044: Sebastian Lousada | Flag Hill Farm Cider, VT

044: Sebastian Lousada | Flag Hill Farm Cider, VT

Author: Ria Windcaller: Award-winning Cidermaker, Podcaster | Craft Beer Columnist August 31, 2016 Duration: 1:03:57

Meet Sebastian Lousada

Flag Hill Farm makers of what they call Vermont Organic Hard Cider, is fully off the grid, certified organic, and producers of both cider and Pomme-de-vie AND I bet you haven't heard of it! So Grab a Glass and Join in Chat with the cider maker, Sebastian Lousada as we discuss his journey to cider and the products he makes today!

Flag Hill is an OG in the US Cider Market

Sebastian originally hails from the UK, but he has been making cider before 1984. Back then he planted 50 standard trees the first year, wanting to just have some apples. As he and his family were living on top of Flag Hill, a high mountain location, they decided to plant 100 more trees in 1989. Being certified organic encouraged he and his wife Sabra Ewing to begin selling cider.

Episode 44 feature Sebastian Lousada
Sebastian Lousada

In 1996, Flag Hill Farm became bonded as a winery. Sebastian mentions that back then people had no idea what cider was or that it even had alcohol in it. Thus they decided to spell their product as Cyder, with a "Y" to differentiate it from other products.

Flag Hill's ciders are available in VT, MA and throughout New England.

"On a good year we make 4000 gallons of cider. Because we only want to use apples that we have grown."

Flag Hill Farm's Cider

  • Sapsucker – named a Belgian Beer Style 9%
  • Vermont Still Cyder 8.5%
  • Vermont Sparkling Cider 9.5%

Pomme-de-Vie, Flag Hill Farm's was inspired by the French apple brandy Calvados.

044 The distillation room for Flag Hill's Pomme-de-vie
The distillation room for Flag Hill's Pomme-de-vie

Contact info for Flag Hill Farm

044 Sebastian Lousada at Flag Hill Farm orchard hill top
Sebastian Lousada at Flag Hill Farm orchard hill top

Like this chat? Join in and support Cider Chat's quest to continue to keep #ciderGoingUP - Join the Cider Chat's Patreon Page. It is easy, secure and makes a bushel of difference for keeping this podcast rolling out future shows like this one with Sebastian! 


There’s a whole world in a glass of cider, and Cider Chat is your invitation to explore it. Hosted by award-winning cidermaker and writer Ria Windcaller, this podcast travels far beyond the bottle to meet the people who make the global cider culture so vibrant. Each conversation is a journey-you might find yourself in a heritage orchard learning the history of forgotten apple varieties, in a bustling taproom with an importer explaining regional traditions, or in a kitchen with a chef pairing cider with unexpected foods. The discussions get into the delightful nuances, too, whether that’s the semantics of what we even call this drink or how the concept of terroir translates from soil to sip. It’s not just about production; it’s about the community, the travel, and the stories that fermentation unlocks. This is for anyone curious about the craft, history, and sheer enjoyment of fermented apple juice in all its forms. So, pour a glass and settle in for a series that feels like a wide-ranging, informative, and genuinely good-humored chat with friends who happen to be obsessed with cider. You’ll come away with a deeper appreciation for every effervescent, tart, or sweet sip, hearing directly from the growers, makers, and enthusiasts who are shaping this drink’s exciting present and future.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 501

Cider Chat
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