Chicago Cider Week is in full swing and there are amazing events going on all around the city. Cider newbies, connoisseurs, and everyone in between has to learn (and try) something new.

Some of our top picks are

Monday Feb 4

Right Bee Cider Welcome Party/ Meet the Maker
6:00 PM
First Draft
649 S Clark St, Chicago, IL 60605
A warm welcome, just minutes from the CiderCon hotel. Check-in, then head over for Right Bee Cider giveaways, raffles, and of course delicious cider! Chat with cider maker and founders Charlie Davis and Katie Morgan of Chicago’s very own cidery.

Cider School: Sea Ciders of British Columbia
7:00 PM
The Northman
4337 N Lincoln Ave
Chicago, IL 60618
Ticketed Event
Join The Northman for their Cider School, CiderCon edition. Cider School is in session with special guest Cider Maker Kristen Needham Jordan of Sea Cider (British Columbia).
Each year, the USACM Conference (CiderCon) features an international cider tradition and invites guests from that country to share their experience and their cider! This year, the guests of honor are from Canada; so we extended an invitation of our own. Kristen is an innovative cider maker, and she will talk about her process as we taste through a flight of four distinctive ciders alongside table snacks. This is a chance to learn from the maker herself.

Tuesday Feb 5

In-Ciders
7:30 PM
Sleeping Village
3734 W Belmont Ave
Chicago, IL 60618
An informal evening hosted by 2 Towns Ciderhouse and Stem Ciders with the educators and entertainers from various roles in the Cider Industry (including Cider Soms!) as they descend upon the city for CiderCon 2019. Hear stories and experiences from folks including long-time producers, in-the-field sales reps, and the Executive Director of the United States Association of Cider Makers. Featuring Q&A time and an afterparty with DJ Substance D.
Ticketed Event. $7 (includes a can of cider from one of the hosts upon arrival) – tickets available at https://www.etix.com/ticket/p/2238649/inciders-chicago-sleeping-village

Ciderology With Gabe Cook – Book Signing
6:00 PM
The Northman
Everyone’s favorite Ciderologist will be at The Northman to talk about his new book “Ciderology: From History and Heritage to the Craft Cider Revolution.” Gabe is a delightful speaker and globetrotter too with a wealth of knowledge. Copies of the book will be available for sale, so you’re not to miss getting a signed copy. Come and join Gabe as he spreads the gospel of the wonderful world of cider and perry.

Angry Orchard‘s Public House Dinner
5:30 PM
Public House Downtown
400 N State St
Price: $40 (plus fees; gratuity not included)
In celebration of CiderCon 2019, Public House is hosting a special Cider Dinner on Tuesday, February 5th from 5:30 – 7:30 pm! Cider lovers & friends will celebrate with limited release ciders from Angry Orchard at this one night only event. Sip on Wooden Sleeper, Newtown Pippin, Baldwin and EDU as you taste your way through the exclusive ciders flown in from the Walden, New York orchard. Each cider will be perfectly paired with a 5-course specialty tasting menu, compliments of Public House’s Executive Chef & DineAmic Group’s Pastry Team. Each course will be presented by the chef and representatives from Angry Orchard, including Head Cider Maker Ryan Burk.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/public-house-x-cidercon-cider-dinner-tickets-54995439841

Wednesday Feb 6

Apples To Apples: Crush The Cider Maker
7:00 PM
Whirlyball
1825 W Webster Ave
Chicago, IL 60614
Apples to Apples is part of the “Beat the Brewer” series. Watch Original Sin and Vander Mill teams face each other to see if they can ‘Crush the Cidermaker’ at Whirlyball. Kick off the event with a meet the cidermaker from 7 pm – 8 pm and enjoy 4 tasty ciders from each cidery.

Spanish Night With Trabanco And Anxo
7:00 PM
The Northman
The Northman welcomes Chef Alex Vallcorba and President Sam Fitz of ANXO Cider for an ANXO Take Over. Chef will be serving up signature dishes that pair extraordinarily well with the wide range of ANXO ciders that will be on hand exclusively for this event. We will also be joined by Jose Pardo of Trabanco, who will oversee the first Escanciador Competition in America! Dust off your bottles and get your long pour ready. Jose will be joined by Sam and guest judge Mattie Beason (Stem Ciders) to determine the best Escanciador. Sign-up is first come first entered, so make sure to show up early.

Thursday Feb 7

Cider Vs Cheese By The Cider Box
7:00 PM
ERIS Brewery and Cider House
4240 W Irving Park Rd
Chicago, IL 60641
Ticketed Event
Join us on a culinary journey as we adventure deep into the world of the two finest exports of England’s West Country- Cider and Cheese. We’ll enjoy fine fermented tipples from a handful of award winning producers, pairing each round with cheese from the region- famous for its terroir and heritage. The event will last approximately 2 hours, in which we’ll taste healthy measures of 4x incredible ciders, paired with 4x cheeses, by means of a structured, tutored tasting session. The Cider Box are visiting Chicago for a few days as part of Cider Week, bringing with them traditional & craft heritage cider, with a handful of cheese to soak it up. Join us for this unmissable feast. In collaboration with Shelton Brothers.

Virtue Cider Cocktail Class
7:00 PM
Koval Distillery
5121 N Ravenswood Ave
Chicago, IL 60640
Learn about mixing cider in cocktails and make your own using Virtue Cider and KOVAL!
$40 advance tickets, limited space.
More details at koval-distillery.com.

Cider 101 With 2 Towns Ciderhouse & Uncle John’s
7:00 PM
Bitter Pops
3345 N Lincoln Ave #102
Chicago, IL 60657
Join Brian Rutzen of Uncle John’s and Aja Brothers of 2 Towns Ciderhouse as they walk you through cider and cheese pairings, and the basics of cider at large.
Two special guests will be joining: Jose Pardo of Trabanco Sidra will demonstrate the traditional Spanish long pour and share the cider traditions of Asturias, Spain. Cider maker and author Susana Forbes will give us insight into the British cider scene. She will also have copies of her new book “The Cider Insider: 100 Craft Ciders to Drink Now.”
A night of discussion, cheese and cider from here, there and everywhere.

Annual Ireland and UK Cider Karaoke Competition
9:00 PM
Harrigan’s Pub
2816 N Halsted St
Chicago, IL 60657
Warm up those vocal cords and get ready to sing! Chicago Cider Week has paired with Harrigan’s Pub and The Helen David Relief Fund for a night of fun and games at our 2nd annual cider-oke competition. All proceeds go to HDRF, and we’ll be slinging fine ciders of Thistly Cross, Aspall, and Craigie’s all night. So grab a pint and a microphone, and show us what you’ve got!
Entry is first come first entered the night of the event.

Friday Feb 8

Cider Stories – Behind the Label
Friday, February 8, 2019
8:00 PM
Evergreen Park
Waitlist Only
Join Cider Soms, Stem Ciders, and Eden Specialty Ciders for an intimate educational cider tasting in a comfortable setting. Enjoy small bites while learning about the passion that takes place behind the label.
Located in Evergreen Park, but the exact location will be disclosed after your ticket is confirmed.
Limited tickets available at https://bit.ly/2HeOqzO

Saturday Feb 9

Chicago Cider Summit 2019
11:00 AM
Aon Grand Ballroom
840 E Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60611
Cider Summit CHI is a unique opportunity for guests to meet and greet cidermakers and taste popular and new releases, nearly 200 ciders, meads, and cider cocktails including regional favorites and international classics will be showcased.
Tickets now on sale!