436: Handpicked Cider Gift Guide for the Holidays

436: Handpicked Cider Gift Guide for the Holidays

Author: Ria Windcaller: Award-winning Cidermaker, Podcaster | Craft Beer Columnist December 4, 2024 Duration: 52:03

Finding the perfect gift for the cider lover in your life just got easier. Whether you're shopping for seasoned cider enthusiasts, budding cider makers, or thoughtful gift givers looking to impress, this guide has everything you need to celebrate the holidays with cider. From curated picks with our Cider Chat partners to tools and tips for home fermenters, we've got you covered.

Top Cider Gifts from the Cider Chat Partners

The following brands are part of the #ciderGoingUP Campaign. Become a partners today at the Cider Chat Patreon page!

1. Ross Cider and Perry | Herefordshire

Ross Cider and Perry Co logo - supportes of ciderGoingUP at Cider Chat

Shop Ross Cider and Perry
Explore a variety of ciders and perries from one of the most esteemed cideries in the UK. Perfect for those who love rich tradition and bold flavors.

2. DuckChicken Cider | London

Duckchicken Cider Logo #ciderGoingUP

Shop DuckChicken Cider
Find distinctive ciders crafted in small batches, ideal for the adventurous cider drinker.

3. SpaceTime Mead and Cider Works | Pennsylvania

SpaceTime Mead & Cider Works logo

Shop SpaceTime Mead and Cider Works
Browse their innovative blends that bridge the worlds of cider and mead.

4. EsoTerra Ciderworks | Colorado

EsoTerra Ciderworks #ciderGoingUP Campaign

Shop EsoTerra Ciderworks
Gift fine ciders that showcase the terroir of the American Southwest.

5. Tattiebogle CiderWorks | Pennsylvania

Tattiebogle Ciderworks 400x400

Shop Tattiebogle Closed till December 20th
Give the gift of anticipation with a Tattiebogle gift certificate—perfect for cider fans eager to try their unique offerings.

6. Bent Ladder | Ohio

Bent Ladder Cider Logo 300x150

Shop Bent Ladder
Purchase ciders or gift certificates online to share a taste of Ohio's finest.

7. Press Then Press

Press Then Press logo 300x200 transparent

Shop Press Then Press
Discover curated cider gift packs from a variety of top producers.

8. Oliver's Cider and Perry | Herefordshire

Shop Oliver's Cider and Perry
Dive into premium ciders and the newly touted perry selection for a true taste of Herefordshire.

9. InCiderJapan

inciderjapan logo

Shop InCiderJapan
Explore unique Japanese ciders, offering a fresh perspective on the craft.

10. American Cider Association

American Cider Association logo - ciderGoingUP

Shop American Cider Association
CiderCon swag showcases pride in this powerhouse organization

11. Locust Grove Brewery…and Cider! | New York

Locust grove cider logo

Shop Locust Grove
Gift Card Certificates and Growlers to-go!

12. Heeman's Cellar | London, Ontaria

Heeman's Cellar logo cider-going-Up

Shop Heeman's Cellar
From gardening and orchard workshops to cider and mead online, this Ontario based family owned enterprise has a bevy of cider gifts!

Gifts for the Aspiring Cider Maker

For those who dream of crafting their own cider, these thoughtful gifts will kick-start their journey.

Cider Maker's Starter Kit

  • Download the Cider Making Equipment PDF to build a custom gift pack with essential tools.
  • Pair the equipment with a box of fresh cider apples for an unforgettable gift.

Books for Every Skill Level

  • Head to the Cider Books page at Cider Chat for resources ranging from beginner guides to expert cider-making tips.
  • Consider books on orchard care, apple varieties, or rare fruits like medlars and sorbs domestica to deepen their knowledge.

Cider Chat Swag for the Holidays

Support your favorite cider podcast "Cider Chat" and surprise your cider-loving friends with some exclusive swag.

