Hard cider tasting flights enjoyed at Hidden Star Orchards Tasting Barn in Camino (El Dorado County), California, from top left: Queen of Tarts (green apples with Meyer lemon and basil); Mint Condition (apples with raspberries and mint); Cherry Seinfeld (apples with tart cherries); Jimmy Hoppa (apples with hops and grapefruit); Fools Gold (classic English dry with Wickson crabapples); Treeo (three apple varieties); Ginger Rogers (apples with Peruvian ginger and Eureka lemon); Blue Angel (apples with blueberries, mint, and lemon); Thunder & Lightning (steeped in whisky barrels with ancho chili and jalapeño). Photo by Cheryl Koehler, Editor and Publisher of Edible East Bay.
San Leandro | blindwood.com
Taste their craft ciders aged in French Oak barrels on tap in locations in the East and South Bay. Why We Love It: Makes a crossover Zinfandel cider!
Oakland | crookedcitycidertaphouse.com
Features over 35 rotating, seasonal cider and beer taps at 206 Broadway in Oakland with plenty of quality, local options. Why We Love It: Bills itself as Oakland’s original cider producer fan favorite for selection of not-so-sweet, naturally gluten free ciders.
Richmond | farwestcider.com
Makes ciders from its own family orchards in San Joaquin County. Warehouse tasting room and outdoor patio on the Bay, with 2nd tasting room at Riggers Loft Wine co and Co., 1325 Canal Boulevard in Richmond. Why We Love It: Offers limited release farm-direct ciders, and cider honey co-ferments.
San Leandro & Camino | hiddenstarorchards.com
Farmer + grower turned cider maker transforms its fruit and zero-waste philosophy into a variety of preserves and ferments including a fantastically creative and ever-changing set of craft hard apple ciders. Sold at Bay Area farmers markets. Why We Love It: Barn-style taproom (and onsite bakery) for picnics and weekend sips in Camino, California.
San Leandro | menacingfogcider.com
Makes a sole dry cider packaged in glass wine-like bottles perfect for dressing up or down depending on the celebration. Available to buy online. Why We Love It: This cider’s look and taste is inspired by the maker’s wine harvesting experience.
Berkeley & Mendocino | moonlandwine.com
Unique fruity cider-wine hybrids made with a fermentation of apples, pears and grapes. Available online or at the Vinca Minor tasting room at 1335 Fourth Street in Berkeley. Why We Love It: Fruits are grown and hand-picked from historical orchards in California.
Lafayette | mountdiablocider.com
Makes sparkling cider using the traditional Champagne method and made with California heritage apple varieties. Available online for delivery or pickup. Why We Love It: Many of their unique apple varieties come from small local orchards and cannot be found in stores.
Oakland | redfieldcider.com
A casual cider-focused bar at 5815 College Avenue in Oakland featuring a wide variety of ciders and more from local California makers and producers. Why We Love It: This bar gets its name from the bold and puckery “Redfield” apple, a classic cider apple!
San Mateo, San Carlos | redwoodcoastcider.com
Sample their fresh, lightly carbonated ciders at their two taproom locations at 411 South B Street in San Mateo and 821 Cherry Lane in San Carlos. Why We Love It: Prides itself on fermenting fully dry ciders to really taste the fruit and yeast at their best.
San Francisco & Somerset | tagandjug.com
Conduit Wine Co. makes their Tag + Jug ciders and several cider wine hybrids as well as Flanders Noir, a cider-wine-beer co-ferment, on Treasure Island. Why We Love It: Ciders are sourced from sustainably farmed apples grown in the Sierra Foothills.
San Jose | theciderjunction.com
Coined as Silicon Valley’s first Cider Bistro, taste over 20 ciders on tap at the cider garden at 820 Willow Street in San Jose. Why We Love It: Enjoy sipping cider served along small plates with American and European flair.
This guide is made in addition to the published article in Edible Silicon Valley magazine, Issue 34 pg 12 "Cider Rules". View this story in our digital edition here.
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