Cider Summit SF Returns for 3rd Annual Bay Area Event

Great crowd - and weather! - at the 2015 Cider Summit SF
Great crowd – and weather! – at the 2015 Cider Summit SF

Cider Summit SF returns for its third year in the Bay Area on Sat., April 23 from 1pm-5pm at the Civil War Parade Ground in the Presidio in San Francisco.

“This year, we’re expecting over 3,000 people to attend Cider Summit SF and are excited to bring together even more popular and unique artisanal ciders,” commented Alan Shapiro, co-founder of Cider Summit. “Consumer interest in artisanal cider is growing at a phenomenal rate, and we look forward to providing the region’s largest-ever tasting opportunity for both cider lovers and the cider curious.”

The one-day event features over 150 leading ciders, including local and regional favorites, in addition to cider cocktails.

As in past years, Cider Summit SF features dozens of cideries from California and ciders from over five different countries and over five different states. Many of the cidermakers will be on hand to inform and guide guests through the tastings.

Local cidery Red Branch Cider Company (sister brand to Rabbit’s Foot Meadery) from Sunnyvale will be pouring their Hard Black Cherry Cider and Johnny Jump Up, a dry hopped cider that won a silver medal this past weekend at the Mazer Cup, the world’s largest mead competition held annually in Colorado.

Specially paired food selections at the festival will be available for purchase from vendors including Slow Hand BBQ, Whole Foods Market Truck and other assorted small bites. The event will also feature a “Dog Lounge” hosted by Berkeley Humane & Wag Hotels.

For the first time in the Bay Area, the festival will include cider cocktails prepared by Upcider, other selected cideries and a guest appearance from a prominent distiller. Another new feature will be the Fruit Cider Challenge sponsored by Oregon Fruit Products. Several participating cideries will produce pilot batches specifically for the event, and the winner will be chosen by popular vote and announced at the end of the festival.

Early bird tickets are on sale online through the end of March for $35 and will increase to $40 beginning April 1. Tickets will be $45 at the door and cash only. Tickets include a souvenir tasting glass and eight tasting tickets. Additional tickets are $2 per ticket.

New this year, VIP tickets are available for $50 and includes early access to the event from 12pm-1pm and two additional tasting tickets. Designated driver tickets will be available for $5 and includes Boxed Water. Accompanied minors will be admitted at no charge.

Visit the event website to purchase tickets and for additional information.

About Cider Summit SF

Brought to you by SBS Imports and the Seattle Beer Collective, Cider Summit SF celebrates local, regional and international artisanal ciders and cider makers. Cider Summit SF is presented by Whole Foods Market, along with supporting sponsors including, Upcider Gastropub, KRAVE Jerky, Oregon Fruit Products Co., Wag Hotels, KIND Snacks, BART and Morris Distributing.

Cider Summit is committed to working with the community and various non-profit organizations. A percentage of tickets sales from the event will support the following charities: The Institute for Myeloma & Bone Cancer Research, Berkeley Humane, and the California Cider & Perry Association.

[This post was shared on Examiner.com.]