It’s the dog days of summer and we’re winding down with a great series of shows about cider! These pre-records of Beer Sessions Radio™ took place over a series of “breakfast cider” talks with host Jimmy Carbone at Jimmy’s No. 43.
First up, we’re visiting with two great cider makers, Louisa (Lulu) Spencer of Farnum Hill Ciders and Field Maloney, a second-generation cider maker at West County Cider. Back in April they were doing a special pairing with Murray’s Cheese and speaking out about “fine cider” or “orchard cider” as apple people. These cider makers were in town to spread the word about CiderDays (now in its 21st year and taking place in Franklin County, Massachusetts, on November 7th and 8th). Lulu along with her husband (and frequent Beer Sessions Radio™ guest) Steve Wood and Field (his parents founded the orchard and cidery) are key founding families of American Cider revival, establishing commercial winery/cideries and developing cider orchards in the late 1970’s-80’s. Field talks about the history, challenges and new awareness of making and enjoying this traditional American drink (Field claims John Quincy Adams drank two tankards of cider every morning for breakfast!). You can listen to the full episode here.
Next up was a May visit with The United States of Cider team of Gay Howard and Kay Michaels who co-host alongside Jimmy. They have brought both a west coast–Ellen Cavalli of Tilted Shed Ciderworks (Sonoma, CA)–and an east coast–Polly Giragosian from Aaron Burr Cidery (Wutsboro, NY)–to discuss terroir and the art and craft of small batch, homestead, orchard-based cider making. Listen to the full episode here.
Finally, Gay and Kay are once again sitting alongside Jimmy from a show recorded in spring at Edible’s Good Cider event. It’s a snapshot of the great world of NY State ciders with Cider Week NYC founder Sara Grady of Glynwood and Andy Brennan of Aaron Burr. Listen in here.
We’ll be back with live shows starting September 8th! Happy Labor Day and looking forward to the fall batches of cider.