Cider House Culture!
Amy Robson and Chris Haworth enjoyed the cider house culture in England! Now, they’re bringing it to Ontario, for us all to share! Chris and Amy literally started from the ground up, planting thousands of heritage cider apple trees at their farm in Freelton in 2012.
An apple tree grows for 5 years before it starts producing fruit, so 2018 looks to be a great harvest at Somerset Orchards!
Ontario Apples and Fruit!
Many Ontario orchards were cut down during prohibition, bringing cider making to a full stop. Over the past 8 years, artisanal, small-batch craft cider has taken off, boasting more than 60 Ontario cideries today.
Chris Haworth had a successful career as an executive chef in 2008 when he started experimenting with cider making. After taking the plunge to full time cider producer, West Avenue won Best Ontario Cider 2014, 2016 and 2016, plus first prizes in international competition.
Ontario fruit farmers are overjoyed that cideries like West Avenue are adding local cherries, raspberries and blueberries to ciders. Chris Haworth is an innovator in our local cider renaissance with creative apple/berry combinations and pioneering aging and fermentation in former bourbon, tequila, wine and cognac barrels.
West Avenue uses 100% Ontario grown “cider” apples. Regular eating and baking apples just don’t make good hard cider.
Winter Visit to West Avenue!
West Avenue is open winter hours, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 12pm-5pm until Easter. In addition to a beautiful farm and orchard, the cider house has a tasting bar and growlers. Check out the amazing barrel room where the fermentation action is ongoing! Cider aging takes 6 months to a year.
Taste What You’ve Been Missing!
West Avenue makes 11 stock ciders plus seasonal favorites. Two customer favorites are “Heritage Dry” (100% Heritage Crisps apples) and “Cherriosity” (with Ontario cherries, of course.)
Well over 50 restaurants in the GTA pour West Avenue ciders. You’ll find West Avenue Cider at 12 Hamilton restaurants including Detour Coffee, Bread Bar and Ancaster Mill.
