As the days continue to get longer, and the sun is shining a bit more, spring is definitely here. It’s such a special time of year as new life begins to grow, and plenty of different fruits begin to shine. And those fruits are being showcased in ciders across the United States.

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Are you a New York State resident who found a silver lining during the pandemic in the form of home delivery of all your favorite New York state craft alcoholic beverages, or someone who would like to order those products now?

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Cideries in California, Oregon, Vermont, and Washington (the very states focused on competing directly with the New York Cider market!), can ship directly to New York consumers. Currently, however, New York’s very own cider makers and growers are not able to compete equally and enjoy the same opportunity. Unlike New York wine, New York cider cannot be shipped directly to consumers. This creates a huge loss in revenue, tax dollars, and fair-market competition for our growers and producers who are working diligently to keep New York State as a leader in the rapidly growing cider industry.

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All of New York’s craft beverage producers were temporarily authorized to deliver and ship their products to consumers during the pandemic – something the wine industry has done safely since the 1980s. That temporary privilege is no longer available, and the industry NEEDS YOUR HELP to enact legislation that will permanently allow us to ship direct to our customers.

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Legislators have told us specifically they NEED TO HEAR FROM YOU, their constituents. Please send a customized, personal email to your state legislators to support direct to consumer shipping. It will only take two minutes and you will be helping to provide parity and fairness for small businesses supporting one of New York’s most important agricultural cash crops.

CAPITAL REGION, N.Y. (NEWS10) – Communities across the Capital Region have seen cleanup efforts over the past several days in honor of Earth Week, with Earth Day coming and going this past Friday. In Albany, dozens of volunteers hit the streets Sunday morning to pick up in the Warehouse District.

“There’s always this sense of pride when you come in tomorrow, Monday, and there’s just a noticeable difference,” said Joshua Whelan, the director of sales and marketing for Nine Pin Cider, who hosted Sunday’s event.

The ciderworks’ annual effort included many volunteers, including some from other local businesses in the city. Supplies, including shovels and garbage bags, were given by the city’s Department of Public Service. Whelan says the event has continued to grow over the years.

“The first year we did it, we must’ve had maybe 20, but now it’s grown to maybe about a hundred. It’s great, it’s great to see the Albany community come out, and help clean up our city. The health of our environment in our local community is incredibly important to us,” he said.

Volunteers covered a roughly four-block radius around Nine Pin, filling up garbage bags with everything from plastic bottles, cigarette butts, styrofoam, and cans.

Their efforts Sunday morning were far from the only ones this weekend. On Saturday, volunteers were out in Watervliet to clean up several areas of the city, including preparing parks for the warmer months ahead.

“You can see the progress and how nice everything looks, between the parks, going up and down Broadway now and things of that nature. It just makes everyone feel good,” said Watervliet Mayor Charles Patricelli.

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Nine Pin Cider's annual Warehouse District Clean Up returns on Sunday, April 24. The day kicks off in front of the tasting room at 10:00 AM. Pick up gear, provided by the City of Albany Department of General Services, and break into teams to clean up North Albany's Warehouse District. At 1:00 PM, volunteers are invited back to Nine Pin's tasting room for complimentary cider until 3:00 PM.

Nine Pin Cider is offering complimentary cider vouchers for neighborhood associations and groups who participate in any cleanup activities this April in the Capital Region. Clean up organizers should e-mail cara@ninepincider.com this month if they would like to participate. 20 voucher limit per group.

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ALBANY, N.Y. (March 24, 2022) — Nine Pin Ciderworks, New York’s first farm cidery, has been selected as a finalist for the FedEx Small Business Grant contest.

Nine Pin is in the top 100 out of 18,000 small business applicants. The cidery asks individuals to vote for their establishment to win the grant from FedEx. Voters are encouraged to let their choice be known, with voting ending on March 31, 2022. Voters will have the opportunity to vote more than once. Voters are allowed to vote once every 24 hours, which increases the chances for Nine Pin to win the grant.

“It’s an honor for Nine Pin to be chosen as a finalist for the FedEx small business grant. I encourage patrons and locals to vote for us. This is an amazing opportunity to further Nine Pin while also shining light on the importance of small businesses,” said Josh Whelan, Director of Sales and Marketing, Nine Pin Cider.

The three grand prize winners of the FedEx Small Business Grant will receive $50,000 and $4,000 credit worth of FedEx Office print services. The grand prize winners will also earn a one-year Klaviyo subscription, a website audit by HigherVisibility, sustainable packaging consultation with EcoEnclose, and more. Seven first-place winners will receive a prize of $20,000, $1,500 of credit worth of FedEx Office print services, a three-month Klaviyo subscription, a website audit by HigherVisibility, sustainable packaging consultation with EcoEnclose, and more.

For more information, check out our Facebook and Instagram page.

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ALBANY, N.Y. – Nine Pin Ciderworks, New York’s first farm cidery, released its new spring seasonal cider, Cider Sangría. Nine Pin’s innovative new style highlights two of New York State’s largest and most important fruits: apples and grapes.

