Posts Tagged ‘home’
Haritz Rodriguez Joins the Certified Cider Professional™ Program as a Licensed Educator in Spain, Portugal, and Mexico.
The American Cider Association (ACA) is proud to announce that Haritz Rodriguez, known across the cider world as @Ciderzale, has been appointed as the next Licensed Educator for the Certified Cider Professional™ (CCP) Program.
Haritz brings more than a decade of experience in cider education, culture, and promotion to this role. An independent journalist and marketing consultant specializing in the agrifood sector, Haritz has spent the last ten years working with cider producers, organizations, and festivals around the world to promote cider, cider tourism, and cider culture.
A Certified Pommelier™ with the American Cider Association and a member of the official tasting panel for the PDO Euskal Sagardoa, Haritz is a recognized authority on Basque sagardoa and international ciders. He has co-organized major cider events such as Sidrama Ponte de Lima (Portugal) and Sagardo Forum (Basque Country) and collaborated on notable competitions and festivals including the Nordic International Cider Awards, Cider World Frankfurt, and the World Cider Awards.
Haritz also advises cider houses in the Basque Country, the USA, and the UK, offers educational talks and tastings, and serves as a judge at numerous competitions worldwide. In 2018, he founded Ciderlands, an international cider tourism and culture network, expanding his influence as a connector and advocate for the global cider community.
In addition to his work on the ground, Haritz is an accomplished cider content creator. Under his personal brand Ciderzale, he shares striking photography, videos, and stories about cider with a global audience. His writing and photography have appeared in leading cider publications including Malus Magazine, Graftwood, and Full Juice. He has also contributed to travel and educational experiences for cider makers, journalists, and writers alike.
As part of his new role with the ACA’s Certified Cider Professional™ Program, Haritz will bring his extensive knowledge and international perspective to cider professionals and enthusiasts. The CCP Program is the world’s leading cider education and certification system, designed to elevate cider knowledge, improve consumer experience, and support the growth of the cider industry worldwide.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Haritz as a Licensed Educator,” said [Insert ACA spokesperson name and title]. “His expertise, energy, and passion for cider will help us strengthen our educational offerings worldwide.”
Click here to learn more about the Certified Cider Professional™ Program.
ACA Partners with Brock University to Offer Certified Cider Guide™ Workshop in Canada
The American Cider Association (ACA) is thrilled to announce a new collaboration with the Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute (CCOVI) at Brock University. Together, we are bringing our Level 1 Certified Cider Guide™ (CCG) training to Canada with a one-day, in-person workshop designed to prepare participants to earn their first level of cider certification.
Our Certified Cider Professional™ Program is the global gold standard in cider education. This new partnership with Brock University expands access to high-quality cider training for beverage professionals, educators, and enthusiasts throughout Canada.
During this immersive workshop, participants will explore cider history, production methods, styles, sensory evaluation, and food pairing. Attendees will leave with the knowledge and confidence to successfully complete the Level 1 Certified Cider Guide™ exam.
Workshop Highlights:
- A full-day of expert-led training aligned with ACA standards
- In-depth tasting, evaluation, and style analysis
- Access to the online certification exam
- Networking with peers in the beverage, hospitality, and education sectors
- The opportunity to earn internationally recognized cider credentials
This is a landmark moment for cider education in Canada, and we’re proud to partner with CCOVI at Brock University to make it happen. Registration details and the full schedule are available through Brock University.
October is National Cider Month: ACA is a Supporting Partner
National Cider Month is back for 2025! Founded by Schilling Cider in 2022, National Cider Month has grown into an industry-wide celebration of cider, cidermakers, and the apple harvest season. Held throughout October, this is a powerful opportunity to elevate the craft, connect with consumers, and shift perceptions about cider.
A number of cider companies have participated in a variety of ways in the last few years – from organizing promotions at the store shelf to drawing consumers into their tap rooms with special events. According to IRI data, cider sales saw a 5% lift during National Cider Month in its first year, highlighting the impact of coordinated consumer-facing promotion.
As we’re all about moving more cider, the American Cider Association is proud to be a supporting partner of National Cider Month. Leading up to – and throughout the month of October, we will be amplifying National Cider Month and member events as well as securing media coverage to help drive visibility and excitement for cider.
More than 160 cideries and counting have signed on to participate in National Cider Month. Once signed up you can access National Cider Month logos and other promotion materials as well as have your cidery and special events listed. Visit www.nationalcidermonth.com to learn more, register, and get involved. Scroll to the bottom and click Participate in NCM to start the sign up process.
Let’s work together to make sure it’s cider’s time!
November 15: Taste Like a Pro Cider Sensory Workshop in Port Angeles, Washington
Join us for a sensory deep dive into the world of cider and learn to taste cider like a pro! Whether you’re preparing for the Certified Pommelier™ exam or just curious how pros taste cider, this immersive, hands-on session will give you the tools to sip and share with confidence. You’ll learn how to detect flavors, spot faults, and describe cider like a seasoned cider professional. Walk away prepared for your exam, or to wow your friends with a sharper palate and a deeper love for the world’s most diverse fermented beverage.
