Liberty Ciderworks is releasing a special batch of cider to benefit Second Harvest. Called Scrumpy Cider, it’s made from apples rescued from backyards, roadsides, and abandoned orchards. Last harvest season volunteers collected 6,000 pounds of fruit that otherwise would have gone to waste.
Liberty Ciderworks, a small, locally-owned cidery, opened in 2013 and now makes about eight different ciders. Scrumpy is a unique addition to the cider family, not only because it’s made from apples which aren’t quite market-quality, but because of its organic nature. “We wanted to focus on what we were harvesting and let the cider become what it may,” said Austin Dickey, co-owner and founder of Liberty Ciderworks.
Liberty Ciderworks has a processing plant in downtown Spokane where the fruit was pressed and processed last fall. The apples were fermented using half industry wine yeast and half natural or wild yeast. “A good wild is better than a great cultured yeast, you get great interesting flavors,” Dickey said.
You can sample the Scrumpy Cider during a release event on June 27, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Second Harvest Kitchen. A portion of all proceeds from the sale of Scrumpy Cider will benefit Second Harvest.
Dickey explained cider, which generally has an alcohol content between 6 and 9 percent, can taste similar to either a beer or wine. “Scrumpy Cider is light but complex with some buttery chardonnay notes,” Dickey said. “If you respect white wine, you will appreciate it. It’s a little sweeter and more buttery than other ciders. In relation to beer, it could be compared to sour beers, like a mild Belgium. Essentially, we want this cider to represent what Spokane tastes like!”
Besides sampling cider, guests at the June release event can talk barbecue sauce and rub secrets with Casey Booey, of Booey’s Gourmet. His fiery fun sauces will be paired with food prepared by staff at The Kitchen at Second Harvest. To register for the event, click on the register button below.