Nine Pin crafts its Cider Sangría using 100% New York apples from Samascott Orchards in Kinderhook, NY and co-ferments it with the NY grape varietals: Traminette, Chancellor, and Concord, all sourced from Walker’s Vineyard in Forestville, NY. The resulting cider is then infused with a touch of orange citrus. Cider Sangría is perfect for relaxing in the evening and to enjoy with some classical acoustic guitar.

“The apple is first and foremost New York's best and most important fruit. However, the grape is incredibly vital to our agricultural output,” said Alejandro del Peral, co-founder and cidermaker. “Our Cider Sangria celebrates the two harvests perfectly, and its bright, citrus flavor comes right in time for warmer weather!”

“Many do not realize this, but New York State is the country's third largest wine producer,” said Jim Walker, owner of Walker’s Wine Juice, LLC. “We are excited to be providing Nine Pin Cider with premier New York grape juice to make their new Cider Sangría.”

Cider Sangría is currently available in 12 oz. cans in Nine Pin’s tasting room in Albany as well through retailers throughout New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut and New Jersey. Residents in other states can purchase Cider Sangría through Nine Pin’s online store.

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Nine Pin Cider’s year-long 26er program is returning on March 24. The program, which started in 2016, was cut short in 2020 due to COVID-19.

Every two weeks, participants get a brand new cider style to try. Each participant needs to try all 26 ciders to complete the challenge. Nine Pin works with Samascott Orchards in Kinderhook to develop the 26 new ciders that will only be available at Nine Pin’s tasting room in Albany.

“After working hard in 2021 to develop these unique 26er ciders, I am confident they are some of the best and I can’t wait to share them after the shutdown we experienced in 2020,” said Alejandro del Peral, co-founder, and cider maker. “I encourage you to participate in this unique experimental cider challenge that supports New York agriculture and our beloved treasure that is the Adirondack Park.”

Those who earn 26er status get various benefits in Nine Pin’s tasting room including perpetual happy hour pricing. Participants who earned 26er status in 2016 and 2018 are eligible to complete the challenge again to reach Silver or Gold status.

In 2016, more than 325 people earned 26er status and 669 people earned 26er status in 2018. A portion of this year’s 26er cider sales will be donated to support the Adirondack Mountain Club (ADK)’s Summit Stewardship Program.

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Nine Pin Cider's Adirondack Maple Cider

This winter Nine Pin Cider, New York's first farm cidery, released a new small batch cider called Adirondack Maple. This winter seasonal cider is crafted with apples from Samascott Orchards in Kinderhook and Adirondack maple syrup from The Forest Farmers in Lyon Mountain. The cider is finished with a pinch of mulling spice! Enjoy on tap in the tasting room or pick up a 4-pack to sip on at home. The Warehouse District cidery even collaborated with Collar City Candle to create an Adirondack Maple candle!

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CAPITAL REGION, N.Y. — Two local Bow Tie Cinemas movie theaters – Criterion Cinemas in Saratoga Springs and Movieland 6 in Schenectady – recently became the first in New York to serve beer, wine and cider under new guidelines set by the State Liquor Authority.

The guidance, the result of a declaratory ruling made by the SLA earlier this year, allows for movie theaters to serve beer, wine and cider to theatergoers without having to have a table at every seat. Previously, theaters were restricted to consumption inside a café area adjoining the lobby. Or, if the theater had a full restaurant kitchen, theater staff were only permitted to bring beverages to a patron at their seat with a fixed table.

“We are the first movie theater in New York state that has a license that will allow patrons to take their beer, wine and cider into the auditoriums,” Joe Masher, chief operating officer of Bow Tie Cinemas, explained at a press conference on Thursday in Schenectady.

While both area Bow Tie locations have offered alcohol since they opened, “People can now take their beverages and enjoy it and sip it during the show, instead of worrying about consuming it in the lobby quickly before the movie,” he said.

Beyond enhancing the visitor experience, “The importance of this is significant,” Masher continued, expressing his opinion that the previous legislation didn’t seem fair for theaters like Bow Tie Cinemas, which do not operate full restaurants.

The new policy went into effect on Thursday at the two local Bow Tie locations – just in time for a big movie weekend with the release of The Batman.

The change also comes after a difficult few years for movie theaters nationwide as they’ve dealt with pandemic-related challenges.

Bow Tie Cinemas, a four-generation family-owned cinema company headquartered in Connecticut, owns and operates luxury cinemas in Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Virginia and Colorado.

“This amenity brings in necessary revenue,” Masher said, noting that it will help the company keep ticket and popcorn prices low.

At the event, Masher thanked the SLA and Governor Katy Hochul for having the foresight to finally, after a 10-year battle, get legislation passed that allows Bow Tie Cinemas to accomplish this goal.

The new SLA regulation is anticipated to benefit another industry too. Through this new regulation, movie theaters – which have been longtime anchors for many upstate downtowns or commercial corridors – will be able to directly support local craft beverage producers within their communities. Bow Tie Cinemas works with local craft beverage producers such as Druthers Brewing and Nine Pin Cider.

Sam Aaron, a representative for Nine Pin Cider, sees the new guidance as a way to help the Albany-based cidery bounce back from the pandemic. “Being from the state of New York is a central part of our brand and this partnership with Bow Tie is so exciting,” he said at the press conference. “This new ruling is going to be a really exciting opportunity for us.”

