This weekend commences New York City Cider Week, a nine-day cider celebration at bars, restaurants and bottle shops in Brooklyn, Manhattan and Queens. Cider Week festivals, which launched 2011 in various locations in New York State, connects the public with cideries by offering tastings, cider dinners, festivals, and other educational events. From November 2-11, more than 50 cider events will take place around the city. Here are some top picks from this fun-filled week of cider events:
Co-Ferment: Blending Perceptions of Cider, Wine, and Beer
Monday, November 5 (6:30-9pm)
Come explore the gray areas of fermentation: the intersection of cider, wine and beer. Co-Ferment, a tasting and panel discussion led by Jordan Werner Barry and Daniel Pucci, will focus on the ways that these seemingly different beverages overlap—production methods, farming, flavor, culture, and the language we use to talk about them. We have assembled an all-star panel to leads us down this wild path of natural fermentation, where we will learn and taste the differences, and examine the similarities of the tipples we all know so well. Tickets are $30
Certified Cider Professional Level 1 Class
Tuesday, November 6 (11am-1:30pm)
This class if free to ACTIVE USACM MEMBERS. Please register for this class with Ellen@ciderassociation.org if you are a member. This 2.5-hour class, taught by CCP instructors Jason Wilson and Darlene Hayes, will cover the six sections of the Level 1 Certified Cider Professional exam:
(1) Apples, the orchard & history
(2) Cider making
(3) Flavor & evaluation
(4) Cider styles
(5) Keeping & serving and
(6) Food & cider
This class will prepare you to take the test for earning your Level 1 Certified Cider Professional status. The test is available for purchase online through the United States Association of Cider Makers website. Created and run by the USACM, the CCP program is geared toward those in the beverage and hospitality trades, but as with similar programs in beer (Cicerone) and wine (sommelier) it is a great way for the serious cider lover to expand and validate their knowledge.
Cider is a beautifully nuanced beverage with untapped potential. Come to learn more about its magic and its care. Add CCP to your resume to bolster to your cider prowess! A flight of ciders used to illustrate key concepts is included with your class purchase. This class is offered in conjunction with Cider Week NYC.
State of the Cider Industry Live Broadcast
Tuesday, November 6 (4-5:55pm)
Celebrate cider week NYC with a live podcast. The state of the cider industry. 2 segments 4pm and 5pm. 2 hours of cider radio on Heritage Radio network, hosted by Jimmy Carbone of beer session radio, formerly of jimmys no 43, with Gidon Coll of original sin, and Ron Sansone, spoke+spy ciderworks, cider culture, drinking cider, ale street news.
In studio guests will include eden cider’ s Eleanor Leger, New York Cider Association’s Jenn Smith, call ins by us cider association folk, cider con’s founder Nick Gunn, Michigan ‘s Mike Beck of uncle john’s, Rev nat himself from the Pacific Northwest, and others. 2 hours of cider industry talk.
Lower East Cider Fest
Thursday, November 8 (6:30-9pm)
For one night only, New York cider takes over the Essex Street Market, the city’s most historic public market and perfect setting to show off cider’s ability to elevate every culinary experience. $25 gets you samples of 100+ ciders plus specialty bites. Ciders will also be available to purchase by-the-glass and to take home. Bringing the farmers to the market, this after dark market experience puts the spotlight on owner-operated businesses with deep character and roots, from the apple growers and cider makers making a rare appearance in the city, to the everyday merchants at Essex Street Market offering a variety of tasty flavors.
The Ultimate Heirloom Apple & Bottle Share
Saturday, November 10 (6-10pm)
Enjoy an evening full of Cider, Heirloom Apples, and amazing company! Join Cider Society as we celebrate NYC Cider week with a tribute to New York State Heirloom Apples and Ciders. Heirloom apples tasting and discussion with Gidon Coll Founder and President of Original Sin Cider, and a variety of rare and delicious Ciders to taste. This event will be held at Sunswick in Astoria. Tickets are $20.
Meet the Makers: 5 Course Cider Pairing Dinner
Sunday, November 11 (6-9pm)
Enjoy an inspired evening to culminate Cider Week NYC at Brooklyn Cider House, New York City’s first cidery with on-site restaurant. Executive Chef and Cider Maker, Peter Yi, has designed a 5-course, tasting menu to artfully pair with an exciting array of hard ciders from all over New York State. Throughout your meal, you’ll be personally introduced to the accompanying ciders by the producers, themselves, including cider makers from Eve’s Cidery, Descendant Cider, Blackduck, Treasury Cider and, of course, Brooklyn Cider House. Each will share the inspiration and process behind the glass you’re enjoying. It’s sure to be an unforgettable night! Tickets are $125.
To view a full list of events, visit CiderWeekNYC.com.
