How ‘Bout Them Apples?


Move aside, chardonnay and IPA; it’s time to talk about summer ciders. Some varieties are more summer-friendly than others, so we’ve put together a list of our favorite Virginia-made varieties perfect for sippin’ during these dog days of August. And remember, an apple a day keeps the doctor away.

Brut d’Albemarle
Albemarle CiderWorks, North Garden
This champenoise-style dry cider is crafted with Albemarle Pippin apples and is available by the bottle exclusively in the tasting room. AlbemarleCiderworks.com

Double Simcoe
Potter’s Craft Cider, Free Union
The first double-hopped option to come from Potter’s, this dry cider has notes of elderflower and pineapple and it’s available by the bottle. PottersCraftCider.com

Ginger Peach, Wild Blackberry Hop, Smackin’ Orange 
Cobbler Mountain Cellars, Delaplane
It’s like a fruit salad of cider—all three varieties are available by the six-pack in 12-ounce bottles. Facebook.com/Cobbler-Mountain-Cellars 

Ophelia  
Wild Hare Hard Cider, Bluemont
Crafted with heirloom apples, the grapefruit peel and Citra hops make it tangy, citrusy and perfect for a hot day. WildHareCider.com

Orchard Potluck: York 
Blue Bee Cider, Richmond  
The last bottle of this installment of the rotating Orchard Potluck single-varietal series has been sold, but you can still sample the tart, unfiltered cider in the taproom. BlueBeeCider.com

Peach Cider  
Bold Rock Hard Cider, Nellysford  
Is there anything better than biting into a juicy ripe peach? How about sipping on an ice-cold cider crafted with peaches? Available in the tasting room and in grocery stores around the state. BoldRock.com

PommeGranny
Blue Toad Hard Cider, Roseland
Made with local Granny Smith apples and pomegranates from Arizona, the latest Blue Toad variety is currently available in the tasting room. BlueToadHardCider.com

Summer Shandy 
Mt. Defiance Cidery & Distillery, Middleburg
Is it cider? Is it lemonade? It’s both, and it’s available on tap in the tasting room all summer. MtDefiance.com

Virginia Strawberry
Old Hill Cider, Timberville
There’s nothing quite like summertime berries, and this dry cider crafted with Old Hill’s first crop of hydroponically-grown strawberries is available by the bottle in stores. OldHillCider.com

Watermelon-Rosemary Randall’d Cider 
Buskey Cider, Richmond   
Served in a pint glass shaped like a beer can, this sweet, herby cider is only available in the tasting room. BuskeyCider.com
Laura Ingles
Laura Ingles is a past contributor to Virginia Living.