2013 The Year of Cider

Ale to the Chief. White House Beer – Why Not White House Cider in 2013?

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They’re brewing beer in the White House.

The list of White House brews so far: White House Honey Brown Ale, White House Honey Porter, and White House Honey Blonde. Two recipes were released to the public as a result of a We The People petition.

Sam Kass, White House Assistant Chef and the Senior Policy Advisor for Healthy Food Initiatives, and Sous Chef Tafari Campbell, are making special brews with White House honey made by White House bees.

“Like many home brewers who add secret ingredients to make their beer unique, all of our brews have honey that we tapped from the first ever bee-hive on the South Lawn. The honey gives the beer a rich aroma and a nice finish but it doesn’t sweeten it.”

According to the video the President paid for the supplies out of his own pocket and the chefs are working on the brews on their own time.

Read the full article Ale to the Chief: White House Beer  and get the recipes and instructions so you can brew your own White House Beer.

Watch the video for the full story, (and a peek into the White House beer cellar).

We suggest for 2013 the chefs explore making a White House Hard Cider. Petition, anyone ?

Press Release: NEWLY FORMED UNITED STATES ASSOCIATION OF CIDER MAKERS (USACM) ELECTS INAUGURAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS

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LOC apple imageNEWLY FORMED UNITED STATES ASSOCIATION OF CIDER MAKERS (USACM)
ELECTS INAUGURAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Link to full contents of press release issued by Angry Orchard, Chicago, Illinois, February 6, 2013

Excerpt of press release issued by Angry Orchard, Chicago, Illinois, February 6, 2013:

The United States Association of Cider Makers (USACM) was formed today with the broad input of industry producers, stakeholders, and constituents from around the country. The group’s mission is to gather and share information about cider and perry production, regulations concerning the production of hard cider and perry, and pear and apple growing; as well as to help members improve their operations, raise the public’s awareness of the products produced by its members, and promote the interests of the cider and perry producers in the United States. USACM is pleased to announce its inaugural Board of Directors which reflects the industry’s diversity of regional distribution, production volume, and growth: Steve Wood, Farnum Hill Ciders, New Hampshire; Brad Page, Colorado Cider Company, Colorado; Mike Beck, Uncle John’s Cider Mill, Michigan; Dan Rowell, Vermont Hard Cider, Vermont; Robert Vail, Angry Orchard, Massachusetts; James Kohn, Wandering Aengus Ciderworks, Oregon; and Charlotte Shelton, Albemarle Cider Works, Virginia.

Breaking Cider News: 2013 USACM – United States Association of Cider Makers Board members elected

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On February 6th, 2013, the newly formed USACM  – United States Association of Cider Makers – elected board members.

Nat West of Reverend Nat’s Hard Cider is live tweeting from CiderCon2013  @revnatscider.

Following @revnatscider for all the breaking USACM and CIDERCON2013 News.

Breaking Cider News: Feb 6th, 2013 Chicago Illinois: The United States Association of Cider Makers formed

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Reports from the twit-o-sphere lead us to believe that it’s official:

On February 6th in Chicago, Illinois – The United States Association of Cider Makers officially formed as a national association for the US cider industry.  More details, with links to other coverage to follow as we find them.

Cider CSA – Community Supported Cider

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CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture.

  • CSA allows members direct access to high quality agricultural products grown and crafted locally.
  • CSA members buy a “share” of regional producers goods.
  • Members get regular share allotments, usually via pick up or at drop-off location near by.
  • CSA members generally pay for the seasons produce upfront. This advance payment helps your local producer plan and prepare for the season, and as a member you directly support your local producer.
Read more about the concept and practice at Just Food.

Some US cider makers are adopting the CSA model, creating a new Community Supported Cider, an apt turn of phrase coined by Whitewood Cider, (though they opted to go with the more recognizable term – CSA).

A few Cider CSAs:

In the Northwest, Whitewood Cider of Olympia, Washington has a 2012-2013 Whitewood CSA Subscription. Check their site to see if shares are still available and to see what ciders are on offer.

