As autumn arrives each year, nostalgia sets in, reminding us of all the traditions that make the season so special. Pumpkin carving, apple picking, fall festivals … it’s hard not to fall in love with this season. Autumn also brings back cider donuts! Made from the juices of freshly pressed apples, every sugary bite brings back memories of previous falls when we couldn’t wait to open a paper sack filled with these fragrant, freshly made treats.

Chances are if you’re a craft cider fanatic, baked goodies infused with apples also make you happy. If you’ve been craving these beauties, check out our list of some of the best cider donuts from each state in the northeastern United States.

Maine

McDougal Orchards

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Be sure to visit Capt. Jack’s Donut Shack to get your hands on these tasty treats. Enjoy wagon rides, a corn maze and apple picking, available daily at the orchard. 201 Hanson Ridge Rd., Springvale, Maine; phone: (207) 324-5054

New Hampshire

White Mountain Cider Company

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For a sophisticated experience, stop by White Mountain Cider Company, where you can indulge in cider donuts while dining in a beautifully restored farmhouse restaurant. The homemade cider donuts are served with vanilla ice cream and drizzled with decadent caramel sauce. Feeling fancy? Order a cidertini from the bar. You can also head to White Mountain’s market for cider donuts by the dozen, as well as tons of other gourmet treats. 207 US-302, P.O. Box 790, Bartlett, N.H.; phone: (603) 383-9061

Vermont

Cold Hollow Cider Mill

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Enjoy a taste of fall at this charming local spot, known not only for its donuts, but for syrups and other lovely Vermont goods, too. Bonus: Cold Hollow makes hard cider — try a pour of the housemade Barn Dance cider at the onsite cafe, The Apple Core Luncheonette & Brew! Not able to visit the cider mill’s location? Not to worry: You can order Cold Hollow’s donuts online! 3600 Waterbury Stowe Rd., Waterbury Center, Vt.; phone: (800) 327-7537

New York

Wager’s Cider Mill

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Wager’s Cider Mill has been family-owned and -operated for 4 decades, producing 21 varieties of apples throughout the year. It also offers a wide variety of homemade donuts, including its famous apple cider donuts, which are made strictly with fresh-squeezed apple cider. Stop by the Penn Yan location (in the Finger Lakes region) to dive into these delightful donuts, which are made daily and served fresh. 256 E. Main St., Penn Yan, N.Y.; phone: (315) 536-6640

Massachusetts

Honey Pot Hill Orchards

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Honey Pot Hill Orchards is open throughout the year, offering pick-your-own apples, peaches, blueberries and pears, depending on the season, of course. However, its cider donuts are the main attraction! Be sure to get to the orchard early and get a paper bag filled with mini cider doughnuts, before the long line inevitably begins to form. 138 Sudbury Rd., Stow, Mass.; phone: (978) 562-5666 

Connecticut

Lyman Orchards

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Stop by the Apple Barrel, Lyman Orchards’ unique market, for fresh-baked goods, including muffins, pies, cookies, loaves of bread, pastries and, of course, apple cider donuts! These delicacies are made daily in the Farm Kitchen Bakery. Let the enticing aroma of sweet apple goodness take over your senses as you take a bite out of one of Connecticut’s best-rated cider donuts! 3 Lyman Rd., Middlefield, Conn.; phone: (860) 349-1793

Pennsylvania

Linvilla Orchards

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A historic 300-acre family farm in suburban Philadelphia is home to some of Pennsylvania’s best apple cider donuts. Don’t miss out on these amazing donuts from Linvilla Orchards‘ bakery, which opened in the 1960s and began the legacy of the orchard’s fresh-baked goods. While you’re there, be sure to pick up other treats, including Linvilla’s famous pies, cakes, loaves of bread and apples! 137 Knowlton Rd., Media, Pa.; phone: (610) 876-7116

New Jersey

Delicious Orchards

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Delicious Orchards, a 60,000-square foot family-owned farm market, makes its apple cider donuts (and a slew of other treats, like cream puffs, brownies, cookies and cannoli) using the same recipes it started with 50 years ago! Be sure to get there early to snag yourself a few warm and sugary pastries. Visitors can even take a behind-the-scenes tour of the bakery to see firsthand how all of these goodies are made! If even more fried apple goodness is what you crave, don’t miss the Fritter Shack, featuring made-to-order apple fritters; note, the Shack is only open on weekends. Route 34 South, Colts Neck, N.J.; phone: (732) 462-1989.

Delaware

Fifer Orchards Farm, Country Store & CSA

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Just west of Dover, Fifer Orchard’s Farm and Country Store provides the freshest fruits and vegetables in the area, featuring a constantly changing mix of seasonal, homegrown options. The orchard’s cider donuts are the main attraction, though! Preorders are especially recommended for Thanksgiving and Christmas, so be sure to get your order in early! Stay at the orchard for some of the Farm and Country Store’s hand-dipped ice cream, locally roasted coffee and local honey. 1919 Allabands Mill Rd., Camden Wyoming, Del.; phone: (302) 697-2141

Maryland

Milburn Orchards

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Ordering your cider donuts 24 hours in advance is recommended at this Maryland orchard! With donuts so popular they often sell out, Milburn Orchards County Bake Shoppe is one of the best spots in the state to get these tempting fried sweets. In addition to their famous donuts, be sure to scoop up one of Milburn Orchards’ signature pies and a half gallon of its fresh apple cider, made with four varieties of tart and sweet apples. 1495 Appleton Rd., Elkton, Md.; phone: (410) 398-1349

Who makes your favorite cider donut? Join in the conversation below!

