The Cider Crate

01/06/2026

Proud to announce we will be back in Calgary this August to yet again be judges for the cider program at with 🍎

Entering its second year of cider programming, I am excited to be judging amazing ciders from coast to coast, as we all know Canadian cider is a premier product, always!

Judging last September was an amazing experience, where I also passed my tasting exam and was certified as a Cider Judge with the program. I evaluated over 70 unique ciders, along with Best in Show for adjunct categories.

If you’re a cider maker who is looking to enter the competition, you have until June 30th to submit your intent.

Excited to be judging with my cider team from last year again… Barry and who is also running a Certified Pommelier Sensory Training workshop on Sunday, August 30th before the festivities begin!

Can’t wait to dive further into the excellent world of Canadian Cider again in Calgary 🎉


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02/05/2026

The fermented apple drink evolution lineup 🤩

We are headed to Normandy and Paris in 2 weeks! Doing a bit of prep with a cider from near Bayeux , a Pommeau from the notorious and the legendary Calvados (all of these are/have been available at the LCBO)

We start and end in Caen, driving to cideries along the Cidre Route 🍎 and staying over in Honfleur, Bayeux and Mont St Michel area. The final day is a few stops on the Poire/Perry route 🍐

We then head to Paris for 5 days 🇫🇷 and we actually start the trip in Amsterdam for 5 days 🇳🇱

We’ve already got some good tips and recommendations from industry experts, but always open to suggestions!

Can’t wait ❤️

alcohol TOCider cidre sidra ONCider CanadianCider GoodThingsGrowInOntario glutenfree glutenfreeontario applecider hardcider craftcider applewine wine drinks happyhour booze pickcider drinklocal ciderlover cidery cidergram ciderculture cidertime

24/03/2026

New cider profile: Domaine Lafrance - Darragon de Brandy de Pomme

Cider Profile: Name: Domaine Lafrance - Darragon de Brandy de Pomme Sampled October 2024 Brand: Domaine Lafrance Type: Apple - Barrel-aged Location of Production: Saint-Joseph-Du-Lac ABV: 8% Website Link: domainelafrance.com Ingredients: N/A, Sulphites Gluten Free: Yes Sugar Content: N/A Size(s) ava...

23/03/2026

New perry profile: Ardiel Cider House - Pear Dry Cider

Cider Profile: Name: Ardiel - Pear Dry Cider Sampled March 2026 Brand: Ardiel Cider House / Georgian Hills Vineyards Type: Perry - Dry Location of Production: Blue Mountains, ON ABV: 5.5% Website Link: ardielciderhouse.ca/ Ingredients: Pears, sugars (pear juice), sulphites Gluten Free: Yes Sugar Con...

22/03/2026

New cider profile: Shale Ridge Estate Winery Raspberry Rosé

Cider Profile: Name: Shale Ridge - Raspberry Rosé Sampled December 2025 Brand: Shale Ridge Estate Winery Type: Flavoured - Raspberry Location of Brewing: Thedford, ON ABV: 5% Website Link: shaleridgewinery.ca Ingredients: Cider, hibiscus tea, natural raspberry flavour, lemon juice, sulphites Gluten...

21/03/2026

Taste the orchard. Smell like an orchard 💁🏻‍♀️

Pairing my cider and perry with 2 of my favourite perfumes for 💋

Featuring Pear Dry Cider & Pear Inc - both super juicy and plump pear offerings 🍐

And Rosé Bio & Eden Juicy Apple. These are both bursting with red apple goodness ❤️🍎

adultbeverages alcohol TOCider cidre sidra ONCider CanadianCider GoodThingsGrowInOntario glutenfree glutenfreeontario applecider hardcider craftcider applewine wine drinks happyhour booze pickcider drinklocal ciderlover cidery cidergram ciderculture cidertime

21/03/2026

New cider profile: Little Pig Cidery - Dry Apple Cider

Cider Profile: Name: Little Pig Cidery - Dry Cider Sampled March 2026 Brand: Little Pig Cider / Deep Roots Distillery Type: Apple - Dry Location of Production: Warren Grove, PEI ABV: 6.5% Website Link: deeprootsdistillery.com/little-pig-cidery Ingredients: N/A, sulphites Gluten Free: Yes Sugar Conte...

20/03/2026

New perry profile: West Avenue - Cold Snap Pear + Cab Sauv

Cider Profile: Name: West Avenue - Cold Snap Pear and Cab Sauv Sampled March 2026 Brand: West Avenue Ciderhouse Type: Perry - Flavoured Location of Production: Freelton, ON ABV: 7.2% Website Link: westavenue.ca/ Ingredients: N/A, sulphites Gluten Free: Yes Sugar Content: N/A Size(s) available: 355ml...

20/03/2026

Getting cozy with this super warming cider tonight ❤️

First time trying Alberta’s and here we have their Chai Cider. We expected it to be good, but this absolutely stunned us with how delicious it is.

We aren’t sure of all the ingredients other than the spices listed on the bottle, but it has a very strong orange flavour from start to finish. We also got some earthy, gritty black tea that brings it back to the chai aspect of it.

The spicing starts off bold and savoury, with the clove and allspice coming in strong. It then moves into a smoothing cinnamon-focused presence towards the finish. Of course, with a pulpy, crisp and juicy apple base, all of its elements are so nicely rounded and in sync with one another.

Warming. Comforting. Very good for all seasons really, but in this extended snow, it just feels right.

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alcohol TOCider cidre sidra ONCider CanadianCider GoodThingsGrowInOntario glutenfree glutenfreeontario applecider hardcider craftcider applewine wine drinks happyhour booze pickcider drinklocal ciderlover cidery cidergram ciderculture cidertime

19/03/2026

New cider profile: Dirty Dog Cider Co. - Macintosh Cider

Cider Profile: Name: Dirty Dog - MacIntosh Sampled February 2026 Brand: Dirty Dog Cider Company Type: Single Varietal - MacIntosh Location of Production: Colborne, ON ABV: 5.9% Website Link: facebook.com/dirtydogcider/ Ingredients: N/A, sulfites Gluten Free: Yes Sugar Content: N/A Size(s) available:...