- Designed For
- A course for serious entrepreneurs hoping to start a craft cidery or ciderpub
- Dates
- Monday - Friday, November 6 - 11, 2017
- Delivery
- Onsite in Portland, Oregon at Widmer Brothers (929 N Russell St, Portland, OR 97227)
- Cost
- $1,275 plus a $60 non-refundable registration fee
- PLEASE NOTE: Between June 30th at 11am to July 1 at 12pm we will be performing a site update, and will not be able to accept credit card payments during that time. We apologize for the inconvenience. The system will be fully functional on July 1 after 12pm.
Introduction
If you are dreaming of starting a cider business, join the Craft Cidery Startup Workshop to learn the logistics of starting your own craft cider business.
Along with the rise of micro breweries and micro distilleries, the cider industry is seeing increased demand for more flavors and styles of cider. Changing laws and regulations around the United States have made small cideries a feasible option and the cider market is ready for fresh and innovative home recipes.
Cider Making Workshop from Industry Experts
Taught by seasoned cider industry practitioners, this cider business course will walk you through the basics of:
- Business planning
- Understanding market feasibility
- Ingredient sourcing and equipment
- Local and national regulations
- Distribution and marketing
You’ll gain entrepreneurial insight from exclusive access to local cidery founders through presentations and field trips that would be possible nowhere other than Oregon.
Coffee and lunch are provided each day of the class.
Starting a Cider Business
What makes this cider business course so unique?
What Do Past Students Say About this Cider Course?
"I don't know how anyone could start a cidery without doing a workshop such as the OSU offering. A cidery is a business. It's not just pitching yeast on juice. There's marketing, management, law, intellectual property, finance and production knowledge - all of those things the OSU course covers in adequate detail. Those who attend can hit the ground running with starting a true cider operation - just like I did."
-Chris Blanchard, 2014 Workshop Attendee and Longdrop Cider Co. Founder
"The Craft Cidery Startup Workshop was a non-stop week long cider enlightening experience. I had the opportunity to learn about all aspects of the evolving cider world from respected cidermakers, network with great cider people from around the country, and got to spend a week in Portland, the heart of cider drinking in America! If you are thinking about getting into the cider business, this is definitely a worthwhile class. Since finishing the workshop I have submitted all of my permit paperwork and hope to be opening a cidery soon!”
-Ronald Sansone, cider traveler/blogger at DrinkingCider.com and contributor at Ciderculture.com
Complete this course and earn a digital badge to share your accomplishment on Facebook, LinkedIn and more!
What You'll Learn
- Recognition of craft hard cider making opportunities in your community.
- Process to create a sustainable cidery business plan.
- Best practices for growing and marketing your craft hard cidery.
- Development of capital and infrastructure including sourcing ingredients and brewing equipment.
- Entrepreneurial insight from local cidery owners.
- Current trends in the cider industry.
- Elements of a successful cidery business and management culture.
Instructors
Jason Barker
Jason H. Barker is a business attorney for Holland & Knight, a Portland, Or. based law firm. He practices in the area of alcohol beverage regulation and represents domestic and international clients, including breweries, distilleries, wineries, distributors, importers and retailers in all three tiers of the alcohol beverage industry.
Chris Blanchard, Ph.D.
Chris Blanchard is the owner of Longdrop Cider Co., which was founded in 2014 and is Idaho's largest cidery.
Nick Gunn
Nick Gunn, co-owner of Benchgraft Cider Consulting in Portland, Or. He has over 14 years of experience in professional cidermaking and orcharding.
Anne Hubatch
Anne Hubatch is the co-owner of Alter Ego Cider and owner & winemaker at Helioterra Wines. Alter Ego Cider was established in 2014 in Portland, Or. Anne, with the help of two friends, decided to put their combined two decades of wine making experience to work, and craft artisanal ciders utilizing winemaking techniques.
James Katsma
James Katsma is the head cidermaker for Seattle Cider Co., where he leads pressings and daily cider production. He is also responsible for their barrel work and small batch ciders.
James Kohn
As owner of Wandering Aengus Ciderworks in Salem, Ore., James Kohn has experience working with ingredient sourcing and production. Rather than mimicking large scale commercial cider corporations, James looks for inspiration in the actions and techniques of craft breweries and wine makers who maintain close relationships with their distributors and growers.
Nat West
Nat West is the owner and founder of Reverand Nat's Hard Cider, which is known for experimenting with unique ingredients including beer yeasts, spices, hops and local fruit juices.
Testimonials
I don't know how anyone could start a cidery without doing a workshop such as the OSU offering. A cidery is a business. It's not just pitching yeast on juice. There's marketing, management, law, intellectual property, finance and production knowledge - all of those things the OSU course covers in adequate detail. Those who attend can hit the ground running with starting a true cider operation - just like I did.
It was really fantastic. I was frequently overwhelmed and discouraged by how much I didn't know that I didn't know. But it was a great overview that I hope touched on everything I will need to get me started on the process of creating a business plan.