• Feature photo: BigStock

The post The Best Cider Donuts in the Northeast appeared first on Cider Culture.

It’s time to enjoy all of the comforts of the autumn season: warm knit sweaters, brisk nights by the firepit and the delectable bounties of the apple harvest. Bakery ovens everywhere are piping hot, producing the much-anticipated sweet treats you’ve been waiting all summer for — cider donuts! The fragrance of these sweet treats lingers in the chilly air, like friendly ghosts of autumns past.

If you have been fancying a bite of nostalgic seasonal flavor, ditch your diet and dive into our list, and try some of the best cider donuts in the Pacific Northwest! (For our roundup of cider donuts on the East Coast and in the Midwest, head here and here.)

Oregon

Red Berry Barn (Sherwood)

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If baked goods are your jam, Red Berry Barn has you covered! Pumpkin breads, cinnamon buns, pies … oh, my! The folks come in flocks for the cider donuts. However, if you’re looking for more donut flavors (not just cider donuts), you are still in luck. The bakery at Red Berry Barn is also makes delicious seasonal pumpkin and marionberry donuts for the droves of donut-lovers stopping by. 19200 SW Chapman Rd., Sherwood, OR; (503) 925-1700.

Cannon Beach Bakery (Cannon Beach)

Home of the Haystack Bread (a kind of old fashioned white loaf with a crusty exterior), Cannon Beach Bakery is producing more than just savory treats for its many hungry customers. Located on the beautiful Oregon coastline, this bakery is pumping out not one, but two kinds of cider donuts! Does a regular cider donut not sound enticing enough? Then, try sinking your teeth into a chewy cinnamon sugar apple cider donut, instead! 240 N. Hemlock St., Cannon Beach, OR; (503) 436-0399.

Bushue’s Family Farm (Boring)

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If you are looking for some fun pumpkin-picking, head over to Bushue’s Family Farm. After a cool afternoon of picking the perfect gourds for Halloween, kick back with the family and enjoy a sip of warm apple cider, and bite into a fresh cider donut! 9880 SE Revenue Rd., Boring, OR.; (503) 663-6709.

Bauman’s Farm & Garden (Gervais)

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The fresh produce abounds at Bauman’s Farm and Garden, and there are plenty of sweet treats in the bakery. You’ll find pies and cakes oozing with flavor, but nothing compares to the goodness of Bauman’s cider donuts. With donuts this fresh, you don’t have to tell us twice where we need to be this weekend! 12989 Howell Prairie Rd. NE, Gervais, OR; (503) 792-3524.

Oregon Heritage Farms (Hillsboro)

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Yes, we do want one! This fourth-generation, family-run orchard is still offering up fresh cider and donuts annually for its faithful customers. If you also want these mouthwatering confections, keep in mind that you only have until mid-November to get them. So, get your family in the car, and head over to Oregon Heritage Farms — ASAP! 22801 SW Scholls Ferry Rd., Hillsboro, OR; (503) 628-2775.

Washington

The Farm at Swan’s Trail at Snohomish (Snohomish)

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There is so much to eat at The Farm at Swan’s Trail, you will have a hard time deciding where to start! Roasted corn, pumpkin chili and hand-dipped corn dogs … are you drooling yet? Who are we kidding — we all know why everyone is heading to this Snohomish orchard: the cider donuts! They are only available on the weekends in the fall at the farm’s concession stand, so don’t miss your opportunity to get your hands on these sweet treats! 7301 Rivershore Rd., Snohomish, WA; (425) 334-4124.

California

Rainbow Orchards (Camino)

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We realize there is some debate about whether Northern California is actually a part of the Pacific Northwest. However, there is simply no denying how delicious the piping-hot donuts are at Rainbow Orchards in Camino, CA! This Apple Hill Orchard is producing some of the most delectable donuts west of the Rockies! These donuts are oozing with cider-goodness, who could have just one? 2569 Larsen Dr., Camino, CA; (530) 664-1594.

Who makes your favorite cider donut? Tell us, and join in the conversation in the comments!

• Feature photo: BigStock

The post The Best Cider Donuts in the Pacific Northwest appeared first on Cider Culture.

What better way to toast the fall (and escape the looming winter) than with a cider cocktail in hand? Cider lends the perfect seasonal twist to any adult refreshment, bringing both sweetness and acidity to your glass.

We’ve gathered some tasty cider cocktails for you to serve at your next fireside soirée (or heck, even just after work on a Friday!).

Cranberry Apple Cider Cocktail

Sparkling Hard Cider Sangria

The recipe wranglers at Food & Wine have combined touch of fruit and a dash of brandy to make the perfect fall drink. This libation has a hint of sweetness from the cider that complements the apple brandy, with each sip more refreshing than the last! The recipe can easily be scaled up to make a pitcher if you’re hosting a crowd.

