New England Cider Mills
In the days when cider mills were still run by hand, water or horse, hard cider was the variety consumed by the entire family. This ended with prohibition, ushering in the sweet cider most of us know today. You can find both hard and sweet cider these days made from a wide variety of apples. A few of these apples have an interesting history of their own. The Royal Gala for example was named for Queen Elizabeth II who chose it as her favorite while visiting New Zealand. The Ginger Gold was discovered after a hurricane by a Virginia farmer. He named it after Ginger Harvey his wife.
Some of the farms listed below will give you a tour of their cider mill. You can watch and sometimes even participate in the process. The apples generally are grown right there in the farm’s orchard. The apples are then picked, washed, ground and pressed to produce the honey gold drink. Some farms go one step further and the cider is fermented to create hard cider.
When getting cider fresh from the mill, find out if it’s been pasteurized. Some mills do not pasteurize their cider. They feel this helps preserve the true taste. Other mills flash pasteurize or use a UV light. Very young children, the very old and those with weak immune systems may want to avoid the unpasteurized kind.
Below are a number of cider mills of interest in New England. They offer activities for visiting families, historic buildings, and / or their own unique approach to cider making.
Historic:
White Mountain Cider Company
www.whitemountaincider.com
P.O. Box 790
Glen, NH 03838
603.383.99061
This mill has been named Yankee Magazine’s Editor’s 2003 pick. Its farmhouse was built in the 1890’s. At the farm’s cider mill you can view and participate in the apple pressing. You can also visit the store, eat at the Rare Bear Bistro, watch cider donuts made, or relax by the fireplace or on their patio. Nearby you’ll find Storyland, Cog Railroad, Mt. Washington Auto Road, and Conway Scenic Railroad.
B. F. Clyde’s Cider Mill
129 North Stonington Road
Mystic, CT 06355
860.536.3354
This cider mill has been family run since 1881 when Benjamin Clyde started pressing apples. In 1897 a screw press was purchased and installed. Benjamin’s grandson, John K. Bucklyn currently owns and operates the mill. It is the last steam-powered cider mill in New England. They offer fresh sweet cider, hard cider, and apple wines.
Russell Orchards
www.russellorchardsma.com
143 Argilla Rd.
Ipswich, MA 01938
978.356.5366
The farm’s store is housed in a 18th century barn with the original barn boards and only a few renovations. You can pick your own, eat warm cider donuts and other bakery items, taste fruit wines and purchase a variety of farm products including hard ciders. Nearby you’ll find Crane Beach and Castle Hill.
Hogan’s Cider Mill
www.hoganscidermill.com
522 Spielman Highway
Burlington, CT 06013
860.675.7320
At Hogan’s Cider Mill they’ve been making cider since 1909. The original barn still stands and houses the old press. Here you’ll find fresh sweet cider, hard cider, crafts, gifts, farm fresh fruits and veggies, and apple cider vinegar. You can even try some hot mulled samples. Nearby is Burlington’s Golf Center.
Cider Hill Farm
www.ciderhill.com
45 Fern Av.
Amesbury, MA 01913
978.388.5525
At Cider Hill Farm, the apple cider has been awarded “Best in State” four times. They’ve also had five consecutive wins for “Best in Eastern Region of Massachusetts.” The farm store is located in a restored 150-year-old dairy barn. You can watch the apples being graded or pressed, take hay rides, travel hay mazes, pick your own, eat in the picnic area, visit the sheep pen, hay jump or tire swings, and find fresh apple cider donuts along with other products.
Cold Hollow Cider Mill
www.coldhollow.com
3600 Waterbury – Stowe Road
(Route 100)
Waterbury Center, VT 05677
At this mill you can see cider made the old-fashioned way using a rack and cloth press that was built in the 1920’s. You can also watch bees make honey, visit the donut center and try their cider donuts which have been featured in Gourmet Magazine, and find baked goods, wines and hard cider.
Dowse Orchards
www.dowseorchards.com
Rt. 27 Main St.
Sherborn, MA 01770-1511
508.653.2639
The Dowse family has operated the mill since 1853. The current press has been used since 1947 and their roadside stand has been selling farm products for 60 years. You can watch the cider press the apples in season.
Beardsley’s Cider Mill
www.beardsleyscidermill.com
278 Leavenworth Rd.
Route 110
Shelton, CT
203.926.1098
Since 1849, the Beardsley family has farmed their land. Their cider is 100% juice though they sometimes add quince for a touch of flavor and body. The farm offers a beginner’s kit and untreated cider for those interested in making their own hard cider. You can ask them about the different methods used.
Wood Cider Mill
www.woodscidermill.com
1482 Weathersfield Center Rd.
Springfield, VT 05156
802.263.3547
Wood Cider Mill offers cider jelly, cinnamon, cider syrup, and boiled cider. They use a twin-screw press that was purchased in 1882. This press was first run by water power. Currently, however, it has been moved to a different location and is turned by hand or electricity.
Hyland Orchards
www.hylandbrew.com
199 Arnold Rd.
Sturbridge, MA
508.347.7500
Hyland offers a variety of activities for visitors. You can pick your own apples, press your own cider, and then take your cider home in a jug complete with your own customized label. Hyland also offers beer and cider sampling, hay rides, farm animals, picnic areas, a snack bar, and a bakery. The farm was started in 1945 by F. James Hyland. Christopher Damon, Jim’s grandson, took over the orchard in 1996.
Adding their own unique approach:
Farnum Hill Ciders
Poverty Lane Orchards
98 Poverty Lane
Lebanon, NH 03766
603.448.7326
At this orchard, true cider apples are grown. Cider apples are a bit sharper then most when fresh. The farm uses them in their ciders to produce a distinct flavor. The cider trees they use originated from England, France and America. This farm also offers pick your own, wagon rides, a farm stand with a variety of apples, picnic tables, views of the Connecticut River Valley, and hard cider. Ask them which apple was the favorite during Louis XIV’s time.
West County Cider
www.westcountycider.com
P.O. Box 29
Colrain, MA 01340
413.624.3481
The Maloney family, the owners of West County Cider, moved to New England from Northern California. They’ve combined California wine making methods to cider making. Their hard ciders are available in liquor stores and some restaurants in Massachusetts. They offer tasting hours. Check their web site for the time and place.
