511: Hungarian Cider Comes of Age | Bright Cider
Cider Chat
Hungary may not have a centuries-old cider tradition like England or France, but that is exactly what makes its modern cider movement so exciting. In this episode, Cider MC Ria Windcaller travels to Budapest to meet András Kovács and Marcell Lukatsi, founders of Bright Cider, who are helping shape what Hungarian cider can become. From traditional method sparkling cider and heirloom apple varieties to the newly formed Hungarian Cider Association and the country's first-ever Cider Salon, discover how a new generation of makers is defining a distinctly Hungarian cider identity. Along the...
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510: From Barrels to the Pub | The People's Cider Co., Michigan
Cider Chat
Most cider makers dream of expanding their barrel program. Jason Lummen did the opposite. In Episode 510, Ria Windcaller visits The People's Cider Company in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where Jason explains why he shifted from barrel-aged ciders to dry, sessionable ciders that keep people coming back for another round. Along the way, they discuss local apples, pub culture, changing American tastes, and what it means to build a cidery around community rather than complexity. <h2>Time Stamps</h2> <ul> <li>00:00 Craft Palate Lightens</li> <li>01:04...
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509: Mr. Plūme | In the Heart of Latvia's Fine Cider
Cider Chat
Episode 509 takes us to the heart of Latvia to meet Dace and Māris Plūme, the husband-and-wife team behind Mr. Plūme, an award-winning orchard cidery known for both still and naturally sparkling ciders. Their journey began with a chance taste of homemade cider that inspired Māris to train in Normandy and Austria before returning home to help shape Latvia's growing fine cider movement. Along the way, they explain why still cider deserves a place alongside sparkling cider, how heirloom apples define their work, the role of wild fermentation, and why patience is one of a cider maker's...
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508: The American Cider Association Responds to Questions About CiderCon 2027
Cider Chat
The announcement that CiderCon 2027 will be co-located with the Craft Brewers Conference sparked one of the most active online discussions the cider community has seen in years. In this episode of Cider Chat, ACA Board President Christine Walter joins host Ria Windcaller to discuss why the decision was made, the financial realities facing CiderCon, how the conference will operate alongside the Craft Brewers Conference, and what it means for the future of the American Cider Association. The conversation also explores cider's identity, the role of orchard-based producers and commercial brands,...
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507: Expand Your Universe | Woodfolk Cider, Ontario Canada
Cider Chat
Sometimes all it takes is one sip. It happened to the founders of Woodfolk Cider, Martha Lowry and Alistair Whitehead, and it can happen to YOU! What began as a shared love of food, drink, and hospitality eventually led them to plant orchards, build a cidery, and welcome visitors to their 87-acre farm in Ontario, Canada. Today, their orchard-based cidery sits among forests, rivers, rolling hills, and rows of young cider apple trees and the open invitation to expand your universe one glass at a time. TIMESTAMPS 00:00 The Cider Discovery Moment 00:52 Meet Woodfolk Cider 02:23 French Cider Tour...
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506: Richard Yi on Craft, Family, and the Future of Brooklyn Cider House
Cider Chat
Richard Yi of Brooklyn Cider House isn't interested in making cider that appeals to everyone. He's interested in making cider with personality and if you've ever enjoyed hearing a cider maker tell the story behind the glass, you're going to enjoy this conversation. In this epiosde, you'll hear how a young man who once imagined a future in engineering found his way into the family cider business. Richard shares the influence of his father, Peter Yi, the evolution of Brooklyn Cider House, and why embracing the unpredictability of fermentation has become central to his philosophy. Along the way,...
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505: Cider Senseis: Discipline, Craft, and the Cost
Cider Chat
There is a question that keeps coming up in cider, small business, and independent media: Is this sustainable? In this episode, Ria sits down with Adrian Luna, known as the Hard Cider Guy, for a conversation that goes well beyond cider. What starts as a discussion about content creation quickly turns into something deeper. Two practitioners, each with their own discipline, circling around the same hard truth: if you do not value your work, no one else will. This is not about rejecting collaboration or generosity. It is about understanding the long-term cost of working for free, and what it...
