7 Monks to Host the Largest Cider Tap-Takeover in the Midwest (Tuesday June 11, Traverse City)

Whether you like it sweet or dry, fruity or woody, 7 Monks will have a cider for you on June 11, 2013, at the Michigan Hard Cider Takeover. Starting at 3 p.m., 20 different ciders will be poured from Michigan cider makers, including:

• Left Foot Charley
• Uncle John's Cider Mill
• Tandem Ciders
• Northern Natural Cidery
• 45 North
• Black Star Farms
• Vander Mill Cider
• Bowers Harbor
• and more...

“This will be the largest cider tap-takeover in the Midwest,” said Paul Vander Heide, founder and owner of Vander Mill Cider in Spring Lake, Mich.

“Michigan leads the nation in the number of brands of cider produced per state, and is the third largest state when it comes to growing cider’s main ingredient (apples),” said 7 Monks General Manager Jason Kasdorf. “We’re looking forward to highlighting several of these award-winning Michigan ciders at our event on June 11.”

About 7 Monks Taproom:
7 Monks Taproom in Traverse City, Michigan, offers 46 taps and an ever-changing bottled beer selection. Specializing in Trappist beer, 7 Monks also offers a variety of wine, cider, local mead and seasonal craft beers from Michigan and around the world. Located at 128 S Union St in Traverse City, 7 Monks Taproom is open Mon-Thurs. from 3 p.m. to midnight and Fri-Sun from noon to midnight.

Visit them online at 7MonksTap.com, or on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/7MonksTaproom

Vander Mill Cider Completes $600,000 Expansion and Begins Canning Hard Ciders

One of the Midwest’s largest craft cider producers – Vander Mill Cider & Winery – is introducing a new line of canned ciders. Earlier this year, Vander Mill completed a 3500-square-foot, $600,000 expansion at its facility in Spring Lake. This includes the addition of fermentation equipment and a canning system, which will produce 1800 16-ounce cans per hour. In all, owner Paul Vander Heide estimates his 2013 production to top 100,000 gallons.

“We expect these cans to significantly increase production – with an expected volume growth of over 100% from last year,” Vander Heide says. “We wanted to decrease the cost to the consumer by increasing automation and using a more cost-effective package.”

Three canned Vander Mill brands – Hard Apple, Totally Roasted and Blue Gold (formerly known as Apple Blueberry) – will hit the marketplace in throughout Michigan in the coming week, with special events scheduled at select venues (check out Vander Mill’s Facebook and/or Twitter feeds for updated information).

“We are going to continue our focus on innovation and creativity with our ciders,” says Vander Heide. “But we wanted to take a few of our core products and make them more accessible to the consumer. Our cans should now be available in more independent stores as well as traditional grocery.” Currently, more than 600 retail outlets and 200 bars/restaurants in Michigan and Chicago serve Vander Mill ciders.

In addition to the expansion in the production area, Vander Mill has renovated its 2500-square-foot tasting room and café, with the introduction of an expanded menu under the auspices of Chef Stephanie Luke. Providing lunch and dinner, offerings include hand-made creations like Pork Belly & Polenta, Marinated Noodle Salad, Housemade Dumplings, Duck Confit Sandwich, Pulled Pork Sandwich and a selection of pretzels, cheeses, salads and more. Vander Mill offers seating for 65 indoors and 100 outside (weather permitting) in a 2000-square-foot Cider Garden.

Vander Mill opened in 2006 in a 5000-square-foot building, serving cider, donuts and fudge, in a market setting. In 2008, they released their first hard cider products in 750ml bottles and on draft. Speciality products will still be available in this larger format and Vander Heide says he’s currently working with Cider Maker Joel Brower on some barrel-aged products and brewery collaborations as well.

Vander Mill Cider Mill & Winery
14921 Cleveland Street
Spring Lake, MI 49456
616-842-4337

www.VanderMill.com
www.facebook.com/VMCider
www.twitter.com/vandermill