We love cider; fresh cider as well as hard cider, and were thrilled to attend the first Spring CT Cider Fest hosted by the Connecticut Cider Association and held at the Long View Ciderhouse, in Southington, Connecticut. The festival featured a diverse selection of excellent ciders, as well as interesting meads and spirits, all produced in the state of Connecticut. Live music by the Connecticut band Always Morning and food available for purchase from a variety of food trucks created the perfect party vibe so that even the steady rain throughout the day could not dampen attendees’ spirits. Cheers!
On Saturday, May 31, 2025, we joined fellow cider fans at Long View Ciderhouse in Southington, Connecticut for the first CT Cider Fest hosted by the Connecticut Cider Association. We spent a very enjoyable afternoon under a tent nestled amongst the attractive orchards and the stunning vista from the top of the hill, while experiencing an excellent selection of products. While we were familiar with some of the ciders, the fest provided us with the opportunity to try many different ciders, along with introducing us to a diverse selection of meads (which are made from honey).
There were many highlights during the afternoon’s tasting. We are pleased to introduce you to some of the exceptional and delicious ciders, meads, and spirits produced in Connecticut, that we tasted throughout the afternoon.
Some of the Highlights of the Ciders (Meads and Spirits) We Experienced
Apple Theory Cidery
Apple Theory Cidery
North Haven, Connecticut
Facebook: www.facebook.com/AppleTheoryCidery
Instagram: www.instagram.com/appletheorycidery @appletheorycidery
Caskaway (Traditional Cider): Dry, 2021 Barrel Aged Blend
8% Alcohol
Winesap (Traditional Cider): Bone-Dry, 2022 Single Varietal Heirloom, made with apples from Hidden Gem Orchard, Southbury, Connecticut
9.5% Alcohol
Cryberry Blue (Flavored Cider): Semi-Sweet, Sour Blue Razz-berry
6% Alcohol
Happlenero (Flavored Cider): Semi-sweet, Apple Habanero French Oak
6% Alcohol
Crazy Cock Cider
Crazy Cock Cider – Stafford Cidery
Stafford, Connecticut
Facebook: www.facebook.com/CrazyCockCider
Instagram: www.Instagram.com/crazycockcider @crazycockcider
Sweet Vanilla Cider: Apple cider with a kick of vanilla.
6% Alcohol
Dragonfire Meadery
Dragonfire Meadery
Coventry, Connecticut – Oldest Meadery in the state
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057481748986
Instagram: www.instagram.com/dragonfiremeadery @dragonfiremeadery
Fafnir Traditional Honey
Fire and Brimstone Smoky Jalapeno
Ladon – Apple
Ord – Smoky Blood Orange and Cranberry
Weewillmekq-Blueberry Mead
Fifth State Distillery
Fifth State Distillery
Bridgeport, Connecticut
Facebook: www.facebook.com/fifthstatedistillery
Instagram: www.instagram.com/fifthstatedistillery @fifthstatedistillery
Premium Vodka: 40% Alcohol
Cinnamon Zap: Cinnamon Flavored Vodka, 45% Alcohol
Ginger Zap: Ginger Flavored Vodka, 45% Alcohol
Simply Celery: Celery Flavored Vodka: 40% Alcohol
Holmberg Orchards
Holmberg Orchards
Gales Ferry, Connecticut
Facebook: www.facebook.com/holmbergorchards
Instagram: www.instagram.com/holmbergorchards @holmbergorchards
Original Cider: Made from a blend of apples, slightly sweet and lightly sparkling
Hop Cider: Drier than the Original Cider, hopped with cascade and citra hops, with a citrusy-hop nose. 6.8% Alcohol
Honey Cider: Cider with a touch of honey, and a sweet finish. Premium Hard Cider.
6.2% Alcohol
Hopkins Vineyard – Jorge Criollo, Hillary Hopkins Criollo & Debra C. Argen
Hopkins Vineyard
Warren, Connecticut
Facebook: www.facebook.com/hopkinsvineyard
Instagram: www.instagram.com/hopkinsvineyard @hopkinsvineyard
Apple Cider: Off-Dry Cider
10% Alcohol
Long View Ciderhouse
Long View Ciderhouse
Southington, Connecticut
Facebook: www.facebook.com/longviewcider
Instagram: www.instagram.com/longviewciderhouse @longviewciderhouse
Rogers 1809 Apple Brandy aged in charred oak barrels infused with mulling spices and apples from Rogers Orchards established in 1809.
27% Alcohol
Roxbury Russet Apple Wine, single varietal heirloom cider apple, Roxbury Russet. Semi-dry. Long View Ciderhouse is a branch of Rogers Orchard representing 8 generations of family fruit growing, established in 1809.
9% Alcohol
New England Cider Co. – Hard Cider (Connecticut’s Hard Cider)
Wallingford, Connecticut
Facebook: www.facebook.com/NewEnglandCiderCompany
Instagram: www.instagram.com/newenglandcider @newenglandcider
Passion Fruit Hard Apple Cider: Made with locally sourced apples blended with passion fruit puree.
5.2% Alcohol
Pommeau: Traditional Oak Barrel Aged Apple Brandy, a blend of apple brandy and fresh juice aged for 30 months, then finished in a Pedro Ximenes sherry barrel for 6 months. Their recipe is based on the traditional beverage from France.
20% Alcohol
Philip Jamison Jones Winery (Jones Family Farms Winery)
Shelton, Connecticut
Instagram: www.instagram.com/joneswineryct/# @joneswineryct
Harvest Time: Apple and Pear Wine
11.5% Alcohol
The first Spring CT Cider Fest provided attendees with a diverse range of excellent ciders, meads, and spirits to sample and to pair with live music, and food from the many food trucks. In a word, it was a “delicious” afternoon. We cannot wait to take a drive and visit these very impressive companies.
Until next time, cheers, it’s cocktail time!
Abut the CT Cider Association
“The CT Cider Association is dedicated to spreading knowledge and enthusiasm about Connecticut’s cider scene. We aim to educate the public on the rich history and diverse cideries that contribute to our state’s vibrant cider culture.”
For more information about the CT Cider Association, or about upcoming events, please visit their website: https://ctcider.com/
CT Cider Association
Email: info@ctcider.com
Website: https://ctcider.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ctciderassociation/?hl=en @drinkcider @ctciderassociation
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