A late-season excuse for group work in the sunshine with the bright colors of autumn.
Join us one last time this fall to learn from one of Maine's foremost artisan cidermakers. Angus Deighan of Rocky Ground Cider (@rockygroundcider) will reflect on topics of interest to participants, drawing on his experience in the craft cider scene in Maine, including: the logistics of his operation, relevant regulatory information and small business ecosystem, knowing what kind of apples to harvest from feral trees, and how to plant new orchards with the varieties and flavors that will achieve the right blends needed for optimal dry cider making.

Saturday, October 11th, 9am:
Fruit exploring: learning the flavor profiles, tasting crab apples and more about historic orchards led by Angus
Gathering apples, pressing juice, drinking juice at Smithereen Farm

Sunday, October 12th, 9am:
Carry on pressing
Check the juice: sugar content, pH, flavor
Fermentation basics: containers, airlocks, racking and sulfite calculations
Participatory supper-making and feasting and drinking of hard cider by the campfire in Smithereen Farm's timber-frame kitchen.
Be ready to help out with meal prep/clean-up in a shared space and bring warm clothes!

Cost:
Workshop fee: $40 per person
Camping at Smithereen Farm or Blueberry Land is included in your workshop fee.
Registration is required, sign up with this link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeG_JgNghPAppqk52wAJG8n3PJ9iXYf9P3IuK27lx-swts4Uw/viewform?usp=dialog

Indoor Lodging:
Indoor rooms are available at Fox, Elver, or the Grey Lodge for $60 per room, per night. Single and double occupancy available (private bedroom, use of shared kitchen and bathroom). You may opt to stay one or two nights!

Take Downeast home with you
Hard cider can be pre-ordered by the case and Angus will bring it up Downeast for you to pick up. Cider is $185/case of 750ml bottles, $115/case of 375ml bottles. Cases will be mixed, highlighting different blends and styles!

Tis the season to buy FROZEN organic cranberries and blueberries from Smithereen Farm — in which case, bring a cooler!