ACA Announces Cider is for Everyone Scholarship Recipients

Britt Evans

Britt Evans is a proud West Philadelphian who started her journey in the city’s bustling food and beverage industry in 2010. In 2015, Britt developed a love for craft beer which led to a brewing position with Love City in 2021, making her one of the first Black Women to brew professionally in the city of Philadelphia. In the summer of 2023, Britt joined a collaboration with Farmer Jawn and Ploughman Cider, creating the successful “Uptown Cookout” blend for Barrel & Flow Fest. Now open to the beautiful world of apples and cidermaking, Britt is excited for the next phase in her journey. She hopes to explore the world and collaborate with fellow brewers/cidermakers, continuing to open doors and create safe spaces for Black Women in fermentation.

Emily Ptasinski

Hailing from the vibrant island of Taiwan, Emily Ptasinski has carved a unique path in the world of craft beverages as the co-owner and tasting room manager of Republic of Cider. Alongside her husband, they laid the foundation for their cidery in 2018, driven by a passion for redefining the boundaries of cider craftsmanship. Emily’s dedication to reshaping cider culture is reflected in her belief that inclusivity not only enriches flavors but also strengthens the very essence of craft beverages.  To that, Emily has helped incorporate the distinct flavors of the Asian palate into their portfolio of ciders, even crafting her own Taiwanese plum wine, based on her own mother’s recipe.  Embracing the significance of diversity, she champions the integration of varied perspectives and cultures into the fabric of craft beverages. Recognizing the pivotal role of representation, Emily actively promotes cider within the Taiwanese community, aiming to bridge cultural gaps and foster a sense of belonging.

Emily Ptasinski來自充滿活力的臺灣島，

作為蘋果酒共和國的老板娘和品酒室經理，她在手工飲料領域開闢了一條獨特的道路。 在重新定義蘋果酒工藝界限的激情驅使下，他們與她的丈夫一起在2018成立了，蘋果酒聯合國公司。 Emily致力於重塑蘋果酒文化，這反映在她的信念中，即包容性不僅能豐富風味，還能強化精釀飲料的精髓。 對此，Emily幫助將亞洲味覺的獨特風味納入了他們的蘋果酒組合，甚至根據她母親的食譜製作了自己的臺灣李子酒。 她擁抱多樣性的重要性，倡導將不同的視角和文化融入手工飲料的結構中。 Emily了解獨特性的重要，特別在西雅圖臺灣社群積極推廣蘋果酒，旨在彌合文化差距，培養歸屬感。

Emily很高興被選為美國蘋果酒協會2024年蘋果酒大會的獎學金獲得者。

Genevieve Regalado

Genevieve Regalado, the General Manager at Benny Boy Brewing in Los Angeles, CA, found her passion for cider kindled by the unique balance of dryness and sweetness in Benny Boy’s offerings. This pleasant surprise, given her background in the craft beer industry, not only sparked her creativity in imagining new flavor combinations but also inspired her to delve deeper into the world of cider. Motivated by her curiosity, she became the first on her team to pass the CCP 1 exam, thereby setting a precedent and guiding the development of a cider education program at Benny Boy. Currently, she is studying to pass her Certified Pommelier™ exam, demonstrating her commitment to continuous learning in her field. Genevieve is already infusing her creative ideas for new flavor profiles, featuring indigenous fruits and plants, into the team’s work. These ideas hold the potential to inspire new blends with Benny Boy’s beloved Pippin apple cider. As a proud member of the Latino community, she is weaving elements of her heritage into Benny Boy’s offerings and programming, fostering a broader appreciation for cider among diverse audiences.

Javier Naranjo

Javier Naranjo, a seasoned fermentation professional with a BS in Chemistry, began his journey at Flat Rock Cider Company, refining his craft for two transformative years. Transitioning to Oklawaha Brewing Company, where he currently serves as a Brewer, Javier has been part of a dedicated team that achieved notable success. Together, the team has secured prestigious medals from the North Carolina Brewers Guild and the U.S. Open Beer Championship, contributing to the elevated recognition of Hendersonville, NC’s burgeoning brewing scene.

