Central New York’s Fall season is well underway, and with it, “Cider Week New York” where you’re bound to find something delicious from apple growers. The popularity of alcoholic cider beverages - the industry likes to call cideries exploded by a whopping 2400% within the past ten years. New York Cider Association president Scott Ramsey says “Cider Week” originally began in the Finger Lakes.
“Cider week has grown from a regional event to a statewide event because there are so many interesting cideries across the state," Ramsey said. With the fall season upon us, "go get out, go visit your local orchards, go visit your local cider tasting rooms. And that's really what ‘Cider Week’ ultimately is all about.”
If you're planning a trip to the many cideries, the association has released a new Cider Trail app, just in time for your fall travels.
“And it will list all of our cidery members across the state," Ramsey said. The interactive map app will allow you to, "Go onto the app and build your own trail and build your own experience. And we're going to be rolling out more, you know, gamification opportunities with it and some geolocation fun opportunities with it.”
Ramsey said he’s proud of Beak and Skiff making USA TODAY’s Best Apple Orchard list for the fourth time in six years.
“You don't have to look any farther than that to understand sort of where we sit in the industry. And you know how we are seen as leaders in this space. We're making some of the best siders in the country.”
Around 2011, there were only about 11 cideries in the state and now there’s more than 125. At least 5 million gallons of cider are produced every year in New York - the biggest producer in the United States. Its economic impact is approximately 1.7 billion dollars annually. Cider Week runs through October 13th.
