Celebrating Cider

I'm Lacy Gray with Washington Ag Today.

September 4 through the 14 is Washington Cider Week, and Sherrye Wyatt, Executive Director of the Northwest Cider Association, says that the ten day celebration will have cider flowing from the West side to the East side.

WYATT: I think at least 14 cideries will be involved, maybe even more - they're joining on everyday. And there are ciders from all over the Northwest, but they're pouring in Washington. So you'll be able to taste ciders from Montana and Oregon and Idaho, as well as Washington ciders.

There are some unique ways planned of introducing cider to those who haven't had the pleasure yet.

WYATT: There's cider flights, tap take-overs, food and cider pairings, scavenger hunts - it's a really creative way to explore ciders. And not just in the ordinary way, but in all kinds of unusual ways and different settings.

Two the special events planned involve Rowan Jacobsen, author of "Apples of Uncommon Character", with sponsors Tieton Cider Works on hand providing tastings of their ciders.

WYATT: He's doing an event in Yakima on the 4th of September and then he'll be in Seattle on September 5th with book signing and samplings of apple pie and cider pairings and it's going to be a lot of fun.

Wyatt emphasizes that there are a lot of different ways to enjoy cider.

WYATT: The whole idea behind Cider Week is to pick up a bottle of cider and try something different with it - cook with it, do a food pairing, maybe try something like a cocktail with cider. And cider is gluten free so that opens up all new possibilities for people who are interested in and seeking out gluten free products.

For more information about Washington Cider Week and the Northwest Cider Association visit www.nwcider.com.

That's Washington Ag Today.

I'm Lacy Gray on the Ag Information Network.