From Brooklyn to Buffalo, New York Cider Week offers the year’s best cider-centric events, from exclusive tastings to chef-curated pairings, cider festivals to orchard tours, and more.
Here in New York, there are always three surefire signs of fall. First, the farm stands erupt with color: red apples, orange pumpkins, purple mums. Then comes the foliage: slow—almost imperceptible, really—and then all at once. And finally, our favorite sign of all arrives each October: the return of Cider Week New York.
A statewide celebration of all things cider, Cider Week New York returns this year from Saturday, October 5 through Sunday, October 13. From Brooklyn to Buffalo, and virtually everywhere in between, Cider Week offers the year’s best cider-centric events, from exclusive tastings to chef-curated pairings, cider festivals to orchard tours, and more. Whether you’re a cider aficionado or a total cider newbie, Cider Week has an event (or several) just for you. The full calendar of events is, as always, available on the Cider Week New York website—and, for the rest time ever, on the new NY Cider Trail App, as well.
“Cider Week New York is the ultimate excuse to explore the state’s incredible cider scene! Whether you’re discovering and mapping out your very own cider trail adventure to discover hidden gems on our new NY Cider Trail app or hitting up a local festival, orchard, tasting room, or restaurant showcasing New York’s finest ciders, it’s the perfect way to sip your way through the New York State’s rich harvest. Get ready to experience the best of New York and NY Cider, one delicious pour at a time!” says Scott Ramsey, executive director of the New York Cider Association.
Launched this past spring, the NY Cider Trail App is a cider lover’s dream. Whether you’re interested in learning more about New York cider or mapping out your own cider trail, the app is an unparalleled resource—and, it must be said, a lot of fun to use.
“We’re already seeing quite a bit of organic growth with the app and are looking forward to really getting it up on its feet during Cider Week New York,” says Ramsey.
While the New York Cider Association has produced Cider Week New York for over ten years, Ramsey has been the association’s executive director since 2020. He has seen firsthand the explosion of the cider industry in New York, which has seen unprecedented growth (over 2,400% over the past ten years) and now has a $1.7 billion total economic impact on the New York State economy. With over 120 cider producers making over 5 million gallons of cider each year, New York is home to more cideries than any other state in the country.
In short, the New York State cider industry is really something to celebrate. Luckily, New York Cider Week offers the perfect celebration.
“As a fifth-generation family of apple growers, crafting 1911 Established Hard Cider is our way of canning the essence of New York State’s rich agricultural heritage. Each year, Cider Week New York offers us the unique opportunity to share our passion with fellow cider lovers and celebrate the deep connection between our family, the land, and our craft. This year, we’re thrilled to return as Presenting Sponsor and showcase our latest hard cider creations—each one a tribute to the seasons and the fruit we’ve nurtured for over a century,” says Eddie Brennan, president of co-owner of 1911 Established Hard Cider.
Joining 1911 Established Hard Cider this year at Cider Week will be Angry Orchard Cider House, Apple Barrel Orchards, Black Diamond Cider, Blake’s Hard Cider, Blue Barn Cidery, Brooklyn Cider House at Twin Star Orchards, Buried Barrel Hard Cider, Clarksburg Cider Co., Eve’s Cidery, Finger Lakes Cider House, Graft Cider, Grisamore Cider Works, Hudson North Cider, Hudson Valley Farmhouse Cider, Indian Ladder Farms Cidery & Brewery, Lake Drum Brewing, Little Apple Cidery, Merchant’s Daughter, New Leaf Cider Co., New York Cider Company, Nine Pin Cider, Original Sin Cider, Pennings Farm Cidery, Quartz Rock Cider House, Seminary Hill Cidery, Shrewd Fox Brewery & Cidery, South Hill Cider, Steampunk Cider, and Treasury Cider at Fishkill Farms.
This year’s Cider Week New York features so many incredible events—showcasing so many incredible local cideries—that even Ramsey struggles to name the events he’s most looking forward to.
“For this year’s Cider Week New York, there are so many events that cider lovers can attend throughout New York State,” he says. “There is a Cider Feast in Brooklyn on Saturday, October 5, which will have several NY cider makers pouring their ciders. There is also a Cider Fest in Ithaca at South Hill Cider on Thursday, October 8. Union Square Green Market is going to host a Cider Week Cider Village and there are so many other cider festivals and orchard tours and tasting opportunities even including a NY Cider tasting event with a psychic medium at Graycliff Manor in Buffalo! [There is] truly something for everyone!”
Interested in experiencing Cider Week New York for yourself? Download the NY Cider Trail App, or visit the Cider Week website, to see the full line-up of events—or join us at any one of these 7 events we’re most excited to attend ourselves.
1. CiderFeast NYC, Saturday October 5
Industry City, 635 2nd Avenue, Brooklyn, N.Y. 11232
An all-inclusive celebration of everything hard cider—and all the foods that pair so beautifully with it—CiderFeast NYC brings together the region’s best cideries and most delicious bites for an all-inclusive experience during Cider Week New York.
Both general admission and VIP tickets are available.
2. CiderFest at Blue Barn Cidery & West Wind Farm, Wednesday, October 2 through Sunday, October 6
928 Manitou Road, Hilton, N.Y. 14468
Now in its 7th year, CiderFest at Blue Barn Cidery is a multi-day celebration of delicious cider with lots of festive, fall fun. Go for the cider and stay for the apple fritters. Trust us.
Also on-site is a pumpkin patch and corn maze, so this is a particularly excellent event choice for cider-loving moms and dads.
3. Sound and Stars: A Night at the Orchard, October 5
178 Orchard Lane, Hillsdale, N.Y. 12529
Have you always wanted to visit an apple orchard at night? Here’s your chance. Little Apple Farm and Cidery is hosting a guided sound bath meditation with Glendy Yeung. Local astronomer Rick Costello will also be on hand—with his telescope—to offer guests a close-up viewing of the stars. The figurative star of the evening, however, will definitely be the cider served two ways: as actual cider and in donuts. Yum.
Tickets are $65.00 per person and can be purchased in advance here.
178 Orchard Ln, Hillsdale, NY 12529
4. Toast the Season Farm Dinner at Glynwood, October 9
362 Glynnwood Road, Cold Spring, N.Y. 10516
If you haven’t yet experienced the magic of Glynwood Farm Dinners, here’s your chance. Join your fellow cider lovers for an intimate and communal celebration of the beautiful bounty of Glynwood’s own farm and the Hudson Valley. Hudson Valley ciders will provide the perfect pairings for all the delicious food.
5. Hudson Valley Apple Project Orchard Tour and Original Sin, October 6
1066 County Route 27a, Ancram, N.Y. 12502
The Hudson Valley Apple Project is a two-acre orchard that features over 150 unique apple varieties. Led by Gidon Coll, founder of Original Sin Cider, this tour offers an insider’s look at rare and heirloom apples like Karmijn De Sonnaville, Lincolnville Russet, King David, Arkansas Black, Hunt Russet, Calville Blanc, Razor Russet, Kingston Black, Golden Russet, Redfield, Niedwetzkayana, Ashmead’s Kernel, Harrison, Black Oxford, Campfield, Frostbite, and many more.
And while the tour itself is sure to be amazing, this event will truly save the best for last, as the tour will be immediately followed by a curated tasting of Original Sin’s Ciders. Sign us up.
To reserve your spot, please sign up by emailing: hudsonvalleyappleproject@gmail.com.