Why Cider is the Perfect Gift

Cider is more than just a drink—it's a story of tradition, craftsmanship, and community. By gifting cider or cider-related items, you're sharing a piece of this heritage with friends and loved ones.

This holiday season, shop thoughtfully and enjoy the process of picking gifts that celebrate the world of cider. And don't forget to check out the Cider Chat podcast for more cider tips, stories, and inspiration.

Support Cider Chat: The Gift That Keeps on Giving

For the cider lover who already has it all, consider a meaningful and impactful gift by supporting the work of Cider Chat.

Make a Donation

Help keep the cider community thriving by making a one-time donation to Cider Chat. Your contribution supports the podcast, cider stories, and educational content that bring the world of cider to life.

Become a Cider Chat Patron

  • Visit the Cider Chat Patreon Page and sign up as a patron.
  • Choose a tier that matches your budget and enjoy exclusive perks like behind-the-scenes updates, early access to episodes, and more.

This gift not only shows your appreciation for cider culture but also ensures that Cider Chat continues to inspire and connect cider enthusiasts around the globe.

Pro Tip: Pair this donation or patronage with a physical gift, like a Cider Chat t-shirt or mug from the Cider Chat Swag Store, for a thoughtful and well-rounded present.

Mentions in this Cider Chat


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
Podcast Episodes
029: At The Hop | Oliver's Cider and Perry, UK [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:07:49
Tom Oliver shares his approach to hopped cider and the best of what the US and UK have to look forward to in the cider market. What he saw in US hopped ciders back in 2013 ignited his desire to try his hand at adding hop…
028: John Bunker | Apple Identification [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:48
When John Bunker talks or teaches Apple Identification he doesn't begin with the apple. He always goes back to the root of the tree…unless it is one of the Eric Clapton apples, i.e., you immediately recognize it as a var…
027: Aaron Anderson | Austin Eastciders, Texas [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:14
Austin Eastciders is helping to make Austin Texas a cider mecca in a land where the apple root faces harsh growing conditions. Aaron Anderson is the R&D Coordinator at this growing cidery. He sat down for a chat with me…
026: Neil Worley | Worleys Cider, UK [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:28
Keeving Made Simple, but oh so Dandy at Worleys Cider Neil Worley's makes cider in the area of Great Britain called Somerset. Climb the high hill at the farm and your can see the Bristol Channel. It is a remote location…
025: Jim Wallace | Cider Pairing with a Cheese Maker [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:51
Jim Wallace is a cheese maker and cheese tech a.k.a the "Cheese Guru" at New England Cheesemaking Supply in Ashfield Massachusetts. When not helping the cheese world sort through problematic cheeses, he teaches classes a…
024: Leonard Koningswijk | Bear Cider, Netherlands [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:29
Leonard Koningswijk owner/cidermaker of Bear Cider in the Netherlands is turning his country towards cider one palate at a time. The idea was sprouted at his family home in the rural village of Beerze on the border of Ge…
023: Alec Steinmetz | Buskey Cider, Virginia [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:04
Alec Steinmetz, Will Correll and Matthew Meyer are sharing their story of starting an urban cidery. This is Part 1 of what will be an ongoing story of the start-up Buskey Cider of Richmond, Virginia. The cidermaking tank…
022: Gregory Hall | Virtue Cider, Michigan [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:17
Getting to cider for Gregory Hall, was one part luck and a whole lot of beer. When his father John Hall founded the Chicago based Goose Island Brewery in 1988, it took only 3 years before Greg was at the helm of brewing.…
021: Bill Bradshaw | Bill Bradshaw Photography, UK [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:21
Bill Bradshaw is a photographer, an author of three cider books and consider by many to be a Cider Ambassador for UK ciders. I met with Bill at the United States Association of Cider Makers annual conference in Portland…
020: Curtis Sherrer | Millstone Cellars, Maryland [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:58
Curtis Sherrer is barreling aging single variety apples at Millstone Cellars. An old grist mill dating back to the 1850s houses the Tasting Room. "We will have 50 barrels and then settle on 15 to pick from to blend for t…