Cider Brian

Celebrate the tradition of the Spanish long pour at the 2nd annual Esconciador Competition semi-finals at @erischicago with @sidratrabanco compete or just come to watch some world-class throwing. Visit @cidersummit on Saturday, Feb 3 to see the final round! @ChicagoCider

This is the first @PickCider Conference that I will not be attending. It looks like a great line up of sessions and speakers. All the best to my friends out in Portland. But even though I’ll miss the party, it looks like some of the snowy Chicago weather made a guest appearance!

@AnaSonnleitner Dare to dream!! I’ll keep my eyes out for it.

A minor thing in the scope of all that is going on in the world & in our city. But, Streets & Sanitation is no longer in “street sweeping” season as they prepare for snow removal season. So, all of the leaves (& those yet to fall) will remain, leading to clogged sewers.

@Cori__P Gee, thanks! I think so too. There is such a wide diversity of tree species on just my block alone. Not the wild hell scape some folks would have you believe, right? I gathered a bunch of leaves for mulch/winter cover in my garden; but there is only so much I can do!

@ChicagoCider Not the point, I know, but what a pretty little street you live on.

@ChicagoMayor @BrandonCCD1 @Andrefor40th As the realities of global warming take hold in strange & dangerous ways, we need to adapt our behaviors & responses. Bicyclist safety, lakefront erosion, pest management & yes, even street sweeping - all might need a fresh look.

Beer Geeks: I don’t like cider; it’s too sweet. Also Beer Geeks: Dig this brownie batter and fluffernutter imperial stout aged in overpriced whisky barrels.

@McGeePDX Yeah, our humble little CiderFest party @artifactevents tomorrow night has nearly 300 tix sold already. And that is to say nothing about any one of the MUCH larger @CiderSummit events held across the country.

@Brewenthusiast Oh man, do I have some thoughts on this. Headed into work, will comment when able; but I want to talk literal apples and oranges. Let’s talk ABI and cider…

Is there an example of ABI being a good steward/caretaker of one of their craft brands? I'm asking this objectively. I don't care if you like ABI or not (for the purposes of this question). Brand building for macro brands and craft brands is, in reality, apples and oranges.

Get ready for a Perfect Pairing Cider Dinner @beardbellychi on Sept 20th, featuring a 4 course meal w/ paired ciders from @FarnumHillCider @stemciders & @UncleJohnsCider Tickets: eventbrite.com/e/a-perfect-pa…

Get on board The Chicago Cider Cruise! This Friday, Sept 1st. 7:30-10pm. Over a dozen diff cider producers, as well as the return of the Cider Cellar Pop-Up w/ @SouthCiders Link for tix: m.bpt.me/event/6036742

@WhereandBack @wwcider Dave and Heather @wwcider are gems. Dave was so instrumental in guiding my early cider journeys. How is the Red Cap Cider can?

Anybody else want to make Cider Mondays a thing?

The moon falling over Chicago tonight is mesmerizing. A sliver of a crescent magnified along the horizon in a deep orange glow.

@bicyclizt @SorenSpicknall @JGfromNP It is also the recipe for how area restaurants & bars have suffered over the 10+ yrs. Constant redevelopment of 3 flats into mansions means the community loses density. Between 3-6 younger adults are pushed out & replaced w/ 2 older adults that don’t go out regularly.

@SorenSpicknall @JGfromNP Or how to keep/make housing attainable for actually middle class families in Chicago. Turning 3-flats into single family homes is not it.

@pastryStout @StasiaBrew @McGeePDX @UncleJohnsCider does a Cider / Perry combo. Check out @RevelCider for a host of unique blends.

@StasiaBrew @McGeePDX and @ChicagoCider would know!!

@Brewenthusiast Reminds me of the Churchill quote: Democracy is the worst form of government - except for all the others that have been tried.

Currenly my inbox is full of this email: "______ Brewery wins a medal at ________ competition. Check out how awesome they are!" I'm pulling together a full piece on this, but beer competitions are the most unscientific, subjective, and close-minded way to approach great beer.

@Virginia_Thomas I’ll stop by soon & drink them both. Give it one last college try…

I have not even seen a beer from Stone around Chicago in years. I have enjoyed many beers from Anchor over the same period of time. I know that’s just a useless anecdote from a cider guy; but in my opinion, Sapporo chose the wrong brand to axe.

@Adam_HWells Anytime Adam! Beyond Bartlett, the most common pears I see in American made Perry’s are Anjou, Cornice, and Seckel. Sometimes, folks will say a “blend of Perry pears and dessert pears,” without really identifying which Perry pears.

@Adam_HWells @UncleJohnsCider @vandermill @seattlecider @GlunzBeers is a great local distributor that imports @BUnitedInt portfolio, including incredible Perry’s from Christian Drouin on draft. There are a few other producers that make Perry available in bottles around town, but not much.

@Adam_HWells @UncleJohnsCider @UncleJohnsCider is probably the only American made Perry you can find on draft in Chicago. Unless Bruce McIntosh (Michigan) is still selling around town. Or if @vandermill occasionally sends a few Bon Chretien kegs into the market. Back in the day, @seattlecider sent Perry kegs.