Posts Tagged ‘instalink’
Certified Pommelier™ Ceremony at CiderCon® 2024
We are thrilled to share that the American Cider Association is hosting the inaugural Certified Pommelier™ Ceremony at CiderCon® 2024 in Portland, Oregon. This isn’t just any ceremony, it’s a celebration of achievements, a recognition of passion, and a toast to education.
Each and every Certified Pommelier™ brings their hard work, dedication, and cider expertise to the table. Their journey deserves to be celebrated, and what better place to do so than in the cider haven of Portland, Oregon.
So come join us at lunch on Thursday, January 18 at CiderCon® 2024 to raise a glass high to our Certified Pommeliers™ accomplishments and the beginning of a new chapter in cider education. Let’s toast to the future of cider and the continued success of our Certified Pommeliers™!
Interested in learning more about our Certified Cider Professional programs? Head to our Certification page.
CiderCon® 2024 Olympic Peninsula Tour
The Olympic Peninsula Tour will take you through some of the most breathtaking scenery in Washington State. While enjoying the stunning natural beauty, the rugged mountains, lush rainforests, pristine coastline and orchards, you will visit award winning cideries, an event space, a new cider education facility and spend the night at Fort Worden State Park. Led by Andrew Byers, head cidermaker and co-owner of Finnriver Farm & Cidery, we’ll taste our way across the Peninsula.
The Locations:
- Eaglemount Cider’s Palindrome – Eaglemount is located on 12 acres of mixed farm and woodlands known as Arcadia, just outside beautiful Port Townsend in Washington State. We’ll feast together and taste ciders in this historic barn.
- Alpenfire Cider – Shaped by the maritime climate’s mild summers and tempered by the foggy mist rolling off of Discovery Bay, Alpenfire Cider creates truly unique ciders from apples grown in their organic orchards. On the tour, we’ll visit both the cidery and orchard.
- Finnriver Farm & Cidery – Finnriver is an organic farm, orchard and craft cidery located along a salmon stream in the Chimacum Valley on the north Olympic Peninsula of Washington— the traditional and contemporary territories of the S’Klallam (Nəxʷsƛ̕áy̕əm̕) and the Chemakum (Aqokúlo or Čə́məq̓əm).
Craft Brewing & Distilling Center – Part of a community college, the Craft Brewing & Distilling Center (which also teaches cidermaking) exists to build flourishing, connected communities, entrepreneurs, educators, farmers, and cities are convening around growing the craft beer, cider, and spirits movement. Located just outside Olympia, Washington next to the historic Olympia Brewing Company, the tour will stop here to visit the classrooms and labs on our way up to the Peninsula. - Fort Worden Historical State Park – Fort Worden State Park and its gorgeous natural setting of Port Townsend is the kind of destination that stays with you forever. Originally designed as a military base to protect Puget Sound, Fort Worden has evolved into an iconic and cherished state park and lifelong learning center.
The tour will depart from the Hyatt Regency – Oregon Convention Center at 12:00 PM on Monday, January 15, 2024 and will return on Tuesday, January 16, 2024 at 6:00 PM. Dinner on Monday and breakfast and lunch on Tuesday will be provided, as well as accommodations at Fort Worden State Park in historic officers’ rooms, and cider tastings at Eaglemount Cidery, Alpenfire Cider, and Finnriver Farm & Cidery.
Cost: $295
If you’d like to join this tour, be sure to add it on during the registration process. The deadline to be included in this tour is December 11 so we have adequate time to book necessary accommodations.
Introducing Certified Pommelier™ Chapters
We were so excited to share the news of our 12 new Certified Pommeliers™ last week, but that’s not all we have to share; we’re not just about numbers (although they are fun) – we’re also about community, education, and advocacy. That’s why we’re also thrilled to announce the launch of the Certified Pommelier™ Chapters program.
Picture this: a network of educated cider enthusiasts spreading an understanding of the beverage across the globe. With leaders appointed in all six current ACA regions and Canada, the chapters are set to redefine the regional cider experience.
