The Cider Trail, now in its second year, highlights exceptional regional cider makers, many of whom launched Finger Lakes Cider Week in 2012, and newer cideries, who are all fermenting diverse styles of cider using New York fruit.

In May 2024, the FLX Cider Trail will launch its Passport Program. In the months of May & June, cider enthusiasts will log their visits to each of the 9 participating cideries and complete a tasting at each cidery to enter to win a case of Finger Lakes Cider.

Tasting opportunities at individual cideries take place on the western side of Cayuga Lake at Bellwether Hard Cider and Black Diamond Farm and Cidery (Trumansburg), Finger Lakes Cider House (Interlaken) and Blackduck Cidery (Ovid). Further north, visit Lake Drum Brewing (Geneva) then travel to the western Finger Lakes at Apple Barrel Orchards and Cidery (Penn Yan). In Ithaca, visit South Hill Cider and at the Ithaca Farmers Market find Redbyrd & New York Cider Company offering tastings and camaraderie under the market pavilion on weekends.

This opportunity for exploration highlights the power of apples in the Finger Lakes. Each of the Trail cideries, many of whom are also highly regarded orchard keepers, produce diverse ciders that express the FLX’s regional uniqueness. Finger Lakes cider is built upon a combination of excellent growing conditions, a wealth of varieties and the knowledge and dedication of farmers to build rich and complex flavors year after year.

The Finger Lakes Cider Trail invites cider lovers to take the Cider Passport challenge. Visit the fingerlakescidertrail.com website to find tasting room hours and opportunities to find cideries at
the Ithaca Farmer’s Market and pop-up events.

The post Introducing the Finger Lakes Cider Trail Passport Program appeared first on Buffalo Beer League.

The Cider Trail is an invitation to visit beloved regional cider makers, many of whom launched Finger Lakes Cider Week in 2012, and newer cideries who expand the Trail to the FLX’s western edges.

The Cider Trail formally launches with opening events May 19 – 21.

The FLX Cider Trail connects nationally recognized cider makers and orchards with folks looking to taste and connect. Tasting opportunities abound on the western side of Cayuga Lake at Bellwether Hard Cider and Black Diamond Farm and Cidery (Trumansburg), Finger Lakes Cider House (Interlaken) and Blackduck Cidery (Ovid). Further north, Lake Drum Brewing represents the Geneva scene. By Fall, the Trail will expand to the western Finger Lakes at Apple Barrel Orchards and Cidery in Penn Yan and Sylvan Cider in Hammondsport. To the southeast is Eve’s Cidery in Chemung County, holding down the southern tip of the trail on the Appalachian plateau. In Ithaca, the scene is jamming weekly at South Hill Cider and at the Ithaca Farmers Market. Every weekend May-December finds 7 cider producers, including Redbyrd & New York Cider Company, offering tastings and camaraderie under the market pavilion.

This opportunity for exploration highlights the power of apples in the Finger Lakes. Each of the Trail cideries, many of whom are also highly regarded orchard keepers, produce diverse ciders that express the FLX’s regional uniqueness. Finger Lakes cider is built upon a combination of excellent growing conditions, a wealth of varieties and the knowledge and dedication of farmers to build rich and complex flavors year after year.

The Finger Lakes Cider Trail invites cider lovers (or new explorers) into this world of pommage (vintage for cider), production style, unique orchards and family-run businesses.

Visit fingerlakescidertrail.com for more information.

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