510: From Barrels to the Pub | The People's Cider Co., Michigan

510: From Barrels to the Pub | The People's Cider Co., Michigan

Author: Ria Windcaller: Award-winning Cidermaker, Podcaster | Craft Beer Columnist July 29, 2026 Duration: 59:44

Most cider makers dream of expanding their barrel program. Jason Lummen did the opposite.

In Episode 510, Ria Windcaller visits The People's Cider Company in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where Jason explains why he shifted from barrel-aged ciders to dry, sessionable ciders that keep people coming back for another round. Along the way, they discuss local apples, pub culture, changing American tastes, and what it means to build a cidery around community rather than complexity.

Time Stamps


     
  • 00:00 Craft Palate Lightens

  •  
  • 01:04 Meet Jason Lummen

  •  
  • 02:06 Welcome to Cider Chat

  •  
  • 04:02 GLINTCAP Reunion Story

  •  
  • 06:43 Ciderville News Roundup

  •  
  • 10:09 Totally Cider Tours

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  • 11:27 Sessionable Success Shift

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  • 12:21 Cheers with Pommeau

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  • 12:45 Fruit Ridge Apple Sourcing

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  • 15:13 Old Orchards vs. Trellis Systems

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  • 18:29 Cider Maker Origin Story

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  • 23:44 The Pressing "Aha!" Moment

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  • 25:49 Tiny Pub, Big Vibe

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  • 30:10 House Yeast and Wild Ferments

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  • 31:04 The Flavored Cider Debate

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  • 32:14 A No-Sulfites Philosophy

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  • 33:19 The Shift to Sessionable Cider

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  • 33:38 Brick Street Nightclub

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  • 35:32 Rethinking the Barrel Program

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  • 36:57 Why American Palates Are Changing

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  • 39:02 A Toast with Pommeau

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  • 39:45 The People's Cider Company Origins

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  • 42:24 The Raised Fist Logo

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  • 46:16 Winning Over New Cider Drinkers

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  • 50:44 COVID and the Patio Lifeline

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  • 52:28 Life as a Publican

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  • 53:28 The Best Part of the Job

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  • 56:37 Contact Info for The People's Cider Company

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  • 57:23 Closing Reflections

🍎 Find the full show notes for Episode 510 at CiderChat.com

Direct Link:
https://ciderchat.com/podcast/510-the-peoples-cider-company/

🎙️ Listen wherever you get your podcasts and don't forget to subscribe so you never miss what's coming next in Ciderville.

▶️ Prefer to watch? Find Cider Chat on YouTube for more cider stories, orchard adventures, and global cider culture.

💛 Enjoy cider? Help keep #ciderGoingUP.

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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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