Meet Your Chapter Leaders:
- East: CT, MA,ME, PA, NH, NJ, NY, RI, VT- Paige Flori
- Midwest: IA,IL, IN, MI, MN, MO, OH, WI, KY- Sean Niemisto
- South: AL, AR, FL, GA, LA, MS, NC, SC, TN, VA, WV, MD, DE, DC- Josh Corl
- Mtn West: AZ, CO, NM, NV, UT, WY, SD, ND, KS, NE, OK, TX- Matthew Ostrander
- Northwest: OR, WA, ID, MT, AK- Storie Madrid
- Pacific Coast CA, HI- Brandon Buza
- Canada- Sara Boyd
How Do We Plan to Redefine the Regional Cider Experience?
- Community building: Our chapters, meetings and events will be more than just gatherings, they will help ignite a spark in the heart of local cider communities. Imagine sharing stories, clinking glasses, and forging friendships with like minded individuals who appreciate the art of cider. Chapters will play a pivotal role in nurturing these connections creating regional cider centric hubs.
- Education: Certified Pommelier™ chapters will be the epicenter of knowledge-sharing and skills development. From cider tastings to hands-on workshops, we hope to bring these educational events down to the local level and make them accessible for any cider lover.
- Advocacy: We’re not just sitting in the wings; we’re raising our glass high and advocating for the value of cider education. Certified Pommelier™ chapters will champion the industry in their respective regions aspiring to advance consumer understanding of the beverage and how it is made.
So, whether you’re a seasoned cider aficionado or just starting to dip your toes into the world of cider there’s a place for you in the Certified Cider Professional education community.
ACA Welcomes 12 New Certified Pommeliers™ After October Exams
The American Cider Association is proud to announce that twelve individuals successfully passed the Certified Pommelier™ examination in October 2023. The new Certified Pommeliers™ are Ann Bliss of Mullers Cider House, Bryan Barry, Christian Rodriguez, and Tom Hansen of Angry Orchard, Katie Black of DSSOLVR, Johnny Rice of Orchard Hill Cider Mill, Don Whitaker of Castle Hill Cider, Henry Johnson of Bold Rock Hard Cider, Chris Jackson of Treasury Cider at Fishkill Farms, Aaron Gore of Fresh Pitch Beverage Consulting, and cider enthusiasts Sabrina Nencetti and David Lindsey.
The rigorous exam, held in both New York and North Carolina last month, tested candidates on their understanding of cider production, history, and sensory evaluation. As a result, these newly Certified Pommeliers™ are now equipped with advanced skills to guide consumers through the wide variety of ciders available and to help elevate the cider industry at the point of sale.
Early on, the American Cider Association recognized the need to promote specialized knowledge about the cider category. Certifications are increasingly being used to set food and beverage professionals apart. However, most certification programs cover cider in a cursory manner or not at all. With cider being a beautifully nuanced beverage with a diverse set of elements often less understood by food and beverage professionals, the establishment of the Certified Cider Professional (CCP) program in 2016 was a strategic maneuver. Today, 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.
The CCP program begins with a Certified Cider Guide (CCG) Level 1 certification to help industry professionals develop a fundamental understanding of cider. The Certified Pommelier™ (CP) Level 2 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 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’s website.
The next Certified Pommelier™ Exam will be held at CiderCon® 2024 in Portland, Oregon on January 17, 2024
Contact the ACA’s Education Operations Manager Jennie Dorsey if you have questions about the Certified Cider Professional program or are interested in taking either the Level 1 or Certified Pommelier™ exams. You can also learn more at https://ciderassociation.org/certification.
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Check Out the Fun to be Had at the CiderCon® 2024 Trade Show!
The CiderCon® 2024 Trade Show, sponsored by FruitSmart is set to be the best yet! With over 100 vendors already confirmed and more on the way, there will be plenty of chances for you to connect with the companies that have helped your cidery thrive or meet new companies that can help take you to the next level. The CiderCon® Trade Show will be taking place at the Oregon Convention Center on January 18-19, 2024.
