Virginia Cider
A Guide from Colonial Days to Craft's Golden Age
Gregory J. Hansard
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Your guide to the remarkable history, and ongoing popularity, of cider in the Commonwealth
A cultural phenomenon with surprisingly deep roots, cider has been one of Virginia’s favorite beverages for more than four hundred years, representing a time-honored ingredient of the cultural heritage that the first English settlers brought with them to America. Since the seventeenth century, apple orchards have been a fixture of the farming landscape, and cider was made and consumed by almost everyone—men, women, and children of all socioeconomic orders throughout the state’s history. Recent decades have witnessed a renaissance of cider culture and cultivation, and today cider-making is a thriving craft-beverage industry, gaining ever-greater numbers of enthusiasts and connoisseurs as more and more cideries spring up every year.
An essential title for the Virginian bookshelf, and for all readers interested in American cider:
• The definitive history of making and drinking cider in Virginia
• An in-depth guide profiling the cideries throughout the state, from Bold Rock to Big Fish, with “Try This” suggestions for each location, and a comprehensive map to help plan excursions
• Brief descriptions of the varieties of apples preferred by Virginia’s cider makers
• In-depth overviews of everything from Home Cider Making to Laird & Company to Wassail
A thoughtful look at the state’s rich cider history and a romp through the many present-day cideries from Tidewater to the Blue Ridge Mountains. Hansard locates cider firmly in Virginia’s apple orchards and the varied terroir that has produced distinctive ciders for centuries. American cider’s earliest origins reside with Virginia colonizers who made—and consumed—prodigious amounts of fermented cider. Hansard illuminates the significant role of enslaved men and women in growing apples and crafting some of the country’s most storied cider. Those interested in exploring contemporary cideries will find a valuable tool in Hansard’s detailed guide to Virginia’s cideries. The “Try This” section with tasting notes on major cider styles makes this book an essential purchase for any cider enthusiast.- Diane Flynt, author of Wild, Tamed, Lost, Revived: The Surprising Story of Apples in the South and founder of Foggy Ridge Cider, Diane Flynt, Founder, Foggy Ridge Cider
As a member of the Virginia Cider industry as well as a longtime enthusiast of the beverage, I believe that Mr. Hansard's book - tracing the history of cider from the seventeenth century all the way to today - is an incredibly important story to tell. From true artisan and heritage styles to more modern approaches underpinned by the latest technology, all cider makers still pay homage to the earliest crafters of cider in the new world. Hansard’s book provides valuable historical context to the modern cider boom, giving readers a broad understanding of where the industry has been and where it is heading.- Lindsay Dorrier III, former Senior Brand Manager, Bold Rock Hard Cider
Hansard slices through the history and the craft. [His book] explores cider’s background in Virginia and dives into contemporary commonwealth cideries. . . Whether to look at Virginia history from a new perspective or make the most of exploring commonwealth cideries, Virginia Cider shows the way.- BOOMER
Gregory J. Hansard teaches history and museum studies at Brightpoint Community College.