Charlton Orchards Farm & Winery in Charlton, Massachusetts, offers several CSA options, including a Farm Winery CSA which includes ciders.

Redbyrd Orchard Cider in Burdett, New York is offering a Spring Cider Share for 2013. Check their site to see if shares are still available. Options include bottle shares and keg shares.

Check with your local cider maker to see if they are offering a Cider CSA option this year. Support Community Cider.

If you know of other Cider CSAs please leave a comment.

Cider Calendar: 2013 Vermont Ice Wine Festival – February 23rd, 2013

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2013 Vermont Ice Wine Festival

Celebrate the world-class Ice Wines and Ice Ciders of Vermont.

Where: Jay, Vermont

When: February 23rd, 2013

Advanced admission $30 includes wine tasting tickets good for all participating wineries, cheese and specialty food samples, and souvenir wine glass. $35 at the door.

Visit the website for more information.

Ice Ciders and Ice Wines attending:
Boyden Valley Winery
Champlain Orchards
East Shore Vineyard
Eden Ice Cider
Hall Home Place
Lincoln Peak Vineyards
Newhall Farm
Shelburne Vineyard
Snow Farm Vineyards
Windfall Orchard

Cider Conference 2013 & First Cider Summit Chicago 2013

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Chicago to host Cider Conference 2013 AND first Chicago Cider Summit.

Cider Conference 2013

“Cider Conference 2013 offers a mix of education and networking opportunities for commercial cider producers”
Where: Chicago, Illinois
When: February 7 & 8, 2013
See the full schedule here, list of sponsors here, and register here.
Registration open until January 30th.

AND

Cider Summit Chicago 2013

When: Saturday, February 9, 2013 from 11am‐7pm
Where: Lakeview Terrace Room at Navy Pier.
 
“Cider Summit Expands to Chicago. Region’s Largest Cider Tasting Comes to Navy Pier. SBS Imports and the Seattle Beer Collective are pleased to announce the expansion of their successful Cider Summit festival to Chicago, IL. The inaugural Chicago event will take place on Saturday, February 9, 2013 from 11am‐7pm in the Lakeview Terrace Room at Navy Pier. The event will benefit The Great Lakes Cider & Perry Association, WBEZ Public Radio, and Heartland Alliance.”
 
Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door, ticket details here.

Scheduled producers listed below:

See full list here to see complete list of ciders to be poured.

Aeppeltreow Winery – WI 
Angry Orchard Hard Cider – OH 
Aspall Cyders – England
Black Star Farms – MI
B. United International pouring: Dupont Cidre Bouche Brut – France, and Sarasola Basque Cider 
California Cider Company – CA
Cider House of Wisconsin  – WI 
Citizen Cider – VT 
Colorado Cider Company – CO 
Crispin/Fox Barrel Cider – CA 
Doc’s Draft – NY 
Eden Ice Cider Company – VT 
E.Z. Orchards Cidre – OR 
Farnum Hill Ciders – NH 
Julian Hard Cider – CA 
Orchard Gate – MI also pouring: Thistly Cross Cider – Scotland
Original Sin Cider – OR  
Prima Cider – IL 
Samuel Smith – England 
Shelton Brothers pouring:L’Hermitiere – France, Oliver’s – England, and Zeffer – New Zealand
Tieton Cider Works – WA 
Uncle John’s Fruit House Winery & Distillery – MI 
Vander Mill – MI 
Virtue Cider – MI 
Wandering Aengus Ciderworks – OR 
Woodchuck Hard Cider – VT
 

CIder52: A Cider A Week

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Part of our 2013 Year of Cider campaign here at United States of Cider is

Cider52, or A Cider A Week.

One new cider featured each week. Tasting, profile, or pairing.

Cider52.

A Cider A Week.

Rhode Island Greening - detail

Daily Cider, or Cider365

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Rhode Island Greening - detail section

United States of Cider is campaigning to make 2013 The Year of Cider.

We intended to bring you one cider post or tweet, each day, everyday, throughout 2013.

Daily Cider.

Cider365.