But wait, there’s more! Need a pick-me-up? Coffee will be available Thursday and Friday mornings, courtesy of Milne. And when Thursday afternoon rolls around, get ready to cheers with some cider at the Happy Hour sponsored by Hart Print.
But it’s not all about the drinks – there’s plenty of entertainment to go around. Check out the research poster presentations or get competitive with some games of corn hole and ping pong. And if you’re feeling nostalgic, Stern Pinball will have pinball machines available to play.
Now if you’re looking to make a statement, head over to the Ink Bus and get yourself an apple flash tattoo. It’s a fun and unique way to show your love for the fruit that brings us all together.
Don’t forget to stop by the ACA Bookstore to stock up on the latest cider book offerings and to meet our staff and board members. In addition, the TTB staff will be available for one-on-one questions, and folks from CINA will be on hand to provide feedback . With so much to see and do, and more on the way, the CiderCon® Trade Show is not to be missed!
Interested in becoming a CiderCon® vendor? Email our Trade Show Coordinator Ellen for more info!
Now Accepting Nominations for ACA Board of Directors
Do you have a passion for growing the cider industry? Are you looking to find a platform for your ideas, where you will be seen and heard? Would you like to work with a group of like-minded industry leaders to create positive change?
If you answered “Yes” to these questions, YOU ARE IN LUCK! The ACA is looking to fill two At Large seats on our Board of Directors. Our annual nomination window is now open, and we want to hear from YOU! Elections will take place electronically during CiderCon® 2024 in Portland, Oregon in January. All U.S. member cideries are eligible to vote (1 vote per cidery).
Although it is not required, we strongly encourage candidates to have an ACA volunteer history before running for office.
Please see below for more specifics on service and how to apply:
- Positions are open to any active ACA member cidery in the U.S., regardless of size.
- Applications are due by December 8, 2023.
- To qualify for candidacy, you must be a permanent employee of a bonded cidery, producing cider in the U.S.
- Incumbents may be running for their seats again.
- Terms are three years.
- Applicants will be reviewed when the submission window has closed
- Qualified candidates will receive further instructions on developing their platforms and what board service includes.
Have more questions about board service? Schedule a chat with ACA CEO Michelle McGrath by clicking here.
To submit your nomination by the December 8 deadline fill out the self-nomination form.
Cider Is For Everyone Scholarship Application Now Open!
The American Cider Association is pleased to announce the continuation of their Cider Is For Everyone Scholarship program for CiderCon® 2024. This scholarship is designed to bring historically marginalized groups to CiderCon® to increase the accessibility of cider education and jump-start the careers and ownership-pathways of these cider professionals.
The scholarship package includes: registration to CiderCon® 2024 (including travel and lodging) and the entire suite of ACA’s Certified Cider Professional educational programming leading up to sitting for the Certified Pommelier™ exam (Level 1 CCP training and certification exam, two Certified Pommelier™sensory webinars; the Certified Pommelier™ study guide, and the registration fee for the Certified Pommelier™ Exam).
Applications are now being accepted and the deadline to apply is November 27. Those interested in applying can fill out the application form here. Recipients will be contacted to schedule a brief interview and winners of the scholarship will be notified by December 5. CiderCon® 2024 takes place January 16 – January 19, 2024 in Portland, Oregon
This scholarship is part of a broader effort by the ACA to advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion for the cider industry. In 2019 the ACA launched the Antiracism, Equity and Inclusion committee which recognizes diversity, equity and inclusion as an important and necessary part of present and future successes of the cider industry. This committee structures its work around a belief that existing structures of power, privilege and discrimination must be actively questioned and evaluated in order to create equitable opportunities in an environment that embraces and values our differences. They strive to create events, opportunities and organizational policies that embody these values, and to continue evaluating these practices for sustained growth and improvement.