Jonathan A. Osei

Jonathan A. Osei, Manager of Solutions Design & Delivery at Jobs For the Future, blends his Arizona roots and Ghanaian-Black Southern heritage to fuel his passion for community work and craft beverages. His journey in the nonprofit social impact space is intertwined with his love for diverse cultures and flavors.

While studying at Duke University, Jonathan’s interest in the craft beverage scene blossomed, with Durham introducing him to a variety of craft drinks that broadened his palate. This experience sparked a particular fondness for cider, beginning with Bold Rock Cider and later, Bull City Ciderworks.

In Washington, D.C., Jonathan’s enthusiasm led to his role as a DC Brand Ambassador for Artisanal Brewing Ventures, sharing exceptional craft beverages. He is committed to diversifying the craft beer and cider industry, actively promoting local Black brewers through the Black Brew Movement and fostering inclusivity and collaboration. Jonathan’s goal is to enrich the craft beverage culture with diverse flavors and perspectives, bringing people together to enjoy unique and delightful beverages.

José Sabas

José Sabas orginally hails from Coachella, California. He is currently the chef at Grape Ape, a natural wine bar in Portland, Oregon. José just recently started his journey in cidermaking and is focused on low intervention and co-fermentations, using only produce from the Pacific Northwest.

Rae Adams

Rae Adams, from Chicago, IL, moved to Western North Carolina in hopes to work with a farm futuristic enough to be using traditional farming technology without harmful chemicals and pesticides. Entering the professional world directly from a Liberal Arts program, with a concentration in Physics, was an exciting leap into the corporate hustle but was not the card best suited. She has since been a strong part of the Customer Service and Entertainment industries, including management teams of bars, music venues and restaurants in Chicago and Western North Carolina. Currently, Rae is the Director of Sales for Wehrloom Honey & Meadery in Graham County, Robbinsville, NC. The Wehrloom team philosophy is that no one holds any one title; they’re all Beekeepers, Mead Makers, and Packaging and Sales Specialists: Aron, Garret, Ted, Jessica, Gayle, Abby and Anna. Working at Wehrloom is more than a profession, it’s a passion.

Robert Freeman

When Robert Freeman was 18 he got a tattoo on his arm that has an apple in an eye, to signify a promise to himself to always proceed with intention and chosen purpose. All his intents and purposes have led him here. Nowadays, all he sees are apples. He is passionate about the potential and the future of apples and the cider industry in America. Robert currently works at EsoTerra Ciderworks. Getting this opportunity to go to CiderCon®, to become a member of the ACA, and to have the chance to become a Certified Pommelier™ – is a literal dream come true for Robert.

Tasmine Fraser

Tas Fraser is a Canadian cider enthusiast and social media content creator located in the Niagara region of Ontario, Canada. She is the founder of @girlwithaciderreview on Instagram where she shares her reviews of ciders from around the world. She started her Instagram in 2018 and has since developed many exciting projects. Throughout the pandemic, she created the IGTV show #ciderandlife to showcase local and global cideries making an impact in their communities. In 2021, she launched #noappleogies project to empower and highlight the work of women in cider and tackle issues of sexism and racism in the industry. The movement was intentional, reaching many corners of the world and generating conversation via podcasts, articles, and social media, and including some educational workshops on creating safe spaces in the beverage industry. Tas is currently a part of the CiderScene team and a member of the Cider Canada Board of Directors (and member of the Equity Committee). Outside of cider, she is pursuing her Masters in Social work, and working in the field doing preventative work and supporting survivors of gender-based violence.

William Santiago

Born in Puerto Rico, William Santiago is an award winning bartender currently working at Crafted Concoctions in Tavares, Florida. He has more than 10 years experience in the beverage alcohol industry. He is WSET certified in both Wine and Spirits level 2, a cocktail educator, and a spirit and cider enthusiast.