FRIDAY FIVE
Some say ’tis the season of pumpkin-spiced lattes, but we say ’tis the season of local hard cider. Crafted with apples, a cider is the latte of the alcohol-beverage world—it’s not quite beer, not quite wine, and definitely not a cocktail. It’s sweet, but not too sweet to the point where you feel like you’re going to lose a tooth after just one sip. And for those with gluten sensitivities, it’s one of the most beloved drink options out there.
Cooler temperatures and darker nights clearly call for a moment to celebrate the greatness of cider. And lucky for us in the Bay Area, we have plenty of delicious local options to keep us happy year-round. Here are our favorites.
1. Far West Cider Co.
Inside the Riggers Loft Wine Company in Richmond is a little slice of cider heaven. This local cider house comes with great views of the bay, if you’re up for a trek (bonus: they are kid and dog friendly). If you can’t venture to Richmond, Far West Cider can be found at breweries and at different bars throughout the Bay Area. The cider house uses apples grown on Chinchiolo Family Farms in Stockton, which give the cider a distinctive flavor. Try the Orchard Blend No. 1, fermented with champagne and aged to perfection. The cider is so good, it could be easily drunk for breakfast.
1325 Canal Boulevard (Richmond, CA) | farwestcider.com
2. Golden State Cider
A product from Devoto Orchards, this cider comes from a place that wants to celebrate apple diversity all across the state. Jolie Devoto and her husband Hunter started the company and revolutionized the industry by putting cider into cans (instead of the traditional bottles). “Hunter and I had wanted to put cider in cans for years,” Jolie told KQED. “We were able to produce a business model where that worked. [And] cans are very portable. We are big hikers and surfers, so the package made sense.” Golden State Cider is made of 100% cold-pressed apples from the West Coast. It can be found in various bars and in Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s. This is a classic Bay Area cider that can be drunk at both the beach and a late-night dive bar.
180 Morris Street (Sebastopol) | drinkgoldenstate.com
3. Tag + Jug Cider Co.
Would you rather be part of a wine club or a cider club? For many, it’s the latter, and Tag + Jug Cider Co. has a pretty sweet cider club, which will guarantee that you receive every cider they make each year. Tag + Jug Cider Co. focuses on the intersection of cider and wine, which makes sense when you consider its proximity to wine country. For example, there’s the Brut Cider, which is fermented and aged for three months in neutral French oak barrels. If you like a fancier cider, choose this option. The company doesn’t have a taproom, but their cider can be found at various small grocery stores and bars throughout the Bay Area (vendors can be found here).
Tag + Jug Cider Co. | tagandjug.com
4. Red Branch Cider & Brewing Company
Silicon Valley used to be covered in orchards, and although the area is now best known for tech, it still remembers how to do cider. Located in Sunnyvale, Red Branch Cider & Brewing Company offers traditional and seasonal ciders “with an innovative honey twist,” according to its website. All of Red Branch’s ciders are made with apple juice and honey (sourced from the Pacific Northwest), which are fermented together. It has a lovely taproom where you can try all the ciders, with a guarantee that they are all made with 100% real ingredients.
1246 Birchwood Drive (Sunnyvale) | redbranchcider.com
5. Upcider
This isn’t a cider brewing company, but it’s definitely the next best thing. Located on Polk Street, Upcider is a lovely cider house in San Francisco where you can indulge in local ciders and ones from across the West Coast. Adding to that autumnal vibe, Upcider also offers a cozy and woodsy atmosphere for cider fans to enjoy their drinks.
1160 Polk Street, 2nd Floor (San Francisco) | www.upcidersf.com
