Archive for March 2025
ACA Welcomes 18 People to the Growing Ranks of Certified Pommeliers Following CiderCon® 2025 Exam
As cider’s popularity continues to grow and an increasing number of producers and styles enter the market, more professionals and enthusiasts are deepening their expertise through certification.
The American Cider Association (ACA) is pleased to announce that 18 individuals successfully passed the recent Certified Pommelier exam held at CiderCon® 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. The following individuals join a growing community of cider experts dedicated to elevating the industry: Yakira Batres from Bauman’s on Oak kitchen crew, cidermaker Jenna Boucher from Two Blokes Cider, cidermaker Marcio Buffalo from Mountain West Hard Cider, taproom manager Dylan Ford Pitcher from Lost Generation Brewing Company, cidermaker Alex Gill from Indian Ladder Farms Cidery & Brewery, cidermaker Abram Goldman-Armstrong from Alde Sider, Megan Hereford owner and co-founder of Daring Wine & Cider Company, cidermaker Kia Hitt from Angry Orchard Cider House, general manager of Bauman’s on Oak Chris Leimena, Gabriela Muñoz who wears many hats at Keepsake Cidery, Jason Schmink owner of Oak Tree Orchards, cidermaker Eli Shanks from Western Cider, marketing director for brand partnerships Marina Sumrada from Schilling Cider, founder of Blind Bear Beverages Claire Trindle, quality assurance manager Sadie Wagnell from Schilling Cider, owner and cidermaker Christine Walter of Bauman’s Cider, and cider enthusiasts Matt Hart and Ian McPherson.
“We are so proud to welcome these new Certified Pommeliers to our vibrant community of experts elevating the appreciation and understanding of cider,” says ACA Director of Education and Program Development Jennie Dorsey. “Each new member brings with them the stories of orchards, the craftsmanship of cidermakers, and the passion of enthusiasts that makes our community thrive. We are very excited to see what the future holds and the new heights that our community can reach together.”
The ACA originally launched its Certified Cider Professional (CCP) program to equip industry leaders with the expertise to navigate cider’s rich diversity with confidence. Increasingly the program is gaining popularity with food and beverage professionals wanting to set themselves apart from their peers with exceptional skills, deep knowledge, and a commitment to hospitality.
“We know that top dining experiences are built on knowledgeable, confident service, and cider deserves to be part of that conversation,” says ACA CEO Monica Cohen. “Our Certified Cider Professional program ensures that food and beverage professionals have the expertise to showcase cider’s full potential. With cider pairings, we know the dining experience for guests are elevated.”
More about the Certified Cider Professional Program and Upcoming Opportunities
The CCP program is designed to educate those on the front-line of cider sales, making it the world’s most comprehensive and in-depth cider appreciation program for food and beverage professionals worldwide.
The CCP program begins with a Level 1 Certified Cider Guide (CCG) designation to help industry professionals develop a fundamental understanding of cider. The Level 2 Certified Pommelier (CP) designation takes it a step further by encouraging cider professionals to think critically and showcase a higher level of understanding of the elements of cider. The rigorous testing process consists of four types of questions, including short answer, fill in the blank, essay, and blind sensory–which is based on tasting.
The ACA is dedicated to ensuring that all information tested on the exam is made accessible to anyone who desires to learn. To that end, the ACA released a textbook in March of 2023 to help candidates prepare to take the exam with just one comprehensive resource. The second edition of the textbook was released in March of 2024 to present a more global view of the cider industry as well as including new sections covering important emerging sectors such as low and no-alcohol products.The textbook is available for purchase through Kindle Direct Publishing. Additionally, the ACA offers sensory analysis practice webinars and a Facebook study group continuously updated with resources for exam candidates. Interested candidates can find links to all Certified Pommelier resources on the ACA website.
For those interested in attaining their Certified Pommelier designation, there are several upcoming exams to choose from:
- April 26: Frankfurt, Germany at CiderWorld
- May 14: Grand Rapids, Michigan at GLINTCAP
- May 21: Los Angeles, California at Benny Boy Brewing
- October 6: Charlottesville, Virginia at Potter’s Craft Cider
Contact the ACA’s Director of Education and Program Development Jennie Dorsey if you have questions about the Certified Cider Professional program or are interested in taking either the Level 1 Certified Cider Guide or Level 2 Certified Pommelier exams. You can also learn more at https://ciderassociation.org/certification.
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Yakira Batres
Jenna Boucher
Marcio Buffolo
Dylan Ford Pitcher
Alex Gill
Abram Goldman-Armstrong
Megan Hereford
Kia Hitt
Chris Leimena
Gabriela Muñoz
Jason Schmink
Eli Shanks
Marina Sumrada
Claire Trindle
Sadie Wagnell
Christine Walter
Matt Hart
Member Highlight: Daring Wine & Cider Company
Cidery Name
Where are you located and when did you start?
We are located in Stuart, Virginia in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, we got our farm winery license in July of 2022.
Describe your cidery in three words.
Brave. Bold. Daring.
What inspired you to start making cider?
Our (Jocelyn and Megan) friendship grew from working together in the wine industry in Virginia (over 20 years ago!), and when Jocelyn started working with Diane Flynt at Foggy Ridge Cider she was hooked and pulled me into that world as well. It has been a long-time dream of ours to create our own place and make the ciders we love to drink and want to share with the world.
Describe your cider making style.
