We may be best known for our breweries, but Wisconsin is also making a splash in the world of ciders. What started as a unique alternative to beer or wine has become a popular drink in its own right, with more and more cideries and specialty brews popping up all the time. Here are a handful of cider bars around the state where the thoughtful approach to cider production creates flavors unlike any other. Cheers!
Lost Valley Cider Company – Milwaukee
Milwaukee’s first cider bar, featuring hard ciders of the world, is nestled in the city’s Fifth Ward. Its tap room pours more than 20 varieties from the Pacific Northwest, Mid-Atlantic, Northeast and Wisconsin, which includes the bar’s own house ciders.
If you want some tasty grub to accompany your drinks, Fuel St. Café, located down the way, delivers food straight to the bar. Traveling with your pup? No problem. Dogs are welcome (and encouraged) inside.
Ciderboys Cider – Stevens Point
In 2012, Ciderboys came to life to create unique hard ciders by blending unexpected fresh fruit flavors with the crisp taste of apple. Seven years later, there are more than 10 distinct flavors, including Pineapple Hula, Peach Country and Raspberry Smash. Visitors can take tours every day of the week and try samples of the newest cider blends at Ciderboys home base, Stevens Point Brewery.
You’ll find ciders handcrafted with special ingredients and small-batch attention for a complex and unique flavor experience at The Cider Farm. The farm’s four primary ciders are made from English and French cider apples and are meant to be crisp and pair well with food. The restaurant serves small plates, bigger plates and cheese and charcuterie boards from sustainable farms in Wisconsin.
Island Orchard Cider – Ellison Bay
Open April - December, Island Orchard Cider in Door County offers Normandy-style hard cider adapted from French, English and American cider cultivars and melded with Washington Island’s climate and rocky limestone style. Sit back and enjoy several varieties of cider, including Apple Cherry Cider, Oak Aged Apple Cider and Pear Cider, all of which can be sampled at their cider house in Ellison Bay.
Maiden Rock Winery & Cidery – Stockholm
On an 80-acre farm along the Great River Road, the owners of Maiden Rock Winery & Cidery make products from fermented apple juice and fresh fruit. Wine and cider samples are available in the tasting room, where you’ll find semi-dry, dry, sweet and sparkling ciders produced from different apple varieties.
Looking for more ways to drink local in Wisconsin? Sip craft spirits straight from the source at these five Wisconsin distilleries.
