492: Absolem Cider Company | Maine Cider Energy

492: Absolem Cider Company | Maine Cider Energy

Author: Ria Windcaller: Award-winning Cidermaker, Podcaster | Craft Beer Columnist February 25, 2026 Duration: 52:23

This episode of Cider Chat explores the growing Maine cider scene through Absolem Cider Company in Winthrop, a farm-based cidery helping shape New England's evolving cider identity.

Located on a 60-acre farm in Winthrop, Maine, Absolem Cider Company is a cidery that expresses place, heritage apples, and hospitality.

In this episode, Ria sits down with cider maker Zach Kaiser to explore how Absolem blends traditional inspiration with modern experimentation. From wild-foraged apples and native fermentations to wine-inspired co-ferments and Basque-style pours, Zach shares how Maine's apple history is shaping a new generation of New England cider.

00:00 Intro Cask Cider

00:06 Meet the Guest

01:27 How Cask Service Works

03:08 Why Absolem Uses It

04:07 Episode Roadmap

04:48 Ciderville News MOFGA Workshops

07:19 Listener Shoutout Chalkys Cider

08:29 Featured Chat Begins

09:23 Absolem Farm and Tasting Room

10:31 Where Winthrop Fits in Maine

12:42 Zachs Cider Origin Story

14:24 Founding Absolem Through COVID

16:34 Coferments and Wine Blends

18:13 Wend Wild Apple Cider

22:32 Fermentation Yeast and Malo

24:57 Beer Hybrids and Collabs

25:39 Flagship Ciders to Try

27:18 Sidra Style Foeder Program

28:40 Taproom Vibe and Winter Maine

29:21 Year Round Tasting Room

29:31 Local Bar Vibe

30:41 Lake Town Tourism

31:41 Cider As Experience

32:22 Ice Cider And Mistelle

32:47 Brandy Barrel Aging

34:36 Lodging And Visits

35:14 Signature Events Calendar

35:30 Bembel Fest Details

37:57 Anniversary And Collabs

39:30 Pressing And Production

41:36 Heating And Expansion

42:58 Five Year Vision

44:30 New England Cider Association

50:12 Wrap Up And Links

Find the full show notes for this episode at CiderChat.com
Episode 492: https://ciderchat.com/podcast/492-absolem-cider-company/

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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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