Price: $45 Non-members, $35 ACA members (Member Discount can be found in the Resource Hub)
Location: PNWonderland Wine, 222 N Lincoln St., Port Angeles, WA
Schedule:
- Welcome & Introduction (10 min)
- Part 1: Foundations of Sensory Tasting (25 min)
- Part 2: Structured Tasting Practice (60 min)
- Part 3: Identifying/Understanding Common Cider Faults (20 min)
- Part 4: Elevate Your Tasting Vocabulary (15 min)
- Wrap-Up + Q&A (20 min)
Unlocking Cider Education: A New Study Resource Partnership Between ACA and Press Then Press
The American Cider Association (ACA) is proud to announce a new partnership with Press Then Press, a leading online cider retailer with a passion for education and community-building. This collaboration is centered around one shared goal: making cider and cider education more accessible to enthusiasts, professionals, and Certified Cider Professional™ (CCP) candidates across the country.
Through this partnership, Press Then Press will now offer curated study boxes with resources and digital downloads supplied directly from the American Cider Association. This partnership supports the Certified Cider Professional™ Program, starting with Level 1, Certified Cider Guide™ and carrying through to L2, Certified Pommelier™. These materials include practice exam questions, completed sensory analysis forms, sensory videos, and other helpful tools designed to build confidence and cider knowledge in a flexible, engaging format.
Why It Matters
The Certified Cider Professional™ Program is the first and only certification program dedicated to the international cider industry. It empowers service professionals, retailers, distributors, and cider lovers with the knowledge to confidently understand and share the nuances of cider, from apple varieties and production methods to food pairing and sensory evaluation.
By teaming up with Press Then Press, the ACA is extending the reach of these resources and giving learners a trusted shipping hub to find the large array of ciders needed for sensory evaluation expertise.
More resources are on the way, including enhanced digital tools, flashcard decks, and sensory evaluation aids.
Where to Find It
Visit the Press Then Press website to explore cider bundle options and visit the American Cider Association website for the growing catalog of CCP-certified resources.
Together, We’re Building a Stronger Cider Community
This partnership marks a major step forward in making cider education approachable and enjoyable for all. Whether you’re brushing up your knowledge or taking the next step in your cider career, ACA and Press Then Press are here to support your journey.
September 17: Level 1 CCG Workshop in Wallington, Australia
Join us in Wallington, Australia this September!
The world’s finest cider education programme, the Certified Cider Professional (CCP) Programme, will be at Flying Brick Cider Co., located in Wallington, Victoria, Australia for a Level 1: Certified Cider Guide (CCG) classroom session on Wednesday 17 September. Leisurely run over the course of the afternoon, this L1 CCG training has been developed specifically for those who work directly with consumers and trade customers, namely those working in retail and hospitality, importers, distributors, wholesalers and employees of cider producers. It is also the programme for cider fans, aficionados and drinkers can showcase their extra weight of knowledge and passion. It is designed to enable participants to have a professional standard of knowledge and appreciation for different types of cider and how they are achieved, an approach to assessing cider and the different sensorial qualities they have, and guidance on the best practice principles for serving, storing and selling.
Candidates will receive an email containing a downloadable study guide and a link to the online exam in advance of the workshop. The day itself will consist of a presentation of the materials from the study guide, with extra elaboration and, of course, the opportunity for questions. There will also be a guided sensory session of at least three ciders clearly demonstrating the key structural characteristics within cider, and utilising a structured approach to their assessment.
Cost: $189 USD per person. (ACA Members can find their discount code in the Resource Hub.)
The topics covered in Level 1: CCG are:
- Apples, Pears and Orchards
- Cider Production
- Families and Flavour
- Evaluating Cider
- Keeping and Serving
- Cider and Food
- Social Responsibility
September 15: Level 1 Certified Cider Guide Workshop in Sydney, Australia
Join us in Sydney, Australia on September 15!
The world’s finest cider education programme, the Certified Cider Professional (CCP) Programme, will be in Australia for two Level 1: Certified Cider Guide (CCG) classroom sessions! The first will take place at Tafe! Ultimo in Sydney on Monday 15 September. Leisurely run over the course of a day, this L1 CCG training has been developed specifically for those who work directly with consumers and trade customers, namely those working in retail and hospitality, importers, distributors, wholesalers and employees of cider producers. It is also the programme for cider fans, aficionados and drinkers can showcase their extra weight of knowledge and passion. It is designed to enable participants to have a professional standard of knowledge and appreciation for different types of cider and how they are achieved, an approach to assessing cider and the different sensorial qualities they have, and guidance on the best practice principles for serving, storing and selling.
Candidates will receive an email containing a downloadable study guide and a link to the online exam in advance of the workshop. The day itself will consist of a presentation of the materials from the study guide, with extra elaboration and, of course, the opportunity for questions. There will also be a guided sensory session of at least three ciders clearly demonstrating the key structural characteristics within cider, and utilising a structured approach to their assessment.
