Autumn is a dangerous season for me in the grocery store, particularly in the produce aisle. Pumpkin, butternut squash, Honeycrisp apples, I want it all! What most often catches my attention, though, is the fresh cider. A gallon of apple cider comes home with me and it’s guaranteed to be gone by the next day.
The season of apples galore, fall is the perfect time to indulge in delicious ciders, whether they’re alcoholic (bonus, they’re gluten-free!) or of the kid-friendly variety. Here are a few local Boulder County spots where you can indulge in ciders this fall season.
St. Vrain Cidery
Local Longmont haunt St. Vrain Cidery boasts a hugely varied selection of hard ciders at their tap room. With flavors ranging from Sour Cherry to Strawberry Basil, Ginger, and Spiced Chai, as well as classics like Dry Apple and Honeycrisp, St. Vrain Cidery is a wonderful spot to hang out at, play a few games, grab some eats from one of the popular food trucks often on location, and sample some of Colorado’s best ciders.
Wild Cider
Opening their Boulder tasting room earlier this year, Wild Cider has been operating out of Firestone since 2014. Double up on your autumn cravings of apple and pumpkin with their Pumpkin cider or go for other varieties like Agave Peach, Spiced Apple, Bee Hoppy, or even Pineapple. Hit up their Boulder taproom, make the trek to their Cider Garden in Firestone, or be on the lookout at your local liquor store to whet your whistle with these delicious hard ciders.
On the Farm
Be on the lookout for fresh apple ciders at Boulder County’s many farm stands in the coming months. Stop by Isabelle Farm in Lafayette for fresh-pressed organic apple cider, or head to Ya Ya Farm & Orchard in Longmont (open from 10 AM – 3 PM Tuesday through Friday and from 9 AM – 3 PM Saturday and Sunday), which sells fresh apple cider at their farm stand. Ya Ya is also hosting a Hard Cider Workshop on October 28th.
Just Beyond Boulder County
Take a field trip just beyond Boulder County for even more delicious cider options, like The Old Mine Cidery & Brewpub in Erie, for mouthwatering varieties of hard ciders (including their Apple Pie Hard Cider or Salted Chocolate Handlebar Cider), guest craft brews, and cider and beer fusions.
Also be on the lookout for Denver’s renowned Stem Ciders (often credited as pioneers in Colorado’s cidery scene) opening up a new facility and taproom currently under construction in Lafayette!