Cider is Money

Did you know that in the first decade of arrival to North America, European colonists planted apple trees in the Massachusetts Bay Colony? These were the days when apple cider was king, safer than water, delicious, and nutritious. In these early colonial days cider was one of the major forms of money, used to pay tithes, wages, and taxes. They were drawing on the rich history of the Celts in Britain making cider from local crabapples, going back 5,000 years. When the Romans discovered this in 55 BCE, they spread these practices all around western Europe and improved orchading techniques. The Normans in France, a name meaning "North Man" referring to the Vikings that had settled there, were big on cider. When they invaded England in 1066 AD, they brought with them many apple varieties from France and cider soon became the most popular drink after ale. England held onto this love and production of cider through the "Little Ice Age" in Europe from the 14th to the 19th century, where grapes struggled much more to ripen and wars on the mainland interrupted trade. It is believed that the English created sparkling cider before Champagne's coveted practice, with the invention of stronger glass, use of a natural cork top, and second fermentation in bottle. Although cider is still quite popular in England, America's decline began in the late 1800's. A combination of the growth of cities and abandonment of orchard farms, increased consumption of beer from different immigrant traditions and cheap grain production, and ultimately Prohibition reduced cider consumption to a time 1%. But all is not lost. The rise of craft beer and microbreweries has spawned a new love and openness to local creations and intriguing flavors. Hard cider, as fermented apple juice is called in America, is one of the fastest growing categories in the alcoholic market. Access to England and France's amazing ciders, as well as the exciting domestic growth is launching a whole new collection of followers. Come by both Vintage and Buvette to check our locally produced Friendly Noise Here Ya Go Hard Cider! Cheers!