1. Welcome to Our Next Chapter
We just hit our 6-year mark in June. Six years. That milestone sort of sucker-punched me with a wave of gratitude and exhaustion and, well, reflection. A lot of you have asked how we started, what we believe in, and where we’re going. This blog is my answer.
2. Where We Came From (In Case You Forgot)
Let’s rewind. The vision was simple: cider that tasted like apples, not syrup. I didn’t want another sugary, artificially colored thing on a shelf. I wanted something I could actually drink and feel good about. We stuck to that from day one: no concentrates, no colors, no added sugar. Real fermentation, real apples, real people.
3. The Sugar-Free Mission
Look, I’m not anti-sugar. I’m anti-BS. Most big ciders add 15g+ of sugar to every can. We ferment ours completely dry, with nothing added after. The result? Crisp, clean, and deeply real. If you’re celiac, diabetic, health-conscious, or just tired of the syrupy stuff — welcome home.
4. What We’re Brewing for 2025
🍏 Comeback Kid
Still the O.G. Still just apples. But man, this year’s blend hit different. We used seven Virginia apples, gave them time to express themselves, and wound up with the kind of cider that got me into this in the first place. Won us the Virginia Governor’s Cup, too. Wild to think it started in my kitchen.
☕ Chai-der
Imagine your favorite chai latte made out of apples and ambition. This one surprised even me. No sugar, but all the cozy spice you want: cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, and a little black tea. It’s like fall in a can without the guilt. Lisa’s working on the can and my amazing makers are dialing in the cider ingredients now. It releases in September for the first time.
🍋 Tee Time
This one shocked me. It’s lemon, black tea, and apples. Simple, but so layered. It’s our nod to the Arnold Palmer — bright, crisp, lower ABV, and wildly drinkable. And Lisa Marie’s design work on the can? Absolute fire. It’s become my summer go-to. Funny how trying something new can wake up your whole palate.
5. Behind the Scenes: Giving a Damn
We’re not a big company, but we try to act like a good one. We collaborate with local chefs, artists, and nonprofits like ALIVE! and No Kid Hungry. We’ve donated more than we could afford at times. I get 5–10 donation asks a week. It’s hard to say no. But we give when we can. That matters to me.
6. Distribution: A Love-Hate Story
Here’s the deal: distro is hard. It’s expensive, unpredictable, and thankless without a big team behind it. But I’m committed. We’re already in Whole Foods, Wegmans, Giant, and 100+ local spots. In 2025/26, we want more: deeper Virginia/DC coverage, maybe the Carolinas, and improved online shipping (we’re already live in 40+ states). Every can that hits a shelf gets us closer.
7. Events: The Real Magic
Our tasting room is more than a bar. It’s where community happens. Where music, food, and cider come together. That’s why we’ve doubled down:
- Trivia every Thursday
- Line dancing twice a month
- Live music Fridays
- Monthly vendor and food truck pop-ups
- Pumpkinhead release party coming soon
- Maybe cider yoga sunday’s? We’ll see.
8. Our Team
Mike and Morgan make the cider. Caitlyn runs the bar with our awesome team. And then there’s me, trying to keep the wheels turning. We’re small, scrappy, and proud. Every can, every event, every late night — it’s us doing it.
9. Staying Transparent
- Gluten-free
- Vegan
- Naturally fermented
- Sugar-free
10. Future Stuff I’m Excited About
- A non-alcoholic line
- A revamped Cellar Series
- A real loyalty program
- Lower ABV Explorer Series
- Better shipping and smarter distro
11. FAQs (Real Questions I Get Every Week)
Q: What makes it sugar-free?
A: We ferment out every bit of sugar. No back-sweetening. Just dry.
Q: Are all your ciders dry?
A: Yes. Even the fruity ones. That’s kind of our thing.
Q: Where can I buy it?
A: Whole Foods, Wegmans, Total Wine, lots of local spots. Also online in 40+ states.
Q: Do you ship?
A: Yep. Through VinoShipper. It’s expensive, but shipping two or three 6-packs helps balance it out.
Q: Can I host a private event?
A: Yes. Please do. Events are a huge part of how we survive. Hit us up.
Q: How do I stay updated?
A: Weekly updates go out on Facebook & Instagram. Plus we update our Events page and Facebook Events regularly.
12. Closing Thoughts
If you made it this far, thanks. I know this was long, but I wanted to write something real. Something from the gut.
Thanks for showing up. Thanks for believing in dry cider. And thanks for supporting this weird little thing we built.
Let’s raise a glass to what’s next.
– Tristan