No one could have predicted the explosion in hard cider production and cideries in New York State over the last few years! That is except for a few visionaries that took a gamble with a dollar and a dream.
In 2013, an inspired young man from Columbia County had a dream to support New York agriculture by crafting quality hard ciders using apples grown in Hudson Valley orchards — those that he explored, harvested and enjoyed throughout his childhood.
Choosing an unassuming, gritty industrial warehouse near the Hudson River in Albany (and just under the shadow of a 32-ft. high towering rose that his artist father had painted 20 years earlier on the neighboring building’s brick wall) Alejandro del Peral established Nine Pin Ciderworks — New York’s FIRST Farm Cidery in Albany’s revitalizing Warehouse District, just north of Downtown.
A licensed “farm cidery” must manufacture more than 50 gallons and less than 250k gallons of hard cider or less per year, can do tastings within the state and must exclusively sell hard cider produced from New York State-sourced apples wholesale. Today, there are over 40 in the state and the New York Cider Association holds “cider weeks” across the state.
If you’re looking to tap into Alejandro’s sensory memories of crisp apples and cool autumn days, you’ll not only want to go apple picking in the Hudson Valley, New York State’s #1 agritourism activity, but also take a tour of his 17,000 sq. ft. facility in Albany where Nine Pin Ciderworks crafts all of its hard ciders. His cidery tasting room offers experimental ciders and beer and cocktails made with New York farm-based beers and spirits, as well as gourmet light fare in a relaxed atmosphere.
Nine Pin Ciderworks also offers an interesting array of events and activities. At any given time you may find guided yoga, curated art shows, a dog lover’s yappy hour, candle and craft making workshops, pop-up food vendors and original live musical acts. Throughout the fall they pair up with Samascott Orchards (one of the popular PYO orchards they source apples from) for evening cider events and daytime festivals.
| EVENTS: |
October 13, 2019: Cider Sunday
October 25, 2019: The Evening Cider Maze
November 9, 2019: Pressing Party
February 29, 2020: The Gathering of the NY Farm Cideries
An easy 2.5 hour getaway from NYC by car, you can also ride a relaxing Amtrak train to the cidery. Be sure to sit on the left side of the train as it meanders North up the stunning Hudson River. The cidery is a short 5-minute ride over the river from the Albany-Rensselaer Amtrak Train Station — either by cab or ride-share service. Plus, there are plenty of overnight accommodations within Albany, a very walkable city with tons of events going on! Directions here…
More info and tickets: //www.ninepincider.com
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