1770. A revolutionary spirit echoes through the Hudson Valley. But Rip Van Winkle, beloved ne’er-do-well, meanders through the Catskill mountains. He follows the distant rolling thunder, finding not a storm, but the ghosts of Henry Hudson’s sailors playing ninepins, the Dutch form of bowling. After partaking in the game and in a keg of hard cider, Rip Van Winkle falls asleep, waking years later to find he’s skipped the entire Revolution. He wasn’t one of our country’s founders, but he sure found great taste.

Today. No need to sleep 20 years to find that a revolution has swept the Capital Region. Nine Pin Ciderworks delivers crisp refreshing taste to the heart of Albany. Using farm fresh fruit from Samascott Orchards and other Capital Region orchards, including apples grown from seed on the del Peral family farm, Alejandro del Peral crafts delicious Nine Pin New York Hard Cider at 929 Broadway in downtown Albany.

Like any revolution, Nine Pin Cider was many years in the making. In 1997, Alejandro’s father paints a 32 foot rose on the brick wall side of 925 Broadway. He raises his family on a small Hudson Valley farm, encouraging a love of nature, adventure and fresh food. In 2010, Alejandro wanders into a store and samples a local hard cider. He quickly develops a passion for the drink and becomes an apprentice. By 2013, Alejandro has perfected his own cider blend.