit longer than the 30 minute ride. It is still a great deal at $2.80 go to Trimet.org for more info Driving: Download Car Parking App: Parking Kitty  Bicycles for Rent in PDX Nike Launch a travel by bike – https://biketownpdx.com/ There are lots of bike lanes Spring Water Corridor runs the length of the Willamette River approximately 7-8 miles Need Tech help or supplies? The Lloyd Center is close by and in old town Portland there is a full service Apple Stor PDX Tips for purchases: There is no Sales Taxes in Oregon Restaurants near CiderCon Red Robin Spanish Tapas Noble Rot – beautiful views of the city Big Pink – City Grill on 33rd floor with great views  Sizzle Side Pizza Spirit of 77 Seas recommends for good pub faire Grocery stores by Hyatt Safeway approximately 3/4 mile Trader Joes about 4 miles away in the Hollywood district Karaoke Ambassador PDX Bar and Lounge  Alibi PDX The Baby Ketten Club PDX Tips: The city is Food Trucks heaven – Look for “Food Cart Pods” via Travel Portland ‘s online food cart finder Cider Cider Locations closest to Hyatt and Oregon Convention Center Schilling Cider House – a wide range of taps approx 1 Mile from the Hyatt Spirit of 777 Tap take over Pizza Thief – the tap Lil Spirits – a block and half from Convention Center – tap takeovers – 437 NE Lloyd Blvd Portland, OR 97232 The Place PDX – A cider bar will be hosting multiple cider events In Pearl District on west side of river Cider Bite – splits taps between sweet and dry Portland Cider Company  – 35 taps  Locations in Oregon City and Beavertown  Swift Cider is located in the north side of town Bring Cider or Beer Home The Place PDX – buy bottles to go John’s Marketplace big collection of both cider and beer – 3560 SE Powell Blvd -Portland, OR  McMenamins has a large selections New Seasons Market Pick up cider and beer at the Portland International Airport Look for Made in Oregon Store in airport  Sean’s PDX Tips for Fun in Portland Walk by the River Forest Park: The largest urban park in the country Mount Tabor Park Hopscotch – light and music theme area, high sensory experience (take an hour to enjoy) Dance: McMenamims at Lola’s Room Relax and Soak at McMenamims Soaking Pool or Common Ground Wellness Center PDX Tips for Cannabis: Oregon Legalized Cannabis in 2015. There are 5 dispensaries around the hotel conference center. Look up: WhatsLegalOregon.com Mentions in this Cider Chat CiderCon 2024 January 15-19th, 2024 Portland Oregon Artisans by Cider Summit| Portland, Oregon January 20, 2024 Oregon Cider Week January 13-20th, 2024 Totally Cider Tours – France – listen to past episodes and get on the wait list for the 2024 tour!

It’s time to make your Cider Notes for 2024 The list of cider notes can be quiet long, but in this episode we are going to make it doable and easy for you. In this Cider Chat on Cider Notes The Talking Pommes encourage Ria to slow down Sign up for the last cider tour heading out at CiderCon 2024 French Cider Tour reservations Wassails January 5th at the Botanist and Barrel, Cedar Grove North Carolina January 28th Berkshire Cider Project at the Tourist in North Adams Massachusetts Learn about Wassailing in Episode 393 Past Cider Making Episodes 381 DIY Cider Making for Beginners 382 Beginner Tips for Squeaky Clean Cider Equipment 384 Beginner Cider Making Tips forPrimary Fermentation  386:  Managing Cider’s Secondary Fermentation – DIY Tips Equipment needed for Cider’s Secondary Ferment Find a complete list with links to purchase at the Cider Making Equipment page at ciderchat.com Extra Apple Juice to for topping off Secondary Fermenter – glass carboy of equal size Airlock and Bung Racking Cane or Auto-Siphon Sanitizer Hydrometer or Refractometer Tubing & a clothes pin ( a Ria tip to have on hand for clamping tubing as you go so it can be managed to insure that the tube doesn’t slip down into the lees and stir them up) Bottle Brush and Cleaning Equipment Mentions in this Cider Chat 363: Exploring Cider Using 33 Books Flavor Wheel Sean Connolly Cider Experience Subscribe to Cider Chat YouTube Channel

