  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.
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...
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