Whether it’s a juicy west coast IPA or bone dry riesling, these days, anyone can walk into a bottle shop and locate the exact varietal, fermentation style, or geographic provenance of a drink that suits their palate or the occasion. Try to do that with a cider, however, and even those looking to explore the centuries’-old beverage category would be hard-pressed to find a genre-spanning selection of bottles at any store. But just like the craft beer and low-intervention wine movements that rocketed little-known or long-forgotten styles into the collective culinary consciousness, cider is long overdue for its big break. “If you don’t think you like cider, it’s just because you haven’t found a cider that you like yet,” says Scott Ramsey, executive director of the New York Cider Association. “It’s not all just your grandmother’s sweet-and-sticky cider.”

For anyone ready to sip their way through a mind-expanding exploration of the category, next month’s NY Cider Festival NYC is ready to answer the call. On Saturday, November 15, New York Cider Association is uniting almost 30 of the state’s cideries under the same roof at City Winery at Pier 57 for a one-day-only cider tasting experience and marketplace. The event, held from 11am to 3pm, offers food lovers, chefs, and restaurateurs a hands-on look at the incredible breadth of cider styles from some of the industry’s leading names and up-and-coming indie producers.  

Attendees at last year’s NY Cider Festival NYC Credit: Courtesy New York Cider Association

Whether it’s funk lovers who vibe on the acidic, earthy flavors of amber wine or gluten-free folks looking to expand their easy-drinking repertoire, Ramsey says there’s something for everyone to learn about, sample, and take home to enjoy (or stash away for the upcoming holidays). “The beauty of cider is that it can either take the place of the beer that you drink on the beach or be a replacement for the Champagne you toast to at your wedding,” he says.  

For those who want to expand their hosting skills in time for Thanksgiving, or simply learn more about how cider can complement and heighten any meal, there will also be two VIP add-on cider and cheese-pairing sessions at the festival led by cidermakers from Angry Orchard’s Innovation Cider House and boutique operations in the Finger Lakes. 

Credit: Courtesy New York Cider Association

Attendees will also get the chance to participate in crowning one of the industry’s new favorite cidermakers (and grab a few bottles of their ciders before the rest of the world finds out). This year, the festival will host its first ever New York Cider Festival NYC People’s Choice Award. During the event, attendees will vote for their favorite cidery present at the festival, with the winner announced at the end of the event. 

The festival, one of several events held by the New York Cider Association every year, promises to showcase the full range and potential of the contemporary cider landscape. “We’re just now dipping our toes in the water,” says Ramsey. “And that’s a really exciting place to be.”

The New York Cider Festival New York City, sponsored by the NY Cider Association, the New York Apple Association, and Angry Orchard, will take place from 12 to 3pm at City Winery at Pier 57 on Saturday, November 15. Tickets (General Admission $40, VIP Early Admission $50, Cheese Pairing Add-ons $35) are on sale now here. 

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