What does Wassail & Drink Hail mean? In this episode learn about meaning behind Wassail and Drink Hail from the Butler himself, Al Sax. A Wassail is a celebration of the orchards, most typically apple orchards to honor the natural world and pay tribute with hopes of an abundant fruiting season moving forward. A Wassail is also a cheer When you hear someone say “Wassail” it means -Be Healthy! The reply is “Drink hail” –  To your health! Al as the Butler at the Wassail When time of year to Wassail? Historically a Wassail would be held on the 6th of January or what is known as the Twelfth Night.  Or on the 17th of January which is called “Old Twelvey” Procession to the main Wassail fire In these modern times a Wassail can take place when it is most appropriate considering the weather and outside temperatures. There is no strict protocols, but rather traditions that when followed harken us all back to our ancestral roots and pagan ways. Where do Wassails take place? In the orchard surrounding a large fire, a fire circle and in some places 12 small rings of fire for the 12 apostles or for the twelve signs of the Zodiac. Indoor Wassails are also doable for those who can’t go outside during -6 degree temperatures. Thus, a Wassail can take place at a Senior Center or a Day Care with songs being sung around a plant or small tree. How to Make a Torch for Wassailing The end goal is all the same, to sing to the orchard, the apple tree(s), to ward off the apple foes and to harken in better times ahead. The Old Apple Tree of the Wassail How to Plan for your own Wassail Have a fire keeper who will make sure the wood is ready and lit to greet the parade of merry makers Set a meeting spot for everyone to gather and then walk to the oldest or largest apple tree. The fire is often very nearby. Have “Safe” Torches, flashlights to lead the crowd to the main fire Have some hot mulled cider, which is always good for a loud “Wassail and Drink Hail” reply Have a Master of the Ceremony or what is known as the “Butler” Select a King and Queen Have slices of Toasted bread Have Cider to drink and to pour a bit on the toast and onto the ground Hand out lyrics to the Wassail songs The King and Queen lead the group up to the Apple Tree Place the toast on the limbs Pour cider on the roots of the tree Make noise to ward off the evil spirts – this is your chance to call out “Wassail” and then reply “Drink Hail”! If Morris Dancers are available they would do a dance or two Have a taste of two of Wassail – pick an option that best suits your crowd. It can be a hot mulled cider, with or without spices or fortified with brandy, perhaps a wee bit of honey? A two handled cup or goblet is the classic Wassail cup that would be passed round, but these days any fine drinking cup would do sans the passing around. Wassail and Drink Hail around the world Willie Smiths Cider in Tasmania hosts an annual “Mid Winter Festival” in July Campaign for the Revival Of Wassailing (CROW) www.nationaltrust.org.uk/petworth-house-and-park/recipes/petworths-traditional-wassail Mentions in this Cider Chat 072: Lost Apple of the Quabbin |Massachusetts January 5, 2024 Wassail at Botanist and Barrel Cidery and Winery, 115 Persimmon Hill Ln, Cedar Grove, NC 27231-8807, United States Hear about the orchard samplers and cider made at Renaissance Orchards in Ferndale Washington in Episode 390

The Vodraska Brothers Chris & Matt of Bent Ladder In the midst of a rich farming legacy emerged Bent Ladder Cider and Wine, based in Doylestown Ohio. Chris and younger brother Matt Vodraska are following in their father Dale’s footsteps. Chris is the orchardist and viticulturist and Matt is the cidermaker. The farm is the story. Chris Vodraska Dating back to 1995 their father Dale was eyeing farmland that was by all accounts destine for development. In 2004, he “finally wore down the seller” as his sons put it and bought the 128 acre farm. Today there are 3-4 acres of vineyards and 30-40 acres of orchards. The site hosts both the Bent Ladder production area and stunning tasting room and Rittman Orchards & Farm Market. Matt Vodraska In the Cider Chat with Chris and Matt Sunset view from tasting room The Vodraska Family’s back story to present day The orchards, Size, terrain, soil typeNumber of apple varieties Orchard practices Kazakstan and Krygzstan scion wood graftings at Bent Ladder Is this Malus Sieversii? Up coming ciders with these apples Ciders at Bent Ladder At the Tasting Room find draft, flights and glasses of select ciders Heritage Ciders in 750ml Heriloom Farmstead Rose Gold – mostly Redfield in wine barrels Black Gold a single varietal Gold Rush  Russet EverCrisp Cider  Cidermaking practices The tasting room Contact Bent Ladder Website: https://bentladder.com/ Rittman Orchard & Farm Store: https://rittmanorchards.com/ Find the Apple Chart that Chris Vodraska has been compiling at this page: https://rittmanorchards.com/apple-chart/ Mentions in this Cider Chat Dawes Arboretum Dr. Diane Miller CiderCon 2024 January 15-19th, 2024 Portland Oregon Artisans by Cider Summit| Portland, Oregon January 20, 2024 Oregon Cider Week January 13-20th, 2024 Totally Cider Tours – France – listen to past episodes and get on the wait list for the 2024 tour!

