Tart or sweet, dry or fruity, floral or earthy. Hard ciders are making a comeback in a big way – and the Catskill Region is home to an incredible range of cideries offering unique tasting experiences. Create your own cider-tasting adventure that spans several hundred miles, and hundreds of years of American history.
Begin in Ulster County, home to the highest concentration of cideries in the Catskills. Fresh-pressed or hard, ciders made in this section of the Catskills offer delicious flavors and stunning orchard tasting rooms. Then head to Delaware County, where the Great Western Catskills begin to peak and the cider does too. Wrap up your cider-tasting journey in the Sullivan Catskills where ciders made in the old European tradition await.
Top 10 Catskills Cideries
Bad Seed Cider Company & Farm Bar
Located in Highland, Bad Seed offers the largest cider taproom in the state, with 22 taps filled with their signature ciders. Sample dry, hopped ciders like their India Pale Cider, and ciders aged in bourbon barrels. From Honey Mint to Spiced Rum, Bad Seed’s ciders are game-changing. Visit their kid and dog-friendly tasting room and sample unique flavors.Brooklyn Cider House
This cider house at Twin Star Orchards in New Paltz is a must-stop for handcrafted ciders and wood-fired pizza. The apple orchard spans 50 acres, and cider-makers plan to craft rare ciders from heirloom apples. Try the Raw cider inspired by Basque Country cider-making traditions, or their Still Bone Dry cider, which has zero carbonation and zero sugar.Hudson Valley Farmhouse Cider
At Stone Ridge Orchard in Stone Ridge, enjoy artisanal ciders at the farm bar. Grab a pint of God Speed the Plough, an unfiltered cider with soft tannins, and wood-fired pizza or a Panini from the bar and enjoy the flavors of the Hudson Valley.Kettleborough Cider House
Kettleborough Cider House in New Paltz specializes in ciders made from nearly extinct apple varieties. Their award-winning “Honey Honey” cider is semi-dry with touches of sweetness courtesy of honey crisp apple juice and honey. Try their Huguenot Cider made with 20 varieties of apples, including Chisel Jersey and Ellis Bitter.Weed Orchards & Winery
This Marlboro-based cidery is a destination experience, offering live music, pick-your-own apples and pumpkins, as well as seasonal yoga sessions. The tasting room at Weed Orchards & Winery features their HomeGrown Hard Ciders and wines, as well as a menu of farm-to-table treats. Sample ciders infused with peach, blueberry, and raspberry, and pair your favorite with a pizza or salad from the café.Westwind Orchard
Located in Accord, Westwind Orchard makes some of the most distinctive ciders in the U.S. Produced using traditional cider making methods, Westwind’s ciders are unique and their orchards perfect for a day of exploring. Try the Kingston Black, a “magical, golden elixir,” or grab a pint of Russety Russet, made with the North American varietal, the Golden Russet. The Tasting Room offers a rustic Italian menu of pasta, pizza, and dessert.Awestruck Ciders
Visit Sidney’s ambitious cider house, Awestruck Ciders, which aims to do nothing less than craft “transcendent, awe-inspiring” ciders. In a word, ciders that leave you awestruck. Visit the Taproom to grab a bite to eat and to sample a wide variety of handcrafted ciders, from Lavender Hops, which is made with culinary lavender and several hop varieties, to Carmel Apple, a sweet cider reminiscent of your favorite fall treat! Try a Cider Slushie or one of their beers.Wayside Cider
This Andes small-batch craft cidery offers ciders made with a blend of wild, heirloom, and dessert apples. Visit the whimsical and welcoming Tap Room at Wayside Cider to sample Half Wild, a slightly spicy cider made with locally harvested wild apples, and to feast on delicious comfort food.Aaron Burr Cidery LLC
Located in Wurtsboro, cider makers at Aaron Burr use locally grown and foraged apples to create “true cider,” a beverage that is as beloved and celebrated as wine. Their Homestead Locational Ciders are available at farmers’ markets and retail stores in eight states or online. Visit during special Farm Tour Days to sample at the source!Shrewd Fox Brewery
Visit this brewery and cidery in Eldred to sample their dry-hopped ale ciders. The Tap Room at Shrewd Fox Brewery offers both hard ciders and handcrafted microbrews. Discover these and other cideries in the Catskills, where tasty traditions are taking root.
