Public Cidery

GOT APPLES?

We have cider making equipment for public use. Bring your apples and turn them into fresh squeezed cider! Make an appointment and our staff and trained volunteers will be ready to help you use the electric grinder and bladder press. You will need 4.5 bushels of apples to do one pressing. That makes 11 gallons of cider. This is best done with a group. Children are welcome as long as they are supervised by an adult. It takes about 1.5 hours to make cider from washing the apples to jugging the cider. The cider pressing season isn't very long - only from the end of August until end of October, so make your appointment today!

CIDERY EQUIPMENT

Includes a fruit washing station, an electric fruit grinder, a Lancman water press, and an iced bin to cool cider.

MAKING CIDER

The best cider is made from a variety of apples, including some that are more “sharp” or “bitter” tasting. Everyone’s tastes differ, but in general pressing at least 3 varieties of apples with different flavors will produce the most satisfying cider.

Each pressing requires 4.5 bushels (~192 lbs) of apples and produces 11-12 gallons of cider. On average, a 5-gallon bucket of apples weighs 20 lbs. The press must be full for proper use, so if you don’t have access to many types or to 4.5 bushels of apples, we suggest you connect with others who have apples and come to the Cidery together or buy "seconds" from your local orchard.

Apples for pressing must be picked from the tree or fall onto a tarp or cloth. Drops are not allowed as they can be contaminated by wildlife and harbor dangerous pathogens. It is best to pick apples when they are dry. Store apples in clean containers and plan on pressing as soon as possible. Keep apples as cool as possible between picking and pressing, ideally at or below 45 F. Don’t store wet apples as this can cause them to rot.

The juice you make will not be pasteurized, so it will have a limited shelf life. You might consider freezing it or cooking it into apple juice to preserve it for later. Cider is for personal use only and may not be sold commercially.

THE PROCESS

Cleaning Apples

We will provide facilities where you can rinse your apples, but the apples you bring should be intact with no breaks in the skin or rot.

Grinding Apples

Children ages 10 and older can participate, younger children need to be supervised at all times.

Pressing Apples

Our bladder press uses water power to make the cider, about three times as much cider as a hand press can make (and no turning!)

Jugging Cider

The cider is bottled in sterile, food-grade jugs which freeze well. Jugs, caps and labels are supplied. Cider will be set on ice to stay cool.

Cleaning Up

All participants are expected to help with cleaning the equipment after use.

What do I bring?

All you need to supply are the apples and coolers to bring the cider home. Please also bring a mask and a hat (for inside the cidery) Everything else is supplied by us.

How long will it take?

About 1.5 hours is needed to complete a pressing, which includes washing, grinding, pressing, jugging and helping to clean up the equipment.

When is the Cidery open?

September - October. You must make an appointment to visit to the Cidery. When you arrive, volunteers will teach you the process of making cider. There is a 4 pressing limit per group.

How much does it cost?

$15.00 per pressing, which pays for the jugs, lids, and stickers.

Where is the Cidery located?

Sullivan County Complex on County Farm Rd. in Unity, NH.

Do I have to wear a mask?

If you are vaccinated, you don't have to wear a mask. If you want to wear a mask, please feel comfortable continuing to wear one.

The CDC recommends vaccinated individuals wear masks indoors in counties with "substantial or high transmission rates". Sullivan county is currently not in this category. We will require masks in the Cidery building for everyone if this changes. Check map here.

DIRECTIONS

From Claremont: Take Chestnut St (2nd NH Turnpike) toward Unity, about 4.8 miles. At the Sullivan County Complex sign, continue straight onto County Farm Rd. Just after the cemetery turn right onto a gravel road. The blue building on the right houses the Cidery.

From Lempster and Route 10: Take 2nd NH Turnpike toward Claremont 10.1 miles. At the Sullivan County Complex sign, take a left onto County Farm Rd. Just after the cemetery turn right onto a gravel road. The blue building on the right houses the Cidery.

MAKE AN APPOINTMENT

The Cidery is open by appointment only on most weekdays and some weekends in September and October.

To schedule a cider-pressing appt. contact us by phone, 603.504.1004, email: publiccidery@sullivancountynh.gov

BECOME A CIDERY VOLUNTEER

We are looking for volunteers to help us run the cidery. Volunteers must attend either the morning or afternoon training session and will bring home a sample of the cider. Training will occur on Thursday, September 9, 2021 from 9:30am -12pm and 1-3:30pm. Contact Dylan Bastian at publiccidery@sullivancountynh.gov to sign-up for a training time.

If you want to volunteer, but can't make that time, please contact us and we'll make it work!