Angry Orchard Spiced Orchard

Sweet, spicy and right to the point! Angry Orchard created a seasonal cocktail with a simple ingredient list that really accents the flavors of the cider and complements its crisp apple notes.

Ingredients

• 4 ounces Angry Orchard Crisp Apple
• 1 ounce aged rum
• 0.5 ounce Monin Pumpkin Spice Syrup
• 0.5 ounce lemon juice
• 1 dash Angostura Bitters

Method

Heat all ingredients on the stove until warm.

Pour into a toddy glass and garnish with a cinnamon stick and grated nutmeg.

Apple Cider Moscow Mule

What cider cocktails are you shaking up these days? Let us know in the conversation below!

• Photos: Bigstock

The post 5 Hard Cider Cocktails to Try This Fall appeared first on Cider Culture.

Summer, for many, is about being outdoors. The sun, the heat, the thrill of new experiences — the season brings promises of fun, and sometimes profound memories. As an avid outdoors-lover, I dream of the prospect of adventures, whether that’s paddling miles down a section of river, or trail running through densely wooded forests. Viewing the world around me from these vantage points is something that not many others get to do, and it is exhilarating!

If you are still debating about where your summer is going to take you, don’t leave the decision up to fate. Why not consider an outdoor-centric vacation near some of those cideries you’ve been itching to go visit?

Whenever I plan a vacation, I make a list of all surrounding points of interest. Food and drink locations are the first things I research. So, when I see a cidery close to my destination, I make a point to put it on the map. I travel regularly to locations where locally owned cideries don’t always exist, so to find just one, let alone multiple cider options, is so refreshing!

Which brings us to the town of Brevard, North Carolina. Less than an hour outside of Asheville, Brevard is a quaint little town that rests on the edge of the Pisgah National Forest.

North Carolina is gorgeous: the densely wooded expanses, the vast farmlands … There is just so much serene beauty! A short distance from Brevard lies the edge of the Pisgah National Forest, a forest within the Appalachian Mountain range in western North Carolina. Pisgah National Forest is comprised of cascading waterfalls, such as Rainbow Falls, and mile-high peaks. The forest contains hundreds of miles of trails, but one hike, in particular, to consider is to the crest of Looking Glass Rock.

Park along the Fort Heritage Scenic Byway to access the beginning of the Looking Glass Trail. Prep yourself with plenty of water and a snack before making the climb — you will need them! Starting your trek earlier in the day is best, because the infamous North Carolina summer heat waits for no one.

Small cascades along a stream are what will greet you when you begin your journey. Along your 1,700-foot climb, you’ll encounter many switchbacks to help ease the moderately difficult climb of just over three miles. Within the first mile of your hike, you will enter a section of trail surrounded by gorgeous rhododendron. You will feel small among the masses of leafy bushes, as the trail begins to narrow. You will reach a flat rock area, used in case of emergency as a helicopter pad by rescuers to aid injured climbers. This will be your two-mile mark and you will be well aware of how intense the North Carolina humidity can feel against your tiring body, so be sure to stay hydrated!

The summit of Looking Glass does not actually have any views, in fact, you must continue along the trail past the summit and descend towards the opening of the Upper Looking Glass Cliffs. Once you walk out onto the clearing, all of the sweating and cursing that may have ensued as you tripped over the large roots along the path will have been worth it as you look out onto Pisgah National Forest. Pictures do not do the views justice!

Calm and beautiful, it is everything you hope for on a hike. Sit down along the flat rock that lines the edges of the cliff and soak in all of the simplistic aesthetic that is the nature around you. This is one of those moments that you wish you had a celebratory cider in hand to celebrate your accomplishment! Don’t worry, my friends, that moment is coming.

*Warning: Do not get too close to the edge of the cliff! Slipping is a very great possibility and a falling could most certainly be fatal, so please be mindful of this.*

Hiking is one of my favorite ways to enjoy the beauty of nature. The experience can be so calming, as you leave your day-to-day worries behind at the beginning of the trail. I feel accomplished and refreshed once I have reached the end of my journey. Rewarding myself with a post-hike beverage is usually the first thing on my mind. Lucky for you, there will be some local cider options that are within a short driving distance of Looking Glass Trail.

So, make Bold Rock Hard Cider the first stop on your local cider tour! Located 20 minutes away from Pisgah National Forest, Bold Rock’s Mills River location is everything you need for a post-workout release. I didn’t waste any time before diving into a flight of Bold Rock’s flagship ciders. Just one sip of the Carolina Apple helps quench your thirst and revive your body after the strenuous 6.5 miles hike. (This may be a slight exaggeration, but it is quite refreshing!) Other reasons to come visit Bold Rock is the Bold Bites Mobile Kitchen, where you can enjoy Southern BBQ indoors in the air-conditioned taproom or outside in the Cider Garden. When I was there, there were also plenty of dogs for guests to pet because Bold Rock is, of course, dog-friendly!

