The epic 10th annual Cider Summit is returning to Seattle Washington in 2019 on Friday September 6th (3-8pm) and Saturday September 7th (noon-5pm), except this time moving (from the South Lake Union Discovery Center Lawn) to Lake Union park at the MOHAI.  Check out my previous posts on Cider Summit from 2015 thru 2018 here, with a preview, event review, and cider tasting notes from each year.

See here for the full event info and here for the lists of cideries and ciders.  Last year over 50 cideries (or distributors) poured over 200 ciders, cysers, meads, fruit wines, Pommeaux, apple brandies, cider whiskies, and cider cocktails.  So, there are plenty of options for all tastes, and even folks like me who have tried most local selections will have multiple new ciders to try.  They of course skew towards the NW, but there are cideries from all over the country and world represented too, such as France and Spain.

Regular tickets are sold in advance online ($30 or $35 + fees), or at the door ($45), and includes a tasting glass + 16 drink tickets.  VIP tickets are sold in advance online only ($40 or $45 + fees), and get you in an hour early on Friday (2pm instead of 3pm), and include a tasting glass + 20 drink tickets.  Additional drink tickets are sold at the event, ~ $2 / 2oz.  Designated driver tickets are available at the door for $5.

This outdoor event is 21+ but dog friendly.  They usually have covered seating, stand up tables, cold water on tap, live music, a merchandise shop, bottle shop, food for sale, and a dog lounge.  Another special feature is the Fruit Cider Challenge; many cideries bring a special fruity cider, and attendees vote for their favorite.  Most booths have folks from the cidery (sometimes even the cidermaker) pouring ciders, either from a keg or bottle/can.  They may also still be accepting volunteers to help run the event (includes free admission after your shift and 50% off wearables).

The event has in & out privileges (if you keep your wristband and glass), so you can leave to grab food, or even return the next day.  On Friday it usually doesn’t get too busy until closer to 5pm, but it is pretty busy from then on.  However, Cider Summit events are so well laid out and organized, there tend to be fewer & shorter lines and less crowds than smaller events.

Cider Summit Seattle is part of Washington Cider Week (Sept 5-15).  Stay tuned for more posts here at Cider Says on Cider Summit and Washington Cider Week 2019 events.