Cidery News: WA: Seattle: Three Seattle Cider Company Harvest Series ciders return, plus intro. City Fruit Cider

Press Release

SEATTLE (April 20, 2016) – Seattle Cider Company is excited to announce the upcoming release of its popular Harvest Series, handcrafted at the cidery each fall and featuring the distinct flavors of Washington-grown fruit. Marking the third year for the award-winning series, the Washington Heirloom, Gravenstein Rosé and Perry make their return, with the addition of a fourth cider: City Fruit. Created in collaboration with local non-profit City Fruit – dedicated to feeding thousands of local families through stewarding, harvesting, and donating fruit from Seattle's urban canopy – this delightfully tart and tannic cider was created using Seattle-grown apples unable to be used by local food banks, with half of the proceeds going directly to City Fruit to support their annual harvest. 

“Each year, after bring aged for six months, our Harvest Series exceeds our expectations, but this year is special thanks to our City Fruit partnership,” said Brent Miles, head cidermaker at Seattle Cider Company. “The chance to connect with and give back to our community brings it all together. More than 40 apple varieties – many of which we’re unsure of – from backyard orchards from across Seattle went into making this cider. It’s pretty amazing to think about.”

“In 2014, 32 percent of Seattle’s urban fruit crop ended up being composted. Thanks to our new partnership with Seattle Cider, that number was down to just 8 percent in 2015. We’re thrilled to have found a way to put even more of Seattle’s urban canopy to great use,” added City Fruit Executive Director Catherine Morrison. 

Available in select markets in limited quantities, both in 22-ounce bottles and on draft, the 2015 Harvest Series lineup includes:

City Fruit (6.3% ABV, 1 Brix): Available in Seattle only. This delicious cider is made in collaboration with City Fruit, a local non-profit dedicated to feeding thousands of local families through stewarding, harvesting, and donating fruit from Seattle's urban canopy. This dry, tannic cider was made with apples unable to be used by local food banks. Half of the proceeds will go directly to City Fruit to support their annual harvest!
Cases produced: 140; $14

Heirloom (6.9% ABV, 1 Brix): The 2015 harvest brought us aromatic Winesaps, tart Newtown Pippins, and sharp Jonathans, which we fermented into the flagship cider of our Harvest Series – bright, acidic, and bursting with citrus notes. Cases produced: 1,600; $14

Gravenstein Rosé (6.9% ABV, 1.3 Brix): Highly acidic Gravensteins combine with Pink Pearls aged on Merlot skins and an assortment of heirloom varieties aged in red wine barrels for our take on a tart, off-dry "Rosé.” Cases produced: 600; $14

Perry (6.9% ABV, 2.8 Brix): Fermented with 100 percent Washington pears – Seckel, Forelle, Starkcrimson, and an assortment of Perry Pears – this year's vintage is soft, semi-sweet, and full of big fruity esters. Cases produced: 600; $14

Join the cidermaker and Seattle Cider Company team on Saturday, May 7 at The Woods tasting room (4660 Ohio Ave S) for the official release party of the Harvest Series. Happening from 1-7pm, cider enthusiasts can enjoy tasters, pints and more while picking up their Harvest Series bottles, with brief remarks from the cidermaker, City Fruit, and local elected officials at 2pm. Also available on tap, enjoy 10-ounce pours of Heirloom, Gravenstein Rosé, Perry and City Fruit for $8, or taste all four with our Harvest Series Cider Flight, including four taster pours for $14. Additional specialty ciders – including a the 2014 Harvest Series, Bourbon Cyser, Brandy Cyser and Red Wine Barrel Aged Berry – and beer from Two Beers Brewing will also be on tap throughout the day.

The launch of Seattle Cider Company’s Harvest Series will also act as a kickoff event for City Fruit’s Save Seattle’s Apples! campaign, including pickup for fruit pest barriers. City Fruit staff will be onsite to explain how the bags work, as well as give expert tips on how to protect and harvest fruit growing in your yard. The goal of the campaign is to build awareness about Seattle’s urban canopy, the proper care and management of apples trees, and provide opportunities for the public to protect apples. For more information, visit cityfruit.org.  For more information about Seattle Cider Company, visit seattlecidercompany.com, or follow Seattle Cider Company on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram (@seattleciderco). 

Media interviews, samples and photos available upon request. Please contact Caitlin Braam at caitlin@seattlecidercompany.com. 

About Seattle Cider Company

Not your standard cider. Seattle Cider Company is city’s first cidery since Prohibition, bringing true craft cider back to Seattle and across the country. Bridging the gap between wine and beer with flavorful, small-batch cider, Seattle Cider Company’s year round and seasonal offerings break the mold of overly sweet cider, bringing the natural flavors of Washington apples to the forefront. Naturally gluten free and made from a custom blend of fresh pressed, locally grown apples, Seattle Cider Company’s products are handcrafted with all natural ingredients and never from concentrate. Seattle Cider products are currently available throughout Washington, Oregon, Alaska, Idaho, Illinois, Austin, Wisconsin, California, Minnesota, Nevada and soon, Missouri and Colorado. Visit our tasting room, The Woods, open weekly Tuesday - Sunday at 4660 Ohio Ave. S. in Seattle. For more information, visit seattlecidercompany.com, or follow Seattle Cider Company on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.