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Hey, Beer Lovers, do you think hard cider is just apple juice for adults? Think again. Michigan's hard cider scene is exploding. "Because we have such great apples to work with, we do have some of the best ciders in the world,” says Paula Englin, the newly appointed Executive Director of the Michigan Cider Association. Intrigued? Read on.
The Artisanal Appeal: We're not talking about the sugary, mass-produced stuff you find at the grocery store. We're talking about artisanal, hand-crafted hard ciders that rival the complexity and flavor profiles of your favorite IPAs, stouts, and lagers.
A Cider for Everyone: “If you're a wine drinker, there's a cider for you. If you like really sweet stuff, there's a cider for you. If you like really dry stuff, there's a cider for you. If you're a beer guy or gal, there's a cider for you,” Englin elaborates. Michelle McGrath, CEO of the American Cider Association, adds, "Michigan has more hard cider producers than any other state in the U.S."
Local Sourcing: “And, what I love is the vast majority of cider makers in Michigan, if they're adding cherries or hops or lavender or whatever, they are sourcing most of those ingredients from Michigan,” Englin continues.
By Brenda Marshall
Hey, Beer Lovers! What you need to know about delicious Michigan Hard Cider
MIBREW TRAIL MAGAZINE
FALL 2023
Finding Your Perfect Hard Cider: How to find local hard cider makers close to home? We started with Social Media. The response was huge. “Suttons Bay Ciders up in Suttons Bay, of course, make an excellent hop cider. Phillips Cider out of the Lansing area makes a great one,” Englin shares. The Michigan Brewery Map app for your phone is also an excellent tool for finding hard cider.
Family-Friendly Hard Cider Experiences: If you want to make some family memories, Red Barn Market, the producer of Painted Turtle Hard Cider, has options. “This year, they've added a plethora of really awesome family-friendly activities. And they've been able to extend their liquor license so that moms, dads, grandmas, grandpas, aunts, and uncles can actually bring their Painted Turtle Hard Cider out into the corn maze, into the apple orchard for the kids to pick,” Englin reveals.
Check out Hearst’s newest brand showcasing Michigan Breweries at MiBrewTrail.com.
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Hey, Beer Lovers, look, we get it. You love your IPAs, stouts, and lagers. But what if we told you a whole world of flavors is waiting for you, just a short drive away? We're talking about Ore Creek Craft Cider, a hidden gem in Pinckney.
First off, this isn't your average, run-of-the-mill cidery. Ore Creek Co-owner Brandon Bond puts it best: "You have to come to us to taste our cider. We have customers who drive from Muskegon, Detroit, Southfield, and Sterling Heights. We even had a couple drive up from Columbus last weekend." People are traveling from all over to get a taste and not leaving disappointed.
Worried about too much sugar? Have no fear. Co-owner Jay Denton explains: "You're never going to find a perfect match to a beer with cider, but we make all of our ciders to be semi-dry or semi-sweet. Nothing's over the top with sugar." Translation? These ciders are crafted with the same level of sophistication and balance you'd expect from a top-tier craft beer.
Still not convinced? How about a bourbon barrel-aged cider that's been aging for six months in Traverse City whiskey barrels? "If you enjoy bourbon, that's a nice transition for people who are beer drinkers. They tend to like bourbon as well," says Denton.
And for the hopheads out there, they've got you covered too. "We have a hop cider. So if you're a hop head, we use Citra hops in our hop cider," Denton adds.
But it's not just about the cider but the experience. "I want everybody to have a high energy level and to be happy that they're here," says Bond. The atmosphere is rustic and community-focused. "We don't have any TVs in here. It's basically conversation, people meeting," Bond concludes.
We can concur with Bond and Denton, as our visit to Ore Creek Craft Cider was fantastic. Their team does a wonderful job of finding you the perfect cider. As beer drinkers, we felt right at home.
Blue Water/Thumbcoast
Lansing
Spotlight on Michigan’s Hard Cider Producers
Hey, Beer Lovers, do you think hard cider is just apple juice for adults? Think again. Michigan's hard cider scene is exploding. "Because we have such great apples to work with, we do have some of the best ciders in the world,” says Paula Englin, the newly appointed Executive Director of the Michigan Cider Association. Intrigued? Read on.
The Artisanal Appeal: We're not talking about the sugary, mass-produced stuff you find at the grocery store. We're talking about artisanal, hand-crafted hard ciders that rival the complexity and flavor profiles of your favorite IPAs, stouts, and lagers.
A Cider for Everyone: “If you're a wine drinker, there's a cider for you. If you like really sweet stuff, there's a cider for you. If you like really dry stuff, there's a cider for you. If you're a beer guy or gal, there's a cider for you,” Englin elaborates. Michelle McGrath, CEO of the American Cider Association, adds, "Michigan has more hard cider producers than any other state in the U.S."
Local Sourcing: “And, what I love is the vast majority of cider makers in Michigan, if they're adding cherries or hops or lavender or whatever, they are sourcing most of those ingredients from Michigan,” Englin continues.
Finding Your Perfect Hard Cider: How to find local hard cider makers close to home? We started with Social Media. The response was huge. “Suttons Bay Ciders up in Suttons Bay, of course, make an excellent hop cider. Phillips Cider out of the Lansing area makes a great one,” Englin shares. The Michigan Brewery Map app for your phone is also an excellent tool for finding hard cider.
Family-Friendly Hard Cider Experiences: If you want to make some family memories, Red Barn Market, the producer of Painted Turtle Hard Cider, has options. “This year, they've added a plethora of really awesome family-friendly activities. And they've been able to extend their liquor license so that moms, dads, grandmas, grandpas, aunts, and uncles can actually bring their Painted Turtle Hard Cider out into the corn maze, into the apple orchard for the kids to pick,” Englin reveals.
Oktoberfest IX at Batch Brauerei
Spotlight on Michigan’s Hard Cider Producers
Ore Creek Craft Cider
Hey Beer Lovers, Ready for a Flavor Adventure? Pux Cider in Grand Rapids is calling your name!
If you're a die-hard beer enthusiast, you might be thinking, "Why would I ever switch my pint of ale for a glass of cider?" Well, hold onto your bottle openers because Pux Cider in Grand Rapids is about to change your mind!
Step into a tasting room that's a delightful blend of a wine bar, a chic boutique, and, yes, even a dive bar. Pux Cider has it all, from slushies and non-alcoholic cocktails to cheese boards and snacks. But let's get to the heart of the matter—the hard cider.
Ever heard of the "Bamboozie"? If you're a beer lover, this one's for you. Don't let its placement on the fruit/sweet board fool you; this cider is a game-changer. Made with fresh strawberries and light hops, it's a flavor explosion that'll make you rethink your beer-only stance.
Curious about the owner's favorites? We asked Chris Schaefer, one of the brains behind Pux Cider, for his top picks. "Northern Spy and Kingston Black," he said, both of which are on the dry side. But the real showstopper? The Barrel Aged Goat Father. "It's a grape skin and cider blend, aged in Rye Bourbon Barrels," Schaefer explains. "It's fermented on grape skins. Basically, I have grapes on the bottom of my bin that I'm fermenting in. I press the apples to get the juice out, and I put it on those grape skins. It all ferments together, so it's fermenting wild."
As a beer drinker, I took the plunge and tried the Goat Father. Trust me, both the Goat Father and the Bamboozie are a must-try. And they distribute so you don’t have to drive all the way to Grand Rapids.
Pux Cider
Knights of the Hard Cider Round Table has to be Barrel + Beam in Marquette. Yes, it is over the bridge and through the woods, but so worth the drive. Pomme is their session strength cider, made from a blend of Ida Red, Cortland, and Mcintosh apples.
“We ferment with our house saison strain and barrel age with a mixed culture of wild yeasts and lactic acid bacteria to create the driest and most natural cider we can. This being relatively low ABV, it spends about three months in the barrels and takes about five months total, from brewday to your favorite glass!” Kevin McKinney from Barrel+Beam shared.
Easy to drink and worth the drive!
Barrel + Beam
Ah, Alber Orchard & Cider Mill—a place that's as much a part of my childhood as Thanksgiving dinner. Imagine a car packed to the brim with kids, cousins, and maybe even a neighbor or two. Seatbelts? Are you kidding me? I didn’t even know they were an option. My mom would navigate us down winding country roads, and we'd spill out of the car like apples from an overturned bushel.
She’d head for the same building they still use today to sell apples. She’d look over the apple options, and the kids would look over the candy options. She bartered and debated with the farmer’s wife and finally hauled a bushel to the car. If lucky, we’d get a sucker for the ride home.
Fast forward to 2023, and we are back at Alber's, this time securely fastened in my seatbelt. The unpaved country road is still there, framed by trees just starting to show off their autumn hues. Bees were doing their afternoon dance in the warm sun, and—all though a different one, there was a farmer's wife, presiding over an apple empire that boasts over 100 heirloom varieties.
