Well, it looks like none of us will be going out to cidery tasting rooms or cider bars for awhile. And that is a serious blow, not only to our social lives but to the makers and producers who rely on us to pursue their passions and livelihoods. The economy of craft cider, which has grown so healthily and steadily over the past decade, now faces an enormous challenge, one that feels overwhelming (to say the least) to every person along every part of the cider supply chain.
But, friends: All is not lost. We’re excited to announce that we’ve got some plans to help give our tight-knit, amazing community places to gather — virtually, of course.
We’re prepared to radically shift how we create and provide content for all of our readers, ranging from craft cider newbies to enthusiasts to experts and producers. Our goal is to inform, educate and entertain you through the many powerful platforms on the internet.
- We’ll steer you toward the many ways to buy cider online and give our suggestions on what you should be drinking.
- We’ll introduce you to cider makers who can tell you their stories via video, show you around their orchards and cellars, and answer your questions in realtime.
- We’ll tap some of our favorite bartenders to teach you how to make cider cocktails to keep you sane.
- Heck, we might even organize some happy hours where we can all hang out online, show off what we’re drinking, and just be together (even if we’re not actually together). Just because we’re experiencing social isolation doesn’t mean we have to be alone.
Stay tuned for more details on these exciting developments, and if there are specific types of interactive content you’d like to see, don’t be shy! Let us know what would help make our time removed from public life a little more exciting.
- Feature photo: Raw Pixel
- Cider pour photo: Richard Ashenfelder for Cider Culture