Saint Lawrence Nurseries is a specialized tree nursery in New York state, renowned for its expertise in cold-hardy fruit and nut trees with a committment to sustainable and organic practices. The nursery, which was originally founded in the 1920s by Fred L. Ashworth of Heuvelton, NY, was initially more of a hobby and experimental station for Ashworth. Bill MacKentley met Fred in 1971 and they developed a strong, almost familial relationship. After Fred’s death in 1977, Bill and his wife Diana purchased the land in Potsdam, NY, where Fred had done much of his grafting and breeding. In 1981, they produced the first official St. Lawrence Nurseries catalog. For 34 years, the MacKentleys cultivated Saint Lawrence Nurseries into a unique and well-loved business, carrying on Fred Ashworth’s passion for growing and propagating fruits and nuts suitable for northern climates. The MacKentley, were planning their retirement and phasing out their business around 2015. Connor Hardiman who began working at Saint Lawrence Nurseries years earlier stepped in to take over rather than allowing the nursery to close. He and his wife Alyssa are the new stewards of Saint Lawrence Nurseries and are helping to herald in a new era for the Nurseries. Do note that many refer to Saint Lawrence Nurseries as SLN. The Ups and Downs of Climate and Test Winters Citing from a Cornell University study for 1981, that stated the the the previous 40 years had been the best years of agriculture (good weather patterns) in the world. Of particular note is that moving forward from 81 onward, one can now expect that the climate was returning to normal. Note that this was serval years before climate change was being discussed to the degree that it is today. Says Bill, “We have got to get our act together [in regards to climate change]. Who is Fred L. Ashworth Born in 1898, Ashworth studied the trees that survived the 1938 kill off of apples and studied them very closely. He began the nursery in the 1920s. He also worked with nut trees, potatoes and inspired Bill’s career at Saint Lawrence Nurseries. Role Models in Research Dr. Elaine Ingham – research on the soil and the food web – find out more at https://www.soilfoodweb.com/ Paul Stamets – https://paulstamets.com/ Dr. Christine Jones – soil ecologist https://soillearningcenter.com/expert/christine-jones/ Contact Saint Lawrence Nurseries Connor Hardiman is now the steward of the Nurseries. Find his contact below and reach out to Connor to contact Bill. Website: https://www.slngrow.com/ Address: 325 Rt 345, Potsdam, NY 13676 eMail: trees@slngrow.com Mentions in this Cider Chat CiderCon 2024 January 15-19th, 2024 Portland Oregon Artisans by Cider Summit| Portland, Oregon January 20, 2024 Oregon Cider Week January 13-20th, 2024 Totally Cider Tours – France – listen to past episodes and get on the wait list for the 2024 tour!

Meet Chris Rylands of Renaissance Orchards First there was Cider Supply and then Chris founded Renaissance Orchards with his wife Melinda. This move was a natural progression of a series of events that include resources needed for making a keeved cider and the thirst for a particular style of cider. The orchards and the Rylands are based in Ferndale a town just south of the Canadian border in Washington state. Chris Rylands In this Cider Chat with Chris of Renaissance What happened to Cider Supply? Why French style ciders? The orchards at Renaissance number of apple varieties and pear  Products cider scion Melinda Spotlight on Single Varietal Ciders Hear how Chris dug into 16 cider specific apples to understand the best blending practices for cidermaking. Each label shows: a picture of the specific apple charts that apple’s tannin aromatics acidity astringent sweetness phenolics The origin of the apple, including location How to use – best as a blender or as a single variety cider Contact for Renaissance Orchards Website: https://renaissanceorchards.com/ Mentions in this Cider Chat CiderCon 2024 January 15-19th, 2024 Portland Oregon Artisans by Cider Summit| Portland, Oregon January 20, 2024 Oregon Cider Week January 13-20, 2024 Totally Cider Tours – France – listen to past episodes and get on the wait list for the 2024 tour!