“This scholarship is one of our best tools for fostering a more diverse cider industry” says Michelle McGrath, CEO of the ACA. “The scholarship needs to work in lock step with our efforts to create a more inclusive industry so that, as we have more diverse CiderCon® attendees, they are surrounded by a welcoming community and equitable environment.”
Meet Our Scholarship Coordinator
Olivia Pener’s passion for food and drink, and the way they bring people together, was ignited as a small child whose large family always gathered over meals in the kitchen. That flame was stoked by her experiences growing up in her family’s restaurant and being surrounded by multicultural foodways in St. Louis, MO. Now, after almost 20 years in the service industry and the nonprofit world, she brings her fervor for people and palates to the American Cider Association as their “Cider is for Everyone” Scholarship Coordinator. A recipient of the scholarship herself, Olivia was welcomed into the world of cider with open arms. She is excited to contribute to the growth and evolution of the cider industry as a diverse, equitable, inclusive, and dynamic environment for all. She lives in Mid-Missouri with her two cats, Felix and Nermal, and her Chihuahua mix, Swiper.
Have questions about the scholarship? Reach out to Olivia with any questions you might have!
Cider Share at CiderCon® 2024
Get ready to raise a glass and toast to the start of CiderCon® 2024! Join us for our beloved welcoming reception, Cider Share, on Wednesday, January 17 from 5:00 to 7:30pm. Sip on some of the finest ciders while mingling with fellow cider folks from around the world. Whether you’re a seasoned cidermaker or a newbie to the industry, the Cider Share reception is the perfect opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals and kick off an unforgettable conference.
At Cider Share, attendees will have the chance to sample ciders from a variety of cidermakers from all over. Not only will you get to enjoy a wide variety of flavors and styles, but you’ll also have the opportunity to learn about the ciders from the cidermakers and their staff. Plus, with 600 people in attendance, Cider Share is a great way to connect with other cidermakers from your region and mingle with fellow CiderCon® attendees.
Tickets for Cider Share are only $20, so be sure to add it to your registration process before it’s too late!
And if you’re a cidermaker yourself, consider applying to pour your ciders at Cider Share. Cideries will be chosen through a lottery system, with considerations given to geography and style. Fill out the application form here. Deadline to apply is October 31 or when space has filled up. Two pourers will be allowed per company. All other company employees must purchase tickets to attend Cider Share.
Live Sensory Analysis Webinar with Haykin Family Cider
Join our Certified Pommelier™ panel in a live practice sensory webinar on Thursday, November 9 from 4:00-6:00 PM Pacific featuring cider from Haykin Family Cider. This webinar will also be available to watch again and practice as a prerecorded event. ACA Members can register for a discounted rate of $15. The discount code for members can be found here.
Cider must be purchased separately. Please be aware that it may take several days to receive your cider order, so we encourage you to purchase your ciders as soon as possible. Also, please verify that cider can be sent to your state before purchasing ciders. Ciders can be purchased from Haykin Family Cider here.
Once registered, you will receive a confirmation email. This email is a placeholder for the event. The evening before the event you will receive an email with a Zoom link to the webinar. Please note this link will be sent to the registered email.
CiderCon® 2024 Tours
From the mountains to the valleys, from the cities to the farms and rural communities, these CiderCon® 2024 tours will explore the diverse natural beauty, apple growing regions, and cider traditions of the Great Northwest.
What to Know Before You Go:
- Scheduled departure times are subject to change. Please contact Emily to confirm timing before making travel plans.
- All tours will involve decent amounts of walking and may involve mud, rough terrain, stairs and/or inclement weather. Please come prepared with sturdy walking shoes and clothing for all weather possibilities.
