When it comes to the cider scene in BC, those who operate fruit orchards tend to stick together. Based primarily in the province’s pastoral belts, these small operators make cider, at least in part, from their own fruit. Founded in 2016, the BC Farm Crafted Cider Association acts as a voice for these land-based cider producers.
In 2020, there are at least 32 cideries in BC. As the craft beer industry has continued to grow, so too has the cider industry. Let’s get to know the woman behind Sea Cider Farm & Ciderhouse, and find out more about BC’s second oldest independent cidery.
From our Spring 2020 magazine, aka The Cider Issue: Windfall Cider’s Jeff Nairn describes the legendary career of a former cider apple grower: Jim Rahe of Langley’s Annie’s Orchard.
From our Spring 2020 magazine, aka The Cider Issue:
Longtime columnist J. Random breaks down the history of cider from Europe to British Columbia.
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About the time our ancestors came down from the trees, they developed a taste—or at least tolerance—for the alcohol that naturally develops in rotting fruit. These evolving hunter-gatherers might have fermented a beverage from collected fruit well before agriculture.
Whenever anyone asks me about getting into brewing, I suggest they try cider first. It’s a different process but quick, easy, cheap, shows the basic steps of sanitising and fermenting, and is much easier than making beer.
The latest issue of What’s Brewing magazine is now in market. The Spring 2020 edition has been designated ‘The Cider Issue’. Its 48 pages include a 24-page section devoted to craft cider—almost certainly the most ever said about BC cider in one magazine.
A quick visit to your favourite liquor store reveals the confusion around cider: is it proper craft cider or not? It’s unfortunate that cider drinkers have to rifle through the alco-pop selection to get to their favourite craft cider. Even more unfortunate is that cider is still categorized among these Ready To Drink (RTD) beverages by the taxation overlords of our alcohol distribution and sales monopoly in the province.
Photo: Wassail, At Sea Cider In Saanichton BC I already had visions of fruit trees in flower, apples, orchards, and cider…
What’s Brewing presents its Tasting Panel feature in each quarterly magazine. This round, we decided to take a break from beer. In honour of the fall apple harvest, we proudly present a showcase of some of BC’s outstanding craft ciders.
Summerland Heritage Cider Company. Photo: Dave Smith Five of BC’s orchard cideries talk about their businesses As part of this special Harvest…
That's All There Was!
That's All There Was!