Learn About The Hard Cider-Making Process

Posted by Christina Herrick|February 24, 2016

Penn State University Extension will host a Seed to Sip Hard Cider Workshop on March 19 at Penn State Lehigh Campus in Center Valley, PA. Attendees will learn what is in a tannins, how titrations are used in hard cider making, and how to develop sensory analysis skills.

Registration ends on Feb. 26.

Workshop Sessions include:

Craft Cider Making: From Press to Sip by Scott Topel, Cider Master of Wyndridge Farms: This session will follow the cider making process in depth to cover the use of enzymes in crushing and blending, pressing techniques, sulphur dioxide additions, yeast selection, preparations and wild fermentation, and fermentation process parameters such as nutrition, racking frequency and control.
The Quest for Apple Tannins by H. Edwin Winzler of Penn State University, Fruit Research and Extension Center: Discussion will focus on determining tannin content of apples, use of crab apples, and preliminary findings on grafting bittersweet European cider varieties in Mid-Atlantic growing climates.
Cider Tasting by H. Edwin Winzler of Penn State University, Fruit Research and Extension Center: Join us for a guided sensory analysis of stand-out hard ciders. This tasting will walk you through the process of blending varying levels of tannins into your ciders and provide hands-on knowledge about recognizing how tannins can work in your cider blend to create the flavor profile you desire.
Content Marketing: How to Best Market Your Cidery by Mary Bigham of Dish LLC: Learn how to increase sales, customer engagement, and brand awareness for your cidery.
2016 Hard Cider Marketing Trends by Carla Snyder of Penn State Extension: Focused hard cider trends information to assist your business in looking toward the future of the industry.

Attendees will also get an introduction to the new “Hard Cider Guidebook – A Producers Guide to Developing a Hard Cider Business in Pennsylvania,” a resource for start-up cideries that includes cost analysis tools for business development and expansion.