Rooted in Our Team: Deron Davenport
Our team members are so much more than just employees, they’re like family. We’re a group of hard workers, but when push comes to shove, we enjoy our time together more than anything else and will never say no to a good time over a few Proper Pints.
This is especially true for our Head Cider Maker (AKA Cider Shaman), Deron Davenport. A Portlander since the age of 1, Deron began his journey into the cider world in 2011 by experimenting with beer and cider-making in his own home. His first experience with craft cider was at Bushwhacker Cider, the “first cider pub” in Portland. There he was able to try ciders from all over the world and started to experiment with making them at home.
Shortly after, he met Jeff & Lynda at the first Portland Cider Co. taproom located in Oregon City. A cozy tasting room with just 6 taps, fronting our first cidery that was less than 1,000 square feet. There, Deron would bring ciders in and taste test them with Portland Cider Co.’s owners, Jeff & Lynda Parrish.
Jeff and Deron became close friends, so when Portland Cider Co. got off the ground as its own cidery, naturally Deron came aboard for the ride.
Deron starts his day at the crack-of-dawn with copious amounts of coffee before transitioning to cider. As the head of Portland Cider Co.’s research and development, there is always something different in store for the day, ranging from developing one-off ciders for the taproom exclusives to monitoring the fermentation processes.
His favorite taproom exclusive cider project that he’s worked on is the Bourbonator. Bourbonator is a bone-dry cider made with 100% Northwest apples, aged in Bourbon oak barrels from local distillery Indio Spirits. It’s served at room temperature from nitro taps to give the cider a bit more complexity.
He loves all of the taproom exclusives though, noting that these tend to be a bit more, “wild, dry, and funky.”
At the end of 2019 and the beginning of 2020, Deron took a break from Portland Cider Co. to head to Kenya. The market for alcohol in Kenya is huge, but there are no local cider makers, just big box brands. Portland Cider Co. was recommended to share the wealth of knowledge on all things cider with the project Kenyan Originals. With three weeks' notice, Deron packed his bags and headed halfway across the world. He spent six months as a consultant, helping bring craft ciders with ingredients made by locals to the market for Kenyan Originals before returning home to our Portland Cider fam.
When he’s not at work, you’ll find Deron outside on the hiking trails or biking. In fact, next week he will embark on a 100-mile ride to the coast.
We’re lucky to have had Deron on our team for the past six years and look forward to many more years of enjoying his cider creations.
Portland Cider Company is committed to making the best cider in the Pacific Northwest - it’s in our roots! Portland Cider Co. was established in 2013 with the mission of bringing together cider rooted in English tradition with a little Portland personality and culture. Combine those things and you’ve got the Portland Cider Company.