Heyser's homemade -- so good it wins awards!

Winter 2008:
HEYSER FARMS WINS PRESTIGIOUS APPLE CIDER AWARD
Heyser’s Fresh-Pressed Sweet Apple Cider Judged Best Overall at
2008 Mid-Atlantic Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association Convention

Heyser Farms of Colesville, Maryland is proud to announce its sweet cider was recognized best overall in a regional competition at the Mid-Atlantic Fruit and Vegetable Growers 2008 annual conference. Heyser, a first-timer in the competition, beat out 14 competitors from Maryland, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and New Jersey. Over 2,500 attended the conference Jan 29/Feb 1 in Hershey PA, now in its 31st year. Heyser’s cider was judged best based on a variety of criteria, including taste, color, aroma and appearance. Technical judgments on sweetness/tartness and the cider’s acid/sugar ratio were also part of the judging.

“It was our first time out in the competition and we won – we’re thrilled,” said Kerry Anders, Jr, who worked with his uncle Mike Heyser to create the winning recipe. “We should’ve listened to our customers earlier – they’ve always told us our cider is the best.”

Heyser uses homegrown apples and local apples to make their cider on an old-fashioned rack and cloth cider press. The apples are kept cold until cider-making time, washed well, and then ground up and pressed to release the juice. One of Heyser’s own, patented apples, called Spencerville Red, is used in much of the cider they press during the year. The prize-winning cider used a majority of Spencerville Red, plus a selection of other varieties like Golden Delicious and Stayman. 

Heyser’s presses cider from mid-September through mid-April, or until the apple supply is gone. Customers can see the press in action; just call ahead to see when the next pressing will be.