Paralleling other cider style references like the BJCP and GLINTCAP, and our own web site, the United States Association of Cider Makers recently updated their Cider Style Guide. The new version is very approachable and presents a series of categories and sub-categories to help people understand the different types of ciders and how to perceive them. A guide like this is a great resource for curious consumers. We’ve added it to our Resources section!

Earlier in 2017 I attained the Certified Cider Professional Level 1 certification from the same association. Their commitment to educational activities and materials on cider is definitely helping us spread the word about a beverage that we love!

Cheers!

Jason

Jason teaching a class about cider and cidermaking.

The word brand has been on “speed dial” in conversation between the members of the Ancient Fire team as well as the larger team we are working with during our startup. We don’t profess to completely understand all of the aspects of launching and managing a brand right now, but we do expect to learn.

When we’ve been talking about the mission behind our brand, we’ve been looking at what the total brand experience will be. We aren’t just a beverage producer, nor are we just alcohol salespeople. We are also evangelists, educators, connectors, pioneers, explorers and at the end of it all,  we are people craving connection, engagement and fun.

Two of the pillars of our mission are evangelism and education about craft beverage, and most often mead and cider. This is not a new role for us, but just like we are taking our hobby making the beverages pro, our education game is getting a bump too.  What will this mean for the Ancient Fire community?

• Ancient Fire will be a resource for people curious about mead and cider, and more than just enjoying a glass or two. The Education & Resources section of our web site is the beginning of a Mead-o-Pedia of sorts to help people learn more about the beverages we are champions for.
• Members of the Ancient Fire team will pen educational articles and blog posts for our own and other periodicals/web sites to publish. Further down we announce the newest article Jason authored about Session Meads just reaching readers now.
• Sensory Training Thursdays – Once the tasting room gets into full swing Jason will be hosting a short primer on wine/mead/cider tasting every Thursday evening at the tap room. The goal is to help you better identify the beverages you like and arm you with the tools to find craft beverages that fit you everywhere you go.
• Interactive and Hands-On Classes – Jason recently taught an introductory class on cider and cidermaking. This course, and a companion course on mead, will be hosted at Ancient Fire on a schedule to be determined in 2018.

We are excited to announce that in the most recent issue of Brew Your Own magazine, hitting newsstands and mailboxes shortly, an article on making Session Meads explains what these beverages are and provides tips on how to make them yourself at home. {When the article is posted on the web site for public viewing we will share the link. For now only subscribers have access. }

So, you can come and have a tasty beverage with us, but there will be so much more you will be able to experience as part of the Ancient Fire community. We hope our “total brand” will offer exciting opportunities for everyone!

If you are interested in helping launch these activities consider supporting our crowd funding campaign The Mead Must Flow. Thank you!

Cheers!

Jason