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Cider Digest #1746
Subject: Cider Digest #1746, 20 November 2012
From: cider-request@talisman.com
Cider Digest #1746 20 November 2012
Cider and Perry Discussion Forum
Contents:
(Roger Kee)
Craft Cider = Craft Beer? (Peter Mitchell)
Re: CHICAGO 2013 (Stephen Wood) (David & Melissa Dobernigg)
CiderCon 2013 (Dan Wilson)
Digest milestone (sort of) (Cider Digest Admin)
NOTE: Digest appears whenever there is enough material to send one.
Send ONLY articles for the digest to cider@talisman.com.
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Archives of the Digest are available at www.talisman.com/cider#Archives
Digest Janitor: Dick Dunn
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From: Roger Kee <brewchops@yahoo.com>
Date: Thu, 15 Nov 2012 13:25:29 -0800 (PST)
Corey,
It looks like David suitably directed you to the BJCP competition website
where you will find homebrew competitions posted. You have to sift
through to
find competitions that accept cider entries. You can get the same
information at a repeater list from the American Homebrew Association:
http://www.homebrewersassociation.org/pages/competitions/aha-bjcp-sanctioned-com
petition/calendar
I don't know of any homebrew cider exclusive competitions, yet. I am
running one that is mead and cider only, 2012 Washington Mead & Cider Cup
(follow the link below or email me for more details):
http://www.gebl.org/articles/2012-washington-mead-cider-cup/?doing_wp_cron=13530
14489.3514440059661865234375
Cheers,
Roger Kee
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Subject: Craft Cider = Craft Beer?
From: Peter Mitchell <lotic@juno.com>
Date: Fri, 16 Nov 2012 07:31:36 -0500
Hey all,
A beer drinking mate of mine (he'll learn...someday) sent an article to
me.
It's about Craft Beer and its relationship to the mega-breweries.
The article is titled: "Big Beer dresses up in craft brewers' clothing"
Here is the link:
http://management.fortune.cnn.com/2012/11/15/big-beer-craft-brewers/?iid=
HP_River
It has become obvious that "Big Beer" has also entered the cider market.
One wonders if a parallel relationship will develop.
(Hmmm, I always thought cider was a wine.)
"Big Beer" is concerned about stagnant sales and is, therefore, expanding
into new products and markets.
"Craft Cidermakers" are concerned that they will be crushed by these
large entities.
Some feel that as long as cider sales increase in general, that it is
good for all cider makers. ("A rising tide raises all ships")
Some feel that cider is being dumbed-down by mass produced, fermented
concentrate six-packs.
Both groups would benefit from an educated consumer. One who knows, and
appreciates, the differences in ciders.
Common ground? We'll see.
Recently, I have heard much talk about Cider Associations.
Forming them is not as easy as one might think.
First, you have to come up with a definition of "cider".
Second, you have to come up with a definition of "cider maker".
Third, you have to come up with a charter.
One wonders what a new cider association will look like.
Will it be like CAMRA, Association des cidriculteurs artisans du Québec,
Reinheitsgebot, the American Chemical Society?
Me? I'm going to rack the tanks, and sharpen the pruning saws.
If next years crop is heavy, I'll buy another tank.
In other words, "Stay on target.".
Peter Mitchell
Headwater Cider
------------------------------
Subject: Re: CHICAGO 2013 (Stephen Wood)
From: David & Melissa Dobernigg <5happyapples@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 16 Nov 2012 09:45:46 -0800
Hello! Thanks as always for everyone who contributes to this digest - as
a new cidermaker it is a valuable resource and opportunity to feel
connected to the larger NA cider community. The collaborative effort of
the fledgling cider industry in the US has been inspiring to watch from
here in British Columbia, Canada, where there are new producers and some
momentum starting to pick up towards our own 'cider industry' . It has
been really encouraging to see the associations (and subsequent events
like cider summits) begin and benefit ALL producers and the industry -
indeed I can appreciate why there is call for a national association.
Regarding focusing the entire Conference this upcoming February to
discussion about formation of a US national association: Being north of
the border and constrained by the demands of our own farm and young
family, we are fairly isolated from the greater cider community. The
opportunity to attend a concentrated 2-day event that provides
interaction with so many craft cider producers as well as workshops
discussing topics relevant to cider production is absolutely invaluable
to us. I'm confident the same sentiment applies to the many other young
& established cideries in the States as well.
Please do not limit the value of this fantastic event by focusing it on
such a narrow (but important!) agenda as political organization. With
the considerable expense and effort to bring so many cidermakers
together, it is to everyones benefit that the agenda provides both
educational & networking opportunities. It doesn't make sense to me
that meetings specifically regarding forming an association would be
presented as an open-registration 'conference' rather than simply held
as meetings amongst those interested.
With regards to the venue I think it looks fantastic and comparably
priced to other hotels. Whether the conference is solely focused on
political organization vs a broader scope of education, nearly all
people flying in would require accommodation that is easily accessible
to both the event and public transport - the chosen venue seems
conducive for both means and in the same price range of other hotels
when given the group discount. That said, there is still a hefty
investment in time away from home, flights and hotel - resources that
ourselves (even if we were located in the States) would not justify if
the purpose of the conference is solely to discuss association
formation. Emphasizing a formal educational and networking opportunity
makes the investment worthwhile and I believe will increase attendance
significantly.
Stephen spoke of a disconnect between the work that designated people
have been doing all year with regards to the formation of an
association, and this work should not be disregarded. I don't agree
however that by adding workshops or other tastings, etc to the
conference 'wastes' the work they have done. Couldn't another option be
to add an extra day to the conference purely focused on the national
association....that way only those vested in its formation will be part
of those discussions yet everyone can benefit from the collaborative
effort and expense of coming together. Others please contribute your
thoughts to this discussion so the event organizers have a clear
mandate.
Looking forward to meeting many of you in Chicago this year, and
(finally!) have an opportunity to sample some great US ciders that I
cannot purchase here.
Melissa Dobernigg
------------------------------
Subject: CiderCon 2013
From: Dan Wilson <dan.wilson111@yahoo.com>
Date: Fri, 16 Nov 2012 11:39:34 -0800 (PST)
Hi to All,
I agree with Steve Wood regarding the agenda suggested for the upcoming
CiderCon in February. The major accomplishment of last years meeting
was, after much discussion and input from all sides of this nascent cider
industry, achieving the two working groups tasked with the basic structuring
of a national organization and a new proposal for national regulatory reform.
If we don't follow through on those two tasks, we risk dissipating this work
and losing momentum on two enormously important projects. While much has
been accomplished, there is still plenty which needs careful consideration
by all with vested interest. Short sessions devoted to these complex
topics will not be adequate.
I would second the suggestion that, barring change in the current schedule
for the conference, those of us interested in reaching resolution on these
topics come to Chicago either the day before CiderCon or after, meet at
an alternate location, and finish this work. Then CiderCon can proceed
as scheduled, without the burden of these larger concerns, and we can opt
to attend or not.
Dan Wilson
Slyboro Cider House
Granville, NY
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Subject: Digest milestone (sort of)
From: cider-request@talisman.com (Cider Digest Admin)
Date: Mon, 19 Nov 2012 22:45:23 -0700 (MST)
FYA or if you're into numerology: The number of subscribers to the Cider
Digest has passed 1100.
(Awright, wise-guys! It passed 1100 going -upward-, not downward.;-)
- ---
Cider Digest cider-request@talisman.com
Dick Dunn, Digest Janitor Boulder County, Colorado USA
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End of Cider Digest #1746
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