Cider Chat

Meet the Founders of Presque Isle Farm Cider a.k.a PIF

Molly and Dion Stepanski are the founders of of PIF Cider with an inviting Tasting Room located in Alpena, Michigan. They met in New Orleans where Dion was working as a Jazz muscian and Molly in a store. In 2014 they move to farm vegetables at Dion’s family farm in Posen, MI. There they planted a one acre orchard which Dion describes as high density, but not trellised. They sources their apples from Michigan’s TraverseCity area which is to the west of Alpena.

Dion and Molly

From the outset they wanted to make English Style Ciders and by all accounts they are hitting this target straight out producing delectable ciders that please the palate and made this cider podcast host swoon with delight.

In this Cider Chat with PIF Producers

• The backstory of PIF and the Stepanski’s journey to cider
• Cider making techniques at PIF
  • Native yeas
  • Barrel program
  • Blends and Single varietal
• The cider fans of Presque Island and the surrounding area.
  • What can guests expect when visiting.
• How to get PIF products!

PIF Cider Tasted

• 2022Farmhouse8.2%
  • Kingston Black
  • Bulmers Norman
  • Brown Snout
  • Northern Spy
  • Label by their son
• Kingston Black and Bulmers50/50
  • Made in Stainless
• Single Varietal Spitzenberg 202112.5%
  • Aged for 2 years in Bourbon Barrel
• Clean Ciders meaning pitched yeast
  • Golden Russet, Harrisonblend 9% semi dry
  • Bulmers Norman and Coxs Orange Pippin
  • Farmhouseback sweeten with French Bittersweet concentrate
    • This is in a can and is a slight variation from the 750 ml bottles

Ciders for sale in Taproom

Contact info for Presque Island Farm Cider

• Website:https://pifcider.com/
• PIF Tasting Room address:
  • 205 W. Chisholm St. Alpena, Michigan
• Taproom Telephone:tele: 01-989.340.0970
• Instagram:@pifcider

Mentions in this Cider Chat

• New York International Cider Competition 2024
• French Cider Tour 2024
• Étienne Dupont – listen toEpisode 337

Chef Duffy Talks Cooking with Cider

Chef Brian Duffy is one of the culinary’s industry’s most dynamic and innovative personalities.

Chef Brian Duffy

With a career that spans decades, He has been captivating audiences with his infectious passion for food and his unique approach to the culinary arts. He is well known for his appearances on the tv and the series “Bar Rescue,” where Chef Duffy helped transform struggling bars, offering expert advice and renovations to revitalize their business and create successful, thriving establishments.

In this episode of Cider Chat we are tapping into Chef’s contemplative side and getting his thoughts on the both cooking with cider and pairing cider with food.

In this Cider Chat with Chef Brian Duffy

We taste through 4 ciders

• Sweet
  • Coyote Verde 4.25% Back Sweetened Tart Granny Smith Apple
    • ProducerFishback Stephenson Cider House| Iowa
• Semi Dry
  • Grapes in a Suit Case
    • ProducersBotanist and Barrel/ North Carolina andArtifact Cider Project/ Massachsetts
• ^{Semi -Dry}
  • Premium Hard Cider (6.9%) all native years, no sulfites, barrel aged
    • Producer:WildCraft Cider Works/ Eugene Oregon
• Dry
  • Malus (7.5%) juice is from apples pressed in New York and shipped to Florida
    • Producer:Green Bench Brewery and Mead & Cider/ Saint Petersburg Florida

Topics in this Cider Chat

• What is Chef Brian Duffy up to.
• Cooking with cider
• Pairing cider with food
• Let’s talk PH when pairing cider – Most bars serve high acid pub food/dishes with drinks. For those who want to balance acid and alkaline offerings, what are the options? Looking for pub/restaurant dishes that you would recommend.
• 3 tips for a success restaurant or cidery serving food
• Typical mistakes to avoid when serving food

Contact Chef Brian Duffy

• Website:ChefBrianDuffy.com
• Instagram:@chefbriduff
• Duffied Live podcast

Mentions in this Cider Chat

• French Cider Tour September 24 – 28, 2024
• Bar & Restaurant ExpoMarch 18th -20th, 2024 use codeChefDuffy50for $50 off you pass
• Episode035: Danielle von Scheiner | Big Apple Hard Cider, NYC

A Special Valentine to Ciderville with Love

This episode is a special valentine to Ciderville with a little bit of help from the Talking Pommes and an eventful appearance by The Nose!

We are in the Cider House reviewing the last year and have written a special card to everyone out there in your special spot in Ciderville.

