Cider, Its Roots, and The Portland Cider Co. Method

Long ago England helped make cider the famous drink that it is today. The English cider-making method was developed and popularized in Somerset over 1,000 years ago. While Portland Cider Company does not fully replicate this method, our own practices draw on those English traditions. 

How does it work?

It all starts with the apples. Local farmers pick apples to be pressed into fresh apple juice and delivered to our cidery. In our case, we use 100% Northwest apples, predominantly from orchards in the Yakima Valley. Our cider is a mix of Northwest apple varieties: Gala, Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, Jonagold, Golden Delicious, and on occasion, Pink Ladies. 

Once at the cidery, the juice is put into fermentation tanks, and yeast is added. Portland Cider Co. uses a white wine yeast to get a perfect fermentation, every time. 

After fermenting, the result is a bone-dry cider, with the yeast has consumed all fermentable sugars. To make our different ciders, we take this base and mix it with different fruits, or more Northwest apple juice to get each flavor profile. 

The final step is filtration and packaging. We package into cans, kegs, and bottles to be served in our home, the Portland area, and beyond. 

What makes Portland Cider Co. unique?

Our high-quality cider is consistent from batch to batch, each made with the same attention to detail, quality, and consistency. Our ciders do not include artificial flavorings or colorings, no added sugar, no water added. What you see is exactly what you get, thanks to our roots. 

Some things get better with age, and that is exactly why we still use this cider making method today. This method has allowed us to craft artisan ciders in a variety of flavors and subsequently helped us win over 100 awards from some of the most prestigious wine and cider competitions in the USA. 

Portland Cider Company is committed to making the best cider in the Pacific Northwest - it’s in our roots! Portland Cider Co. was started in 2013 with the mission of bringing together cider rooted in the English tradition with a little Portland personality and culture. Combine those things and you’ve got the Portland Cider Company.