115: Baltimore Speaks Cider

115: Baltimore Speaks Cider

Author: Ria Windcaller: Award-winning Cidermaker, Podcaster | Craft Beer Columnist February 7, 2018 Duration: 1:01:21

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Baltimore Speaks Cider recaps this podcaster's travel to CiderCon, while at CiderCon and the trip home from CiderCon.

I left on Sunday (Day 1) traveling as far as Bethlehem PA. The next day Monday (Day 2) I was set to meet with Joe Getz of Kurant Cider at the Free Will Brewing Company in Perkasie PA. Joe and I sipped on cider and visited the barrel room.

From Kurant, I headed straight to Frederick Maryland. That evening I was pulled over by Officer Kind. A fun little story - that I will save for you to listen to in the podcast.

Day 3 - I headed to Distillery Land CiderWorks - to record a podcast and also had a chance to see Chuck Shelton of Albemarle CiderWorks in Virginia.

After lunch I headed into Baltimore for CiderCon and got ready for that night's dinner recording with Phillip Kelm of Gitche Gumee CiderWorks in Michigan. We went to a BYOB restaurant called Ebenezer's Ethiopian Restaurant. Great food and kind people.

Day 3 I had an early morning chat (8:45 am) with Trevor Baker of Noble Cider in Asheville North Carolina. And then a recording with Marcus Robert of Tieton Ciderworks, Washington.

That evening I met up with Kirk Billingsley for a chat on his cidery Big Fish Cider Company in Virginia.

Day 4 - Thursday was the opening day at CiderCon- Danny Brager of Nielsen did an overview of the cider market. You can go to this YouTube link to listen to last year's presentation on this topic. Then it was time to record with Paul Vander Heide of Vander Mill a cidery in Michigan.

Lunch I was again recording, this time with Dan Brown of Cyder Market LLC. Both Danny and Dan's presentations will be posted on Cider Chat's YouTube channel.

After lunch I recorded and videotaped John Edwards presentation on Chemical Fingerprints of Cider. Very fascinating.

I next ran to Rebbeka deKramer of Scott Lab's presentation on Off Odors in Cider. Again this will be posted on the Cider Chat's YouTube channel.

Next I had a chat with Matt DeLong of Ridge Cider in Michigan. And then had dinner with Carlo Hein of Ramborn Cider Company in Luxembourg.

Day 4 (Friday) I met and recorded with Alex Peckham of Peckham's Cider in New Zealand. That afternoon I recording with James and Susanna Forbes of Little Pomona Cidery & Orchard in the UK.

Friday evening I went to Pour the Core- Baltimore to record mini chats with cider fans - all of which are posted in this episode

Saturday it was time to head home, but as I was traveling with the Talking Pommes we had to make a stop along the way at Perryville Maryland. Perry Pear was both emotional and ecstatic. You can hear the Talking Pommes recap at the end of this podcast.

I had mini chats with the following cideries and their makers while at CiderCon

Heartwood Farm and Cidery in Canada

Tod Creek Craft Cider in British Columbia

Bryant Cider, Virginia

Liquid Alchemy Beverages, Deleware

Ask for the following 9 #ciderGoingUP Campaign sponsors - By supporting these cider makers, you in turn help Cider Chat

  1. Kurant Cider - Pennsylvania : listen to Joe Getz on episode 14
  2. Big Apple Hard Cider - NYC : listen to Danielle von Scheiner on episode 35
  3. Oliver's Cider and Perry - Herefordshire/UK ; listen to Tom Oliver on episode 29
  4. Santa Cruz Cider Company - California : listen to Nicole Todd on episode 60
  5. The Cider Project aka EthicCider- California
  6. Albermale CiderWorks : listen to Chuck Shelton on episode 56
  7. Cider Summit : listen to Alan Shapiro founder of this cider fest on episode 75.
  8. Ramborn Cider Co. Luxembourg.
  9. Big Fish Cider Co. Virginia

 

 

 


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.
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