Just a short half-hour drive from Bold Rock Mills River is Asheville, N.C. Some people think of Asheville as a brewery mecca, with 26 breweries alone in the downtown region. But, the draw for local Carolina cider is also what keeps the droves of people venturing back to to this cool town year-round. Noble Hard Cider is Asheville’s first hard cidery and, in fact, was the first cidery in Western North Carolina. Urban Orchard Cider Co. & Bar is located in West Asheville, nestled between Archetype Brewing and Hole Doughnuts. Cider is becoming ingrained in the town’s beverage scene, so be sure to stop in for a flight, and don’t forget to take in all of Asheville’s quaint beauty.

Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway or a week-long adventure, keep North Carolina at the top of your list of must-see places to visit, and let your summer be full of adventure!

What adventures do you have planned for this summer? Let us know in the comments below.

• Feature photo: Pexels
• All other photos: Samantha Story

The post Cider + The Outdoors: Hiking the Pisgah National Forest in Brevard, North Carolina appeared first on Cider Culture.

Decorations, holiday parties and Santa hats are all well and good. But, personally, my favorite part of Christmas is the music! Nothing puts me into the spirit of the season more than turning on the radio to hear the classic, sweet crooning of Bing Crosby or Eartha Kitt. So, naturally, I have the holiday music playing constantly this time of year — especially when I’m unwinding after a long day with a cider in hand.

From experience, I’ve found certain cider flavors pair perfectly with some of my favorite jolly tunes. So, queue up your holiday party playlist and pull out some of your favorite seasonal modern ciders for this delicious playlist pairing.

The Muppets, Ringing of the Bells

You can’t go wrong with anything Muppets-related! If you have not experienced The Muppet Christmas Carol, then you have not seen one of the best interpretations of this classic Charles Dickens tale. Kermit creates the cutest Peter Cratchit portrayal ever. The soundtrack for the movie is so overly sweet, you can’t help but smile and sing along. There is one holiday song, however, that is not on that playlist, but it is my personal favorite: Ringing of the Bells. The Swedish Chef, Beaker and Animal will make you laugh with this new take on the classic Ukrainian song.

Pair with: Portland Cider Co.’s Cranberry. The fresh flavors of cranberries and apples from the Pacific Northwest create a tart, semi-sweet cider that will awaken your taste buds and liven your spirits as you tap along to Animal’s inconsistent rhythm.

Louis Prima, Pennies From Heaven

Though not a traditional holiday song, Pennies from Heaven by Louis Prima has become synonymous with the infamous scene from Elf, where Buddy discovers the wonders of New York City! If you cannot find humor in Buddy eating all of the gum off of the subway banister because he thinks it is free candy, then you need to check yourself before you Scrooge yourself. Elf became an instant holiday classic when it was released in 2003, and my Christmas season wouldn’t be complete if I didn’t watch the movie at least three times!

Pair with: Woodchuck Pearsecco. It’s slightly unusual and oh-s-bubbly (just like Buddy), but quick to become everyone’s favorite! The crisp pear is fresh, light and enticing, basically the opposite of what it’s like to face-plant into a bowl of spaghetti with maple syrup and M&M’s.

Adam Sandler, The Hanukkah Song

Regardless of what your opinion may be about Adam Sandler’s comedy, you can’t deny that you still laugh a little bit when you hear this tune each holiday season. The SNL alum’s 1994 insta-hit will forever be known as the unofficial anthem for Hanukkah. Before hearing this song, I bet you didn’t know that Captain Kirk and Mr. Spock were both Jewish (facts!).

Pair with: B. Nektar The Dude’s Rug. This The Big Lebowski cider packs so much flavor into one bottle! The aroma of the chai spices infuses every sense in your body, while each sip leaves a melange of creamy sweet, baked apples, cloves, cardamom and black tea lingering on your tongue. A little off-kilter, like Adam Sandler’s sense of humor, but delightfully refreshing, this song and cider were meant for one another!

Bob Rivers, The Twelve Pains of Christmas

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Ahhh, yes … the holiday Christmas classic that reminds us why we truly despise hanging holiday lights and battery-operated anything. Seriously, if one light bulb even begins to flicker, you know the whole strand is about to go! (Have you tried replacing a bulb with one of those tiny, individually packed bulbs they throw into the bottom of the box? I have and newsflash: They don’t always work!) By the end of the song, you are just cringing because you realize that it’s not even Christmas yet and you have already begun the descent into the perils the season sometimes brings.

Pair with: Brooklyn Cider House Half Sour. It’s okay if the holidays (or holiday music) makes you feel a little sour sometimes. How about a cider that expertly balances sourness and makes it something be enjoyed? This thought-provoking, edgy cider, which undergoes three fermentations, offers notes of wildflowers and honey, followed by a wave of citrus and pickled pear. It’s lightly carbonated and a lot of fun, just like you when you give into the spirit of the season.

Vince Guaraldi Trio, Linus and Lucy

It just wouldn’t be Christmastime without Charlie Brown and the gang! Anyone who knows me knows my absolutely pure love for Snoopy and Woodstock! Let the toe-tapping commence as you jam along to the iconic piano composition, Linus and Lucy, a song that is synonymous with the Peanuts franchise. For this classic song, you need to bring out the classic cider to match the mood!

Pair with: Anxo Cider District Dry. Refreshing and clean, this crushable cider will leave you feeling jolly with traditional holiday cheer and ready for all-things-Christmas!

Please tell us which holiday song is your favorite in the conversation below!

• Feature photo: Pexels

The post How to Pair Your Favorite Funny Holiday Tunes with Cider appeared first on Cider Culture.

December is here, #ciderlovers! Who is ready to start putting up holiday decor and spreading some cheer?! (Despite department stores having had Christmas decorations for sale since Halloween, and you know you’ve had your lights up since mid-November!)

We end this chilly week with a new version of The Double Tap List, our curated roundup of the most notable and like-worthy cider content that we discovered on Instagram over the past seven days. The cider community is spreading some cheer this week with Small Business Saturday, cider socks, and knit cider koozies.

Check out some of our favorite ‘grams from November 24–30:

Thor’s Hard Cider

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Last weekend was the kickoff of the holiday buying season. As soon as the turkey was cleared from the table on Thanksgiving, hoards of people headed out to seek the best Black Friday deals! One of the best buying days during the holiday buying rush (in my own personal opinion) is Small Business Saturday. Thor’s Hard Cider jumped on board with this special day by hosting a series of their own deals! All customers saved 25% off all of Thor’s cider apparel, and up to 10% off all gift items for cider lovers in your life. Customers enjoyed some great live music while they shopped, and also enjoyed some tasty homemade treats, including apple brats and homemade chili.

Double Shovel Cider Co.

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Double Shovel Cider is hosting a creative pop-up shop this Friday, November 30th. Join Double Shovel in their Anchorage taproom as they celebrate their love for state parks with an Alaska State Park pop-up shop full of cool Alaska State Park gear. From 4:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m., customers can also purchase 2019 day-use passes, as well as stock up on some warm Alaska State Park hoodies for the winter. Grab a glass of cider as you peruse the local goods and help support a great cause!

Tilted Shed Ciderworks

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Tilted Shed wants you to save the date for an exciting holiday event in Sonoma County, CA! Saturday, December 8th, from 12:00-5:00 p.m., join Tilted Shed for some sipping and shopping at Artisan Alley. Stock up on your holiday needs with local gifts from vendors, including Colagrossi Wines, K Squared Cellars, Sonoma Brothers Distilling, and Unturned Stone. Grab a drink of cider as you make your way from vendor to vendor, and help support the local businesses of Sonoma County!

Austin Eastciders

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Well, hello there, stocking stuffers! Do you have a sophisticated cider-lover in your life? Do they enjoy looking dapper, while also hinting at their fun and playful side? Then, look no farther than Austin Eastcider’s Holiday Cider Socks. If you are looking for other great holiday gifts, too, check out Austin Eastcider’s online shop, which is chock full of tees and hats, plus tubes for a relaxing river experience! Find these socks on sale in the online store!

Whitewood Cider Co.

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Stop everything! An event of epic craft proportions is coming to Seattle! The Hopnificent Holiday Ball hosted by Pike Brewing will be held on Wednesday, December 12th, from 5:00-9:00 p.m. and it will be a night you won’t want to miss. Come adorning your holiday best (I’m looking at you, ugly Christmas sweater!) and join Pike Brewing’s local craft friends, including Whitewood Cider Co., for a tap takeover. The best part: Seattle Humane Society will bring some four-legged friends along, all of whom are looking for great homes. Help raise money for the pups and participate in the on-site raffle, and indulge in some holiday food. Santa will be on location for some very special photos, too. It won’t just be any Santa, however. “Heavy Metal Santa” is making an appearance. Clear your night, Seattle cider fans. This is going to be a holiday party you won’t want to miss!

BONUS!!

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It’s so cold out, sometimes even your cider needs a sweater! @boldrockhardcider

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Looking sharp in your pup gear, buddy! @virginiacider

What are your favorite #cider IG accounts to follow? Please let us know in the comments, and don’t forget to follow Cider Culture on Instagram, too! Check back with us each Friday to see more of our favorite cider-related Instagram posts. Until next time, have a great week!

• Feature photo: Bigstock

The post The Double Tap List: The Best of #Cider on Instagram (Nov. 24–30) appeared first on Cider Culture.

Welcome to Black Friday, #ciderculture fans! It’s the official kickoff to the holiday shopping season and we know you are itching to get out and work off all of those Thanksgiving feast calories.

We end this week with a special Thanksgiving version of The Double Tap List, our curated roundup of the most notable and like-worthy cider content that we discovered on Instagram over the past seven days. The cider community is spreading some love and thankfulness this holiday weekend and we wanted to share all of those good vibes with you! From all of us here at Cider Culture, we want to say “Happy Thanksgiving!” and we hope you’re enjoying the extended weekend.

Check out some of our favorite ‘grams from November 17–23:

Bryants Cider

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Bryants Cider is sharing what they are thankful for this holiday, and in case you are in need of some good sipping this weekend, Bryants’ Virginia taproom will reopen on Saturday, November 24th at 12:00 p.m. Oh, and we are all thankful for cider, too, Bryants Cider!

101 Cider House

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It is refreshing to see a company who truly appreciates their employees and all of the customers who love what they do! Thank you, 101 Cider, for spreading the love this holiday weekend!