In this episode we say good bye to Season 8 while reviewing the uniques of cider, what we all need to do to keep relationships in Ciderville healthy, and how to help keep cider going up a.k.a #ciderGoingUP.

Mentions in This Cider Chat

• Find all past episode from Season 8 of Cider Chat
• @cidersoms - follow along on Instagram
• Work with Cider Chat
• French Cider Tour September 24 - 28, 2024
• Send Cider to Cider Chat
• Support Cider Chat
• Cider Chat Swag Store - get your cider t-shirt today!

The Low ABV Cider Revolution in Sweden

In Strängnäs Sweden, circa 2017, JohanSjöstedt, Oskar Palm, and Patrik Svensk began selling ciders commercially under their brand Pomologik. They didn’t set out to make low alcohol cider nor even non alcoholic cider when they started, but a lot can change in a few short years.

Johan

In this Cider Chat

• John Sjöstedt’s journery to cider
• How a US cider bar encouraged Swedish cider makers
• How a cider purist can shift perspective
• Low alcohol by volume (ABV) ciders and Non Alcohol Ciders in Sweden
• Cider techniques
• Cider Styles
• Cider Fests in Sweden –Nordic Craft Cider Festival
• Who are Sweden’s cider fans
• Who can visit Pomologik…for now.

Contact for Pomologik

• Website:https://www.pomologik.se/

Mentions in this Cider Chat

• New York International Cider Competition2024
• 2024French Cider Tourto Paris, Normandy and Brittany – Reservations are live now and there are only 4 spots left
• Amsterdam Cider Salon, Netherlands March 8, 2024 (7-10 pm)
• Non alcoholic cider in US – followJonathan Mark on instagram for more info

Saint Peterburg on Florida’s West Coast Welcomes Green Bench

Green Bench can boast being a microbrewery, meadery, and cidery in a region where palm trees rule! Despite that small inconvenience of no apples trees to speak of growing in Florida, maker Brian Wing has been rolling out the cider barrels since 2015. Green Bench itself has been producing select beers beginning in 2013.

Brian Wing

In this Cider Chat with Maker Brian Wing

• Fermenting in Florida. Where is the production facility located. (Webb’s City Cellar?)
• How did this all come about? Brewing begins in 2013 then 6 yrs later (2019) cider & mead.
• Brian’s journey to cider
• What are the challenges of cider making in FL (resourcing from…NY…)
• Who are the cider fans in St. Peterburg and the surrounding area. Has this changed since you opened and if so, how.
• Training of staff to pour and discuss cider – loved how you were planning for this on the tour
• What can guest expect when visiting.
  • Is there a flagship cider that one should try first?
  • Malus is the Flagship cider – try this one first!
• Cider styles and techniques
  • Fermenting with fruits from Florida for co-ferments
  • Florida honey ferments
• Filtering using a centrifuge
• Barrel program

Cider Tasted During this Interview

• Chaconne
  • A dry cider made by Green Bench Brewing Company.It’smade with Wickson Crab, Yates, and Harrison apples, and has an ABV of 6.4%

Contact for Green Bench Brewing, Mead & Cider

• Website
  • https://www.greenbenchbrewing.com/mead-cider

Mentions in this Cider Chat

• French Cider Tour 2024 – September 22nd – 28th

Fermentations Run without Fear at Wildcraft

Sean Kelly founded Wildcraft Cider Works in 2014. His journey to cider making began in 2008. It follows his botanicals passion, quest for tree resources & conservation, in concert with travels to Latin America where he learned how to ferment. He honors the preservation and the medicinal value of the plants and does a mighty fine job of capturing the essence of a wide variety of pomes, grapes and botanicals in the glass.

Sean Kelly

Cider Making at Wildcraft

• Only Native Yeast
• No sulfites
• Co-ferment
  • botanical
  • grapes
  • pome fruits – pear, quince, medlars
• Barrel aging

Cider’s Tasted in this Cider Chat

• Pisgah Heriloom
• Restoration Perry – wild rootstock pears
• Medlar

Wildcraft Products

• Ciders
• Perry
• Brandies –POM-MISTELLE– a set of 3 brandies, apple, quince and pear
• Fire Cider
• Hot Sauce– Peppers gleaned from Camas Swale Farms. Fermented and aged in house brandy barrels

Annual Events at Wildcraft

• March 2nd Tap Takeover – an array of ferments on tap
• Fiddlehead Festival – Last weekend of April
• Harvest Party – fall

Mentioned in this Cider Chat

• Freeman Rowe
• French Cider Tour – September 22-28, 2024 Reservations are now open

Pre-conference PDX Audio Clips

This Cider Chat Live features clips from CiderCon 2024 which took place in Portland, Oregon. What was particularly unique about this year was the ice storm that took place.

