To highlight what's happening in the fast-changing world of Minnesota cider, the Minnesota Cider Guild is hosting the annual Cider Fair. On Sunday, October 22, cidermakers from around the state will gather together at Minnesota Harvest Orchard to pour samples, educate drinkers on how craft cider is made, and mingle with fellow cider enthusiasts. There will also be food, non-alcoholic beverages, live music, a bonfire, wagon rides, apple picking, and many more fall-favorite activities!
When + Where✦ Sunday, October 22, 2017
✦ 1–5pm ✦ Minnesota Harvest Orchard, 8251 Old Hwy 169 Blvd, Jordan, MN 55352 [From the Twin Cities: Take I-35W S to I-494 W to US-169 S. Stay on US-169 S for 24 miles. Turn left on Delaware Avenue. Turn right on Old Highway 196 Boulevard. Follow signs to Minnesota Harvest Orchard] |
Details✦ Click Here to purchase a pass for $30. Includes unlimited tastings of the best ciders Minnesota has to offer. ✦ Single drink tickets*, good for one 2 oz pour, will be sold on site (4 for $12). *Subject to availability. ✦ Customers must be 21+ years of age to purchase tickets (ID required). Underage or Designated Driver pass free with purchase of unlimited pass. ✦ Customers will receive a souvenir tasting glass. ✦ Well-behaved pets on leashes are welcome. ✦ $5 parking pass required. Food Trucks: ✦ Russell's Traveling Kitchen ✦ Urban Sub ✦ WildEarth WoodFired Pizza MUSIC BY: ✦ The Federales ✦Ian Alexy and the Deserters ✦Kid friendly |
Who✦ Carlos Creek Winery ✦Falconer Vineyards ✦Keepsake Cidery ✦ Minneapolis Cider Company ✦ Milk & Honey Ciders ✦ Minnesota Harvest ✦ Number 12 Cider House ✦ Sapsucker Farms ✦ Sociable Cider Werks ✦ Sweetland Orchard ✦Thor's Hard Cider ✦ Urban Forage Cidery ✦ Wyndfall Cyder |
A Little History
Cider Fair is a celebration of craft cider and the efforts being made in Minnesota to restore the beverage to its historic position as America's drink of choice.
Cider was the most popular beverage in the United States from the time the English settlers arrived in the 18th century until the early 20th century. Back then, the average Massachusetts resident consumed 35 gallons of cider a year, and nearly every homestead had its own cider orchard.
Cider's popularity began to wane in the early 1900s. German and Eastern European immigrants' love of beer outpaced cider, and the advent of mechanical refrigeration improved the quality of beer year round.
The biggest blow, however, was Prohibition and the Volstead Act. In addition to outlawing alcoholic cider, the Volstead Act limited the production of sweet cider to 200 gallons a year per orchard. Prohibitionists burned fields of trees, and surviving orchards began cultivating non-cider apples (eating apples) out of necessity.
While breweries bounced back relatively quickly, cidermakers weren't as fortunate. But American cider is once again on the rise. Here in Minnesota, more and more cidermakers are honing their products, planting cider-specific apple orchards, and helping craft-beverage enthusiasts rediscover America's lost favorite beverage.
Cider Fair highlights where we've been, where we are, and where we're going in the world of American craft cider, all with a side of good food, live music, and great friends.
Cider was the most popular beverage in the United States from the time the English settlers arrived in the 18th century until the early 20th century. Back then, the average Massachusetts resident consumed 35 gallons of cider a year, and nearly every homestead had its own cider orchard.
Cider's popularity began to wane in the early 1900s. German and Eastern European immigrants' love of beer outpaced cider, and the advent of mechanical refrigeration improved the quality of beer year round.
The biggest blow, however, was Prohibition and the Volstead Act. In addition to outlawing alcoholic cider, the Volstead Act limited the production of sweet cider to 200 gallons a year per orchard. Prohibitionists burned fields of trees, and surviving orchards began cultivating non-cider apples (eating apples) out of necessity.
While breweries bounced back relatively quickly, cidermakers weren't as fortunate. But American cider is once again on the rise. Here in Minnesota, more and more cidermakers are honing their products, planting cider-specific apple orchards, and helping craft-beverage enthusiasts rediscover America's lost favorite beverage.
Cider Fair highlights where we've been, where we are, and where we're going in the world of American craft cider, all with a side of good food, live music, and great friends.