When you consider the origin story behind this British Columbia-based ciderhouse, its moniker makes perfect sense — the initial concept really did come out of left field, when a whim led co-owner Kate Garthwaite to experiment with an impromptu batch of homemade cider. But from there, Garthwaite’s curiosity ballooned into an all-in pursuit, and she has certainly earned her chops since.
Her credentials include studying with UK cider guru Peter Mitchell in Washington State, followed by an apprenticeship across the pond with master cidermaker Mike Johnson at Herefordshire, England’s Ross-On-Wye Cider and Perry Co. As Left Field Cider Co. eventually began to take shape leading up to its 2011 opening, the brand grew into a family venture, with Garthwaite’s parents and sister Theresa on board, and the company still stands by its family-owned roots today.
From its home base in the southern interior of BC, Left Field bottles pure French, English and BC-native apple varieties into a line of dry ciders distributed across British Columbia and Alberta.
Get to know a bit about the face behind the journey, including Garthwaite’s personal favorite cider and penchant for podcasts.
1) Which of your own current offerings are you digging the most?
I’m super happy with all of our ciders this year, but lately I’ve been drinking a lot of our Big — the very first SKU we released. We’ve released several other ciders since then, but I always go back to the crisp, dry flavor of Big Dry.
2) Any cidermaking pipe dreams you’re dying to make a reality?
No real pipe dreams, but I’m very excited to release a cider in 2017 that will be our first wild-fermented, unfiltered and still cider.
3) What non-cider beverage is in your glass most these days? What is your favorite way to enjoy it and where?
My mug is almost always filled with black tea. I like to drink as much tea as I can everyday.
4) Favorite song, album or artist to jam out to while throwing a few down the hatch?
These days we’re busy with fall press and fermenting. I’m at the ciderhouse a lot. When I’m working and enjoying a cider or two at the ciderhouse, I’m usually listening to podcasts. Lately I’ve been enjoying the Moth and StartUp.