Pivot Brewing Company

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You all know that feeling — you’ve just stuffed yourself silly at your Thanksgiving feast. You had one helping of mashed potatoes too many. Your pants, well they are not your friend right now, and that button is getting dangerously close to popping off! Then, you see the pie and you think to yourself “I can do this.” Your body suddenly feels lighter and you rally as you chomp into that slice of deliciously warm, homemade apple pie! It’s so worth not being able to fit into your work clothes next Monday morning. The photo above is an actual shot of someone at Pivot Brewing grabbing that extra slice of pie. Only it’s an adorable puppy — and he can have whatever pie he wants… Have some more apple pie, buddy!

The Cider Junction

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The Cider Junction hosted a Friendsgiving Fundraiser on Wednesday, November 21st to help the Camp Fire Relief Fund. The casual pre-Thanksgiving ‘thank you’ event for all of their cider fans took place from 4:30 until 9 p.m.! Dinner was served free of cost to every patron who wished to participate — first come, first serve. In lieu of dinner payment, Cider Junction asked for donations to the Fire Relief Fund to support those who have lost so much in the California fires. Every penny from Cider Junction’s special cider tap also went into the Fire Relief Fund. What a beautiful way to give back this holiday season. Well done, Cider Junction!

Nine Pin Cider

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If you are looking to burn off the Thanksgiving calories, head out to Nine Pin Cider for Friendsgiving on Friday, November 23rd. They will be opening early at 1:00 p.m. and hosting tours of the cidery. Live music will start at 2:00 p.m. and the tasting room will be pouring ciders all day. If you are actually feeling hungry after your filling Thanksgiving dinner, then you are in luck! Nine Pin will have a pop-up seafood dinner in their tasting room from 5:00-8:00 p.m.

BONUS!!

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Have a safe and Happy Thanksgiving weekend! @spicerswinery

What are your favorite #cider IG accounts to follow? Please let us know in the comments, and don’t forget to follow Cider Culture on Instagram, too! Check back with us each Friday to see more of our favorite cider-related Instagram posts. Until next time, have a great week!

• Feature photo: Pixabay

The post The Double Tap List: The Best of #Cider on Instagram (Nov. 17–23) appeared first on Cider Culture.

Happy Friday, dear #ciderfans! What a week it has been, amirite?!  The East Coast experienced its first snowstorm of the season: Winter Storm Avery. California is battling some of the most devastating and deadly wildfires in history. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the residents of Paradise, Camp and all of the areas currently affected by the destruction. As always, we encourage our readers to lend a helping hand during these sad times and reach out to the Red Cross to see what you can do for those in need.

We end this week with a brand-new version of The Double Tap List, our curated roundup of the most notable and like-worthy cider content that we discovered on Instagram over the past seven days. So much is happening in our cider community this weekend, including a flannel party, cider making, and the ongoing relief efforts with the Camp Fire in California.

Check out some of our favorite ‘grams from November 10–16:

Tilted Shed

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Tilted Shed Ciderworks in Sonoma County is doing its part to help the relief effort for those impacted by the Camp Fire in California. Join Tilted Shed and other cider lovers this Saturday, November 17, from noon to 5 p.m. for an afternoon of charity and cider. If you go, please bring necessities for fire survivors, such as towels, toiletries, sleeping bags, and animal collars and leashes. Each guest that that comes with a donation will receive a complimentary tasting, courtesy of the kind staff at Tilted Shed. While you are there, be sure to sample the newly released 2017 New England Style barrel-aged cider! Check out Tilted Shed’s Instagram post for the complete list of items that they will be collecting this Saturday.

Dacha Cider Week

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D.C.’s own Dacha Beer Garden is hosting its annual Cider Week, and there are some tasty treats in store for its faithful patrons. Cider Week started this past Wednesday, November 14, with three local cideries on tap, including Virginia’s very own Potters Craft Cider’s Farmhouse Dry and D.C.’s Supreme Core Cider’s Ginger Beard Man. But the star of the show is the much-anticipated limited release of Dacha’s first-ever collaboration! Joining forces with ANXO Cider, a special Cuvee cider was born from the collaboration and is on tap for your enjoyment. So, scrap whatever happy hours you have planned this Friday evening and head to the Garden!

Tincap Cider

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The crisp chill of the fall wind means it’s time to unleash the winter garb you have been so itching to wear. If, like me, you are the proud owner of an abundance of flannel shirts that would make Al Borland proud, then Tin Cap Cider has the party for you! It’s hosting its 2nd Annual Flannel Party on Friday, November 16, at its tasting room in Wilmington, Ohio. From 5 ’til 10 p.m., come join the party in your favorite flannel and take part in the frivolity of a brisk fall night by filling up a mug with some delicious mulled cider!

Bryants Cider

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The Regional

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Who doesn’t enjoy a delicious cider pairing dinner? They have become all the rage in our community, and here is a new one to put on your calendar: On Tuesday, November 20, The Regional in Fort Collins, Colorado will be hosting its own five-course dinner to celebrate this season’s apple harvest. Prepared with apples curated from across the country, The Regional will be cultivating mouth-watering, apple-based dishes, meticulously paired with various ciders, beers and apple cocktails! Menu selections will include a first course of butter-poached Washington golden apples with lemon, marjoram and horseradish. This will be followed by a course of scallops with chilled guava cider redux, Empire apples, country ham and cabbage. There will also be two additional bonus courses, so come hungry! Get your tickets here!

