After Holiday Cider Gift Ideas
Not every cider-related purchase has to include the magical elixir itself.
All of us here at Bone & Bottle Reviews and The Cider Exchange are fervent supporters of those in the cider business, this everyone knows. Many of you out there likely are in the same boat as us; having such an overstock of cider to drink that it seems like an un-climbable mountain. You get the feeling that you’re a modern day Sisyphus. Despite this, you want to do what you can to support the makers and creators out there. That’s where merchandise comes into play!
Many cidermakers, producers, even the orchards where the apples come from have cups, hats, shirts, and more available for sale. Outside of this initial circle, you have a plethora of books that cover a wide range of topics; from the history of the apples in a region, to how to properly ascertain certain notes from a cider you’re drinking. All of this is well known, but not the focus here today. Instead, what follows is a list of some stores to check out from a group of those here in the industry, but do not actually peddle cider as their main business. Sure these would have made some great holiday gifts, but like a dozen flowers on a random Tuesday compared to a day you’re already expecting them, random gifts on a otherwise nonchalant day just hit harder. Plus, you need to put those Visa gift cards & lotto ticket winnings to good use.
Also, just a quick disclaimer: Bone & Bottle Reviews and The Cider Exchange were not compensated for the mention of anyone listed below (other than any sales from the TCE! online store), so browse knowing these fresh picks are of an unbiased opinion.
33 Books Co. Portland, OR
The Pacific Northwest is world renowned for its seemingly infinite amount of apples & cider that are grown & produced there annually. Ciderwise, the center of this Mecca that Washington & Oregon create lies the city of Portland. A dozen plus producers can be found within the metro area, with untold amount of cider-specific taphouses, bars with multiple lines of cider, craft stores…the list goes on. It is here that human Swiss Army Knife Dave Selden plies his trade. What started as a journey to try 999 beers has become quite a unique business. The staple product is his “33” series of tasting journals, featuring two of Damin’s favorite things: cider & hot sauce. There are a plethora of other books covering a wide swath of alcoholic drinks as well as posters, shirts and more. All products are made locally as humanly possible, and his occasional emails are witty & a refreshing change from your typical feed of big-box ads & Euro Millions lotto scams.
Heirloom Apple Boston, MA
There is about a 99.9% chance you’ve seen one of Eric Lewandowski’s many cider related works of art in your time because this guy is everywhere! He has credit for designing the labels of many ciders out there, on top of Pomme posters & photos that adorn the walls of a vast number of cideries out there. One of these would make an excellent replacement for that collage of photos with relatives you don’t even talk to anymore on that one wall.
His products currently can ship to the US & Canada, with workings in the pipeline for more international options.
Cider Apparel
New Jersey, USA
If you follow cider closely on social media, you’ll be hard-pressed to not have seen the creative and hilarious videos by the Three Guys & Cider crew from New Jersey. Over the past year, they’ve stormed onto the scene and have really taken it upon themselves to bring the knowledge of cider to a younger generation. Maybe you’ve seen their iconic red & white shirts and wondered where you could get one? Well wonder no more, as they have opened their own store where they’ll be working on expanding the market of general cider themed clothing.
Cider on Film
Japan
It’s not just here in the United States where cider fans are showcasing their love of the Pomme & its produce in the form of purchasable merch. Canadian expat Jay Revelle has lived in Japan for a while now, and has combined his two loves in life: cider & film photography into one passion project. Jay boasts the largest portfolio of cider on negatives in the world, and has a handpicked selection of these shots available on shirts. Other general merchandise like hats & phone covers are available. He ships all over the world, and usually is offering some sort of shipping discount!
Cyderpunk
Japan
A collaboration between Lee Reeve of inCiderJapan & Jay Holmes of Mystery Cuts, this product line is quite a departure from what many would expect from cider merchandise. Born from wanting to take classic cider themes & blending them with some grunge, punk like themes, as well as some clever play on languages, you’ll have no problem standing out from the crowd at CiderCon or Glintcap with one of these shirts, hoodies or phone cases. Shipping available worldwide.
inCiderJapan / Japan Cider Market Japan
Japan has one of the world’s best cider scenes, in large part thanks to Lee Reeve, creator if inCiderJapan! While you can’t import Lee’s great cider selection into the states, you can snag a subscription to his international inCiderJapan magazine and I apple Cider tee!
CiderSnob
North Carolina, USA
Bill Lyon, known on the socials as the “Cider Snob”, can be found seemingly anywhere in the US at any time, with an even more vast array of ciders available for showcasing. It’s safe to say he knows a thing or two about a good cider, and additionally, what would make good cider merchandise. As such, Bill has a small store where he peddles his homemade goods. Masks, shirts, cups…if you need it, he’s probably making it.
The Cider Exchange! USA
For our last recommendation, we pivot back to something a bit closer to home for us, the TCE! online store! The store mainly features our original logo design, by artist extraordinaire Matthew Ryan Sharp (go check out his fantastic design work on his IG here, and think of him for any designs you might need!), on merchandise. However, new original designs by TCE! founder Ryan Gravell will be going up monthly through 2022, with the first design being a special CiderCon RVA shirt!
This is by no means a definitive or complete list, just a snippet of what is out there. Just as we find it important to support small cidermakers, we find it equally important to shop for our threads and other goods from small makers! Raise a glass and wear a festive cider shirt, and here’s to a fruitful & healthy 2022!