First Posted: 9/15/2014
Pennsylvania is hard-core when it comes to hard cider. The state is filled with rolling hills and picturesque views of orchards that is not hard to understand why some of it is known as Apple Country. York County, Buchanan Valley, Gettysburg, and Biglerville are some of the areas that boast the naturally gluten free with a refreshingly tasting alternative to beer, which makes it one of the fastest-growing segments in the beverage market. Here are some ciders that are made in the picturesque fall backdrop of Pennsylvania.
1. Wyndridge Farm Crafty Cider
Located in York County, it is the first and only in the area. The logo is a scarf-wearing fox known to frequent the area. The cider they produce is a champagne-style apple cider that also comes in a cranberry flavor. A 12 oz. 6-pack costs $15.90. You can call 717-244-9900, or email info@wyndridge.com, and schedule a pick-up time at the farm.
2. Reids Orchard and Winery
The winery is located in Buchana Valley and produces three hard ciders: Farmhouse Cider: made with PA heirloom apples, traditional hard cider, $12; Cripp’s Pink Hard Cider, made with PA Pink Lady Apples, light and sweet, $8; and Pippin Ice, made with Pippin apples, sweet dessert style cider, $15.
3. Big Hill Ciderworks
Ciderworks is placed just north of Gettsburgh and a few miles from the Appalachian Trail, in an area unique for its’ micro climate and soil types that cater to apple production. Two of it’s ciders are: Summer Scrumpy, a light, summer seasonal cider; and Barrel Aged Reserve, made from traditional cider apples fermented and aged in whiskey and brandy barrels. There cider is around $6 a glass.
4. Jack’s Hard Cider
Located in one of the Apple Capitals of the World, Biglerville, it is founded by Jack Hauser who is the patriarch of the Hauser Family. It is about $4 a can and the company has a Jack’s Hard Cider Original and a Jack’s Hard Cider Helen’s Blend.
5. Good Intent Cider
A family business started by an enthusiastic husband and a patient wife. Good intent has three types of ciders: Good Charmat, a close relative of champagne and twice fermented; Adam’s Apple, the company’s flag-ship semi-dry cider; and North meets South, in the remembrance of the Battle of Gettysburg, the company produced a bourbon barrel-aged cider.
6. Colonel Rickets
The hard cider winery is located in northeast Pennsylvania, halfway between Williamsport and Wilkes-Barre. They purchase all their apples locally in Columbia and produce five ciders: Apple Sip, The Original, Beautiful Blend, Satin Gold and Delicious Reds. Beautiful Blend and Delicious Reds are semi-sweet ciders with distinctive apple flavors while The Original and Satin Gold are semi-dry blends with the traditional taste. The Apple Sip is the sweetest of the flavors with a slight stronger apple flavor then them all. Prices range from $11.50 to $17.
If an apple a day keeps the doctor away, why not drink him away. Cider is even gaining momentum in the festival circuit. Philadelphia is hosting “Pour the Core” on Sept. 27, in the Philadelphia Navy Yard, for apple enthusiasts and hard cider aficionados to gather, put their pinkies in the air and feel the warmth of cider.
