On Saturday, August 6, Summer Cider Day returns for its sixth year in Port Townsend, Washington. Featuring 18 Pacific Northwest cideries, the annual festival brings in more than 70 different cider and this year’s Summer Cider Day looks to be a bonafide cider bonanza.
In addition to the smattering of ciders, there will also be food provided by Sirens Pub, who also call Port Townsend home. And if there are any ciders that you just cannot be without, there will be a store where you can purchase bottles to bring home.
With so many different ciders available to try and only five hours to do so, we’ve made a list of some of the best and most interesting ciders that will be present at the festival.
Habanero Cider || Finnriver Farm & Cidery || Chimacum, WA
If you can’t beat the heat, then you might as well join it by enjoying a glass of Finnriver’s Habanero Cider. The combination of habanero peppers and apples from Finnriver’s own orchard have resulted in a semi-sweet cider that is spicy without feeling like an inferno and is, in fact, far more refreshing than you may believe.
Cliffbreaks Blend || Snowdrift Cider Co. || Wenatchee, WA
Snowdrift Cider Co.’s most popular cider, Cliffbreaks Blend has a flavor that blends apples, melons and dried fruit. With a terrific balance between acidity and sweetness, this cider would be best enjoyed paired with Sirens Pub’s pulled pork sliders with apple chutney and brie.
Ginja Ninja || 2 Towns Ciderhouse || Corvallis, OR
After initial tastes of fresh apples, the flavor of intense ginger quickly sneaks in like a ninja with 2 Towns Ciderhouse’s Ginja Ninja. You may not have the skills of a ninja, but you can sure drink like one.
Berry || Seattle Cider Co. || Seattle, WA
This summer seasonal is achieved by blending five different types of apples with, as the simple name of the cider would suggest, locally grown raspberries, blueberries and blackberries. The result is a cider jam-packed with the taste and aroma of a medley of berries that will leave you feeling refreshed in the warm summer afternoon heat of the festival.
Oaked Dry || Wandering Aengus Ciderworks || Salem, OR
You guessed this — this barrel-aged, dry cider has a taste and aroma of mild cloves, baked apple and a rich, oaky finish. This would be a perfect cider for when the day is winding to an end and you’re kicking back to watch the sunset after the festival.
Trouble in Paradise || Schilling Hard Cider || Seattle
The brand new, unannounced, summer seasonal from this Seattle-area cidery is made with pineapple and passion fruit, producing a pale golden cider that is sure to leave you with some good vibrations and tropical grooves.
Tickets for Summer Cider Day are available for purchase until Friday, August 5.
