Northern California Craft Cidermakers Showcase Seasonal Releases Amidst Stunning Views of the Historic Presidio, Golden Gate Bridge and the Bay, A Perfect Backdrop for the Annual Tasting of the Region’s Premium Ciders & International Classics
San Francisco, Calif. — Monday, February 18, 2019 — California’s leading artisanal cider festival Cider Summit SF returns to San Francisco’s historic The Presidio for its 6th annual showcase of Northern California’s foremost craft ciders and international classics at the Presidio Civil War Parade Ground (Main Post) on Saturday, April 13, 2019. With over 50 exclusive cidermakers — the majority of which who are based locally in the Bay Area — featuring nearly 200 premium ciders, Cider Summit SF is the West’s best-in-show festival for handcrafted ciders. VIP/GA tickets are now on sale at cidersummit.com.
Local and regional cideries are at the heart of the current double-digit growth for artisan cider in the United States. Cider Summit SF celebrates singular Bay Area cidermakers at the forefront of this burgeoning sector of the craft beverage market. With more than 800 cideries now operating in the United States, Cider Summit SF handpicks the best of the region for a truly unforgettable imbibing experience. Cider Summit SF announces today many of its local favorites representing the four major Bay Area regions, including the North Bay: Golden State Cider, Ace Cider, and Gowan’s Cider. East Bay: Far West Cider and Crooked City Cider. South Bay/Peninsula: Red Branch and South City. San Francisco: Tag & Jug. The official comprehensive cider lineup for Cider Summit SF will be announced on March 4, 2019.
New attractions for the 2019 festival include a “Heritage Cidermakers Pavilion” highlighting brands that utilize traditional cider apples and production methods. The Oregon Fruit Products “Fruit Cider Challenge” features pilot batch ciders from a dozen cidermakers with a “People’s Choice” award garnered through text message voting. A collaboration cider produced by Seattle Cider Company “Cider Summit Reserve” will be available for tastings at all four Cider Summit 2019 festivals. An innovative range of apple/fruit spirits and cocktails will also be at the Cider Cocktail and Fruit Spirits Pavilion, and notable cidermakers and industry veterans will be interviewed via Facebook Live throughout the festival.
“We’re thrilled to return to the beautiful Presidio for our 6th annual Bay Area festival,” says Alan Shapiro, Founder of Cider Summit SF. “It’s an exciting time in the cider category with so many new and imaginative ciders coming on the market. Cider Summit gives attendees the opportunity to sample not only exceptional West Coast ciders, but also a chance to learn more about traditional cidermakers from around the world.”
“Cider Summit SF is the signature cider event in the Bay Area,” says Jolie Devoto, Co-Founder & Farmer at Golden State Cider. “It provides a great sampling opportunity for the rapidly expanding pool of consumers interested in cider. We love the direct contact with current and potential customers, and it has been incredibly helpful to Golden State in building our brand awareness.”
Cider Summit SF invites select media to an Exclusive Press Preview Happy Hour at Upcider (1160 Polk Street, San Francisco, CA) on Wednesday, March 20, 2019 from 6:30pm – 8:30pm. Join an array of the Bay Area’s best cidermakers for a special tasting event featuring their latest releases and hear all about what’s in store for Cider Summit SF. Please RSVP by March 15 directly to Jesse P. Cutler at jesse@jpcutlermedia.com. Cider tastings and small bites will be provided.
Delicious foods by onsite vendors will be available at Cider Summit SF from Slow Hand BBQ; Full Moon Crepes; Copper Top Pizza; and sampling vendors include Cypress Grove Cheese, RX BAR, and Brew Dr. Kombucha. Additional vendors will be announced soon.
Sponsors of Cider Summit SF include Upcider; Oregon Fruit Products; J. Seeds Apple Cider Whiskey; Winesellers, Ltd; Wag Hotels; and BART. Media sponsors are San Francisco Chronicle and CIDERCRAFT Magazine. Beneficiaries of Cider Summit SF include the Institute for Myeloma & Bone Cancer Research and Berkeley Humane. Cider Summit SF features a “Dog Lounge” hosted by Berkeley Humane and Wag Hotels.
VIP tickets are $45 (Feb. 18 – March 17; $50 thereafter; VIP tickets not sold at gate) and include a souvenir tasting glass, 18 tasting tickets and early admission at 12pm. GA tickets are $35 (Feb. 18 – March 17; $40 thereafter; $45 at gate) and grant festival access from 1pm – 5pm. Designated driver tickets are available at the gate for $5.
PresidiGo Shuttle service is available at the Embarcadero BART stop. For more information, please visit: presidio.gov/transportation/presidigo
For more information, please visit: cidersummit.com.
