Page 51 - Valley Table - Fall 2022

Whether light, crisp, sparkling, earthy, amber, or fruity, there’s plenty to sample and savor. “There’s such growth, progress, and education happening here, year after year,” says Craig Cavallo, co-owner of the Golden Russet Café and Grocery in Rhinebeck. “From the cider drinkers to the makers to the people working in the orchards, it’s a cultural endeavor that just keeps getting better. Everyone gives feedback and learns from one another.” Taste the craft and creativity for yourself at these killer cideries.
ABANDONED CIDER
Woodstock \ abandonedcider.com
A couple of years ago, two hobby cider makers, Eric Childs and Martin Bernstein, set to work reclaiming abandoned orchards and crowdsourcing apples
from backyards across the Catskills. Up and running as a commercial enterprise since 2017, Abandoned Cider still uses detective skills to sniff out the best heirloom apples in the area to craft
their bone-dry ciders, many of which
are small-batch. Visit one of Abandoned Cider’s three outposts—in Woodstock, Red Hook, and Kingston—to learn about their craft (and perhaps study a map
that shows precisely where their apples came from).
Season’s sip: For the beer-lover who’s new to cider, Hopped can be the perfect, crushable introduction.
ANGRY ORCHARD
Walden \ angryorchard.com
The 60-acre Angry Orchard is a local spot gone big-time: They often capture half of the national cider market.
If you’re lucky enough to be in the Hudson Valley, check out their home base: Visit the taproom and try their renowned ciders—Crisp Apple, Pear, Rosé, Green Apple, and unfiltered— plus whatever else may be brewing.
ANGRY ORCHARD
The kitchen serves up shareable appetizers, and food trucks drive by on weekends. Book a guided orchard walk or a treehouse experience, which will give you amazing vistas of the orchard and the Gunks. Devotees may join the cider club for discounts.
Season’s sip: You can’t go wrong with their Crisp Apple classic but see if Pommeau is available—it’s a traditional French beverage blending fresh-pressed apple juice and apple brandy with notes of vanilla and almond.
BAD SEED HARD CIDER
Highland \ badseedhardcider.com Apples grew for six generations at Wilklow Farms, but it wasn’t until a decade ago that Albert Wilklow and
his friend Devin Britton began melding old and new techniques to create cider with zero grams of sugar. There are a
few dozen taps (cider plus local beer) spread over two locations: The Taproom (at the cidery) and the Farm Bar (at the orchard). You’ll discover about 30 small- batch options per season, says Britton, like Plum Rose (blue plums are added for a tart blush cider); Pink Lady, a single varietal; and the intriguingly named Old Elmer, a dry cider aged with American oak. Brick-fired pizza and poutine are on the menu, plus food trucks visit regularly.
Bad Seed’s Fall Back Festival will be on November 5 and 6.
Season’s sip: Don’t miss their flagship Dry Hard Cider. Fermented with a Sauvignon Blanc yeast and then conditioned in the can, it’s akin to apple champagne.
HARDSCRABBLE CIDER
North Salem \ hardscrabbleny.com
Sure, the rotating ranks of food trucks and live music nights are a big draw
at Hardscrabble, but there’s no getting around the irresistible allure of their cider. Owned by the Covino brothers (Alex, Kevin, and Ben), the micro farm- cidery is renowned for its classic as well as its inventive drinks. Black Dirt has earthy beet notes, Jalapeño Cucumber suits those who like something spicy, and their Dry Cider is an all-around pleaser with Macintosh notes. Located at Harvest Moon Orchard & Farm, Hardscrabble is tucked inside the farm store. Grab your drink and head outside to the tables overlooking the pumpkin patch, a pond, and perhaps some frolicking chickens. Season’s sip: You can‘t go wrong with their straight-up ciders, but if you’re there on a weekend and feeling daring, try an Orchard Bloody—described as “basically a salad,” it mixes Hardscrabble’s dry
hard cider, local vodka, and the usual veggie component.
PHOTOS (LEFT TO RIGHT) BY DANIEL SCHWARTZ; COURTESY OF ANGRY ORCHARD
SEPT – OCT 2022 VALLEYTABLE.COM 49