Oregon Cider Week Event Highlights from the Largest Celebration Yet

eventsoregoncider
Written By Ezra Johnson-Greenough

Oregon Cider Week Celebration Jan 13th - 21st is the largest ever with more than 100 events

This year’s Oregon Cider Week (January 13th - 21st, 2024) will be an unparalleled, nine-day long, statewide celebration, showcasing the diversity and artistry of the Pacific Northwest’s vibrant cider scene. With more than 100 unique events, Oregon Cider Week offers an immersive experience into the world of craft cider.

“The excitement for Oregon Cider Week is palpable,” says Emily Ritchie, Executive Director of the  Northwest Cider Association, the trade non-profit that organizes Oregon Cider Week in collaboration with presenters Columbia Distributing. “This year is smashing the record for number of events throughout the state. I think this shows people are thirsty to experience and discover cider in our region,” continues Ritchie. 

Now in its 11th year, Oregon Cider Week is happening amidst a buzz of excitement around the world's largest cider conference, CiderCon®, returning to Portland that same week. This will be the first time in nearly a decade it’s been held in the City of Roses. The trailblazing, women-led teams of American Cider Association (organizers of CiderCon®) and NW Cider Association, along with a dedicated volunteer planning committee, collaborated over many months to couple the two events and build the biggest celebration of cider the state has ever known.

“Registration for CiderCon® in Portland is up over recent past years as well. We’ll be welcoming more than 1,000 conference attendees to Portland in just a couple weeks,” shares Emily Ritchie. “It appears that regardless of the negative news about our beloved city, people still want to come here! This is our chance to show off the vibrant beverage scene that we all know and love.” The conference’s return to Portland draws an influx of cidermakers and craft beverage professionals from across the country and around the globe.

To help enthusiasts navigate the extravaganza of happenings, NWCA partnered with Portland Mercury to host a robust event listing and interactive map. Event goers can customize their Cider Week experience, choosing from tap takeovers, tours, trivia, education, parties, festivals, flights, food pairings, meet the maker events, take-home cider specials and more. A mix of time-based events and weeklong festivities aim to highlight the innovative flavors, techniques and stories behind the region’s exceptional ciders, captivating enthusiasts, connoisseurs and curious imbibers alike. Oregon Cider Week also offers a unique chance to taste ciders not usually available, from visiting US and international makers.

Some Key Events and Highlights Include:


  • Cider Tastings: 

Taste of the Nordics

Taste ciders 4 Norwegian and 3 Swedish cideries at Portland’s historic Norse Hall.

  • Tap Takeovers: 

    • Official Oregon Cider Week Kick Off Party: Join the big party in SE Portland with 24 dedicated cider taps. (January 15th, 3-5pm). The tap takeover extends throughout the week at both SE and Beaverton Loyal Legion Beer Hall locations. To close out the week, Loyal Legion Beaverton is hosting a Wrap Up Party. (January 21st, 1-3pm)

    • Birdie Time Pub Tap Takeover: Seattle Cider, 2 Towns Ciderhouse and Schilling Cider co-host a tap takeover at Portland’s favorite indoor mini golf and games spot. (January 16th, 7-9pm) 

  • Meet the Maker: 

    • Bauman’s, Seattle, RAW, Stray and Yonder Cider: Get up close and meet the makers from these top cideries at Pizza Thief & Bandit Bar. (January 15th, 5-9pm)

    • Schilling, 2 Towns and Seattle Cider: Stock up on cider to take home from John’s Marketplace on SE Powell, while attending a Cidermaker’s Chat. (January 18th 6-8pm) 

  • Education: 

    • Cider Crafting Workshop: Immerse yourself in the art and science of cider-making through informative talks, workshops and hands on sessions like this one, led by 2 Town’s Dave Takush, hosted in Corvallis. (January 14th, 2:30-4:30pm)

    • Beer and Cider Event: Meet Beth Demmon, author of “The Beer Lover’s Guide to Cider'' at Living Häus Beer Co and pick up a signed copy of the book. (January 19th, 5-8pm)

  • Pairings & Dinners: 

    • Little Beast Takeover & BBQ Collab: Little Beast Brewing will hand over 4 taps to  ciders from Son of Man, Stray Cider and Bauman’s, and dial it up with live music from 6-8pm. Enjoy a Lawless BBQ & Bauman’s special collab menu from 2-8pm all week as well. (January 18th, 2-8pm)

    • Cider Pairing at 19 Acres: Explore the culinary delights of a cider paired dinner at 19 Acres tasting room in Sherwood. (January 15th, 7pm)  

    • Bauman’s Pairing Dinner: Join Chef Neil Davidson and Cidermaker Christine Walter for a cider feast at Bauman’s new Portland location 930 SE Oak St for a menu inspired by the dishes of Normandy. (January 16th, 7-9pm)

    • 2 Towns Pairing Dinner: Metropolitan Tavern Executive Chef Joey Hart and 2 Towns Ciderhouse host a 6-course culinary journey, artfully pairing cider with small plates. (January 18th, 6:30pm)


  • Festivals & Community Parties: 

    • OMSI After Dark Ciderfest: A cider-themed festival featuring live music, demonstrations, food and tastings with numerous Oregon cideries. (January 17th, 7-11pm)

    • Spirit of 77 “After Party”: Conference goers and cider fans alike can enjoy a close-in After Party when CiderCon®C sessions wrap up. (January 19th 5-9pm) 

    • Wassail Cider Fest: A traditional early-English style celebration at McMenamins Cornelius Pass Roadhouse. (January 20th, 3-8pm)
      Inspired by the ancient custom called Wassailing, meaning "be in good health," which is based on the belief that drinking cider while enjoying live music with good company can help awaken cider trees. To ensure a bountiful harvest this year, McMenamins is hosting their 7th Annual Wassail Cider Fest for everyone 21 and over to indulge in the liveliness of Wassailing. There will be 17 varieties of ciders from Oregon, Washington (and France!), two bands, and a costume contest for all who dress in bright colors with medieval flair. More info, including a list of participating cideries here.

The opportunity to host a one-off Oregon Cider Week - typically celebrated in June - in conjunction with CiderCon® was too essential to pass up.

NW Cider Association’s Director Ritchie shares. “We have confirmed through new market research that PNW consumers are incredibly curious about cider. They want to learn, taste and ultimately buy more. Oregon Cider Week brings together cider curious, enthusiasts and makers to celebrate the art of cidermaking in our region, so it’s a perfect fit for this pivotal moment in cider.”

Dates: January 13 - January 21, 2024

Location: Across Oregon

Website: www.oregonciderweek.com or www.portlandmercury.com/oregonciderweek.com 

Social Media:  IG at @orciderweek I Facebook @oregonciderweek

#OregonCiderWeek #CraftCider #CiderFest #ORCider



About Northwest Cider Association 

Founded in 2010, Northwest Cider Association (NWCA) is a 14 year old non-profit nearly 100 cideries strong, representing makers in Oregon, Washington, Montana, Idaho and British Columbia. NWCA’s mission is to nurture the community, economy, and ecosystem of a thriving cider culture for members and consumers by supporting businesses, inspiring quality, and telling the story of Pacific Northwest cider. For more information, visit nwcider.com and follow @nwcider on social media. 

Ezra Johnson-Greenough
Previous

SteepleJack Brewing launches new Harder Day Series in 19.2oz cans
Next

Von Ebert Brewing will move into Ecliptic Brewing mothership location on N. Mississippi