009: Ryan Burk | Angry Orchard, New York

Who is Angry Orchard?

Angry Orchard is the #1 cider brand in the US and there is a very good reason why it holds this coveted place. Undoubtedly, being a subsidiary of Boston Beer Company means connections to Jim Koch's brewery empire a.k.a. Samuel Adams Boston Lager. But to think that Angry Orchard is merely tapping into the US cider mania would be short sighted.

Back History on Angry Orchard

Boston Beer Co. has been researching cider since the early 2000s with the help of Alan Tringham, a retired cidermaker from the European brand known as Bulmers. I had the opportunity to meet Grant Wood from Boston Beer Co. who was working with Tringham at the time to "create the perfect cider for the American public". They both stopped by my cidermaking workshop at CiderDays back in 2004. Hoo wee! Imagine presenting cidermaking to the likes of the now late Alan Tringham.

the first cider brand for Boston Beer Co. was known as Hard Core. That brand was shelved, and a few moments later we were seeing Angry Orchard commercials during the Super Bowl! Bingo! The new brand was taking hold with its flagship cider Crisp Apple.

Take note cidermaker wannabees….to think that a brand such as Angry Orchard would sit on it laurels with what many would consider an introductory cider made to entice a public that is still wrangling with cider is not time well spent.

Angry Orchard led by newly minted Head Cidermaker Ryan Burk and Assistant Cidermaker Anna Hasan is and will continue to move mountains in Ciderville! Listen to this episode and hear Ryan's story and what we can all expect from Angry Orchard. He and Anna have already started pushing the envelope with the likes of Stone Dry (5.5%) a new cider now available in six packs.

You have to visit the Walden location to taste select drafts that may or may not make it into the mass market.

What to expect at the Angry Orchard Tasting Room?

A very large, yet inviting room with windows that overlook the orchard.

If the weather is right, there is outdoor seating and a gas lit fire pit.

Each visitor of drinking age, receives one token that can be used for (3) complimentary samples in the tasting room. Cider styles available include the flagship cider, Crisp Apple (5%) and several other core offerings, as well as ciders exclusive to the tasting room. Such as the house cider – Farm Cider – an unfiltered cider made with apples from the orchard's 2014 harvest.

In this Cider Chat

• Listen to what Angry Orchard is looking for the future.
  • Cidermaking trends
  • Cider Act
  • How are they playing with the Cider House Series?
  • What will they do with their Ice Cider this coming winter?
  • How does terroir factor into the Angry Orchard cider house and what is their soil profile?
  • Classic misconceptions about Angry Orchard.

Contact Info for Angry Orchard

• Website: https://www.angryorchard.com/

Mentions in this Cider Chat

• Farnum Hill – Steve Wood
• Aaron Burr – Perry
• Reverend Nate
• New York Cider Association
• Ria's book Recommendation on the Golden Gate Park's Boss Gardener