There’s a new cidermaker on the block in Western New York as The Cider Project will officially launch on September 30 at Groundwork Market Garden (4-7 pm).
Led by cidermaker and pommelier Katie Campos, who, if her name sounds familiar, has collaborated with Clarksburg Cider in the past, The Cider Project makes “dry, funky and delicious cider made from local spitters (the apples you’d never want to eat), and fermented to dryness in oak wine barrels over 15 months.”
“Why The Cider Project? Because what started as my obsession became our craft,” Campos explained. “I apprenticed with some of the best cider makers in the country, restored orchards, planted trees, and poured myself into learning how to make the kind of cider I want to order when I go out- dry, funky and refreshing. Erin (Chapman, Campos’ wife) — extraordinary chef, detail-obsessed, and (most importantly in cider making!) a total clean freak — made the ride possible and became a great cider maker herself! Together, we’ve turned a passion into a business, The Cider Project.”
The official launch party will feature draft pours of The Cider Project’s Wild Apple cider from the Wild Tap Wagon, cider 4-packs and t-shirts for sale, wood-fired pizza and Hanzlians sausages, live music by Olmsted Dub System, cold beer from Ed’s No Name Beer and more.
“In the past 24 months, we pressed, fermented, and barrel aged over 2,000 gallons of dry, funky cider that we are self-distributing to local bars, restaurants, and shops. And, we’re still pouring and selling 4 packs at Ground Work Market Garden on Tuesdays!” Campos said. “It’s still scrappy, still fueled by community, but it’s happening. And we can’t wait to share it with you.”
For more information on the launch party, click here. You can also follow The Cider Project on Instagram.
Brian Campbell is co-founder and Brand Manager of the Buffalo Beer League, and writes the weekly Buffalo Beer Buzz column. If you have beer news that should be included in the Beer Buzz, Brian can be reached at brian@buffalobeerleague.com, on X (@buffbeerleague), Instagram, Threads and Untappd (@buffalobeerleague), and Facebook (@thebuffalobeerleague).
