Fans of cider, and those looking to learn more about the beverage (like myself), shouldn’t miss this event.

Press Release:

SBS Imports and the Seattle Beer Collective are pleased to announce the return of the Cider Summit NW Festival to Seattle, WA.  The third annual Seattle event will be on Saturday, September 8, 2012 from 11am-7pm at the South Lake Union Discovery Center Lawn (near Westlake & Denny) in Downtown Seattle.  The event is presented by Whole Foods Market along with supporting sponsors Brave Horse Tavern and Umpqua Bank.

This will be the fifth Cider Summit produced by SBS & Seattle Beer Collective, having launched the concept in Seattle in September 2010 and expanding to Portland in 2011. Each event features 60+ elegantly crafted ciders from producers in Washington, Oregon, British Columbia, California, England, France, and Spain.

“We are very excited about the continued growth of this festival,” noted SBC’s Ian Roberts.  “The audience for artisanal ciders is rapidly expanding, and we believe this is a signature event for those looking to learn more about great cider.”

The owners and cidermakers will be on hand to inform and guide guests through the samplings which will be available in 3-ounce and 6-ounce
portions.  This year’s event will also feature food from Whole Foods and Brave Horse Tavern, cider-chocolate pairings from Smitten Truffles, along with live music and a “bottles-to-go” store.

“We believe we’ve created a unique event,” added event co-founder Alan Shapiro of SBS Imports.  “We have found a great home in the South Lake Union neighborhood and we expect a terrific range of ciders.  The vast majority will be available to taste at $2.00. It should be a great opportunity for attendees to sample many of the best ciders available in the United States if not the world.”

Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door and are available online via Brown Paper tickets, all Whole Foods Seattle Metro area locations, Umpqua
Bank’s South Lake Union and Eastlake branches, and at many of 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.  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 Northwest Cider Association (www.nwcider.org) and The Institute for Myeloma & Bone Cancer Research (www.imbcr.org).  The Northwest Cider Association promotes awareness of artisan produced ciders among the general public and fosters cooperation within the industry for all producers. 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 Food Markets along with supporting sponsors Brave Horse Tavern, Umpqua Bank, Click Wholesale Distributing, KMTT – The Mountain, and The Stranger.