Cider Institute

Cider Institute News & Events | April 2026 - https://mailchi.mp/ciderinstitute/apr2026
Read on for UK Recap; Spring Foundation course; 2026 Awardee; Cider at CBC

⏳ There’s still time to register!

Our online Cider & Perry Production: A Foundation course kicks off next Thursday 🍎

We just wrapped up our first in-person UK course - and the energy, learning, and global connections were incredible. Missed it? Join us online from wherever you are.

In just 12 weeks, you’ll build the skills to take your cider to the next level, covering everything from fermentation science to sensory analysis.

Join a global community of cidermakersand grow your craft alongside peers from around the world.

The spring term runs April 2 through June 18 with (optional) zoom sessions every Thursday from 12-1:30pm ET.

🔗 Register now - link in bio

Final day of the Cider Institute’s weeklong Foundation course at NIAB East Malling!

We took our course to in Tenterdon yesterday 🍏☀️

A perfect day wandering through the orchard, touring the cidery, and trying our hand at a blending session. Such a great experience from start to finish!

Did you know? 🍏

At NIAB East Malling, researchers developed the M-series rootstocks that underpin modern apple orchards worldwide.

Today our cider class visited the Rhizolab to look at root systems and soil interactions up close, then headed out to the trellis demonstration site to see how those rootstocks are used in practice.
A useful reminder that orchard design - and ultimately cider - starts below ground.

Orchard

We’re halfway through the Cider Institute Foundation Course at NIAB East Malling in Kent, and what a week it’s been so far! 🍎

We’ve brought together 27 cidermakers representing 9 countries and 13 nationalities — an incredible mix of knowledge, passion, and ideas.

.drinks .ciders

More to come… 👀

Welcome to Tacoma! Thanks to for organizing tomorrow’s Symposium.

Be sure to visit the Cider Institute booth to get your technical questions answered and learn about upcoming cidermaking courses!

Day one of CraftCon with the Cider Institute team! Happy to be in Somerset with

Much more to come! 🍾

Calling all cider entrepreneurs in New England, Greater Cincinnati, and NYC 📢

Applications for Brewing the American Dream Bootcamp 2026 CLOSE TONIGHT AT MIDNIGHT!

Offered by and presented with and bootcamp participants receive:

- 7 weeks of expert coaching from 35+ industry pros
- $2,500 business grant for all graduates
- Access to resources, courses & networks
- Opportunity for additional funding through the Pitch Room Competition

📅 Apply by midnight TONIGHT - link in bio.

If you’re ready to grow, scale, and sharpen your business, this is your opportunity!

🏆 The Cider Institute presents the Peter Mitchell Award for Educational Excellence each year to honor cider professionals who lead through education and training - advancing both their craft and the broader cider community.

We’re proud to recognize Chloe Muse, Lead Cidermaker at , as the 2026 recipient. Her commitment to continuous learning, thoughtful process improvement, and sharing knowledge truly embodies the spirit of this award.

Congratulations, Chloe. 🍎🥂

This year’s features a robust lineup of research posters! Find them near the coffee station during trade show hours and dig into cutting-edge research shaping the apple and cider world.

📢 Mini Poster Presentations - Thursday Morning

Join us for rapid-fire talks (plus tastings!) that build on the posters. Come learn, connect, and share ideas to help grow our industry.

🕣Schedule:

8:30–8:40 — Balanced Yield, Balanced Cider
Oksana Bihun

8:45–8:55 — From Genes to Glass: Breeding Targets for the Future of Cider Apples
Pierre Bouillon

9:00–9:10 — Feature Mapping the Orchard
Justin T. Craft

9:15–9:25 — Characterization of Southern Apple Varieties for Cider Production
Olivia Vowell .tech

9:30–9:40 — Seedling to Cider: Cider Apple Performance in NY State
Kate Anstreicher

9:45–9:55 — Rapid Experimental Evolution in the Ciderhouse
Jeff Rogers & Dr. Swapna Subramanian

10:00–10:10 — Ground Apples Make Great Cider
Dr. Clayton Slaughter

10:15–10:25 — Harvest Maturity & Juice Quality in Southern Apples
Valeria Paola Araujo Cedeño .tech

💡Get inspired by new research and big ideas for where cider goes next!