The best ciders for fall aren’t the kind you’re used to!

Published: November 3, 2016

Photo courtesy of Hawk Knob Cidery and Meadery

Lewisburg’s artisanal ciders pay homage to old-time mountain tradition.

Get into the spirit of fall with Hawk Knob Cidery and Meadery’s old-time flavors and West Virginian ingredients. They’re unlike any other commercial variety on the market— most noticeably, because they aren’t sweetened.

Farm-to-glass

At Hawk Knob Cidery and Meadery, philosophy matters as much as the actual product. Co-owners Josh Bennett and Will Lewis respect older, slower methods: local ingredients, no fillers and natural flavors.

At their Lewisburg distillery, they strive to revive West Virginia’s hard cider potential. It’s a past that most folks have forgotten; prohibition forced farmers to veer away from heirloom apples. But Southern West Virginia’s terrain is ideal for growing. It’s ripe with economic potential.

Hawk Knob already relies on local produce. Enormous crates of heirloom apples come from the Greenbrier Valley. And they use Smooth Ambler Spirits bourbon barrels to age some of their ciders. Altogether, the entire operation is rooted in the mountains, just like it was generations ago. That’s the way Josh and Will want it.

Golden and delicious

As you might imagine, Hawk Knob cider differs from whatever you’d buy at the grocery store.

Instead of lacing their cider with sugar, sulfites and other additives, Josh and Will let nature do the heavy lifting. Each bottle has roughly 10 apples, so the tart notes really shine. The result is flavor that’s clean, slightly effervescent and crisp.

On the menu

Hawk Knob may be a small business, but its ciders have full-sized body and presence.

Take a look:

Appalachian Classic Hard Cider. This tart drink is made with 14 varieties of heritage apples.

Elderberry Infused Hard Cider. The Appalachian tradition of elderberry wine enjoys a comeback in this fruity beverage.

Bourbon Barrel Aged Classic Hard Cider. For 10 months, Hawk Knob seasons its flagship drink in Smooth Ambler Spirits’ casks. Expect buttery flavors with hints of oak.

Wild Fermented Traditional Hard Cider. Natural yeast gives this barrel-aged specialty plenty of kick and complexity.

Thirsty for more? Hawk Knob’s tasting room is open Fridays and Saturdays from 4-7 p.m.
Which Hawk Knob cider is your favorite?

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