497:Beginner Cider Makers Q&A | Advice from Professional Cider Makers (Archive)

497:Beginner Cider Makers Q&A | Advice from Professional Cider Makers (Archive)

Author: Ria Windcaller: Award-winning Cidermaker, Podcaster | Craft Beer Columnist April 1, 2026 Duration: 1:02:16

This archival episode of Cider Chat brings together five experienced cider makers answering real-world questions from beginners at CiderCon 2019.

Originally released as Episodes 174 and 175, this combined feature presents a comprehensive Q&A covering everything from fermentation and stabilization to business strategy, equipment, and scaling a cidery.

The discussion bridges the gap between hobby cider making and commercial production, offering practical insights grounded in real experience.

Panelists

Moderated by Cider Chat MC Ria Windcaller

00:00 Cider Choices Matter

01:27 Episode Setup

03:02 Ciderville Event News

05:41 Support The Podcast

06:31 Patron Shoutouts

10:34 Panel Introductions

14:34 Defining Cider

15:32 Lessons Learned

18:55 Residual Sugar Safety

23:51 Contract Vs Taproom

27:13 Ice Cider Deep Dive

33:11 Settling Juice Tips

34:40 Solids and Enzymes

35:06 Plastic Fermenters Tips

36:41 Profitability and Distribution

40:54 Learn on Someone Else

41:27 Core Ciders Strategy

45:43 Tasting Room Location

49:43 Funding and Crowdfunding

52:07 Essential Lab Gear

53:54 Filtration and Hopbacks

58:05 Fermentation Temperature Control

01:01:03 Wrap Up and Sign Off

Find the full show notes for Episode 497 at CiderChat.com

Direct Link at:https://ciderchat.com/podcast/497-beginner-cider-makers-qa/

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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.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 501

Cider Chat
Podcast Episodes
039: Andreas Sundgren | Brännland Cider, Sweden [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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For Andreas' Brännland Cider is Ice Cider Andreas Sundgren of Brännland Cider discusses iscider (ice cider) in this chat. A winner of multiple awards for his ice cider, he follows traditional techniques that are "true to…
038: Eric Foster | Stem Ciders, Colorado [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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037: Tim Larsen | Snowdrift Cider, WA [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:56
Who is Tim? Tim Larsen was at the all day event, Pour the Core in Brooklyn, NYC waiting on a long line of thirsty cider drinkers. During a the break between sessions I was able to squirrel away with Tim in a back corner…
036: Shannon Edgar & Ben R-Sano | Stormalong Hard Cider, MA [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:12
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035: Danielle von Scheiner | Big Apple Hard Cider, NYC [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:57
Danielle von Scheiner is putting the "BIG" back into New York City's apple love, with her new cidery Big Apple Hard Cider. Danielle von Scheiner Danielle began learning the science of fermentation at the age of 12 while…
034: Adam Krakowski | Author : Vermont Prohibition [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:57
Adam Krakowsk's new book Vermont Prohibition: Teetotalers, Bootleggers & Corruption (2016 Arcadia Press) carves out the state of Vermont's cider, beer, and spirits history in relationship to prohibition. Vermont Prohitio…
033: Farnum Hill Cider ( Part 2) | Lebanon, New Hampshire [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:46
Part 2 at Farnum Hill Cider Delve into tasting 7- ciders with the Farnum Hill Cider team. This is Part 2 with this OG cidery and orchard. Steve Woods, whom along with his wife Louisa D. Spencer who founded the cidery, ex…
032: Steve Wood | Farnum Hill Cider, NH [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:49
Enjoy Part 1 of a two part chat with the founders and cider makers of Farnum Hill Cider, in Lebanon New Hampshire. This OG cidery sits on the slope of Farnum Hill with nearby town of White River Junction and the Connecti…
031: Sam Reid | Willie Smith's Cider/President Cider Australia, AU [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:15
Sam Reid is based in Tasmania, a state of Australia. He is a partner at Willie Smith's Cider and President of Cider Australia. Sam Reid Cider in Australia Tasmania is what Sam calls the smallest state of Australia…which…
030: Nat West | Reverend Nat's Hard Cider, Oregon [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:49
"There is always something going on" say Nat West at his Reverend Nat Taproom in Portland Oregon. Nat West in the 3500 square foot Packing Room In this Cider Chat Ria met with Nat before she headed over to CiderCon2016 l…