Bow Tie Cinemas has an excellent track record of responsibly serving alcoholic beverages, Masher said. Regarding the prevention of underage drinking, he shared that the theaters will sell one drink per customer with identification, by a bartender that has participated in the proper safety training program. Furthermore, most drinks are served in clear cups, and ushers are trained to walk through the auditoriums on a routine basis and check to make sure that alcohol is being consumed by the person that purchased it.

Local business leaders are happy to see the new guidelines go into effect at the popular Criterion Cinemas, located at the corner of Church Street and Railroad Place in Saratoga Springs.

“This is such a badly needed policy change and one that was long overdue,” said Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce president Todd Shimkus. “We hope will this help our local movie theater to succeed here for a long time. This community waited decades for a movie theater to return downtown and then the pandemic hit them hard. I believe this will entice more people to go out to the movies and create another revenue stream for the theaters themselves.”

Darryl Leggieri, president of Discover Saratoga, agrees. “I think it’s good news for an industry that has been hit especially hard during the pandemic,” he said. “This is one more revenue stream to offset their shortfalls, and they can now offer one more amenity which is similar to other live entertainment destinations. This law change could also be another opportunity for our local craft beverage industry.”

Do you send your employees and/or clients holidays gifts? Send them something truly unique with Nine Pin’s custom designed cider bottles. These 375 mL bottles filled with Signature cider make the perfect gift with each label printed in high quality matte with beautiful foiled details. We work with you to personalize and fully customize your bottles. The process is as easy as 1, 2, 3!

Step 1: Select your Main Graphic – Choose a holiday or event. This is your primary, front facing graphic.

Step 2: Select your Supporting Graphic – Choose one of our provided patterns or any text / logo graphics you supply.

Step 3: Select your Background & Foil Color – We can even match your Corporate Branded Colors.

(Optional) Add your company’s logo!

Let Nine Pin Cider enhance your next event! Contact Cara Sherwood to order by emailing Cara@ninepincider.com or call/text 518-281-5745.

CAPITAL REGION, N.Y. (NEWS10) – Communities across the Capital Region have seen cleanup efforts over the past several days in honor of Earth Week, with Earth Day coming and going this past Friday. In Albany, dozens of volunteers hit the streets Sunday morning to pick up in the Warehouse District.

“There’s always this sense of pride when you come in tomorrow, Monday, and there’s just a noticeable difference,” said Joshua Whelan, the director of sales and marketing for Nine Pin Cider, who hosted Sunday’s event.

The ciderworks’ annual effort included many volunteers, including some from other local businesses in the city. Supplies, including shovels and garbage bags, were given by the city’s Department of Public Service. Whelan says the event has continued to grow over the years.

“The first year we did it, we must’ve had maybe 20, but now it’s grown to maybe about a hundred. It’s great, it’s great to see the Albany community come out, and help clean up our city. The health of our environment in our local community is incredibly important to us,” he said.

Volunteers covered a roughly four-block radius around Nine Pin, filling up garbage bags with everything from plastic bottles, cigarette butts, styrofoam, and cans.

Their efforts Sunday morning were far from the only ones this weekend. On Saturday, volunteers were out in Watervliet to clean up several areas of the city, including preparing parks for the warmer months ahead.

“You can see the progress and how nice everything looks, between the parks, going up and down Broadway now and things of that nature. It just makes everyone feel good,” said Watervliet Mayor Charles Patricelli.

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ALBANY, N.Y. (March 24, 2022) — Nine Pin Ciderworks, New York’s first farm cidery, has been selected as a finalist for the FedEx Small Business Grant contest.

Nine Pin is in the top 100 out of 18,000 small business applicants. The cidery asks individuals to vote for their establishment to win the grant from FedEx. Voters are encouraged to let their choice be known, with voting ending on March 31, 2022. Voters will have the opportunity to vote more than once. Voters are allowed to vote once every 24 hours, which increases the chances for Nine Pin to win the grant.

“It’s an honor for Nine Pin to be chosen as a finalist for the FedEx small business grant. I encourage patrons and locals to vote for us. This is an amazing opportunity to further Nine Pin while also shining light on the importance of small businesses,” said Josh Whelan, Director of Sales and Marketing, Nine Pin Cider.

The three grand prize winners of the FedEx Small Business Grant will receive $50,000 and $4,000 credit worth of FedEx Office print services. The grand prize winners will also earn a one-year Klaviyo subscription, a website audit by HigherVisibility, sustainable packaging consultation with EcoEnclose, and more. Seven first-place winners will receive a prize of $20,000, $1,500 of credit worth of FedEx Office print services, a three-month Klaviyo subscription, a website audit by HigherVisibility, sustainable packaging consultation with EcoEnclose, and more.

For more information, check out our Facebook and Instagram page.

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Nine Pin Cider’s year-long 26er program is returning on March 24. The program, which started in 2016, was cut short in 2020 due to COVID-19.

Every two weeks, participants get a brand new cider style to try. Each participant needs to try all 26 ciders to complete the challenge. Nine Pin works with Samascott Orchards in Kinderhook to develop the 26 new ciders that will only be available at Nine Pin’s tasting room in Albany.

“After working hard in 2021 to develop these unique 26er ciders, I am confident they are some of the best and I can’t wait to share them after the shutdown we experienced in 2020,” said Alejandro del Peral, co-founder, and cider maker. “I encourage you to participate in this unique experimental cider challenge that supports New York agriculture and our beloved treasure that is the Adirondack Park.”

Those who earn 26er status get various benefits in Nine Pin’s tasting room including perpetual happy hour pricing. Participants who earned 26er status in 2016 and 2018 are eligible to complete the challenge again to reach Silver or Gold status.

In 2016, more than 325 people earned 26er status and 669 people earned 26er status in 2018. A portion of this year’s 26er cider sales will be donated to support the Adirondack Mountain Club (ADK)’s Summit Stewardship Program.

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CAPITAL REGION, N.Y. — Two local Bow Tie Cinemas movie theaters – Criterion Cinemas in Saratoga Springs and Movieland 6 in Schenectady – recently became the first in New York to serve beer, wine and cider under new guidelines set by the State Liquor Authority.

The guidance, the result of a declaratory ruling made by the SLA earlier this year, allows for movie theaters to serve beer, wine and cider to theatergoers without having to have a table at every seat. Previously, theaters were restricted to consumption inside a café area adjoining the lobby. Or, if the theater had a full restaurant kitchen, theater staff were only permitted to bring beverages to a patron at their seat with a fixed table.

“We are the first movie theater in New York state that has a license that will allow patrons to take their beer, wine and cider into the auditoriums,” Joe Masher, chief operating officer of Bow Tie Cinemas, explained at a press conference on Thursday in Schenectady.

While both area Bow Tie locations have offered alcohol since they opened, “People can now take their beverages and enjoy it and sip it during the show, instead of worrying about consuming it in the lobby quickly before the movie,” he said.

Beyond enhancing the visitor experience, “The importance of this is significant,” Masher continued, expressing his opinion that the previous legislation didn’t seem fair for theaters like Bow Tie Cinemas, which do not operate full restaurants.

The new policy went into effect on Thursday at the two local Bow Tie locations – just in time for a big movie weekend with the release of The Batman.

The change also comes after a difficult few years for movie theaters nationwide as they’ve dealt with pandemic-related challenges.

Bow Tie Cinemas, a four-generation family-owned cinema company headquartered in Connecticut, owns and operates luxury cinemas in Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Virginia and Colorado.

“This amenity brings in necessary revenue,” Masher said, noting that it will help the company keep ticket and popcorn prices low.

At the event, Masher thanked the SLA and Governor Katy Hochul for having the foresight to finally, after a 10-year battle, get legislation passed that allows Bow Tie Cinemas to accomplish this goal.

The new SLA regulation is anticipated to benefit another industry too. Through this new regulation, movie theaters – which have been longtime anchors for many upstate downtowns or commercial corridors – will be able to directly support local craft beverage producers within their communities. Bow Tie Cinemas works with local craft beverage producers such as Druthers Brewing and Nine Pin Cider.

Sam Aaron, a representative for Nine Pin Cider, sees the new guidance as a way to help the Albany-based cidery bounce back from the pandemic. “Being from the state of New York is a central part of our brand and this partnership with Bow Tie is so exciting,” he said at the press conference. “This new ruling is going to be a really exciting opportunity for us.”

Bow Tie Cinemas has an excellent track record of responsibly serving alcoholic beverages, Masher said. Regarding the prevention of underage drinking, he shared that the theaters will sell one drink per customer with identification, by a bartender that has participated in the proper safety training program. Furthermore, most drinks are served in clear cups, and ushers are trained to walk through the auditoriums on a routine basis and check to make sure that alcohol is being consumed by the person that purchased it.

Local business leaders are happy to see the new guidelines go into effect at the popular Criterion Cinemas, located at the corner of Church Street and Railroad Place in Saratoga Springs.

“This is such a badly needed policy change and one that was long overdue,” said Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce president Todd Shimkus. “We hope will this help our local movie theater to succeed here for a long time. This community waited decades for a movie theater to return downtown and then the pandemic hit them hard. I believe this will entice more people to go out to the movies and create another revenue stream for the theaters themselves.”

Darryl Leggieri, president of Discover Saratoga, agrees. “I think it’s good news for an industry that has been hit especially hard during the pandemic,” he said. “This is one more revenue stream to offset their shortfalls, and they can now offer one more amenity which is similar to other live entertainment destinations. This law change could also be another opportunity for our local craft beverage industry.”

When New York state created a new license with more relaxed rules for small-scale cideries almost a decade ago, the industry flourished. Now, it's asking for one more rule change to sustain it through the pandemic.

Nine Pin Ciderworks, New York’s first farm cidery, released its new winter seasonal cider, Adirondack Maple, highlighting two of New York State’s largest agricultural harvests: apples and maple syrup.

Nine Pin crafted this cider using 100% New York apples from Samascott Orchards in Kinderhook, NY and added the perfect touch of Adirondack maple syrup from The Forest Farmers in Lyon Mountain, NY.

“The unique forests of Northern New York are home to one of the largest resources of tappable maple trees in the US,” said Alejandro del Peral, co-founder and cidermaker. “Our Adirondack Maple cider is a union of New York’s unrivaled autumn apple crop and thriving winter maple harvest.”

Adirondack Maple is currently available in 12 oz. cans in Nine Pin’s tasting room in Albany as well through retailers throughout New York, Massachusetts, and New Jersey. Residents in other states can purchase Adirondack Maple through Nine Pin’s online store.

Nine Pin Ciderworks, New York’s first farm cidery, is launching its first ever cider syrup in collaboration with The Forest Farmers in Lyon Mountain, N.Y.

The new syrup came as a joint venture between Nine Pin, Samascott Orchards, and the Forest Farmers. Located deep in the Adirondack Mountains, The Forest Farmers are the largest maple syrup producer in New York State. An excess of apples was put through the syrup-making process, leading to the creation of Nine Pin’s first cider syrup.

“We were thrilled to connect with the great people at Nine Pin and Samascott Orchards to develop a unique apple cider syrup that tastes amazing!” said Michael Farrell, CEO of The Forest Farmers. “We discovered that the specialized equipment we normally use to produce maple syrup, utilizing high pressure steam boiling, also makes the best tasting apple cider syrup anyone has ever tasted! Everyone was so thrilled with the results that we ordered a large batch of apple cider just to be able to make some cider syrup for ourselves.”

The production of the cider syrup also helped to reduce wasted produce and equipment. While the seasonal maple syrup equipment sat idly during the off-season, 2021 also offered a particularly large harvest of apples from Samascott Orchards.

“From all the rain this summer, some of the apples were too waterlogged to meet the quality standards for cider production or eating,” said Alejandro del Peral, co-founder and head cidermaker at Nine Pin. “The stars aligned with Forest Farmers, and we sent a big batch of the juice from Samascott Orchards in Kinderhook to Lion Mountain, a valley meets mountains moment.”

The syrup will launch on Monday, Nov. 22 in the Nine Pin tasting room, which will feature specialty cocktails, food specials, and cider syrup tastings.

Nine Pin’s cider syrup can be used on its own, as a glaze, or in cocktails, and make a great gift for cider fans. The bottled syrup will be available retail in the tasting room and for shipping and pick up on ninepincider.com.

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 Nine Pin Ciderworks, New York’s first farm cidery, has announced the latest outdoor mural addition at its Albany cidery and tasting room.

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In collaboration with the Albany Center Gallery, the mural was designed and painted by Lexi Hannah. Hannah is a mixed-media artist from Latham, N.Y. In addition to her work being featured by Instagram, INSIDER, and Strathmore Artist Papers, she has worked on individual and community projects across the United States, Italy, Ecuador, and Peru.

This mural is the latest collaboration with the Albany Center Gallery and overall, part of Nine Pin’s commitment of supporting the local arts community. Over the years, Nine Pin has commissioned murals and artwork as well as hosted art shows and exhibitions within the tasting room.

“I had a really wonderful time working with Nine Pin on this project,” said Hannah. “They wanted a colorful orchard scene and showed interest in impressionist types of work, so I utilized colorful strokes and a sense of movement with the trees stretched upwards to complement the tall shape of the door; the branch in the forefront is meant to help further emphasize the perspective of the trees moving back (the farthest being bluer to suggest distance). I used a violet background for interesting shadow tones that would work nicely against their bright green exterior.”

“As Nine Pin crafts its cider, these artists create their work and we couldn’t be more thrilled to once again partner with the Albany Center Gallery for this mural,” said Alejandro del Peral, co-founder and cidermaker. “Lexi’s talent is on brilliant display with this new mural and we’re honored it will be seen by our customers and visitors for years to come.”

“We are excited to support local art and artists and to see so many colorful murals come to life at Nine Pin Ciderworks,” said Tony Iadicicco, executive director, Albany Center Gallery. “This is the third mural commission we’ve worked on together, and we look forward to many more partnerships with Nine Pin while supporting our regional artists. Special thanks to Lexi for sharing her creativity and talent with us all.”

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Nine Pin Ciderworks, New York’s first farm cidery, announced the return of its innovative 26er program, a year-long cider appreciation challenge. During the inaugural 26er series in 2016, more than 325 individuals earned 26er status and during the 2018 program, 669 individuals earned 26er status. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 26er program was cut short. In 2022 as with the program in 2018, a portion of the 26er cider sales will be donated to support the Adirondack Mountain Club (ADK)’s Summit Stewardship Program.

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Nine Pin worked with Kinderhook, N.Y.-based Samascott Orchards to develop 26 new and unique ciders that will be part of the2022 program. During the program, a new cider will be released every two weeks.26er ciders will only be available at Nine Pin’s tasting room in Albany.  Those who achieve 26er status are entitled to various benefits in Nine Pin’s tasting room including perpetual happy hour pricing. Prospective participants who earned 26er status in 2016 and 2018 are eligible to complete the challenge again to reach 26er Silver or Gold status. Achievers at each level receive different additional prizes and privileges.

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Participants will once again be able to keep track of all 26 ciders, their tasting notes, dryness level, and whether they would drink those ciders again in custom 26er journals. The journals are available for purchase here.

“After working hard this fall to develop these unique 26er ciders, I am confident that they are some of the best and can’t wait to share them after the shutdown we experienced in 2020” said Alejandro del Peral, co-founder, and cider maker. “I encourage you to participate in experimental cider challenge that supports New York agriculture and our beloved treasure that is the Adirondack Park.”

“26er cider sales support the Adirondack Mountain Club Summit Stewardship Program,” said Kayla White, ADK’s Summit Steward coordinator. “A big thank you to Nine Pin for donating a portion of sales to our program.”

Nine Pin Ciderworks, New York’s first farm cidery, has kicked off its popular private campfire season, offering guests a unique outdoor experience for the 2021-2022 winter beginning Saturday, November 6. Offered Thursday through Sunday, the Cider by the Campfire experience is hosted for small private groups, available by reservation only.

Group reservations are for two-hour timeslots and are offered for small groups of up to ten people. Each reservation includes Nine Pin ciders, sourdough pizzas, camp chair seating, and a pre-built robust campfire.  Exciting add-ons  including s’mores kits  and table service are also available. Reservations are non-refundable , but rain and snow dates are available.

“We’re thrilled to be able to offer this winter activity that was so incredibly popular last season,” said Alejandro del Peral, co-founder and cidermaker. “It offers a way to stay warm and enjoy friends and family outdoors during the long winter months.”

Reservations are available online or via email to cara@ninepincider.com. Inquire for information about different group sizes and dietary choices. Further information about Nine Pin Cider and Cider by the Campfire can be found at ninepincider.com.

Welcome to the eighth episode of PUT CIDER IN IT!

We have had the pleasure of working with Rob and Alicia from Upstate Cookie Shack since they busted onto the Upstate New York scene the past few years.

They have featured their delicious cookies at numerous cider pairings in the tasting room, but we have never tried baking their incredible cookies with Nine Pin...

Let's see what happens when we Put Cider In It!

Stay tuned for a recipe so you can make this delicious creation at home.

Tune in for final PUT CIDER IN IT episode of season 1 with Tipsy Moose Tavern on Wednesday, January !

Welcome to the seventh episode of PUT CIDER IN IT!

This past summer, we teamed up with Chef Ric Orlando to create our Signature Cider BBQ Sauce and our Ginger Cider BBQ Sauce.

We have been dying to create some dishes with Chef Ric with these new sauces...

Let's see what happens when we Put Cider In It as well!

Here are the recipes:

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Signature BBQ Chicken and Waffles

Chicken and waffles to me always needs something to pull the dish together.

In this dish the creamy goat cheese and tangy Signature BBQ sauce take a basic dish to the sublime level!

Serves 2

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Ingredients:

- 4 belgian waffles, toasted

- 1 cup milk

- ½ cup Nine Pin Signature Cider

- 8-10 chicken tenders or breast strips

- 1 cup flour, or rice flour for gluten free version

- 2 tbls Ric Orlando’s BEST Q-RUB BBQ seasoning *

- 2 tsp salt

- Safflower or other vegetable oil for frying

- ½ cup goat cheese

- Ric Orlando’s Signature BBQ sauce as desired

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Directions:

- Cut the chicken into strips.

- Mix the flour, salt and QRUB seasoning in a separate bowl

- Put the strips in a bow with the milk, QRub Seasoning and cider and allow to marinate for at least 20 minutes or up to two hours.

- In a heavy skillet heat enough oil to come up about ½ inch in the pan until just shimmering, to about 340 degrees.

- Dredge each chicken piece in the flour mix and carefully lay into the hot oil.

- Cook until golden brown on all sides, about 5-6 minutes.

- Drain on paper towels and keep warm.

- Put two waffles on each plate.

- Top with crumble goat cheese.

- Lay the hot chicken pieces over the waffles.

- Drizzle on the Signature BBQ Sauce. Don't be shy!

Recipe by Ric Orlando

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Ginger Cider BBQ Clams:

This is an amazing pear round dish, and with a hunk of bread and a crisp salad, it makes an easy and delish one pot dinner.

Look for smallish Littleneck clams for this.

Serves 2

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Ingredients:

- 16-24 littleneck clams, scrubbed under cold water

- 3 tbsp olive oil

- 4 oz Andouille or other spicy sausage, sliced into rings

- 1 medium sweet or red onion, diced

- 1 large sweet potato, peeled and diced medium, to yield about 1 ½ cups

- 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves, about one sprig

- 8 oz Nine Pin ginger cider

-  3-4 oz Ric Orlando's Ginger BBQ Sauce

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Directions:

- In a heavy pan or pot with a snug fitting lid heat the oil over medium high heat.

- Add the sausage and onions and cook until shiny.

- Add the diced sweet potatoes and sauté over medium heat, stirring occasionally until almost tender

- Turn the heat to high. Add the thyme and the cider and cover.

- Let The clams steam about 4-5 minutes or until they have all pepped open.

- Swirl in the Ginger BBQ sauce and serve in bowls.

Recipe by Ric Orlando

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Try other amazing Nine Pin BBQ dishes this Friday, December 10 at 5 p.m. at our Nine Pin Cider Sauce Pop Up with Ric Orlando - December!

Tune in for our next PUT CIDER IN IT with Upstate Cookie Shack on Wednesday, December 22!

Welcome to the sixth episode of PUT CIDER IN IT!

For years, we have worked with our close friends, fin - your fishmonger, having them over for seafood pop ups at the cidery. Josh decided to stop over to their storefront in Guilderland for a change and see if the fin team had anything special cooking. Isabel was preparing some AMAZING fish and chips...

Let's see what happens when we Put Cider In It!

Want to make these Nine Pin Cider-Battered Cod home?

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Ingredients

- (4) 6oz fresh Icelandic cod fillets

- 1 cup all-purpose flour

- ¾ cup rice flour plus extra for dusting

- 1 teaspoon baking powder

- 1½ Cans Nine Pin hard cider

-  1 teaspoon white sugar

- Salt to taste

- Lemon wedges and chopped parsley for garnish

- Enough canola oil to fry each fillet

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Directions

✓ In a large bowl, mix both flours, baking powder and sugar.

✓ Add cider and salt and mix until batter binds together and is smooth. Don’t over mix!

✓ Dust with extra flour until completely covered.

✓ Heat a sauté pan of oil to 350F (oil should be high enough in the pan to fry one side at a time.) Use a thermometer to check for temp OR dip the end of a wooden spoon into the oil – if it bubbles, it’s ready!

✓ Dunk fish into batter and place carefully into hot oil…SLOWLY!

✓ Cook on each side for 4 – 5 minutes. You may have to cook fillet one at a time.

✓ Once completely golden brown and delicious, remove from sauté pan and place on paper towels to soak up the excess oil.

✓ Garnish with lemon wedges and parsley.

✓ Enjoy!

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Tune in for our next PUT CIDER IN IT with Ric Orlando on Wednesday, November 24!

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Welcome to the fifth episode of PUT CIDER IN IT!

Recently, we added some delicious homemade Lidia's Empanadas onto the menu in our tasting room. Josh wanted to head over to Lidia's kitchen and see where the magic happens! To Josh's surprise, Lidia was not cooking her famous empanadas today...she was baking flan!

Let's see what happens when we Put Cider In It!

Want to make this Apple Pie-Secco Flan at home? Here are the ingredients and directions:

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This recipe created a dozen small flans

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Ingredients for custard

6 large eggs

1 can condensed milk

1 can evaporated milk

1 tablespoon of vanilla

Ingredients for New York Apple mix

2 chopped New York apples

1 can of Nine Pin Apple Pie-Secco Cider

2 tablespoons of apple spice mix

Ingredients for Caramel

3 cups of white granulated sugar

1 sliced New York apple

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Directions for baking

- Preheat oven to 350°F

- In a blender mix all the custard ingredients and set aside

- On medium heat place 3 cups of sugar in a non stick pan. Let the sugar sit without moving it under medium heat. Once you see some of the sugar liquify and turn brown keep mixing until all the sugar has dissolved and turn brown. At this point the Carmel sauce will be very very hot.

- The next step you will have to do fairly quickly or else the Carmel will harden

- Pour hot Carmel into the small ramekins and swirl it around so to coats the ramekin. Then place apple slices in the bottom before Carmel hardens, then set them aside.

- On medium high heat placed chopped apples, apple spice mix and a can of Nine Pin Cider in a sauce pan and cook until mixture has thickened.

- Set aside and cool.

- Once cooled mix apple/cider mixture with custard mixture together and place the mixture into ramekin.

- Cover each ramekin with aluminum foil separately.

- Cook in the water bath, also called bain-marie, for about 60-70 minutes. Check one ramekin after 60 minutes by looking under the foil. It should jiggle when moving like jelly or pudding. Don't overbake. Check back every few minutes if not done after 60 minutes.

- Then remove from the water bath and let cool to room temperature. Afterward, refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.

- After chilling and before serving, run a knife around the sides where the flan is connected to the ramekins. Then place a plate on top and flip over the plate. Then slightly shake the ramekin that the flan is falling on the plate. Watch the video above to see how I did it.

- The sugar syrup will run over the flan.

Try this AMAZING flan and all of Lidia's famous empanadas at our Pins and Empanadas Pop up on Saturday, November 20.

You can also try Lidia's Empanadas seven days a week now in the Nine Pin Tasting Room!‍

Tune in for our next PUT CIDER IN IT with fin - your fishmonger on Wednesday, November 24!

Welcome to PUT CIDER IN IT Episode 4 - Halloween Edition!

In this spooky fourth episode, Josh travels to our friends in Albany: Stacks Espresso Bar.

Josh popped over to see Sue and talk about the upcoming Stacks Seasonal Showcase: Autumn this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m at 488 Broadway in Albany.

At the event, there will be special Nine Pin Cider and coffee pour-over tastings, a seasonal marketplace pop-up by Make It Upstate, and insider tricks for treats by Chef Sue Dunckle from Stacks!

Sue will be showcasing an incredible Pork Normandy this Saturday...let's see what happens when we Put Cider In It!

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Recipe for the Nine Pin Pork Normandy:

Place pork slices between plastic wrap. Using mallet, pound pork slices to 1/4-inch thickness. (Can be prepared 4 hours ahead. Cover tightly and refrigerate.)

Melt 2 tablespoons butter in another heavy large skillet over high heat. Season pork with salt , turmeric, and pepper. Add pork to skillet and sauté until just cooked through, about 2 minutes per side.

Add shallots , apples, cranberries , walnuts and thyme and sauté 2 minutes. Add  Nine Pin and honey and simmer until reduced to glaze, scraping up any browned bits, about 3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.

Arrange a few pork slices on each plate. Spoon sauce over. Top generously with sautéed apple slices and serve!

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Want to try this Nine Pin Pork Normandy first hand? Come out to the Stacks Seasonal Showcase this Saturday, October 30! See the full details on https://www.ninepincider.com/tasting-room.

Next Put Cider In It episode will be released on Wednesday, November 10 with Lidia's Empanadas!

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Welcome to PUT CIDER IN IT Episode 3!

In this third episode, Josh travels to our friends in Stuyvesant Plaza: PRIMAL: Your Local Butcher.

Josh met up with Andy to see if he was working on anything special to do with all of his local meats.

Andy was crafting an amazing brine for his locally sourced pork tenderloin...let's see what happens when we Put Cider In It!

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Nine Pin Brine:

- 3 cups Nine Pin Cider

- 2 cups Water

- 1 cup Apple Cider Vinegar

- 1/4 cup Salt

- 1/4 cup Worcestershire

- 1 TBL Garlic Powder

- 1 TBL Onion Powder

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Recipe for 2 pork tenderloins:

- Let Pork Tenderloins sit, fully immersed in the brine for at least 24 hours. Smoke at 250F, until internal temp of 145F is achieved (approximately 2 hours) or cook in oven at 350F to reach temp. (Approximately 35 min)

- Cooking times are an approximate guideline only. Always keep a watchful eye on the internal temp, as ovens and smokers can vary greatly.

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Want to try local meats cooked from Primal with this Nine Pin Cider brine first hand? Come to our upcoming pop up with Primal on Wednesday, October 20! See the full details and menu on https://www.ninepincider.com/tasting-room.

Next Put Cider In It episode will be released on Wednesday, October 27 with Stacks Espresso Bar!

Welcome to PUT CIDER IN IT Episode 2!

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In this second episode, we travel to Troy, NY to hang out with our old tasting room cider slinger, Jake, and his husband, Alejandro, at their new coffee shop, Jacob-Alejandro.  

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Jake and Alejandro were working on a delicious cheesecake...let's see what happens when we Put Cider In It!

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Stay until the end to see some good Great British Baking Show humor!!!

Here is the recipe for you to try at home:

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Nine Pin Strawberry Cheesecake Glaze with Fresh Strawberry & Basil

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For 1, 6” cheesecake

Ingredients:

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For the Strawberries & Basil:

1/2 lb Fresh Strawberries, sliced

5 leaves Fresh Basil, chopped

2 tbsp White Sugar

2 tbsp Nine Pin Strawberry Cider

For the Strawberry Glaze:

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1 each 6” Prepared Cheesecake

1 lb Fresh Strawberries

1 cup White Sugar

8 oz  Nine Pin Strawberry Cider

1/2 pkg Gelatin powder

Whipped Cream

Method

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1) Prepare the strawberries & basil ahead to let the flavors blend.  Combine sliced strawberries with chopped basil, sugar and Nine Pin Strawberry Cider. Toss with a fork and let rest for 30 minutes in the fridge.

2) Meanwhile, prepare the glaze:  Quarter 1/2 of the strawberries and combine with sugar and cider and bring to a boil

2) Bloom the gelatin in cold water.

3) Once the strawberry mix is at a boil, remove from heat and stir in bloomed gelatin.  Let cool until warm.

4) Blend cooked strawberries in a blender, should be pretty runny and let cool to almost room temp.

4) Slice the remaining 1/2 of strawberries and fan over top of cheesecake.  Pour glaze over strawberries and over the side of the cheesecake.

5) Topped with whipped cream and fresh strawberry and basil mix.

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Next Put Cider In It comes out Wednesday, October 13 with Primal!

Over the past 8 years, Nine Pin has produced high quality craft ciders using 100% New York apples and fruit. We have experimented with all the different fruits, hops, teas, etc. that can be put in our New York hard ciders. But one question remained... What can we put our cider in?!

Through this video series, we will talk with some of the Capital Regions most talented chefs, bartenders, bakers, and beyond to see all the amazing ways Nine Pin's Cider can be used in their creations.

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In this first episode, we went out to our neighbor across the street, Lost and Found, to speak with Jesse and learn about his amazing Blackberry Margarita Slushy he has been working on. Let's see what happens when we Put Cider In It!

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Want to make this delicious Nine Pin Blackberry Margarita at home? Here is how you can PUT CIDER IN IT:

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"Nine Pin BlackBerry Ciderita"

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- 1 oz Tequila
- 1/2 oz Triple Sec
- 1/2 oz fresh lime juice
- 1/2 oz simple syrup
- 4-6 fresh blackberry’s
- Nine Pin Signature Cider

Muddle blackberry’s and simple syrup together. Add tequila, triple sec and lime juice and shake with ice. Strain over fresh ice in a tall glass and top with Nine Pin Signature Cider.