It’s no secret that hard cider is hot in the Hudson Valley. What is more of a secret, however, is figuring out where to buy it. As is often the case, local cideries in the region only sell on their premises or in one or two small shops in the neighborhood. When it comes to tracking down a limited edition release or an indie brand, the effort can often feel like more trouble than the fruity brews are worth.
That’s about to change, however. Thanks to Cider in Love, anyone can experience New York ciders at their finest. The website, which launched in June 2018, champions and sells hard-to-find, craft ciders from talented producers across the nation. Currently, the site features ciders from 10 cideries, which are located everywhere from New York to California. As one might expect, the Hudson Valley has a presence. As of press time, beverages from Orchard Hill Cider Mill in New Hampton and Slyboro Ciderhouse in Granville are available for purchase online. If the site’s concept is any indication, however, it’s only a matter of time before ciders from other local makers pop up online as well.
Cider in Love is the brainchild of Annie Bystryn, a former beauty industry marketing executive at BECCA Cosmetics. Before launching the platform, Bystryn spent nearly two years researching ciders, visiting markets, and connecting with artisanal producers. The result is a beverage program that is just as much about the makers as it is about the ciders themselves.
“Our goal at Cider in Love is to make artisanal, heritage ciders more accessible and share with folks new to cider all the incredible ways to sip and savor,” Bystryn declares.
In June, Cider in Love was a core sponsor of Hudson Valley Cider Week, which aims to connect cider makers with buyers from top restaurants and businesses throughout the state.
“The Cider in Love platform is an elegant tool for educating consumers about ciders that are farm-based, sustainable, and delicious, in the face of an increasingly crowded and often confusing marketplace,” says Jenn Smith, executive director of the New York Cider Association. Bystryn and her brand work closely with the association and with other local non-profits, including Glynwood in Cold Spring, to promote the efforts of the region’s producers.
To explore the ciders and learn more about Cider in Love, visit www.ciderinlove.com.
