We are slowly, but surely, heading into the Fall season. And sure, it may be pumpkin season, but we like to think of it as apple and cider season. So, as a result, we want to highlight a few options form one of our favorite cideries – AVID Cider Co.
Even with some breweries in Oregon and across the Northwest closing over the years overall, the craft sensation in the PNW seems to be strong. One that is still doing it and pumping out new items is AVID – one of the first craft cideries I ever visited.
Check out previous Kegs and Legs posts here!
They were, at the time, going by a different name (Atlas) and the Box Factory location in Bend was hardly even a glint in people’s eyes. Atlas/AVID was in a small corner space there and I remember really loving their unique flavor profiles. My palate, only really experiencing mass-produced super sweet hard ciders at the time, was not prepared for the real depth of flavor that AVID provided. It was delicious.
Fast forward a few years, and AVID is where I thought they deserved to be – Oregon’s second largest cider producer. They were in the Pearl District for a stint Pre-COVID, and their Box Factory location in Bend is temporarily closed as they move into a newer space. But even with no current on-site establishments, you can find their cider in a ton of locations. You can’t stumble much of anywhere without finding a location carrying something from them.
AVID crafts every cider with apples sourced from the Hood River Valley, a region renowned for its abundant fruit. The coupling together of plentiful orchards and pristine water sources create the perfect environment for exceptional cider making. We recommend the following ciders for consumption:
Blackberry Cider
The Blackberry Cider, in particular, celebrates the rich bounty of Northwest-grown berries, drawing inspiration from the Pacific Northwest’s landscape, culture, and vibrant fruit harvests. It is tart, flavorful, and bursting with juice. And it makes sense that it has won numerous awards along the way.
Peach Lychee
Inspired by the bold flavors of the Pacific, this semi-dry cider starts with crisp Pacific Northwest apples and gets a tropical twist from fruits native to southern China and northern Vietnam. The combination brings out bright, juicy notes that perfectly balance the cider’s natural tartness with a touch of sweetness.
Light and refreshing, it’s the perfect way to cool down after a long run or celebrate a hard-earned PR. Whether you’re toasting to a new personal best or just kicking back with friends, this cider delivers a unique blend of familiar and exotic flavors in every sip.