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504: Why Breweries Are Making Cider (and What It Means)
Cider Chat
What happens when breweries start making cider… not because they have to, but because they want to keep drinking beer? That question kicks off episode 504 featuring Dan Kramer and Ben Anhalt of Element Brewing Company. “Most breweries probably see cider as a way to let them continue making beer.” That line says a lot. And it opens the door to a bigger conversation. Breweries adding cider isn’t just about diversification. It’s not just about gluten-free taps. And it’s definitely not just about adding another SKU. Something is shifting. In this episode, we dig into: • Why breweries...
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503: Audio Snapshots from the UK Blossom Time Tour | What Is Proper Cider?
Cider Chat
Episode 503 takes you through England and Wales with audio snapshots from the UK Blossom Time Totally Cider Tour while exploring one big question: What is a proper cider? Travel orchard roads through Somerset, Herefordshire, Gloucestershire, and Wales as tour guests share reflections on traditional cider, perry pears, wild fermentations, farmhouse hospitality, blossom-covered orchards, and the people keeping cider culture alive. From Ross on Wye and Oliver's Cider and Perry to Gwatkin Cider Mill and beyond, this episode captures the feeling of living inside cider country for a little while....
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502: Hungary Uncorked / Cider Going UP
Cider Chat
Travel with Cider Chat to Hungary for audio snapshots from the country’s first Cider Salon, featuring makers from across Central and Eastern Europe, orchard visits, and a look at why Hungarian cider is a region to watch. 00:00 Budapest Travel Update 02:24 Cider Salon Plans 04:13 Litke Champagne Caves 06:34 Hungary Surprises and Lessons 09:44 Meet Andrew at St Matthias 11:35 Election Energy at Castle 16:13 Turul Bird and Innovation 18:53 Hungarian Cider Roots 22:23 Salon Maker Zuhatag 26:57 Asturian Sidra Reunion 30:06 Cidery Near Ukraine 31:27 Tom Oliver in Pécs 31:44 Why Hungary Matters...
info_outlineNatural cider is often misunderstood as funky, volatile, or flawed.
Recorded live at CiderCon 2025, this seminar reframes natural cider as a philosophy of low intervention, balance, and intentional care, not a free pass for faults.
Moderator Haritz is joined by Richard of Brooklyn Cider House and Jasper Smith of Son of Man (Oregon) to explore how Basque cider traditions influence modern natural cider production in the U.S. The panel dives into fermentation choices, malolactic fermentation, volatile acidity, sensory evaluation, and why great natural cider is defined by quality, not dogma.
This conversation also examines how natural cider is judged in Spain, what tasting panels consider true faults, and why these ciders are designed first and foremost to be enjoyed with food.
Ciders featured:
Zapiain (Basque Country), Son of Man (Oregon), and Solstice (Brooklyn Cider House)
Episode 489 Timestamps
00:00 Introduction to Basque Cider
00:25 Meet the Host: Ria Windcaller
00:42 The Magic of Sidra Natural
01:41 Exploring Natural Cider Production
02:32 Cider FOMO and CiderCon
03:34 Cider Chat Milestones and YouTube Channel
05:21 Thanking the Cider Chat Patrons
08:44 Featured Presentation: Natural Cider Panel
09:23 Defining Natural Cider
11:32 Production Techniques and Philosophies
27:05 Harvest Strategies and Apple Varieties
36:21 Exploring the Price Range of Ciders
37:01 The Science Behind Well-Integrated Volatile Acidity
38:31 The Role of Malolactic Fermentation in Cider
39:55 Tasting Panels and Quality Control in Basque Cider
42:44 Cider Pairing with Food: A Gastronomic Experience
44:31 The Cultural Significance of Cider in Spain
51:31 The Importance of Apple Varieties in Cider Making
55:43 Challenges and Rewards of Natural Cider Production
01:01:48 Final Thoughts and Future of Cider
01:06:55 Conclusion and Farewell
Find the full show notes for this episode at CiderChat.com
Episode 489: https://ciderchat.com/podcast/489-natural-cider-production/
Listen to Episode 489 of Cider Chat® wherever you get your podcasts and don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss what’s coming next in Ciderville.
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