The countdown to Cider Summit Seattle continues! Last week they released their list of cideries & ciders. I count 218 ciders. I spent several hours making a spreadsheet of them, researching, and prioritizing, as unfortunately it will be impossible to try them all (and would be cost-prohibitive at $2 a taste).
I decided to choose ciders that were more expensive, rare, not available here, and of course, likely to be to my tastes. I ended up with 33, which sounds doable over two days. I was surprised how many cideries I haven’t had a chance to try anything from. I also have some second tier options, even after eliminating those I’ve tried before and didn’t sound interesting, but I kinda doubt I’ll get to them!
Eden Specialty Ciders: Heirloom Blend and Sparkling Semi-Dry (I have never tried their ciders)
Attila Hard Cider Co.: Rapture (I have their Scourge of God at home to try)
Neigel Vintners (NV) Cider: Cherry Perry (I’ve tried a couple of their perries, and even had an interview with them)
2 Towns CIderhouse: Bourbon Barrel 2012 (I recently tried their Cider Master Reserve Batch 01 that was barrel aged)
Apple Outlaw: Oaked Sweet Dark Cherry (I have never tried their ciders)
Artisinal Imports, Farnum Hill Ciders: Dooryard and Extra Dry (I have never tried their ciders)
E.Z. Orchards: Roman Beauty, Hawk Haus, Semi Dry, and Poire (I have never tried their ciders)
Dragon’s Head Cider: Traditional, Manchuian, and Pippin (I have Wild Fermented at home to try)
Eaglemount Wine and Cider: Homestead Dry (their Quince is amazing!)
Finnriver: Cyser, Country Peach, and Cacao Brandywine (I have never seen any of these in stores but I’ve tried several of their ciders)
Bull Run Cider: Pear Wine (I have never tried their ciders)
Half Pint Ciders, 101 Ciderhouse: Black Dog Black Cider (sounds really interesting with activated charcoal; really didn’t like their Cactus Red though)
Liberty Ciderworks: Macintosh Single Varietal, English Style Cider (I liked their Manchurian Crabapple and have their Stonewall Dry Fly Barrel Aged at home to try)
Millstone Cellars: Farmgate Dry (I want to give them another try after not caring for Cobbler)
Montana CiderWorks: Darby Pub Cider (I have never tried their ciders)
Moonlight Meadery: How do you like them Apples Bourbon Barrel (I loved their How do you like them Little Apples Bourbon Barrel; note these are ciders with honey, not mead, and are not available in bottles)
J.K.’s Scrumpy: The Pair Perry (their Northern Neighbor is pretty good; this one doesn’t appear to be sold in my area yet though)
Sea Cider: Bittersweet, Bramble Bubbly, and Perry (their Prohibition is awesome)
Snowdrift Cider Co.: Perry and Cliffbreaks Blend (I love their Cornice and Red)
Whitewood Cider Co.: Kingston Black Whiskey Barrel Aged (I’ve heard this is good but isn’t out in bottles yet; I wasn’t a fan of their Summer Switchel though)
Has anyone tried any of these ciders? If you are going to Cider Summit Seattle, what do you plan to try?
Cider Says 
Please make a blog about your experience there! This is right next to my office but sadly, I’m going to LA that weekend so couldn’t join 😦
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Trouble: Thats a huge bummer. But have no fear, I plan on many Cider Summit Seattle 2015 related blog posts! One for each tasting event I go to that surrounds the summit, one on the summit, and one or more on the ciders I taste at the summit.
This page will summarize them all (as I’m tagging them “Cider Summit”): https://cidersays.wordpress.com/tag/cider-summit/
Its also great to read that you are also in the Seattle area! Its especially good for you as you can actually find all the ciders I review (vs. those in other areas wouldn’t be able to get many of the PNW ones). Thanks for reading!
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That’s awesome that you made a spreadsheet! Would you mind sharing that with me? I’d like to have an idea of the ones I want to try before going as well. Unfortunately I’ll only be able to (hopefully) go on Friday (wedding to go to on Saturday).
Look forward to seeing you!
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Melissa: I emailed you the spreadsheet-enjoy! I think there are way too many ciders to go in blindly, so its great you are also planning ahead. I prioritized the ciders not available here, expensive ones, etc. Thankfully I eliminated a bunch that I had tried before or won’t interested in, but that still left about half of them, so its tough. Hopefully 33 is doable though over 2 days…
We should definitely meet up! I’m planning to arrive when they open at 2pm on Friday (VIP ticket; regular is 3pm) and stay until I’m cidered out, then do the same Saturday starting at noon. Its great there are in & out privileges, so I may take a dinner break if nothing there looks good.
I’ll be wearing the hot pink CiDER SAYS t-shirt and a purple paisley Vera Bradley backpack, so I should be fairly easy to spot lol (or else text Aaron or something).
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