Stem Ciders celebrates the opening of The Northern Spy, a Bar. Restaurant. and Bottle Shop. featuring the largest variety of cider in the Southeast. Named after a cider apple variety that first originated in upstate New York around 1800, The Northern Spy features cider, beer, wine, and cocktails paired with a locally sourced, scratch-made food menu, offering ‘American Fare with a Southern Twist’.
The Northern Spy is located at 2812 Erwin Road in Durham, North Carolina in the space formally occupied by Mattie Beason’s Black Twig Cider House. Beason is now on the Stem Ciders team as a North Carolina Sales Representative, while Ivana Muszkiewicz, previously a Market Representative in Chicago for Stem Ciders, takes the position of General Manager for their Durham space, utilizing her thirteen years in hospitality.
Founded in 2013 by Eric Foster and Phil Kao, Stem Ciders produces cider founded on three main principles: quality, style, and tradition. They opened their first cider house in Denver’s RiNo Art District in 2014 and last year introduced Acreage, their first culinary venture located in Lafayette, Colorado. The Northern Spy represents their first physical presence on the East Coast, further supporting their mission to bring the American cider house experience to the forefront across the U.S.
“Rather than expanding Stem Ciders through sales and distribution alone, we wanted to create a space where people can really taste and experience cider the way it’s meant to be,” said Eric Foster, co-founder and CEO. “The Northern Spy gives us a whole new playground on the East Coast where we can share our products alongside some of our other favorite ciders, wine, beer and food. We’re very much looking forward to welcoming guests into the new space. Also look out for some fun collaborations that are in the works with Botanist & Barrel, and other local craft producers.”
The Northern Spy will have 18 taps at the bar featuring a rotating offering of cider, beer and cocktails (including cocktails made with both beer and cider), often including special releases from Stem’s cellar not available anywhere else in the state.
Created by Acreage Executive Chef Eric Lee, the food menu will be available for both lunch and dinner, focusing on local and house-made ingredients. Menu highlights include Spy’s Fries – French fries with cider aioli, a Fried Bologna Sandwich, a not-so Classic Wedge Salad, and a Cider Float made with Stem’s Real Dry Apple Cider. 60 seats are available inside that includes the bar, community tables and several high tops. The outside features a patio with seating for 28.
The retail component will offer 20 doors of chilled cider, beer and wine available for purchase, presenting shoppers with a diverse offering of both local and international bottles, with a strong focus on local and regional producers.
Doors will open to the public on Saturday, April 27 at 11am. The Northern Spy will be open seven days a week (Sunday through Thursday from 11am to 9pm and Friday and Saturday from 11am to 10pm). Follow along on their website, www.northernspync.com and Instagram @northernspync.
