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June 27: Live Sensory Analysis Webinar with Brooklyn Cider House

By Woodley Smith | May 15, 2024

You’re invited to a Live Sensory Analysis webinar on Thursday, June 27th, from 4:00 to 6:00 PM Pacific! Join our Certified Pommelier panel as they guide you through an immersive sensory experience featuring cider from Brooklyn Cider House in New York. During this live practice session, you’ll learn how to analyze and appreciate cider like…

USA Featured as Guests of Honor at CiderWorld in Germany

By Woodley Smith | May 2, 2024

Darlene Hayes Recognized for Her Efforts to Develop the Category The 16th annual CiderWorld took place in Frankfurt, Germany last week. The combined competition, celebration, and cider expo welcomed the United States as the Guest Country of Honor this year. In addition, the ACA was able to partner with CiderWorld to offer the first Level…

Meet Your Board Member: Josie Mielke

By Woodley Smith | April 22, 2024

Josie Mielke is the co-owner and operations manager at Urban Orchard Cider Company in Asheville, North Carolina. She was elected to the ACA board of directors in January 2024 to an At Large Seat. Tell us about your cidery/farm/orchard Urban Orchard Cider Company is family owned and operated by a crew of passionate and fun-loving…

From Snack to Sensation: Elevating Cider and Cheese for National Grilled Cheese Day

By Jennie Dorsey | April 12, 2024

It is widely known that cider and cheese make exceptional pairings, but can we upgrade an excellent snack into the perfect meal? For National Grilled Cheese Day, I took to my favorite aisle in the grocery store to find new ways to bring cider and cheese together.  When considering pairings, there are a few things…

ACA Seeks Guest Country for CiderCon® 2025

By Woodley Smith | April 3, 2024

CiderCon® is one of the most robust, diverse, thorough and connected professional cider conferences in the world. We pride ourselves on being a host to international attendees year after year.  The 15th annual CiderCon® will take place in Chicago, Illinois from February 4-7, 2025. We expect well over 1,000 people to attend. We are requesting…

CiderCon® 2025 Request for Speaking Proposals

By Woodley Smith | March 27, 2024

Mark your calendars for an unparalleled gathering of minds and talents at CiderCon® 2025, set to transform the vibrant city of Chicago from February 5-7, 2025. As the world’s leading event dedicated to advancing the craft of cidermaking, CiderCon® offers an exceptional platform for networking, learning, and sharing the rich traditions and innovative techniques that…

April 12: Member Orientation Webinar

By Woodley Smith | March 17, 2024

Join us for our Member Orientation on April 12 at 11:00 AM Pacific We are thrilled to announce that we will be holding our first ever Member Orientation webinar! There is such a vast amount of resources that the ACA offers to you all and we want to make sure that you know where to…

May 13: 2024 Annual Membership Meeting

By Woodley Smith | March 16, 2024

We’re thrilled to invite you to join us on Monday, May 13, 2024 at 12:00 PM Pacific on Zoom for our 2024 Annual Membership Meeting. During the meeting, we’ll reflect on our accomplishments from the past year, take a close look at our new strategic plan, and discuss how we work together under the big…

Government Affairs Update: ACA Lauds the CHEERS Act to Support Bars, Restaurants and Venues with Draft Systems

By Woodley Smith | March 13, 2024

On March 11, U.S. Representatives Darin LaHood (R-IL-16) and Steven Horsford (D-NV-04) introduced the Creating Hospitality Economic Enhancement for Restaurants and Servers Act (CHEERS Act), a bipartisan effort aimed at supporting local businesses, restaurants, and bars with a focus on draft beverage systems. This legislation seeks to revitalize the hospitality industry by expanding tax incentives…

Apples of Our Eye: Honoring Women’s Contributions to Cider

By Woodley Smith | March 8, 2024

Happy International Women’s Day! Today, we’re celebrating the incredible women making waves in the cider industry every day! From orchardists to cidermakers to CEOs and everything in between, these women are shaping the future of cider with their passion, creativity, and expertise. Let’s raise a glass to their hard work and dedication, breaking stereotypes and…