The topics covered in Level 1: CCG are:
- Apples, Pears and Orchards
- Cider Production
- Families and Flavour
- Evaluating Cider
- Keeping and Serving
- Cider and Food
- Social Responsibility
Schedule:
12:45 PM: Arrival and Check-in
1:00 – 4:00 PM: Presentation
4:00 – 5:00 PM: Tasting Experience
5:00 – 5:45 PM: Take the online CCG 1 test (bring your own laptop)
Cost: $189 USD per person (ACA Members can find their discount code in the Resource Hub.)
September 11: From Orchard to Label: Cider Compliance Essentials
This webinar will walk through the most common compliance issues cider producers face when they have a TTB investigation. We will discuss key TTB compliance issues such as carbonation and alcohol thresholds, proper labeling and flavor designations, formula approval, when a COLA is required, and common tax class errors. We’ll also touch on record keeping, standard of fill updates, and what cidermakers need to know when making cider. Overall, this session provides practical insights to help you stay on the right side of TTB rules and regulations.
About Our Speaker:
Aniko Kasprian is the Industry Education Technical Advisor in the Office of Outreach at TTB. Previously, Ms. Kasprian was part of the Office of Special Operations group, where she worked as a Special Operations Investigator for 4 years working on FAA Trade Practice cases. Ms. Kasprian was also an investigator for the Western II District for 6 years, primarily focusing on wine and tobacco. Before joining TTB, Aniko served in the United States Air Force and was a Special Agent for the Department of Homeland Security. Ms. Kasprian’s primary area of expertise is in the alcohol industry. Ms. Kasprian has a BA in International Relations and Foreign Policy and an MS in Criminology with a focus on Forensic Profiling.
BREAKING NEWS! Bubble Tax Modernization Act Reintroduced in Congress!
The American Cider Association (ACA) is excited to share that the Bubble Tax Modernization Act was reintroduced in the House of Representatives as H.R. 4613 on July 22, 2025 by Congresswoman Andrea Salinas (D-OR-6) and Congressman Derrick Van Orden (R-WI-3), with original co-sponsorship from Congressman Mike Kelly (R-PA-16) and Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-CA-19). The full press release can be read here.
What Is the Bubble Tax Modernization Act?
While the “Bubble Bill” or “Bubble Tax Bill” does not alter the excise tax structure for fruited ciders, it takes an important step toward parity by aligning allowable carbonation levels with those permitted for wines and meads—raising the limit from 0.39 CO₂/100ml to 0.64 CO₂/100ml.
The ACA has been working to get this bill reintroduced for quite some time as this technical change would allow producers greater flexibility to craft a wider variety of carbonated ciders without triggering the burdensome “Bubble Tax”—which can add up to $3.40 per gallon.
Help Us Keep the Momentum Going!
Now that the Bubble Bill has been introduced in the House, our next step is to recruit champions in the Senate and work toward reintroduction there before the end of the fiscal year.
In the meantime, we need your help! Your Members of Congress need to hear from you so they can consider adding their support. Please use the link below to contact your Congressional Representatives and add your voice to this important industry effort:
👉Click here to email your representatives!
Thank you for helping spread the word and pushing for this critical change for the cider industry! Stay tuned for more advocacy updates and action alerts as the Bubble Bill moves through Congress. For questions, please reach out to Jenn Root Martell at jenn@ciderassociation.org.
“Hard Cider Guy” Adrian Luna- Verduga Joins American Cider Association as Licensed Educator in the Northeast
The American Cider Association (ACA) is pleased to introduce Adrian Luna-Verduga, widely known in the cider community as the Hard Cider Guy, as the newest Licensed Cider Educator serving New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. A passionate advocate, Certified Pommelier™, and content creator, Adrian brings an enthusiastic and relatable voice for cider education.
Adrian’s cider journey began during a two-year road trip across the U.S. and Canada, where he and two friends chronicled their experiences exploring regional cider scenes. Adrian’s ability to translate cider culture into accessible, fun, and informative content has earned him a strong following and the respect of cider lovers and professionals alike.
As a Licensed Educator, Adrian will be offering ACA’s Level 1 Certified Cider Guide (CCG) certification workshops, helping beverage professionals and enthusiasts alike deepen their understanding of cider styles, service, and sensory evaluation. His appointment supports ACA’s mission to grow appreciation for cider and expand access to high-quality, standardized cider education across the world.
“Adrian embodies what we look for in a cider educator: curiosity, generosity, and a deep commitment to helping people connect with cider in meaningful ways,” said Jennie Dorsey, ACA’s Director of Education. “His energy is infectious, and his presence in the Northeast will be a huge asset to the cider community there.”
Adrian is based in the Northeast and is currently booking sensory sessions and workshops. For more information or to inquire about hosting a Certified Cider Professional training, visit our website.
For NE-specific inquiries, reach out to Adrian directly at Adrian@ciderassociation.org.
For all other inquiries, contact Jennie Dorsey at Jennie@ciderassociation.org.
Are You a Certified Pommelier Interested in Teaching?
We’re always looking for enthusiastic cider professionals to join our network of Certified Cider Professional Licensed Educators. If you’re a Certified Pommelier™ passionate about sharing your knowledge, we’d love to connect.
Contact Jennie Dorsey at jennie@ciderassociation.org to learn how you can get involved.