One Day Tours
Columbia Gorge Cidery & Brewery Tour
Tuesday, January 16, 8:30 AM – 5:45 PM
Cost: $110
Visit three fermentation focused businesses in the scenic Columbia River Gorge that make both cider and beer: Double Mountain, Mt View Orchards, and Working Hands Fermentation. We’ll tour production spaces and tasting rooms to see how these businesses attract both the local community and tourists, both beer and cider drinkers. Tour cost includes tastings, lunch, and transportation.
Visit:
- Double Mountain Brewery & Cidery
- Gold Row Hard Cider/Mountain View Brewery
- Working Hands Fermentation
- 33 Books Studio
Portland’s Quirky Culinary Adventure: Exploring Weird and Wonderful Food and Cider Pairings
Tuesday, January 16, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Cost: $100
Indulge your senses in a culinary adventure like no other as we take you on a journey through the heart of Portland, Oregon, where food, cider, and culture collide in a tantalizing fusion of flavors and experiences. This tour features 5 unique locations, with multiple pairings at each location. Don’t miss out on this chance to celebrate the vibrant culinary scene of this beautiful city, known for its diverse and quirky offerings and world-renowned ciders.
Co-Existing & Co-Fermenting in the Willamette Valley Cider & Wine Region
Tuesday, January 16, 8:30 AM – 5:45 PM
Cost: $110
The Willamette Valley, just south of Portland, contains two-thirds of Oregon’s wineries and vineyards. It’s also home to fabulous cideries, many of them using the bounty of the region to make co-ferments. On this tour we’ll visit four cideries and orchards to chat about how they coexist in wine country and taste their ciders. Tour cost includes tastings, lunch, and transportation.
Visit:
2 Towns Ciderhouse Open House
Wednesday, January 17, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Cost: $20
Catch a ride to 2 Towns Ciderhouse – Oregon’s largest craft cider producer – for a special CiderCon Open House. Tour the 2 Towns production space, meet with cidermakers, and mingle with CiderCon attendees under the big tent. Lunch and snacks from food trucks and more than 20 ciders will be available for purchase.
Overnight Tours
Olympic Peninsula Cider Tour
Monday, January 15, 12:00 PM – Tuesday, January 16, 6:15 PM
Cost: $295
Journey north to discover the beauty and history of the cideries, orchards, and lands of the Olympic Peninsula. This two day tour will visit two cideries, one cidery event space, and a new cider education facility. Tour cost includes tastings at 3 stops, dinner, lunch, breakfast, hotel, and transportation. In addition to the official tour agenda, you’ll have the opportunity to explore Fort Worden Historical Park where we will stay overnight in historic officer’s homes.
Visit:
- Eaglemount Cider’s Palindrome
- Alpenfire Cider
- Finnriver Farm & Cidery
- Craft Brewing & Distilling Center
- Fort Worden Historical State Park
Production Tour: Seattle & Surrounds
Overnight Full Tour Cost: $395
Monday, January 15, 9:00 AM – Tuesday, January 16, 6:00 PM
From small DIY to high tech high volume, this tour will visit 4 Seattle area cideries showcasing different production facility scales and styles. On this 2 day tour of production facilities you’ll visit Schilling Cider, Seattle Cider Company, Locust Cider, and Greenwood Cider Company. We’ll also make time for a tasting at Yonder Cider’s taproom and a cider pairing dinner at Capitol Cider. Tour cost includes tastings at each stop, 2 lunches, 1 dinner, 1 hotel night in Seattle, and transportation to and from Portland. In addition to the official tour agenda, you’ll have the opportunity to explore the Ballard brewery district and Capitol Hill neighborhood on your own.
Visit:
- Greenwood Cider Company
- Locust Cider
- Seattle Cider Company
- Schilling Cider
- Yonder Cider
- Capitol Cider
Partial Tour Cost: $100
Tuesday, January 16, 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Live in the Seattle area? Join the Seattle tour for a cider pairing dinner at Capitol Cider on Monday evening and all activities on Tuesday 1/16. Bring your luggage and meet at the hotel in Seattle on Tuesday morning You’ll meet the tour and catch a ride to Portland.
Visit: