Photo by Stephanie Breijo
Cider Week VA is again upon us, as both a reminder and celebration of our state's pomaceous bounty. Beginning today, dinners, tastings, talks, tap takeovers and soirées will pop up throughout the state and continue through Sunday, Nov. 20. Here's a glimpse of what you'll find in Richmond, for hard-cider fans and beyond:
- Foggy Ridge Cider's Diane Flynt will be at Shagbark in Libbie Mill-Midtown this evening, available for questions, signatures, photos and any other general meet-and-greet opportunities. Stop by from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. to learn how she makes some of the finest hard cider in the state, then taste flights and a special cider-based cocktail. 4901 Libbie Mill East Blvd.
- Tomorrow is the city's big kick-off event. At Richmond Cider Celebration in the 17th Street Farmers' Market, you'll find cider samples from Virginia makers including Albemarle CiderWorks, Blue Bee Cider, Blue Toad Hard Cider Pub, Bold Rock Hard Cider, Buskey Cider, Castle Hill Cider, Cobbler Mountain Cellars, Foggy Ridge Cider, Old Hill Cider, Potter's Craft Cider and Winchester Ciderworks. Expect tastings, music, workshops and demonstrations. Each $25 entry gets you tastings and a commemorative tote bag and glass. Register here.
- Also on Saturday is your chance to drink for a cause. The VCU Massey Cancer Center teamed with Buskey Cider in Scott's Addition to create Pink Lady Cider, a single-varietal cider made with Cripps Pink apples. Fifty cents of each pint ordered will benefit the organization, which researches and helps fight breast cancer. 2910 W. Leigh St., noon to 10 p.m.
- And on Sunday from 3 to 7 p.m., be sure to catch Hill & Holler's Ploughman's Feast at Blue Bee Cider's gorgeous new digs in Scott's Addition. Each $35 ticket includes cider samples from Blue Bee Cider, Albemarle Ciderworks, Foggy Ridge and Potter's Craft Cider, plus bites from Dutch & Co., JM Stock Provisions, Stroops and Charlottesville cheesemakers Twenty Paces. There will be music and demos, plus cider available for purchase, all at 1320 Summit Ave. Find tickets here.
- One of my top picks for the week — Tuesday's home cidermaking workshop at Blue Bee — is unfortunately sold out, but all hope is not lost: If you'd like to put your name on the waiting list for this, one of the cidery's most popular events, the fine folks at Blue Bee are happy to take your information. Simply call 231-0280 and let them know.
- Wednesday, Nov. 16, is one of the sweetest events you'll find all week: Buskey Cider and Sugar Shack's collaboration. The doughnut shop crafted an apple cider treat made with one of Buskey's hard ciders, and you'll be able to taste the fruits of their labors from 5 to 9 p.m. and pair it with some hard cider while you're there. 2910 W. Leigh St.
Still thirsty? Find a full rundown of the week's events — including food pairings and dinners at Heritage, Comfort, Lucy's, Acacia mid-town, Blue Goat, Sabai and more — right over here.
