438: The Secret Sauce to Cider's Growth is #XPromoteCider

438: The Secret Sauce to Cider's Growth is #XPromoteCider

Author: Ria Windcaller: Award-winning Cidermaker, Podcaster | Craft Beer Columnist December 18, 2024 Duration: 31:14

The Recipe for #xpromotecider

Collaboration isn't just a buzzword—it's the recipe for growth. In this episode of Cider Chat, we explore how the #xpromotecider campaign over the course of 2024.

Cider Chat Ep: 438 Feature Cross PromoteCider 300x300

What is #xpromotecider?

The #xpromotecider campaign started as a way to encourage cider brands and enthusiasts to cross share episodes of Cider Chat so that Cider Chat could in turn share news about their brand. The end goal was to help educate cider fans about the resources and how-tos of cider making

Brands and fans were invited to repost Cider Chat episodes and/or download the informative Cider Chat.pdf and then tack it to a bulletin board in a tasting room.

Why Cross-Promotion is the Secret Ingredient

Cross-promotion isn't just about visibility—it's about creating a shared identity for the cider industry. Here's why it matters:

  1. Building Regional Destinations
    Regions like the Finger Lakes, Michigan, and Normandy have become cider tourism hotspots because of collaborative efforts among cideries. By promoting each other, these regions attract visitors and grow collectively.
  2. Reaching New Audiences
    Sharing others' stories helps introduce cider to new audiences who might not otherwise explore it. Cross-promotion creates opportunities to educate and inspire potential fans.
  3. Strengthening Community Bonds
    When cider makers work together, it fosters a sense of unity that resonates with consumers. People want to support an industry that feels connected and supportive.

The Risks of Staying Isolated or not cross promoting

Isolation may seem like the safer route for some, but it comes with risks:

  • Missed Opportunities: Without collaboration, regions miss out on tourism and media exposure.
  • Industry Stagnation: Staying focused only on individual brands limits the industry's potential to grow and attract new customers.
  • Disconnection: Consumers are less likely to engage with a fragmented industry that doesn't show unity.

By embracing cross-promotion, cider makers can avoid these pitfalls and contribute to a stronger, more vibrant community.

Spotlight on Cider Champions

Throughout the year, many individuals and brands have stepped up to embrace #xpromotecider. Here are just a few examples:

  • @ciderexplorer consistently reshared weekly episodes, helping to spread the word.
  • Cider makers downloaded and posted the Cider Chat PDF to engage their audiences and connect with their local communities.

To see the full list of contributors, check out the YouTube version of this episode, where we showcase screenshots of posts from the past year. And stay tuned to our social media for more highlights!

How to Join the Cross Promote Campaign

Ready to get involved? Here are a few ways to join #xpromotecider:

  • Share this blog post or the podcast episode with your audience.
  • Use the hashtag #xpromotecider in your posts and tag your favorite cider brands.
  • Download the Cider Chat PDF and display it in your tasting room to encourage guests to learn more about cider.

Together, we can grow the cider community into 2025 and continue to build a stronger, more connected industry. Join the fun and start cross-promoting cider 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: 100

Cider Chat
Podcast Episodes
440: Jane Peyton Keynote |Hereford AppleFest Banquet [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:55
Jane Peyton, author of The Philosophy of Cider and founder of the School of Booze, brings her deep knowledge of cider and its cultural history to the forefront in this enlightening conversation. Jane Peyton at Hereford A…
439: The Night Before the Holiday Pressing [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:20
The magic of Ciderville awaits you. In this special holiday episode, Cider Chat invites you to step into the enchanting world of the Talking Pommes. The Night Before the Holiday Pressing is more than just a story—it's a…
437: Parting Cheers with CEO Michelle McGrath of the ACA [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:05
After 8 Years at the helm Michelle McGrath is switching gears Michell McGrath Michelle McGrath, CEO of the American Cider Association (ACA), reflects on her impactful leadership, the growth of the cider industry, and her…
436: Handpicked Cider Gift Guide for the Holidays [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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 everyt…
435: 5-Star Cider Dining with Eric Bordelet [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:42
Episode Summary: A 5-Star Cider Experience Step into an unforgettable 5-star cider dining experience with Eric Bordelet, one of the world's most acclaimed cider and perry makers. Recorded during an intimate cider dinner…
434: Elevating Cider with a Michelin-Starred Chef [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:34
Exploring Cider's Role in Fine Dining In this episode of Cider Chat, we sit down with Chef Ivan Vautier a Michelin-starred chef from Normandy, France, to discuss his approach to pairing cider with food and incorporating…
433: The Ultimate Cider Pairing Guide for Thanksgiving [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:54
Why Pair Cider with Thanksgiving Dinner? Cider is a fantastic beverage for Thanksgiving, with a range of flavors to suit savory, sweet, and spicy dishes. It's an ideal alternative to wine or beer, bringing a refreshing a…
432: Ancha Gergely's Abaliget Garden Projects | Hungarian Cider Maker [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:30
Bringing Cider to Hungary: The Story of Abaliget Garden Projects In this episode of Cider Chat, we learn about the southwest Hungary, where Ancha Gergely is building Abaliget Garden Projects, her small-scale cidery focus…
431: Domaine Johanna Cécillon's Elegant Ciders  | Brittany FR [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:39
Discovering Domaine Johanna Cécillon: A Journey of Cider, Heritage, and Terroir Johanna Cécillon and her husband, Louis Cécillon, have deep ties in the world of fermented drinks, and are now merging their wine heritage w…
430: Blending Cider Tradition with Modernity: Cidrerie Manoir du Val [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:31
Innovation at Cidrerie Manoir du Val: Blending Tradition and Modernity Located in Normandy's Pays de Risle, Cidrerie Manoir du Val and with maker Marie Bourut at the helm s crafting innovative ciders with a nod to tradit…