Beer writer Beth Demmon has written a book called The Beer Lover’s Guide to Cider: American Ciders for Craft Beer Fans to Explore, published on September 12 by Mango Publishing. The book explores the potentially overwhelming variety of the modern cider scene through the lens of beer, relating cider varieties to major flavor groupings from craft beer. The format Beth chose for her guide allows readers to approach cider on their own terms, using familiar flavor references.
Cider has been brewed and enjoyed here in the U.S. for centuries, and there were points in the country’s history when cider was the preeminent beverage for the young nation. By the end of the twentieth century, however, cider has long since given way to beer, wine, and spirits. Like many other artisan food and beverage industries however, cider is experiencing a resurgence in popularity, and Beth is excited about where it's heading.
While reading The Beer Lover’s Guide to Cider, I was struck by the familiar observations made about cider as someone who came to that industry from beer—many of them echoed my own experiences exploring craft chocolate as a beer writer. In the following interview, Beth and I discuss her book, what cider and beer can learn from each other, and what it’s been like for both of us to explore other artisan industries parallel to our first love, beer. Listen in as we talk with author Beth Demmon.
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