Small lot, carefully crafted, quaffable, crushable dry ciders. We make our ciders like we make our wine and they are clean and crisp celebrations of all the things that cider apples grown in Virginia can be. We are also focusing on harvesting locally sourced fruit and botanicals so we can expand our range of cider offerings.
What is your favorite cider that you make?
Crab Apple Blend – This dry cider made from 75% Hewes Crab and 25% Ruby Red Crab is a constant crowd pleaser and always the one we reach for when we are craving cider.
Where can cider enthusiasts find your products?
On our website (we ship!), at pop-ups, wine bars and restaurants around Virginia, or by visiting us at the farm.
What’s your favorite way to enjoy cider (food pairing, occasion, etc.)?
With friends over a great meal.
What’s one piece of advice you would give to someone new to making cider or wanting to start a cidery?
Make the connections in the industry with people who can mentor you and guide you on your journey. We wouldn’t be where we were if it weren’t for the great people who have helped and encouraged us along the way.
What are your hobbies or interests outside of cidermaking?
Cidermaker Jocelyn enjoys working in her vegetable garden, tending to her ever-growing planting of native flowers and tending to the animals on her farm all with the help of her family. You can find Megan out enjoying all the beautiful places in the state to hike and walk with her dogs.
Member Highlight: Draper Girls Cider Co.
Cidery Name
Where are you located and when did you start?
Mount Hood, Oregon. We started in 2017 doing hard cider. The farm was established in 1962
Describe your cidery in three words:
Small Batch Boutique Cider
What inspired you to start making cider?
My three daughters Rachel, Crystal and Stefanie kept pushing me to create unique, small batch cider.
Describe your cider making style:
Our style is to focus on fruit forward flavors including semi-dry to semi-sweet.
What is your favorite cider that you make?
Tart cherry for sure!
Where can cider enthusiasts find your products?
It is available at our Country Store in Mount Hood and we do take some flavors to the Portland State University Farmers Market on Saturdays.
What’s your favorite way to enjoy cider (food pairing, occasion, etc.)?
On a hot summer day with crushed ice paired with locally made pizza.
What’s one piece of advice you would give to someone new to making cider or wanting to start a cidery?
You don’t have to go big to be successful. Be unique and stay true to who you are.
What are your hobbies or interests outside of cidermaking?
Traveling to the coast in the winter months or enjoying the Portland Trailblazers. We are definitely huge sports fanatics.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
We appreciate all of the support from our cider community, customers and loyal followers. Your support and love for cider over the years has made us who we are. We enjoy giving people from all over the world a unique cider experience.
Bubble Tax Modernization Act Update – March 2025
The American Cider Association (ACA) is now in its second year of advocacy efforts to pass the Bubble Tax Modernization Act. With a new Congress and a new Administration, we have a fresh opportunity to advance this critical legislation. New Congressional champions are in place, and momentum is building to move the bill forward this year.
What is the Bubble Tax Modernization Act?
Also known as the “Bubble Bill” or “Bubble Tax Bill,” this legislation does not change the excise tax structure for fruited ciders. Cider, perry, wine, and mead containing additional fruit ingredients will continue to be taxed at the existing $1.07 per gallon still wine rate.
However, the Bubble Bill seeks to modify the carbonation threshold that triggers the significantly higher $3.30+ per gallon “Bubble Tax.” Specifically, it proposes raising the allowable carbonation level from 0.39 CO₂/100ml to 0.64 CO₂/100ml, aligning taxation standards across different cider styles. This technical adjustment would provide producers with the flexibility to create a wider range of carbonated ciders without incurring excessive tax burdens.
Want to learn more Bubble Taxes? Download our 2-pager here.
ACA Advocacy Strategy
With new leadership in Congress, the ACA has adapted its advocacy approach to ensure the best chance of success. We have secured bipartisan support in the House of Representatives and are actively working to identify two Senate champions. Our Congressional partners are evaluating the best legislative pathway to advance this bill in 2025.
As we begin this new phase, we are in the “initial education stage”—working to inform key offices about the bill’s importance and build broad support. The coming months will be crucial in shaping the bill’s trajectory, and early feedback from Congressional offices has been encouraging.
Keep the Momentum Going
Engagement from industry stakeholders is vital at this stage. If you have a strong relationship with a Member of Congress or believe your Representative would be an ideal sponsor for the Bubble Bill, we encourage you to get involved. For guidance on outreach and messaging, please contact Jenn Root Martell at jenn@ciderassociation.org.
Member Highlight: Bivouac Ciderworks
Cidery Name
Where are you located and when did you start?
Located in San Diego, CA and started operations in 2018.
Describe your cidery in three words:
Premium, women-powered, adventurous
What inspired you to start making cider?
It’s a long story.
Describe your cider making style:
Inspired by tradition, driven by innovation.
What is your favorite cider that you make?
San Diego Jam
Where can cider enthusiasts find your products?
Throughout Southern California and Arizona at Total Wine, Whole Foods, Vons, Sprouts, Lazy Acres, Disneyland, and more!
What’s your favorite way to enjoy cider (food pairing, occasion, etc.)?
On the top of a mountain, or paired with a fine meal.
What’s one piece of advice you would give to someone new to making cider or wanting to start a cidery?
Don’t get into this business for the money.
What are your hobbies or interests outside of cidermaking?
Hiking, climbing, camping, paddle boarding, traveling & drinking cider while doing all of those things!
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
Cider is as approachable as beer, yet as nuanced as wine, and Bivouac Ciderworks looks forward to growing with this awesome community as cider takes over the world!