130: Cider Voices from Grand Rapids & #2GLINTCAPorBUST

130: Cider Voices from Grand Rapids & #2GLINTCAPorBUST

Author: Ria Windcaller: Award-winning Cidermaker, Podcaster | Craft Beer Columnist May 30, 2018 Duration: 1:00:07

Cider Voices from Grand Rapids Cider Week and the Great Lakes International Cider and Perry Competition

On the evening of May 14th Joby Willson, Mark Gryska, Charlie Olchowski and William Grote and myself headed out in a big old van to Grand Rapids, thanks to Mike Beck who invited us and hosted us throughout the week. Beck who he is lovingly called by all manages GLINTCAP and hires a team of people to run the program. Look to the GLINTCAP link to see the whole team.

Once we arrived in Grand Rapids the guys stayed on one side of the river at their flat and I got to hang out with Michelle McGrath, Executive Director of the United States Association of Cider Makers, Michelle Pagona aka The Brew Babe and Darlene Hayes, author of Cider Cocktails; Another Bite of the Apple.

That evening we headed to Uncle Johns Hard Cider for dinner. Nicole Ward of Forgotten Ciders (listen to Nicole and Rafe Wards chat #74), Brian and Ambrosia from Chicago's cider bar The Northman, Helen Thomas "Weston" of Weston Cider, UK and Bob Chaplin both came over from the UK to judge. Helen is the Chairwoman for the National Cider Maker Association in the UK and Weston Ciders. Bob runs the Royal Bath and West Cider Competition. It was an amazing evening riding about the orchards and tasting ciders in their inviting tasting room. Mike and Dee are quite the hosts and I highly recommend you visit their cidery in Saint John's, Michigan.

Wednesday May 16th began with a Cider Tour of West Michigan Makers

That evening it was Judges Training led by Charles McGonegal Listen to two chat with Charles: 83 -on his Wisconsin cidery AEppelTreow Winery and #84 on the Element of Cider | Sensory Analysis

Thursday and Friday was dedicated to Judging of the Ciders

Saturday was the Gillett Bridge Cider Fest in Grand Rapids

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Ask for the following ciders - By supporting these cidermakers, 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
  10. Tanuki Cider Co. Santa Cruz California episode 103
  11. Ross on Wye Cider and Perry, UK
  12. Process and Analytical NMR Services - John Edwards provides analytics of cider - stay tuned for his Chemical Fingerprints workshop coming up on Cider Chat
  13. Ironbark Ciderworks, Claremont, California

Join the #ciderGoingUP Campaign today!

 


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

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