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‘Tis the season for pumpkin patch photos, apple picking, and cider sipping.
Fall is so much more than a season of cooler temps, fire-hued foliage, and cozy sweaters—it’s a state of mind, bolstered by an array of thematic and tasty treats that make it one of the most enjoyable times of year. But beyond pumpkin spice lattes and cranberry cocktails is apple cider, enjoyed hot or cold, pure or alcoholic, and/or part of hot doughnuts that lure autumn lovers like a siren song.
No matter the preference in preparation, these are 12 cideries across the country serving up not only good bites and sips, but also stunning orchard views or iconic tasting rooms to appreciate everything the versatile fruit (with a whopping 7,500 varieties!) has to offer.
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Appalachian Ridge Artisan Cidery
WHERE: Hendersonville, North Carolina
Come for the views and live music, stay for the cider. Utilizing a “cider as wine” approach, this beloved mountainside property allows its beverage’s flavors to layer and develop over time by incorporating fermentation techniques from Normandy, France. This means guests sip on something that’s not only sweet and delicious on a crisp autumn day, but also a piece of tradition and history that’s been passed down for generations.
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Big Hill Ciderworks
WHERE: Gardners, Pennsylvania
Big Hill Ciderworks takes pride in growing, pressing, fermenting, bottling, and distributing its modern, traditional, and wild fermented lines of ciders without any added sugars or sweeteners. Apples also come directly from Adams County, making it an ode to Pennsylvania’s surprisingly robust number of active orchard farms. But perhaps Big Hill’s biggest draw is its lively taphouse, which has become a local ‘ber month staple with wood-fired pizzas, trivia nights, as well as periodic social events like yoga classes and DIY crafts.
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Cider Corps
WHERE: Mesa, Arizona
Desert temperatures don’t deter from Mesa’s veteran-owned Cider Corps from churning out an impressive array of award-winning ciders. In fact, Arizona’s first and largest craft cidery has garnered national attention with innovative and punny flavor varieties such as Mango Foxtrot, Private Palmer, and seasonal Camule Flage—a refreshing take on the classic Moscow Mule cocktail with notes of ginger and lime through a semi-dry cider base.
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Dragon’s Head Cider
WHERE: Vashon, Washington
As the lead apple-producing state in the country, it’s no surprise that Washington’s Dragon’s Head Cider earns a well-deserved spot on this list for its range of one-of-a-kind ciders. Showcasing unique apple types such as Crimson Gold, Sweet Dabinett, Airlie Red, and Columbia Crabapple, each bottle is artisanal, hand-crafted, and makes a wonderful gift for the cider-guzzler in anyone’s life (if it makes it home and not in the glass of the buyer).
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ERIS Brewery and Cider House
WHERE: Chicago, Illinois
This Windy City brewpub has earned international acclaim for its clever cider infusions that include ingredients like blueberries, tart cherries, vanilla, and even a seasonal pepper jam with notes of peach and chile de árbol. The brews pair best with brunch, of course, where ERIS serves up an equally impressive food menu that ranges from sweet berry waffles and cinnamon sugar pretzels to savory bacon melts and brisket burritos.
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Fly Creek Cider Mill and Orchard
WHERE: Fly Creek, New York
New York City may be referred to as “The Big Apple,” but a real taste of the juicy fruit can be found 200 miles north at Fly Creek Cider Mill and Orchard. The bustling grounds sell sweet and satiating cider while also welcoming families to partake in activities like duck racing, gemstone mining, and dining at its onsite restaurant. Needless to say, it makes for a perfect weekend getaway to take in the sights, sounds, smells, and splendor of all things fall.
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Gypsy Circus
WHERE: Kingsport, Tennessee
As an award-winning cidery (it was recognized as Tennessee Cider Producer of the Year in 2016, 2018, and 2019), Gypsy Circus has evolved from its no-frills Barrelhouse tasting room to multiple breweries across Tennessee, as well as a full-fledged event business for concerts, corporate retreats, or casual get-togethers. If you can’t make the trek to Tennessee, Gypsy Circus’s canned ciders can also be found in practically every state to be enjoyed within the comfort of your own home.
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Hammen Family Orchard
WHERE: Bonduel, Wisconsin
Those searching for an authentic, family-first operation will find exactly what they’re looking for at Hammen Family Orchard. Owners Paul and Leslie, as well as their children and grandchildren, greet guests with not only a bevy of killer ciders, but also 16 acres of plum, pear, cherry, peach, and mulberry trees. These lend themselves to fruit wines and non-alcoholic sippers that are just as deserving of their cider’s fanfare.
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Honey Pot Hill Orchards
WHERE: Stow, Massachusetts
It is, arguably, one of the most beautiful orchards in Massachusetts, but Honey Pot Hill’s hard cider tent has also become an annual draw with ceremonial uncorkings of the previous year’s Last Press harvest. Taste your way through the cider from apples that have been grown, pressed, fermented, and kegged on the farm while partaking in yard games and listening to live music.
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OK Cider Co
WHERE: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
OK Cider is a play on the state of Oklahoma’s abbreviation, but its products are so much more than okay: They’re downright awesome. In an attempt to create a gluten-free beverage, OK started as a small passion project and is now a fully operational tap room that has welcomed guests since 2020. The purchase of a drink is directly supporting American entrepreneurship and that’s something we can all cheers to.
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Resort Pike Cidery and Winery
WHERE: Petoskey, Michigan
The Mitten State is home to hundreds of farms, but Resort Pike’s Cidery and Winery displays warmth and kindness with a cozy tasting room and the friendliest of pourers at the helm. Take part in a cider flight, identify your favorite, and toast to the arrival of chunky scarf weather in one of the most adorable towns that Northern Michigan has to offer.
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Waldschänke Ciders & Coffee
WHERE: Denver, Colorado
Waldschänke believes in the “power of togetherness” and it shows through the company’s hospitable cidery, coffee shop, and European restaurant. The brains behind the beverages (and Swiss-inspired cuisine) took a leap of faith to bring the small business to life in early 2020 and have been thriving ever since, establishing themselves as a culinary must-visit for anyone passing through the Denver area.