Local Cider

[CharlieKilo]

Where can I buy locally produced, small batch, traditional hard cider? I've been advised to avoid the mass marketed brands as people tend to say they suck.

[LewisvilleHounder]

Charlie,

I was curious about the same thing. I could care less even if it is not local just something besides Ace, Woodchuck, Strongbow, Blackthorn, Crispin et al. Since Texas has very few apple producers besides what is close to San Antonia (Medina) I wouldn't expect them to even have a hard cider producer. That said I pleaded to everyone looking for an artisnal cider producer. Below is that post I posted about a month or so ago.

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/733147

The list came from Draft Magazine which focuses mostly on beer. The laws here in Texas make it near impossible to get any small batch cider maker to import to Texas. I have even asked a local importer and he said it is such a small market that it is not worth going after.

[CharlieKilo]

Thanks for the info.
Sorry I missed your post re: same.
Have you asked around any of the farmer's markets in the area?
I've heard that hard cider is actually quite easy to make. Maybe I'll look into that?

[LewisvilleHounder]

All I see every year is the spiced sweet cider I have never seen the fermented alcoholic stuff. I would assume most farmers don't want to explore the idea of a liquor license. I would look at homebrew headquarters in Richardson for your questions on the homebrewing venture or Knight of the Brown Bottle bot have links below:

http://hbd.org/kobb/brewstores.htm