448: Cider Institute: New Name, New Reach, and More Cider Education

448: Cider Institute: New Name, New Reach, and More Cider Education

Author: Ria Windcaller: Award-winning Cidermaker, Podcaster | Craft Beer Columnist February 26, 2025 Duration: 48:31

The Cider Institute: Training the Next Generation of Cider Makers

The Cider Institute, formerly known as the Cider Institute of North America (CINA), is the premier resource for cider education. Founded in 2016 at CiderCon, the Institute focuses on training cider makers of all levels, from beginners to advanced professionals. With a growing global reach, the Institute now offers online and in-person courses, making cider education more accessible than ever.

In this episode we speak with the Cider Institute's Executive Director Brighid O'Keane.

Cider Chat Episode 448 Brighid O'Keane Cider Institute
Executive Director Brighid O'Keane

Core Offerings: Cider Education for All Levels

The Cider and Perry Production Foundation Course is the flagship program, covering everything from apple selection to fermentation, chemistry, microbiology, and post-production techniques. This 12-week online course includes weekly Zoom sessions with industry experts, ensuring hands-on engagement even in a virtual format.

For those just getting started, the upcoming Cider Making 101 will be a self-directed, beginner-friendly course, introducing enthusiasts to the fundamentals of cider without the deep technical dive of the foundation course.

For experienced cider makers, advanced courses cover topics like:

  • Safety & Sanitation – Ensuring proper practices in cider production
  • Sensory Analysis – Understanding cider flavor profiles
  • Laboratory Testing – Learning critical quality control techniques
  • Operations-Focused Hands-On Training – A five-day immersive experience

A Global Perspective on Cider Training

With increasing international interest, the Cider Institute is expanding worldwide. Upcoming in-person classes for 2025 will be offered at Brock University (Canada), Washington State University, and Virginia Tech, with plans for courses in the UK and beyond. The Institute also runs production tours, fostering knowledge exchange between cider makers across regions.

Cider Chat Ep 448 Cider Institute Board Members 2025
(Left to right) Board Members – Christine Walter, Brighid O'Keane E.D., Nick Gunn, Chris Gerling, Steven Trussler, Nicole Leibon, Dave Takush, Kira Bassingthwaighte

Contact Info for the Cider Institute

Mentions in this Cider Chat

Apple Pretzels at New Salem Preserves and colonial orchard

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
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