This May, University of Minnesota researchers, in collaboration with a collection of local cider producers and apple growers, were awarded a $100,000 grant to explore the production of cider and cider apples in Minnesota. The Speciality Crop Block Grant, which enables state agricultural agencies to administer federal funds for specialty crop research, will provide funding … [ Read more]
Apple blossoms mean Minnesota’s cider season is here
Apple orchards are beginning to bloom and that can only mean one thing: cider season is here. Starting Friday, May 5, Number 12 Cider House’s taproom, located at Deer Lake Orchard in Buffalo, will be open for business on the weekends. Started by four couples, one of which owns Deer Lake Orchard, Number 12 is the maker … [ Read more]
Minnesota Cider Guild incorporates, Cider Week planned for June 5–10
Local hard cider producers from around the state officially established the Minnesota Cider Guild on April 3rd. “The Minnesota cider industry is very young, with the majority of cider makers launching their businesses within the last four years,” says guild president Gretchen Perbix of Sweetland Orchard. “We have tremendous support among our local consumer audiences, … [ Read more]
Trailblazers 2016: Mike and Gretchen Perbix of Sweetland Orchard
Minnesota’s cider scene is flourishing. In 2015, cidermakers made 100,000 gallons of cider from 33,333 bushels of Minnesota-grown apples. By 2019, they are projected to make upwards of 400,000 gallons of cider, which would require an additional 100,000 bushels of apples. Though the demand for cider apple varieties is rising, Minnesota apple growers are reluctant … [ Read more]
Minnesota’s guilded age of cider
Jim Morrison of Sapsucker Farms could barely keep up with the nearly 1,000 people who attended the Minnesota Cider Guild’s first-ever Cider Fair on Sunday in Jordan. He was surprised by the sheer number of people looking for a sip of his Yellow Belly Hard Cider, but also at how many times he heard someone … [ Read more]