Pictured below is a car driven from the border of Oregon and California to PDX. It is incased in ice and is a testament of just how ferocious the storm was. Despite the ice, the cider kept pouring.

Enjoy this Cider Chat Live

Ander's car and its Ice Cap when he arrived at the main hotel

Bookmark this episode for loads of Portland Oregon a.k.a. PDX Tips

Oregon Cider Week and CiderCon 2024 are all converging in PDX and this episodes has all the tips you need arrive and hit the ground running. Portland resident Sean Connolly, who is also known asCider Experienceon Instragram and Facebook has delivered big time with tons of tips and insider knowlege to help everyone feel like a local.

Sean Connolly

In this Cider Chat on PDX Tips

• Temperature
  • Highs 47 degrees
  • 50/50 chance of rain or sunny
  • Bring layers

• What to wear
  • Jeans and plaids work
  • Casual dress code and functional

PDX Tips to look like a local:Loose the umbrella and let your hair get wet! When using an umbrella, it is obvious you are from out of town!

• Transportation
• Airport (PDX) to CiderCon– The Met Red line is not in service beginning January 14th. Service will be still provided via shuttle buses which will take a bit longer than the 30 minute ride. It is still a great deal at $2.80
  • go toTrimet.orgfor more info

• Driving:Download Car Parking App:Parking Kitty

• Bicycles for Rent in PDX
  • Nike Launch a travel by bike –https://biketownpdx.com/
  • There are lots of bike lanes
  • Spring Water Corridor runs the length of the Willamette River approximately 7-8 miles

• Need Tech help or supplies?
  • The Lloyd Center is close by and in old town Portland there is a full service Apple Stor

PDX Tips for purchases:There is no Sales Taxes in Oregon

• Restaurants near CiderCon
  • Red Robin
  • Spanish Tapas
  • Noble Rot – beautiful views of the city
  • Big Pink – City Grill on 33rd floor with great views
  • Sizzle Side Pizza
  • Spirit of 77 Seas recommends for good pub faire

• Grocery storesby Hyatt
  • Safeway approximately 3/4 mile
  • Trader Joes about 4 miles away in the Hollywood district

• Karaoke
  • Ambassador PDX Bar and Lounge
  • Alibi PDX
  • The Baby Ketten Club

PDX Tips: The city is Food Trucks heaven– Look for “Food Cart Pods” via Travel Portland ‘s online food cart finder

Cider

Cider Locations closest to Hyatt and Oregon Convention Center

• Schilling Cider House– a wide range of taps approx 1 Mile from the Hyatt
• Spirit of 777Tap take over
• Pizza Thief– the tap
• Lil Spirits – a block and half from Convention Center – tap takeovers –437 NE Lloyd Blvd Portland, OR 97232
• The Place PDX– A cider bar will be hosting multiple cider events

In Pearl District on west side of river

• Cider Bite– splits taps between sweet and dry
• Portland Cider Company – 35 taps
  • Locations in Oregon City and Beavertown
• Swift Cideris located in the north side of town

• Bring Cider or Beer Home
• The Place PDX– buy bottles to go
• John’s Marketplacebig collection of both cider and beer – 3560 SE Powell Blvd -Portland, OR
• McMenaminshas a large selections
• New Seasons Market
• Pick up cider and beer at the Portland International Airport
  • Look for Made in Oregon Store in airport

Sean’s PDX Tips for Fun in Portland

• Walk by the River
• Forest Park: The largest urban park in the country
• Mount Tabor Park
• Hopscotch– light and music theme area, high sensory experience (take an hour to enjoy)
• Dance:McMenamimsat Lola’s Room
• Relax and Soak atMcMenamims Soaking PoolorCommon Ground Wellness Center

PDX Tips for Cannabis:Oregon Legalized Cannabis in 2015. There are 5 dispensaries around the hotel conference center. Look up:WhatsLegalOregon.com

Mentions in this Cider Chat

• CiderCon 2024January 15-19th, 2024 Portland Oregon
• Artisans by Cider Summit| Portland, Oregon January 20, 2024
• Oregon Cider WeekJanuary 13-20th, 2024
• Totally Cider Tours– France – listen to past episodes and get on thewait list for the 2024 tour!

It’s time to make your Cider Notes for 2024

The list of cider notes can be quiet long, but in this episode we are going to make it doable and easy for you.

In this Cider Chat on Cider Notes

• The Talking Pommes encourage Ria to slow down
• Sign up for the last cider tour heading out at CiderCon 2024
• French Cider Tour reservations
• Wassails
  • January 5th at theBotanist and Barrel, Cedar Grove North Carolina
  • January 28thBerkshire Cider Projectat the Tourist in North Adams Massachusetts
    • Learn about Wassailing inEpisode 393

Past Cider Making Episodes

• 381 DIY Cider Making for Beginners
• 382 Beginner Tips for Squeaky Clean Cider Equipment
• 384 Beginner Cider Making Tips forPrimary Fermentation
• 386: Managing Cider’s Secondary Fermentation – DIY Tips

Equipment needed for Cider’s Secondary Ferment

Find a complete list with links to purchase at theCider Making Equipment pageat ciderchat.com

• Extra Apple Juice to for topping off
• Secondary Fermenter – glass carboy of equal size
• Airlock and Bung
• Racking Cane or Auto-Siphon
• Sanitizer
• Hydrometer or Refractometer
• Tubing & a clothes pin ( a Ria tip to have on hand for clamping tubing as you go so it can be managed to insure that the tube doesn’t slip down into the lees and stir them up)
• Bottle Brush and Cleaning Equipment

Mentions in this Cider Chat

• 363: Exploring Cider Using 33 Books Flavor Wheel
• Sean Connolly Cider Experience
• Subscribe toCider Chat YouTube Channel

What does Wassail & Drink Hail mean?

In this episode learn about meaning behind Wassail and Drink Hail from the Butler himself, Al Sax.

A Wassail is a celebration of the orchards, most typically apple orchards to honor the natural world and pay tribute with hopes of an abundant fruiting season moving forward.

A Wassail is also a cheer

• When you hear someone say “Wassail” it means -Be Healthy!
  • The reply is “Drink hail” –To your health!

Al as the Butler at the Wassail

When time of year to Wassail?

Historically a Wassail would be held on the 6th of January or what is known as the Twelfth Night.Or on the 17th of January which is called “Old Twelvey”

Procession to the main Wassail fire

In these modern times a Wassail can take place when it is most appropriate considering the weather and outside temperatures. There is no strict protocols, but rather traditions that when followed harken us all back to our ancestral roots and pagan ways.

Where do Wassails take place?

In the orchard surrounding a large fire, a fire circle and in some places 12 small rings of fire for the 12 apostles or for the twelve signs of the Zodiac.

Indoor Wassails are also doable for those who can’t go outside during -6 degree temperatures. Thus, a Wassail can take place at a Senior Center or a Day Care with songs being sung around a plant or small tree.

How to Make a Torch for Wassailing

The end goal is all the same, to sing to the orchard, the apple tree(s), to ward off the apple foes and to harken in better times ahead.

The Old Apple Tree of the Wassail

How to Plan for your own Wassail

• Have a fire keeper who will make sure the wood is ready and lit to greet the parade of merry makers
• Set ameeting spot for everyone to gather and then walk to the oldest or largest apple tree. The fire is often very nearby.
• Have“Safe”Torches, flashlights to lead the crowd to the main fire
• Have some hot mulled cider, which is always good for a loud “Wassail and Drink Hail” reply
• Have a Master of the Ceremony or what is known as the“Butler”
• SelectaKing and Queen
• Haveslices ofToasted bread
• Have Cider to drink and to pour a bit on the toast and onto the ground
• Hand out lyrics to the Wassail songs
• The King and Queen lead the group up to the Apple Tree
• Place the toast on the limbs
• Pour cider on the roots of the tree
• Make noise to ward off the evil spirts – this is your chance to call out “Wassail” and then reply “Drink Hail”!
• If Morris Dancers are available they would do a dance or two
• Have a taste of two of Wassail – pick an option that best suits your crowd. It can be a hot mulled cider, with or without spices or fortified with brandy, perhaps a wee bit of honey?

A two handled cup or goblet is the classic Wassail cup that would be passed round, but these days any fine drinking cup would do sans the passing around.

Wassail and Drink Hail around the world

• Willie Smiths Cider in Tasmania hosts an annual “Mid Winter Festival” in July
• Campaign for the Revival Of Wassailing (CROW)
  • www.nationaltrust.org.uk/petworth-house-and-park/recipes/petworths-traditional-wassail

Mentions in this Cider Chat

• 072: Lost Apple of the Quabbin |Massachusetts
• January 5, 2024 Wassail at Botanist and Barrel Cidery and Winery,115 Persimmon Hill Ln, Cedar Grove, NC 27231-8807, United States
• Hear about the orchard samplers and cider made at Renaissance Orchards in Ferndale Washington inEpisode 390