446: Monica Cohen, the New CEO of the American Cider Association
Release Date: 02/12/2025
462: Cider in a Cathedral of Opulence | The Newt, UK
Cider Chat
A Digital Media Empire Embraces Cider at The Newt The Newt in Somerset is a world-class estate blending cider-making, luxury hospitality, and horticultural excellence. The estate is owned by South African owners Karen Roos and her husband Koos Bekker, who is a South African tech entrepreneur known for his innovative ventures, including transforming media group Naspers. Bekker’s vision extends beyond digital media into luxury hospitality and agriculture, mirroring his approach at in South Africa, The Newt’s sister property. Ciders tasted at The Newt in Somerset A Cathedral to...
info_outline
461 RAW Levi Danielson
Cider Chat
Levi Danielson is the founder and cider maker at RAW Cider, based in Dayton, Oregon. With roots in the Driftless Region of Minnesota and a cidery nestled among cider apples and pears in the Willamette Valley, Levi’s story is one of wild ferments, place-based cider, and planting for the future – both in Oregon and back home. Levi Danielson Building RAW Cider Levi’s path began in microbiology and health policy before a leap to France introduced him to wild fermentation and orchard life. After interning and later leading production at Dragon’s Head Cider in...
info_outline
460: James B. Forbes on Little Pomona’s Ciders & Legacy
Cider Chat
An intimate sit down with James Forbes of Little Pomona to talk about grief of losing his wife and business partner Susanna Forbes, the growth of the cidery, and the evolving identity of one this select cidery. Remembering Susanna Forbes Susanna Forbes, co-founder of Little Pomona, passed away in 2024. Her warmth, encouragement, and belief in others shaped the cidery from day one. As James puts it, “She was always trying to build up and support others – including me.” James, Ria and Susanna 2019 What’s New at Little Pomona Champagne Method Quince Wine – Possibly the...
info_outline
459: The Apple Finch’s Pet-Nats at de Groote Wei Cider | Netherlands
Cider Chat
Fourth-Generation Farmer, First-Generation Cidermaker Sophie Horstink of De Groote Wei, which means The Great Meadow in Dutch, is crafting Dutch cider as a value added project at her family’s farm. Located in the eastern Netherlands near Arnhem, the farm spans 16 hectares and has long produced dessert apples and pears. Sophie Horstink The Horstink family market is well-known and is a go-to place for locals to shop and would be considered a grocery store. She released her first cider in 2022. The early response was enthusiastic, selling out quickly and prompting her to scale...
info_outline
458: Sodo Sidriné and the Rise of Lithuanian Craft Cider
Cider Chat
Donatas Genys didn’t set out to launch Lithuania’s first keeved cider. But after trips to England and Normandy, years of experimentation, and the planting of over 6,000 cider apple trees, that’s exactly what he’s doing. At Sodo Sidriné, located just a few kilometers from the city of Kaunus, Donatas is into a whole new era for cider Lithuania’s cider revival Donatas Genys Cider Culture and Baltic Roots Lithuania has deep agricultural roots, but apple trees which at many of the homes are desired more for eating or making apple wine while vodka and beer under Soviet rule...
info_outline
457: Snow Capped Cider: A Family Legacy at 7,000 Feet | CO
Cider Chat
At the base of Colorado’s Grand Mesa, the world’s largest flat-top mountain, five generations of fruit growers have worked the land. Today, Snow Capped Cider carries on that legacy, crafting estate-grown ciders from fruit nurtured at elevations between 6,130 and 7,000 feet. The high desert sun, volcanic soil, and pure snowmelt water combine to create vibrant apples and distinctive ciders. From Hobby to Heritage What began as a small experiment soon blossomed into a full-fledged cidery. Sparked by a disappointing store-bought cider, Kari Williams and her family leaned into their winemaking...
info_outline
456: From Oregon to Norway: Abram Goldman-Armstrong’s Cider Journey
Cider Chat
This episode of Cider Chat, was recorded in person with Abram Goldman-Armstrong at CiderCon2025 in Chicago. Hear his journey to cider. From growing up in Oregon’s Yamhill County to his current work in Norway’s Hardanger region at Alde Sider. Abram began fermenting cider as a student in Minnesota and went on to found the cidery known as Cider Riot in Portland, Oregon. His experience reflects both the evolution of the cider industry and the challenges of building a business grounded in values and community. The Cider Riot Years Cider Riot grew from a home cider making project into a...
info_outline
455: Zero Percent Sh*t | John Edwards Returns
Cider Chat
John Edwards, longtime cider maker and integral team member at Ross on Wye Cider & Perry Co., and the creative force behind his personal label Fly be Night Cider was last on the podcast in 2019. John Edwards In this Cider Chat with John Edwards ohn is part of the tight-knit crew at Ross Cider who keep things running from orchard to bottle. The team has embraced a belt press system, which John finds surprisingly nimble—even for small batches. While Ross is rooted in tradition, they’re also evolving their process to match the scale and diversity of their...
info_outline
454: Wild Ferment Meets Fine Cider: Inside Oliver’s Barrel Room
Cider Chat
Rainy Days Goes Best with Dry Cider in the Barrel Room Walking into the barrel room at Oliver’s Cider and Perry Company, you might think you know what to expect. But surrounded by whitewashed stone walls, standing beneath the old Hessian sacking floor, and facing rows of aging barrels, I quickly realized this wasn’t just a cidery—it’s a living, breathing creative space for cider making. Tom Oliver sources fruit both from his farm and from local orchards across Herefordshire. This isn’t an estate cidery where everything is grown on-site—but what sets Oliver’s cider and perry...
info_outline
453: Homage to Perry Legends by Tom Oliver at AppleFest | UK
Cider Chat
Celebrating Perry’s Past, Present, and Future Tom Oliver began his keynote by saying, "At this year’s Applefest Banquet, I had the honor of lifting a glass to the people behind the pear—specifically Perry. It wasn’t just a toast to the drink itself, but to the incredible commitment behind its preservation and craft." Tom Oliver Three Perry Legends Charles Martel Known for his Stinking Bishop cheese and peri-based products. Catalogued disappearing peri pear varieties, creating the first national collection at the Three Counties Showground. His book on Gloucestershire...
info_outlineMonica Cohen on Leading the ACA
Monica Cohen, the new CEO of the American Cider Association (ACA), stepped into her role at CiderCon 2025 in Chicago. With a background in dairy marketing and a passion for helping craft industries grow, she brings fresh energy and a bold vision to the cider world.
Her introduction to cider mirrors a challenge the industry faces—many consumers assume all cider is the same.
She’s on a mission to change that.
Priorities for 2025
Monica laid out her key focus areas for the ACA:
- Enhancing membership value – Ensuring small and large cideries alike benefit from ACA resources.
- Growing ACA membership – Making the association indispensable to cider makers.
- Strengthening advocacy – Fighting for fair industry regulations, including tax structures.
- Increasing consumer awareness – Changing public perception and getting cider on more menus.
Cider’s Big Opportunity
Monica believes cider’s time is now. She emphasizes that innovation, consumer education, and stronger industry collaboration will be key to the next phase of growth.
CiderCon Takeaways & The Path Forward
At CiderCon 2025, Monica had an “aha moment” during Cider Share, experiencing firsthand the incredible diversity of cider. She sees the event as more than just a conference—it’s a place for the cider community to connect, share ideas, and shape the industry’s future.
Looking ahead to CiderCon 2026 in Providence Rhode Island, Monica wants to grow attendance, attract new industry partners, and ensure the event remains relevant and impactful for all makers big or small.
Contact the American Cider Association
- Website: https://ciderassociation.org
Mentions in this Cider Chat
- Totally Cider Tour to the UK – send an email to [email protected] to get on the wait list for spots opening on this 2025 tour taking place August 25-31, 2025.