Although most cider owners may try to say every month is cider month, the American Cider Association is borrowing a page from something Schilling Cider started and is looking to have cideries across the country to call the month of October National Cider Month.
“The goal of the participating cideries is that by working together to grow National Cider Month, cider can get more focus from retail partners, garner more consumer recognition for the category, and continue to grow the US cider market,” the ACA said in a release earlier this month. “This year, National Cider Month has several retail chains participating including Whole Foods nationwide with stack out areas specifically reserved for small local cideries.”
“I do think it is important to have a month-long campaign to educate folks on cider,” said New England Cider’s Miguel Galarraga. “We used to do Cider Week CT in the middle of November but that kind of took a back seat when COVID hit.
“It would be great to get back on board with something similar.”
Having this coming month to make a push to raise awareness is a wonderful way for cideries across the country to celebrate each other, added Right Bee’s Katie Morgan.
“We have a collaborative and supportive community, and it’ll be nice for people to witness that,” she said.
Portland Cider is getting on board, said Marketing Director Helen Lewis.
“We always enjoy collaboration, and in our opinion, the more we cider companies can work together — the better for the category overall,” Lewis said. “Cider has grown exponentially since Portland Cider Co. started 10 years ago, but realistically there is still so much work to be done to match the consumer awareness craft beer has. Especially in markets outside of the Northwest. By working together to elevate campaigns like ‘National Cider Month,’ we can all find success.”
Portland Cider is planning a slew of events and promotions to tie into National Cider Month, including a new small-batch release called Cinnamon Roll; inviting the local media for a tour to highlight the brand’s imperial ciders and newest release, Imperial Abbey Apple along with a Cidermaker’s Dinner — a public event at its Clackamas Pub along with a cookie decorating class at its Westside Pub to encourage even more new consumers to check out the location.
Posterity Ciderworks tells Brewer it is having a cidery maker’s dinner with Localis and releasing two new ciders. While New England Cider is not doing anything special, per se, Galarraga said they do have a couple of events planned for the month including two Cabaret shows and a Halloween/pumpkin festival at the cidery.
National Cider Month coincides with Serpentine Cider‘s 6th Anniversary on October 7. Founder and Cider Master Sean Harris said it will be an all-day event with many new releases, including Strawberry Black Pepper, Pineapple Toasted Coconut, Spicy Tropics; as well as a bottle release called Pea Flower Grapefruit, a few collaborations, giveaways and raffle prizes. One of the first cideries in the San Diego area, focuses on low sugar ciders and only use real fruit.
“We want to show Southern California that cider can be as refreshing as a beer in this warm sun, or as cozy as a warm cup of coffee on our cool winter nights,” Harris said.
In Virginia, Sage Bird Ciderworks has planned a couple of events to promote including SIDRA DAY on October 15 to help launching the Spanish-style wild-fermented cider inspired by owner Amberlee Carlson’s travels to Asturias, Spain. Sage Bird is also pouring at Virginia Pumpkin Festival while they announced a Caramel Apple cider release for September 30.
“Cider is a great beverage for every season with such versatile ways to be enjoyed, like sparkling, fortified, or even in a cocktail,” Carlson said.
At Right Bee Cider, Morgan said they are launching a brand new Variety Pack in October. The 12 packs include three cans each of the company’s award-winning Blossom, Dry, Clementine, and Rosé. They also have events at our taproom planned all month long and will update its Instagram through the month (@rightbeecider).
The ACA shared that Schilling Cider has created agnostic assets for use for any cidery looking to partake.
You can download National Cider Month assets HERE.
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