BONUS!!

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Why would you go outside to play in this East Coast snowstorm when you could stay inside with these two cuties? @osbciderworks

What are your favorite #cider IG accounts to follow? Please let us know in the comments, and don’t forget to follow Cider Culture on Instagram, too! Check back with us each Friday to see more of our favorite cider-related Instagram posts. Until next time, have a great week!

• Feature photo: Bigstock

The post The Double Tap List: The Best of #Cider on Instagram (Nov. 10–16) appeared first on Cider Culture.

Welcome to November, #ciderfriends! A winter preview seems to have come in like a lion, and we kicked off this cold week with a very important moment for Americans: the midterm elections! Did you get out and do your civic duty and vote (and then post the obligatory “I Voted” sticker on social media)?

We end this eventful week with a brand-new version of The Double Tap List, our curated roundup of the most notable and like-worthy cider content that we discovered on Instagram over the past seven days. Our cider community has a lot of fun in store for the coming weeks, including a grand opening, pop-up taprooms and a pressing party!

Check out some of our favorite ‘grams from November 3–9:

Locust Cider

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Saturday, November 17, is a big day for Locust Cider as it will open its new Fort Worth, Texas taproom! This is an event that has been many months in the making for the cidery based in the state of Washington. What a day it will be! In the Texas taproom, cider fans will be able to enjoy Locust’s new cider release and drink specials, and Smoke Addictz BBQ will be on location feeding the hungry masses at the grand opening. You can enjoy all of these festivities while helping Locust Cider support a cause close to its heart: hydrocephalus. A portion of all of the proceeds from the opening will go towards supporting this cause. Learn more about how you can help here.

Sly Clyde Cider

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This past Tuesday was Election Day, and we hope you did your duty by registering your #vote! Sly Clyde Ciderworks was on board with encouraging voter turnout by tempting cider-lovers with a tasty treat! From 3 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday evening, guests received $1 off all drafts when they showed off their “I Voted” stickers at this coastal Virginia cidery. That’s not a bad deal! You do your duty as an American citizen and then you get rewarded with delicious American-made cider. I would be tempted to try Sly Clyde’s Inkjet, a semi-sweet cider that tastes like summer mojitos made with fresh blackberries! If your taste buds have shifted to fall already, the First Landing colonial-style cider might do the trick, with its warm autumn flavors of raisins and brown sugar.

Nine Pin Cider

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Join the Nine Pin Cider crew this Saturday, November 10, for its 5th-Annual Pressing Party! This beloved event will be featuring all of the food and cider you can handle. Kick off the event by helping to press over 100 varieties (yes, 100!) of wild-foraged, Samascott Orchards and Lindseys Idyllwood Orchard apples into Nine Pin’s “Monster” cider blend. Guests can also sample the fruits of last year’s labor, with the official release of the 2017 batch of Cider Monster. Live music will be going all day to keep your spirits high as you press away. But, when you start to get tired, there will be food on hand to help you regain your energy. Burger 21 will be frying up hand-pressed burgers and Muddaddy Flats Quesadillary will be pressing gooey and yummy quesadillas. There will also be fun activities mixed into the day, including an apple jug bench press competition and a pie-eating contest! Prizes are up for grabs for the winners of these two competitive matches. Electric City Roasters will be there to help caffeinate you between rounds of cider, and Albany Distilling Company will be hosting tastings. It sounds like quite the day! Tickets are still available for this event, so get yours now.

Right Bee Cider

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Happy Birthday, Right Bee Cider! This weekend marks the cidery’s fourth year in operation and it is celebrating in a big way! The cidery will be doing a complete takeover at Paddy Long’s in Chicago to mark the occasion. Paddy Long’s was the first location to pour pints of Right Bee Cider, so it is only fitting that it gets the honors of letting Right Bee Cider completely takeover its tap system and turn the neighborhood pub into a cider taproom. The party will kick off Wednesday, November 14, with Right Bee’s Firkin Tapping, followed by Thursday night’s ciders and sliders and Friday’s cider cocktail night. Saturday, November 17, will be the grand finale, with Right Bee Cider’s 4th Birthday Party! We hope you can join the Right Bee Cider crew in celebrating this great event.

Capitol Cider House

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Smoke and Ember BBQ was on site Thursday, November 8, at Capitol Cider House to debut its smoked cabbage sandwich! Vegetarians, rejoice! If this doesn’t sound exciting to you, then you clearly haven’t had cabbage done right. A semi-sweet cider with haluski is comfort food at its best! If you were only looking for dinner in liquid form, however, then this D.C. cider house has you covered. With all locally sourced Mid-Atlantic ciders featured at Capitol Cider House, one would be hard-pressed (pun intended!) not to find a cider to fully enjoy there!

BONUS!

