Fall is around the corner and temperatures will soon be as crisp as cool apple cider.
Credit: Meritt Thomas / Unsplash
If this has you craving those apple flavours, you can satisfy them with a stop at Alberta’s local cider companies. Each offers something a little different in terms of food or drink services, but all offer a craft take on this classic fall drink. The hard cider on this list isn’t just made with Alberta apples, either; you will find varieties with other local produce like haskaps, saskatoons, beets, and more.
Be sure to see if any of these cider companies are nearby for fall, too, as some accept fruit donations! Some of us have no idea what to do with all the apples or fruit in our yards, but these Alberta cider companies do! And later, you can come back to taste the batch of cider your fruit helped create.
SunnyCider
The spacious tap and tasting room at Calgary’s SunnyCider live up to their bright name and create an inviting place for fall cider-tasting. The bright seating area can be your next hangout spot in Calgary, or somewhere to stop on your next visit with flavours you won’t want to miss. Their drink menu and ciders offer a crisp selection of fruits like apples, saskatoons, sour cherry, haskap, and black currant. You can also help with the cider-making through the brewer’s annual apple/fruit donation drive.
Where: #1 – 3300 14th Ave. NE, Calgary
Uncommon Cider
There isn’t anything unusual about this cider; it is just really good! The small-batch Uncommon Cider is made with local fruits, mainly apples, to create flavours like the original Dry Craft, haskap apple, tropical cider, and the Community Cider. The community batches are created from Uncommon’s annual fruit and apple drive! Visit the taproom to taste one or all!
Where: 3921 Manchester Road Southeast, Calgary
Core Values Cider
Stop by Core Values on your next Rocky Mountain vacation! The store is open for off-sales only, but you can also find Core Values Cider at Alberta restaurants, and in liquor stores. The small batch equals a small menu, but plenty of big apple flavour. This includes Marty McDry, Positive Currant, Return of the Mac, and the Sour of Love.
Where: 1402 Railway Ave, Canmore
Journey North Cider Company
Journey north, south, east, west, or whichever direction you need to stop by Bonnyville’s Journey North Cider Company. During your visit, you can taste all the fruity (cranberry, blackberry, blueberry rose, and more) variations of cider while enjoying a full meal. They offer restaurant service all day including seasonal food or drink features, and a kids’ menu. And on top of the tasty house cider on tap, you can also choose from a selection of local craft beers.
Where: 60518 AB-28, Bonnyville
Broken Spoke Cider Co
Spend one of your weekend evenings in Edmonton this Fall enjoying the taste of local! The Broken Spoke Cider Co. invites you to their tasting room to try their array of cider flavours. If you can’t stay, it’s all available for off-sale, too! It is a simple menu bursting with crisp flavours from ginger, rose water, or lime- on top of the apples.
Taproom open for tastings and bar service with local beers
Where: 11625 163 Street NW, Edmonton
True North Cider
A true taste of fall can be found on the southeast end of Camrose with True North Cider. Their taproom is open every Friday and Saturday for cider-tasting and is in a location near other things you could see on your visit: the Railway Museum & Park, Battle River Brewery, or Jubilee Park. What sort of cider can you taste or purchase for later? A range of selections with everything from tart, dry, sweet, and everything in between. True North Ciders include fruit flavours like peach mango, blueberry vanilla bean, raspberry hopped, or their original dry.
Taproom open for tastings only
Where: 3843 B 44 Ave, Camrose