508: The American Cider Association Responds to Questions About CiderCon 2027

508: The American Cider Association Responds to Questions About CiderCon 2027

Author: Ria Windcaller: Award-winning Cidermaker, Podcaster | Craft Beer Columnist July 1, 2026 Duration: 1:09:54

The announcement that CiderCon 2027 will be co-located with the Craft Brewers Conference sparked one of the most active online discussions the cider community has seen in years.

In this episode of Cider Chat, ACA Board President Christine Walter joins host Ria Windcaller to discuss why the decision was made, the financial realities facing CiderCon, how the conference will operate alongside the Craft Brewers Conference, and what it means for the future of the American Cider Association.

The conversation also explores cider's identity, the role of orchard-based producers and commercial brands, the ACA's current leadership structure, and whether this partnership is intended to become a long-term model.

Whether you're planning to attend CiderCon 2027 or simply want to better understand the thinking behind one of the cider industry's biggest announcements, this episode offers an in-depth conversation on where things stand today.

Time Stamps

00:00 Why CiderCon Is Co-Locating

00:15 Meet Your Host

01:31 CiderCon 2027 Shakes Up Ciderville

03:29 News Out and About Ciderville

04:51 French Cider Tour Update

08:48 Setting Up the Conversation

10:46 The Future of the American Cider Association

12:41 Why the ACA Chose This Partnership

16:25 Survey Results and Other Options

21:25 Protecting Cider's Identity

21:47 How Co-Location Will Work

28:30 Why Now? Lessons From Providence

32:37 Concerns About Beer Culture

34:46 Safety, Inclusion, and Progress

38:15 Headlines, Keynotes, and Programming

40:36 What Cider Can Learn From Beer

43:42 Big Cider, Small Cider

47:43 Messaging, Tours, and Community

51:46 Leadership and Financial Challenges

56:22 National Conference or Regional Future?

1:01:12 A One-Year Experiment?

1:03:56 An Invitation to Show Up

1:07:08 Host Reflection

1:09:21 Until Next Time in Ciderville


🍎 Find the full show notes for Episode 508 at CiderChat.com

Direct Link:
https://ciderchat.com/podcast/aca-cidercon-2027-questions/

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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: 50

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