I want to become a Pommelier and attending CiderCon only reinforced my decision. So, I have dived deep into the recommended reading materials for the CCP Level 2: Certified Pommelier examination. The academic in me is finding the information absolutely fascinating in its detail and descriptions. Part horticulture, part history, part politics, part anthropology, the life of cider is as good as any novel I have recently read. References to sources only serve to pique my interest and make me seek out those materials. Knowing that cider was once the drink of kings and that sparkling wines may have not come to fruition if ciderists had not discovered the secret of stabilizing carbon dioxide first (or created substantial glass bottles to hold the deliciousness), it is absurd that cider has fallen so far from grace in the public eye. Its fall, however, only intrigues me more. Back to the books…
Excited about Chicago in February?!?
I realize it is odd that I would be excited about spending the week in Chicago in early February. When that week is CiderCon though, how can I not be excited? I have wanted to attend CiderCon since my early days of cider consumption. This year, I finally have the opportunity to attend. Get ready for regular updates as I learn more about the industry and its products.
I admit I have been avoiding my blog
…partly because I have just been enjoying drinking cider and posting pictures on Instagram of the beverages I enjoy and partly because I am not sure anyone is ready for another blog. However, I have felt a recent need to get back to my page as hard cider has taken over the market these past few years and I am even more obsessed with promoting its tastiness and its validity as a potent potable.
So, first things first, time to clean up this site and get focused on my vision.
Hello world!
Welcome to WordPress. This is your first post. Edit or delete it, then start writing!
Some pictures from my blogging hiatus… look for new items in October!
First Time at a Cidery
Fortunately for me, my friends support my love and interest in cider. So when I was in Minneapolis for a girls getaway, we ventured over to Sociable Cider Werks for a pint and my first tour of a cidery. I have been following Sociable on the usual social platforms for quite some time. Getting the opportunity to see how they ply their trade was not only informative, but gave me ideas for my next home attempt.
Sociable is a small, but rapidly expanding cidery/brewery in a well-kept industrial area of Minneapolis. It is a little tricky to find if you do not use the directions on its website (www.sociable.com). The tasting room is welcoming. The staff are friendly and quite knowledgeable about the science and philosophy of making craft ciders. They represent the Sociable brand well with their enthusiasm over their cider and the potential for cider’s return to popularity in the United States as a respected form of alcoholic consumption.
Their staple cider is a dry, crisp blend of Midwest apples they call Freewheeler. Easy to drink with only a hint of sweetness, even the beer drinker in our group chose a pint of Freewheeler over the craft ales offered. Freewheeler serves as the base for other tasty varieties, such as lavender infused and bitter lemon. I left with a “Crowler” (a clever 750ml can) of the bitter lemon. As I later sat on my friend’s patio enjoying lively conversation and sipping the sweet/tart libation, I could not help but feel sociable.
Is it second time’s the charm?
Pretty aren’t they? I am starting on my second attempt at making small batch cider. I believe I have corrected the issues I experienced on my first attempt (which didn’t even pass the yeast phase). I am kind of flying blind on all of this, despite my research efforts. Here’s hoping I make it to the second fermentation this time.
First Attempt?!?
My dear husband obtained all the materials necessary for me to start making cider to further my understanding of the trade. I have been pouring over various materials, websites, and books on the basics in the hopes to enter the process with some knowledge. My first attempt, however, has not gone far. I hate to waste the juice, but I am thinking I need to start over since I cannot even get the starter going. Back to the drawing board…
New Year! New Explorations!
I used to love beer. I was especially addicted to ambers and stouts. Whenever I traveled, I would find the nearest pub or bar offering the local concoction of hops, barleys, wheats and ryes. My mouth still waters thinking of some of the specialty brews I sampled over the years. Alas, my consumption of foamy deliciousness became taboo (and life threatening) when I learned that I had developed celiac. If you are not aware, celiac is an autoimmune disease that basically takes all the fun out of life for a beer drinker. Gluten-free beer makers are trying, but tasty developments are most decidedly few and far between. Given that I could no longer easily enjoy my beverage of choice, I turned to liquor and wine (the result of which made me quite a vodka connoisseur and a wine snob), but I still craved a cold frosty beverage from time to time. As my need for a lager grew, I started hearing about hard ciders and how they were predominantly gluten free. (Yay me!) Thus began my interest (re: obsession) with ciders.
Hard ciders have become the hot item in the beverage industry. The big boys of the U.S. brewing world jumped quickly on something the Europeans had never gave up – cider is very tasty and refreshing. Women make up a large portion of cider consumers and for some reason the ABInBevs of the world seem to think we are always looking for a new Bartles & Jaymes so they have quickly released mass quantities of what I consider apple juice concentrate (and I think most people would agree with me). Luckily, quite a few smaller cideries have taken up the challenge of crafting brews that rival their artisan wheat, barley and rye competitors. As I began my search for purveyors of cider that moved beyond apple juice with an alcohol content, I found it even more interesting that quite a few women are at the forefront of the cider movement. As such, I decided to create this site as an expression of love for ciders and to, hopefully, promote some of the Ladies In Cider who develop such distinctive libations.