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Let’s give Shadow and her ears a very warm welcome to our cider community!! @indiancreekfarmithaca

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These puppies love their apples in any form! @greenroadpress

What are your favorite #cider IG accounts to follow? Please let us know in the comments, and don’t forget to follow Cider Culture on Instagram, too! Check back with us each Friday to see more of our favorite cider-related Instagram posts. Until next time, have a great week!

• Feature photo: Bigstock

The post The Double Tap List: The Best of #Cider on Instagram (Nov. 3–9) appeared first on Cider Culture.

Mask-covered ghouls scour the streets for tasty treats to eat. Jack-o’-lanterns blaze their fiery light, cracking their evil smiles for all who dare to go out at night. Scary movies howl in every home, with creepy shadows lingering along walls, and things that go bump in the night! All of this can only mean one thing: It’s Halloween night!

We celebrate this Halloween with a brand-new version of The Double Tap List, our curated roundup of the most notable and like-worthy cider content that we discovered on Instagram over the past seven days. This week our cider community had a wickedly fun time celebrating Halloween, with candy and cider pairings — and there are upcoming cider dinners, too.

Check out some of our favorite ‘grams from October 27– November 2:

Fatboy’s Kitchen and Bar

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Fatboy’s Kitchen and Bar in New London, Connecticut is bringing its guests a delicious fall pairing that will ignite your taste buds! Join in on the fun on Tuesday, November 6th for a 3-course dinner that will be paired with carefully chosen varietals from Citizen Cider and Woodchuck Cider. The first two courses will be accompanied by two of Citizen Ciders’ infamous releases: the gingery Dirty Mayor and their flagship cider, the Unified Press. My mouth is watering just hearing about the homemade mascarpone ice cream that will be paired with Woodchuck’s amazing Pear Cider!  The event will begin promptly at 6:00 p.m. and tickets are $40 per guest. Visit Fatboy’s Facebook page for more information on how to reserve a seat.

Blue Bee Cider

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Giveaway alert! In Virginia, Richmond Cider Celebration tickets are up for grabs and you don’t want to miss it! This 6th-annual event is set for Saturday, November 10th, from 11:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Winners of the giveaway will receive two tickets to the celebration, a VA Cider Week canvas bag, a Richmond Cider Celebration glass, and tickets for cider sampling from any of the event’s participating cideries, including Blue Bee Cider and Blue Toad Cider. To win this giveaway, tag a friend to the above post on the @callmerobey Instagram page, and a winner will be chosen next Thursday, 11/8!  The Richmond Cider Celebration helps to support the Enrichmond Foundation — an organization whose mission is to serve Richmond’s people, parks and public resources.

Bryants Cider

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Bryants Cider wants to wish everyone a very Happy Halloween and to also let the #ciderworld know that its Jackson Ward tasting room in Virginia will be open just in time for the weekend! Just a couple of months after opening their flagship location in Roseland, Bryants Cider will be hosting a tasting room for all of the cider lovers in the Jackson Ward neighborhood. So, if you don’t have plans for this weekend, you’ll want to make time to take a peek at the new location But, get there early because there is a maximum occupancy limit of 15 for the new tasting room. It would be a shame to not get a seat, because then you wouldn’t be able to try their Unicorn Fuel, a cider infused with rose hips and hibiscus. It’s magical and if the unicorns love it, then you will too!

Supreme Core Cider

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Join Supreme Core Cider as it hosts Sally’s Middle Name for a night of deliciously cheesy night in D.C.! On Thursday, November 8th, Melissa Provinsal from Sally’s Middle Name, a D.C.-based restaurant and bar, will be walking event guests through an hour-long tutorial showing how to pair four American-made cheeses with the various flavors Supreme Core has to offer. The cheeses are carefully selected artisanal cheeses that have been locally sourced by Sally’s Middle Name’s cheese program. The event gives guests the opportunity to sample cheeses from local farmers and producers for a night of quality and freshness that will be too delicious to resist! Find your tickets for this event here.

Cider Junction

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Have you ever tried a cider and candy pairing? If not, then you have not lived! My neighbors’ kids didn’t even get the good candy I bought for Halloween because I wasn’t about to give up my Milky Way Dark Chocolate minis once I realized how mind-blowingly well they pair with cranberry cider! California’s Cider Junction had the same sweet idea, with a candy and cider pairing to celebrate Halloween the only way I’ve ever done it — filling up on sugar and watching creepy movies! Guests at Cider Junction were encouraged to come to happy hour from 4:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. in full costume and stuff themselves with candy bowl treats and cider flights… all while watching The Nightmare Before Christmas! Handing out candy is overrated — adult binge candy eating is way more fun! (Check out Cider Culture’s Halloween candy and cider pairing guide published last month!)

BONUS!!

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Guess what? Friday is here and she brought a 6-pack! @thecraftycask

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Great costume, buddy! From all of us here at Cider Culture, we hope you had a spooktacular Halloween! @legend_cider

What are your favorite #cider IG accounts to follow? Please let us know in the comments, and don’t forget to follow Cider Culture on Instagram, too! Check back with us each Friday to see more of our favorite cider-related Instagram posts. Until next time, have a great week!

• Feature photo: BigStock

The post The Double Tap List: The Best of #Cider on Instagram (Oct. 27– Nov. 2) appeared first on Cider Culture.