August Feature Launch--Our Third Month's Launch!
Well, it's here. The second feature launch after the initial launch of the magazine. Which means, this is our third month in production. It is hard to believe that three months have already passed since we let the HardCider flood gates open. Well... in a matter of speaking.
This past month has been lots of fun. I was able to get back to Wisconsin to visit family, but while I was there I met up with Charles McGonegal, cidermaker for AeppelTreow Cidery and Herdie Baisden, the cidermaker for Maiden Rock Winery & Cidery. Both ciderhouses are in fantastic locations and their set ups are quite fun to tour. If anyone is in that area, I definitely suggest looking them up. (AeppelTreow is in Burlington, WI and Maiden Rock is in Stockholm, WI--they're quite a distance from each other: Cider road trip!)
Elisabeth Kramer and Emma Salo are our two main writers for this month. Both of them helped out with writing and editing, so I just wanted to say thank you to them. HardCider would be quite pressed for help if it weren't for our lovely writers and editors. I know I personally would not be able to to all the work, so I really appreciate their help.
Emma's fun and quirky article about finding cider in Eugene is a great start for our travel cider pieces. At least, I think so and I hope you all agree. Her roommate and friend, Courtney Hendricks, was kinda enough to take the photos of the bars that Emma went to. She did a great job with them, as well.
Elisabeth's Q&A with author James Crowden is an interesting insight into traditional English farmstead cider. I also liked reading about his perception of U.S. cider versus English cider.
It's fun learning a little more about cider author Pete Brown and photographer Bill Bradshaw, who are working together to make a book about the world's cider. Very exciting endeavor and I wish I could go out to the Great Lakes Cider & Perry Festival to meet them. And although I was very graciously invited to go, I can't make it.
The day before next month's feature launch, I will be setting off for Spain--to live and teach English. So, unfortunately, that sort of cuts down on traveling right before I leave. I am excited for Spain though, so I can't complain too much. I will be going to Asturias, the land of Spanish ciders (sidra). Hopefully I will be able to connect with that cider community as well and bring you information from that area of the world. And hopefully travel to the Basque Country as well, who are also well known for their ciders.
Well. Hope you all enjoy the features this month! Let us know what you think.
Cheers to cider!