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Cider Chat


Interviewing cidermakers importers, orchardists, foodies, farmers and cider enthusiasts around the world. Let’s delve into the semantics of cider…or is it hard cider, cidre, sidra or fermented apple juice? The truth is out there in Ciderville and we are going to find it. We toast in celebration of cider; As a libation, a gift from the gods, a taste of terroir, and a hard pressed good time. Ready to quench your thirst? Grab a glass and join this chat! See you in Ciderville!

Jan 25, 2017

February 7, 2017 at 4:30pm

Cider Chat at The Northman   

recording chats with patrons on Cider Stories!

Brian Rutzen is the Cider Director at Chicago’s first cider bar, The Northman managing 20 taps of cider, 5 craft beers and in total over a 100 options of cider to partake at this 63 seat bar.

We chat how The Northman helps patrons understand cider, how it is poured, cellaring cider, cider with food, and lots of tips for attendees heading to the windy city for CiderCon (the annual cider conference for members of the United States Association of Cider Makers).

Chicago is a city of neighborhoods - with many of the names reflecting the immigrant groups that settled there. Pilsen for instance got its name from the Czech immigrants and is now housing many Mexican immigrants.

Brian says “Chicago is setup as a grid.” Making it fairly easy to get about

Go to this page to see the ciderchat.com show notes page with photos

 O'Hare Airport apple history

What does the airport code ORD stand for at this mighty Chicago hub?

Answer: Orchard Field

Taxi to Downtown from O'Hare Airport: $50 bucks (this is not absolute, might be more)

Public Transport from O'Hare to Downtown -$2 (might be a bit more but, no more than $5)

What to expect for cider options in Chicago? 

Brian says that most bars nowadays have at least  2 ciders on tap

Transportation around Chicago?

Uber - Take lake shore drive to get to The Northman from Chicago CiderCon2017 for $15 bucks. Use the promo code CIDERCHAT10 for $10 off your first Uber ride.

Taking the L train from downtown to The Northman will take you 45 minutes

Contact info for Brian and The Northman

Brian’s Twitter handle: @ChicagoCider

website The Northman

address: 4337 N. Lincoln Ave, Chicago

telephone: 773-935-2255

Twitter @TheNorthmanChi

CiderCon February 8th through 10th, 2017Mentions in this Chat

Chicago Cider Summit February 11, 2017

Jake Melnick’s Corner Tap Known for wings and having cider on draft

Vandermill Cider

Places to stop in on Randolph Street as mentioned on this chat

Girl & The Goat

Little Goat

Duck Duck Spin

809 W Randolph Street

Chicago, Illinois

Au Cheval

800 W. Randolph Street

312-929-4580

Kaiser Tiger -

1415 W. Randolph Street

German Sausage, great tastes made with bacon

Cider on Tap

Outside in the Winter: Curling!!!

Listen to the following French cider podcast episodes to prepare for the CiderCon Tastings

049: Agathe Letellier | Manior d"apreval | Normandy - France

050: Didier Bedue |President I.D.A.C., France

057 Eric Bordelet | Normandy, France Part 1


Ask for the following 4 #CiderGoingUP Campaign cider supporters - By supporting these cider makers, you in turn help Ciderville.


Big Apple Hard Cider
- NYC

Kurant Cider - Pennsylvania

Oliver’s Cider and Perry - Herefordshire/UK

Santa Cruz Cider Company - California

The Cider Project - California

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Find this episode and all episodes at the page for Cider Chat's podcasts.

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