(Posted by Chris Devlin)

Craft beer isn’t the only adult beverage causing excitement here in the Pacific Northwest. In recent months, a craft cider movement has been gaining strength. We now have several cider producers in Washington State and there’s even a local cider blog called Old Time Cider.

Earlier this week I attended a media preview of the Cider Summit NW, which will be held on Saturday, September 11 in South Lake Union. Representatives from a few Washington cideries (including Westcott Bay, Tieton and Finnriver) poured and discussed their creations. We lucky drinkers tried several ciders, paired with appetizers provided by Quinn’s in Capitol Hill. My cider knowledge is pretty limited, so this was a great opportunity to learn something. I sampled everything from the crisp and dry Finnriver Artisan to the sweet and tart Tieton Cherry. I enjoyed just about everything, and was surprised by the variety of flavors on display. Based on what I tasted, there should be something for everyone’s palate at the Summit.

The Cider Summit is being organized by SBS Imports, The Seattle Beer Collective, and a brand new organization called the Northwest Cider Association–whose goal is to increase public awareness of our region’s artisan ciders. The festival will feature over 40 ciders from Washington, Oregon, British Columbia, England and France.

As someone who drinks beer almost exclusively and has tried the vast majority of the beers offered at local beer festivals, I’m looking forward to the Cider Summit as a great change of pace. It reminds me of the early days of drinking craft beer–when every bottle or pint was a new discovery. It should be a great event. Here’s some additional details:

Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 (cash only) at the door and are available online via Brown Paper tickets and at the area’s leading bottle shops. Admission includes a tasting glass and 10 drink tickets. From 11a-12n arriving guests will receive 2 additional “happy hour” tickets. SLU cardholders and WABL members will receive 2 additional drink tickets at any time (offers may not be combined). Additional drink tickets will be available for sale onsite at $2 per ticket. The event is 21 and over only. Dogs will be allowed on event grounds.  For more information including a list of participating ciders please visit www.cidersummitnw.com.

Cider Summit NW benefits The Institute for Myeloma & Bone Cancer Research (www.imbcr.org). IMBCR is one of the world’s leading independent research organizations developing effective therapies to increase the quality of life and longevity of myeloma patients. Cider Summit NW is presented by Whole Foods Markets with supporting sponsors Northwest Cider Association, Vulcan Properties, Seattle Weekly and Click Wholesale.