Alber Orchard & Cider Mill in Manchester has grown up! Pumpkins have joined the party—you can either wander down the farm lane to the pumpkin patch or choose one from bins near the barns. Hayrides are on the menu, too, from noon to sunset, provided the tractor driver isn't otherwise engaged (he was at a funeral the day we visited). And for the little ones? Solve the hidden clues in the corn maze and earn an apple of your choice as a reward.
The highlight of my visit was their Freedom Winery tasting room, the newest addition to the orchard. Theresa Bossory, the farmer’s wife, shared they made 7,000 gallons of cider from a medley of heirloom and cider-specific apples the Bossory Family has nurtured and grown.
Michael Bossory, the owner of Alber Orchard, was repairing the cash register when we stepped into the beautiful tasting room. The Farmhouse cider they were serving had a fizz, reminding us of prosecco. There was a slight oaky taste, a hint of chardonnay, but the finish reminded me of a Pilsner. We enjoyed our cider while admiring the view of the orchard. Some trees are over 100 years old, planted when the mill started in 1890.
Alber Orchard’s website promised a trifecta of tastes: the sweetness of their cider, the unique flavor of a rare apple, and the kick of their hard cider. Let me tell you, they delivered. But what you also get, which isn't advertised, is a genuine, down-to-earth, apple-scented slice of orchard life.
Alber Orchard & Cider Mill
Hold the phone, cider fans! If you're looking for a place that's been in the apple game longer than your grandma's been baking pies, look no further than Dexter Cider Mill. According to their website, they've been "Family owned and operated since 1886," making them "the oldest, continuously operating cider mill in the State of Michigan." Talk about a legacy that's as crisp as their cider!
Now, don't expect the bells and whistles of corn mazes or hayrides. Nope, Dexter Cider Mill is all about that liquid gold—cider, that is. And not just any cider, but hard cider too that you can only snag at the mill itself. Choose from their tantalizing trio: Traditional, India Pale, and, for those who like a little kick, Bourbon Barrel Aged.
But wait, there's more! You can also indulge in doughnuts that'll make you forget about your diet and caramel apples that are basically autumn on a stick. And if you want to wear your cider love on your sleeve—literally—they've got merch like shirts available online.
As if that's not enough, the Huron River flows like a serene backdrop to this cider haven. Grab your spot at a picnic table, caramel apple in one hand, cider in the other, all while the river provides the perfect, peaceful soundtrack.
So, beer enthusiasts, are you ready to expand your palate and dive into the world of Michigan's hard ciders? “Go to your local cider maker, ask them to explain their range of profiles to you in terms of dry to sweet, and give them another try because I would be shocked if you don't find a hard cider that drinks like your favorite beverage,” Englin encourages. Don't miss out on this flavor adventure. Grab your friends, plan a cider-tasting trip, and discover what you've been missing. Your taste buds will thank you. Cheers!
Dexter Cider Mill
Hey, Beer Lovers, look, we get it. You love your IPAs, stouts, and lagers. But what if we told you a whole world of flavors is waiting for you, just a short drive away? We're talking about Ore Creek Craft Cider, a hidden gem in Pinckney.
First off, this isn't your average, run-of-the-mill cidery. Ore Creek Co-owner Brandon Bond puts it best: "You have to come to us to taste our cider. We have customers who drive from Muskegon, Detroit, Southfield, and Sterling Heights. We even had a couple drive up from Columbus last weekend." People are traveling from all over to get a taste and not leaving disappointed.
Worried about too much sugar? Have no fear. Co-owner Jay Denton explains: "You're never going to find a perfect match to a beer with cider, but we make all of our ciders to be semi-dry or semi-sweet. Nothing's over the top with sugar." Translation? These ciders are crafted with the same level of sophistication and balance you'd expect from a top-tier craft beer.
Still not convinced? How about a bourbon barrel-aged cider that's been aging for six months in Traverse City whiskey barrels? "If you enjoy bourbon, that's a nice transition for people who are beer drinkers. They tend to like bourbon as well," says Denton.
And for the hopheads out there, they've got you covered too. "We have a hop cider. So if you're a hop head, we use Citra hops in our hop cider," Denton adds.
But it's not just about the cider but the experience. "I want everybody to have a high energy level and to be happy that they're here," says Bond. The atmosphere is rustic and community-focused. "We don't have any TVs in here. It's basically conversation, people meeting," Bond concludes.
We can concur with Bond and Denton, as our visit to Ore Creek Craft Cider was fantastic. Their team does a wonderful job of finding you the perfect cider. As beer drinkers, we felt right at home.
Ore Creek Craft Cider
Hey Beer Lovers, Ready for a Flavor Adventure? Pux Cider in Grand Rapids is calling your name!
If you're a die-hard beer enthusiast, you might be thinking, "Why would I ever switch my pint of ale for a glass of cider?" Well, hold onto your bottle openers because Pux Cider in Grand Rapids is about to change your mind!
Step into a tasting room that's a delightful blend of a wine bar, a chic boutique, and, yes, even a dive bar. Pux Cider has it all, from slushies and non-alcoholic cocktails to cheese boards and snacks. But let's get to the heart of the matter—the hard cider.
Ever heard of the "Bamboozie"? If you're a beer lover, this one's for you. Don't let its placement on the fruit/sweet board fool you; this cider is a game-changer. Made with fresh strawberries and light hops, it's a flavor explosion that'll make you rethink your beer-only stance.
Curious about the owner's favorites? We asked Chris Schaefer, one of the brains behind Pux Cider, for his top picks. "Northern Spy and Kingston Black," he said, both of which are on the dry side. But the real showstopper? The Barrel Aged Goat Father. "It's a grape skin and cider blend, aged in Rye Bourbon Barrels," Schaefer explains. "It's fermented on grape skins. Basically, I have grapes on the bottom of my bin that I'm fermenting in. I press the apples to get the juice out, and I put it on those grape skins. It all ferments together, so it's fermenting wild."
As a beer drinker, I took the plunge and tried the Goat Father. Trust me, both the Goat Father and the Bamboozie are a must-try. And they distribute so you don’t have to drive all the way to Grand Rapids.
PUX CIDER
Knights of the Hard Cider Round Table has to be Barrel + Beam in Marquette. Yes, it is over the bridge and through the woods, but so worth the drive. Pomme is their session strength cider, made from a blend of Ida Red, Cortland, and Mcintosh apples.
“We ferment with our house saison strain and barrel age with a mixed culture of wild yeasts and lactic acid bacteria to create the driest and most natural cider we can. This being relatively low ABV, it spends about three months in the barrels and takes about five months total, from brewday to your favorite glass!” Kevin McKinney from Barrel+Beam shared.
Barrel + Beam
Ah, Alber Orchard & Cider Mill—a place that's as much a part of my childhood as Thanksgiving dinner. Imagine a car packed to the brim with kids, cousins, and maybe even a neighbor or two. Seatbelts? Are you kidding me? I didn’t even know they were an option. My mom would navigate us down winding country roads, and we'd spill out of the car like apples from an overturned bushel.
She’d head for the same building they still use today to sell apples. She’d look over the apple options, and the kids would look over the candy options. She bartered and debated with the farmer’s wife and finally hauled a bushel to the car. If lucky, we’d get a sucker for the ride home.
Fast forward to 2023, and we are back at Alber's, this time securely fastened in my seatbelt. The unpaved country road is still there, framed by trees just starting to show off their autumn hues. Bees were doing their afternoon dance in the warm sun, and—all though a different one, there was a farmer's wife, presiding over an apple empire that boasts over 100 heirloom varieties.
Alber Orchard & Cider Mill in Manchester has grown up! Pumpkins have joined the party—you can either wander down the farm lane to the pumpkin patch or choose one from bins near the barns. Hayrides are on the menu, too, from noon to sunset, provided the tractor driver isn't otherwise engaged (he was at a funeral the day we visited). And for the little ones? Solve the hidden clues in the corn maze and earn an apple of your choice as a reward.
The highlight of my visit was their Freedom Winery tasting room, the newest addition to the orchard. Theresa Bossory, the farmer’s wife, shared they made 7,000 gallons of cider from a medley of heirloom and cider-specific apples the Bossory Family has nurtured and grown.
Michael Bossory, the owner of Alber Orchard, was repairing the cash register when we stepped into the beautiful tasting room. The Farmhouse cider they were serving had a fizz, reminding us of prosecco. There was a slight oaky taste, a hint of chardonnay, but the finish reminded me of a Pilsner. We enjoyed our cider while admiring the view of the orchard. Some trees are over 100 years old, planted when the mill started in 1890.
Alber Orchard’s website promised a trifecta of tastes: the sweetness of their cider, the unique flavor of a rare apple, and the kick of their hard cider. Let me tell you, they delivered. But what you also get, which isn't advertised, is a genuine, down-to-earth, apple-scented slice of orchard life.
Alber Orchard & Cider Mill