You’ve Heard of Breweries, You’ve Heard of Wineries, but Have You Heard of Cideries?

By: Karlee Kocon, Communications Intern
I visited the Beerfest at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center on February 27, 2016 to try different kinds of beer. With over 100 breweries and 300 craft beers available to try, it was hard to decide which ones I wanted try first. Everyone has a different preference with beer – there are Ales, Lagers, Stouts, Porters, and Malts. Personally, I like light beers, and it’s a plus if the beer has a hint of a fruit flavor to it. There were many local Pittsburgh breweries in attendance such as Fatheads, Church Brew Works, Penn Brewing, and Rivertowne Brewing. My personal favorites of the local breweries I tried were Fathead’s Bumbleberry- a light beer with a blueberry flavor, and Rivertowne’s Hala Kahiki – a light beer with a pineapple flavor. As I searched through the crowds for a certain brewery, I laid eyes on the one I wanted – Arsenal Cider House and Wine Cellar. Overall, Arsenal Cider House and Wine Cellar offers a unique, change-up for adult beverages. They offer delicious hard cider and this year they were giving out tastings of Grierson’s Ginger Apple and Picket Bone Dry Apple.
Located near Arsenal Park in Lower Lawrenceville, Arsenal Cider House and Wine Cellar is a must on a warm or cold day! Since it was located on my route back to Pitt, my mother and I stopped in one day to do a taste-testing. They were so kind and helpful since it was our first time trying hard cider. Their building is quaint and is decorated to resemble the Revolutionary War time period. In the summer, they host various cider events with local food trucks and local bands for entertainment. If you want to take home some cider, they offer growlers that you can bring back for a discounted cider refill as well.
With a growing fan base, Arsenal Cider opened a branch located within Soergel Orchards in Wexford. This Halloween, my boyfriend and I went to Soergel Orchards for the first time to pick a pumpkin and enjoy a glass of cider. To our surprise, Arsenal Cider offered warm hard cider on the cold afternoon. The new wooden building at Soergel Orchards has many places to sit and drink your cider inside while watching people participate in the other activities that Soergel Orchards has to offer.
Now that you’ve heard about my great experiences with Arsenal Cider House and Wine Cellar, it’s time to do some hard cider taste-testing for yourself! Join Venture Outdoors on March 19 on an easy 3-mile hike through Lawrenceville. Learn some interesting facts, get your exercise in, and reward yourself with hard cider at Arsenal Cider House and Wine Cellar.