The Northwest Cider Association celebrates Washington Cider Week for 10 days every September. The event brings together cider producers throughout the Pacific Northwest with cider lovers. It’s an event to share knowledge, experience, and the Northwest cider culture.
Members include cideries in Oregon, Washington, Montana, Idaho, and British Columbia, as well as retail shops, restaurants, beverage distributors, equipment suppliers, and anyone involved with the cider industry. They offer classes, workshops, and cider-themed events, now as well throughout the year from spring through fall. Most of all, they celebrate the cider they love.
In 2020, Washington Cider Week will look different from previous years. But the show goes on! Listed below, are selected events during Washington Cider Week, with a focus on cider-to-go kits and samplers.
For a complete list of Washington Cider Week events, visit: https://www.washingtonciderweek.org/event-calendar
Apple cider tasting flight. Cider can range from light, delicate and sparkly to rich, dark, and full of complexity. – DepositPhotos.com
About apple cider
Fermented apple juice is called “hard cider” or simply cider. Other terminology such as organic and unfiltered can mean different things in different places. If you are in doubt, ask!
Cider has been enjoyed for thousands years. It’s mentioned in the histories of the Romans, Greeks, and Hebrews, among others. Many old apple varieties were tart and bitter, making them more suitable for cider than for fresh eating.
Early European pioneers along the Atlantic coast in America often planted easy-to-grow apple orchards on their homestead. Pressing apples and fermenting apple juice was an easy way to preserve a large harvest. Apple juice, also called “sweet cider” comes from freshly pressed apples.
By the late 1800s, cider began its decline as the most popular beverage in the nation. The Industrial Revolution lead to increased urbanization and populations moved from farms to cities. Fresh apple juice did not keep well. Farms and orchards were abandoned.
Immigrants from Germany and Ireland preferred beer, and moved to the Midwest, which was ideal for growing grains needed to brew beer. These and other factors led further to the decline of cider as the most popular American beverage.
Today, there is a resurgence in cider making. It is one of the fastest-growing segments of the liquor industry. Many wine and beer drinkers, chefs, and food enthusiasts enjoy exploring cider in all forms and flavors. Unlike beer, cider is suitable for a gluten-free diet.
The Washington State University cider research program was established at Mount Vernon, Washington in 1979. Initially, they planted six cider apple varieties. Today they have more than 65 varieties. Test orchards include apples originating from England, France, Germany, and the United States. They perform research to assist apple growers and cider makers in our state. They work to improve cultivation methods and evaluate cider characteristics from different types of apples.
Fresh red apples growing on trees. There are hundreds of varieties of cider apples. – DepositPhotos.com
Washington Cider Week 2020
(Listed alphabetically by city.)
Check their website for hours, cider week deals, and other offerings.
The Local 104, 18498 Ballinger Way NE, Lake Forest Park, WA 98155. Local 104 partners with local purveyors to create a Northwest-inspired menu centered around the wood-fired oven. Insanely good pizza, an extensive wine list, and 30 taps dedicated to local beverages are just a few reasons to visit. Cider Week they will feature selections from Finnriver Ciders, Winsome Ciderworks, and Greenwood Cider Co. Grab a specialty flight or 4-pack of limited release ciders. Crowlers & Growlers also available. OPEN for outdoor seating and curbside pickup. Order online or by phone. More info: https://www.washingtonciderweek.org/event-calendar/2020/9/8/the-local-104-partners-up-for-cider-week
Spin Cider, 8323 SE Millihanna Rd, Olalla, WA 98359. Located on the Kitsap Peninsula between Tacoma and Port Orchard. Online ordering for curbside pickup or UPS delivery. Offering 3 new blends, including “An Apple for the Teacher” honoring the challenges teachers face this fall–this cider is made by teachers, for teachers, with special discount prices for teachers.
Mulleadys Irish Pub, 3055 21st Ave West, Seattle, WA 98199. Get a weekend cider box for cider week! It includes 3 Finnriver ciders along with classic brats from Jack Mountain Meats, house-smoked pork (smoked by the Chef at Mulleady’s), Loghouse cheese (from Vashon Island), and a baguette from Grand Central Bakery! Available online $59.99 per box for pickup or delivery.
Locust Cider (Seattle, Tacoma, Woodinville) will be releasing NEW Peach Ginger Cider in 16 oz cans and 4 pack boxes! Washington apples blended with peach juice and ginger. Juicy peach with a hint of ginger bite.
Peaks and Pints (21+ only), 3816 N. 26th, Tacoma, WA 98407. Daily Washington Cider Flights as well cider in crowlers, growlers, and cider in cans and bottles to go.
Incline Cider, 2115 South C Street, Tacoma, WA 98402. To-Go Tasting Kits for $30. They’ll include a mixed 6-pack of their Hopped, Marionberry, Lemongrass, Cranberry, Blood Orange, & Compass Rose as well as 4 Incline branded taster glasses. It’s everything you need to host an at-home tasting, packaged in an Incline Cider House re-usuable tote. $3 from every purchase will go towards feeding the homeless!
Nashi Orchards, 25407 Wax Orchard Road SW, Vashon, WA 98070. Hosting orchard tours on Sept 12 and 13 by appointment only. Space is limited, so reserve a spot ASAP. They are also hosting a virtual tour Sept 15 at 3pm. Attendees will get a code for 15% off of purchases of our newly released Porter’s Perfection cider packaged in a sustainable pouch. Great for your next outdoor adventure.
Tieton Cider, 619 West J Street Yakima, WA 98902. Tieton will have an icy cider pop special the first weekend, September 11th & 12th. They are also featuring their new Huckleberry Cider Release to run through mid-October in bottles and on draft in select locations. You can find their products locally at Bartell Drug, PCC Markets and other locations: https://tietonciderworks.com/cider-finder/
Apple orchards were common on early American farmsteads – DepositPhotos.com
