The Best of Chicago Cider Summit 2017

The 5th annual Chicago Cider Summit at Navy Pier was another great success for cider makers and lovers alike. Once again blessed with a sunny, winter day – the view of Lake Michigan from the Grand Ballroom couldn't have been more beautiful for sipping cider.

In addition to 150 cider makers and the second floor cider cocktail lounge, there was a new feature this year – the "Northwest Cider Pavilion," which featured 8 cider makers from Washington and Oregon. Doughnut Vault was in attendance, sampling their Apple Cider Old Fashioned (yum!!), which paired perfectly with a tart cider, to balance the sweetness of the glazed doughnut. Once again this was one of our favorite festivals to attend, with very few lines for cider, food, or restrooms, and ample opportunity to talk with the cider makers themselves.

Below is a recap of our "Best of" selections from the event. All of the ciders listed are available in Chicago, with the exception of Mission Trail Cider Co., who is hoping to enter the market over the next year. Farmhaus has limited distribution to The Wine Goddess (Evanston, IL). Nashi Orchards is currently available at The Northman in bottles.

Best Dry Cider

Wandering Aengus (OR)
Wickson Crab Apple Cider (8.2%)
Dry, very tart, citrus notes.

Best Semi-Sweet Cider

Farmhaus Cider Co. (MI)
Brunch (Limited Release) (6.9%)
Semi-sweet cider with cinnamon and maple syrup, like apple pie in a glass.

Best Farmhouse/Wild Fermented Cider

Shacksbury (VT)
2015 Lost & Found (Limited Release) (6.7%)
A blend of foraged and cultivated apples from the Champlain Valley of Vermont. 
Very dry, unfiltered yeast character, tart green apple finish.

Best European/Import Cider

Craigie's (IRE)
Ballyhook Flyer Irish Cider (5.8%)
Dry and tart with light peat and brine character.

Best Barrel-Aged Cider

Nashi Orchards (WA)
Barrel Fermented Cider (6.9%)
Heirloom apples fermented in French oak barrels. Tart, clean and rounded.

runner up:

Starcut Cider, Erraticus 6 (6.4%)

Oak aged wild cider with Michigan apples and black currants. Dark fruit and rustic, wine-like character with a dry finish.

Best Fruited Cider

Stem Ciders Raspberry Apple Cider (6.7%)

Tart apple and raspberry flavor, with intense aroma and ruby hues.

runner up:

Cider Brothers, Pacific Coast Blueberry Zinfandel (6%)

Blueberries blended with California Zinfandel – tart, bright, dry and beautiful in color.

Best Alternative Fruit – Jerkum
Mission Trail Cider Co. (CA)
Plum Jerkum (6.5%)
A blend of 14 California Plum varietals, fermented with wine yeast.
An English-native beverage, Mission Trail is the only producer in the world currently making it. Tastes like eating a whole plum – incredibly juicy with light tannins and a dry finish. 


Best Perry
Vander Mill (MI)
Bon Chretein (6.8%)
Produced from Michigan Bartlett pears, semi-dry and juicy with a crisp finish.

Best Cider Cocktail

Woodford Reserve Spiced Cider Cocktail

Woodford Reserve Bourbon, apple cider, Seattle Cider Semi-Sweet.

To find these ciders, check out beermenus.com and visit some of our favorite cider selling bottle shops in the city: Bottles & Cans, The Beer Temple, West Lakeview Liquors, and the suburbs: Standard Market, Binnys.

4th Annual Tailspin Ale Fest Returns to Louisville

Tailspin Ale Fest organizers return once again to present Louisville's best beer fest of the season - Tailspin Ale Fest, February 18, 2017 at Bowman Field in the WWII Era Hangar at Louisville Executive Aviation. Over 70 breweries and a special Kentucky heritage section of Kentucky brews will be available for consumption. View vintage airplanes on display with pin-up girls & fly boys and dine large with some of Louisville's finest food trucks. Magnolia Photo Booth and live music provide ample fun and entertainment.

With over 200 beers available onsite, make sure to sample some great brews from featured breweries: NEW to Kentucky from Athens, Georgia – Terrapin Brewing Company, Rhinegeist, Tin Man Brewing Company, New Belgium, Sweetwater Brewing, Founders Brewing and heading up the Kentucky Heritage section, West Sixth Brewing. 

Event Co-Creator and Organizer, Tisha Gainey states, “We are excited for Tailspin's fourth anniversary at the historic Bowman Field, bringing our craft beer celebration to the forefront of Louisville's social scene once again.  It is rewarding to continue our partnership with Liquor Barn and expand on the fundraising efforts for Dare to Care Food Bank.  We are also excited that our event continues to create new opportunities for furthering our fundraising with community partners like the Middleton Reutlinger, a local law firm that has a division specialized in working with many Kentucky Craft Breweries. Tailspin also provides a platform to introduce the latest and greatest from the world of craft beer to Louisville.  Look for all your favorite highlights and beers at the event - and a few surprises as well - as we strive to make Tailspin better every year.”

For tickets or more information, visit www.tailspinalefest.com. 
For the latest updates about participating breweries and festival news, like www.facebook.com/tailspinalefest

Check out photos from the previous years event: