Local Cidery Raises $13,586 for Adirondack Mountain Club
Nine Pin Ciderworks, New York’s first farm cidery, is proud to announce another wildly successful year for its beloved 26er Challenge, which wrapped up this spring with a record 1,895 cider lovers completing the journey, nearly 200 more than the previous challenge in 2022. Nine Pin celebrated its highest ever 26er donation to the Adirondack Mountain Club and the accomplishments of the 2024 26er achievers, this past weekend.
Held every other year, the 26er Challenge has become a must-do for cider enthusiasts across the Northeast. Participants are tasked with tasting 26 unique small-batch ciders over a 52-week period. Those who complete the challenge earn the coveted title of Nine Pin 26er, unlocking a range of exclusive perks, including lifetime happy hour pricing, access to special cider releases, and entry to Nine Pin’s legendary 26er celebration.
“Each time we bring back the 26er Challenge, we’re blown away by the enthusiasm,” said Alejandro del Peral, co-founder and head cidermaker of Nine Pin. “It’s become a meaningful way for our local and even regional cider enthusiasts to connect with each other and support something bigger than the glass in front of them. The connection between cider and our local environment is core to everything we do and supporting ADK’s Summit Steward Program through the 26er Challenge is our way of giving back to the majestic mountains that move us individually and inspire us collectively as a region.”
This year marked a major milestone: for the first time since its inception, 87 cider drinkers achieved Platinum 26er status, meaning they’ve completed all four 26er Challenges since the program began in 2016. The Nine Pin 26er group has grown significantly from 358 in its inaugural year to nearly 1,900 in 2024.
As part of Nine Pin’s ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship, the cidery donated $13,586 to the Adirondack Mountain Club’s (ADK) Summit Stewardship Program, which protects fragile alpine vegetation and educates hikers in the High Peaks region. This represents an increase of more than $2,000 from its 2022 donation and reflects the increased participation in the 26er Challenge program.