An interview with Michelle McGrath of the American Cider Association!
Our last interview for Women’s History Month is the one and only Michelle McGrath, Executive Director of the American Cider Association! Michelle’s support of the industry has been tremendous, and in large part thanks to her, the ACA has a clear direction as we move forward in this current, uncertain world. I’m thankful for her support here at TCE in everything we do to #supportcider and #pickcider. I can’t wait to finally meet her next February in Chicgao at the CiderCon 2021, and make sure you read her interview for a big surprise for 2022!
-Ryan Gravell
To celebrate Women's History Month in March and highlight members of the group who work within the cider industry, we interviewed leading women making waves as makers and contributors in the cider industry. We hope you enjoy our feature and get to know more about the Women in Cider who are being highlighted.
Question: Tell us about yourself and your role in cider.
Michelle McGrath: I'm the executive director of the American Cider Association. My job is to help the industry pool its resources so we can grow cider's voice in front of congress, educate America about cider, and create tools that everyone in the industry can benefit from. It's very hard work (ask my husband and kids) but I count my blessings every day. The cider industry is full of good people and amazing liquid, and I'm proud to do what I can to help it.
Q: What do you enjoy most about cider and/or the cider industry?
MM: The cider industry is small if you look at it compared to other alcohol sectors, but you would never know that talking to our makers. The passion is SO BIG. I've always had a belief in fermentation to add value and viability to farms and food-sheds, and I love seeing people's contagious passion for cider and apples lead to just that. My second favorite thing about the cider industry is the regionality. It's pretty amazing to explore the terroir and style choices of different regions. They are more unique from each other than people give them credit for.
Q: Do you have a favorite moment in your cider adventures?
MM: Exploring the great cider region of Virginia is something that will live with me forever as a very positive and impressionable experience. Driving around the state with Anne Shelton from Albemarle, we stopped in at Potter's. We were tasting cider made with Winesap apples, and Anne noted the similarities between the ciders that Albemarle had made with the same vintage of Winesap. Yet the differences in production choices were also really apparent (both ciders were delicious). Being able to dissect the different impacts of the various factors of "terroir" was a pivotal moment for me. That same trip I visited with Bold Rock, Bryant's, Castle Hill, Courthouse Creek, Blue Bee and Buskey's. The hospitality of Virginia was incredible, and the ciders all kind of blew my mind. I'm really excited to go back for CiderCon 2022 in Richmond! (You're hearing it here, folks. TCE breaking news!).
Q: What was the first cider that really knocked your socks off?
MM: Wandering Aengus's Blossom cider. It was semi-sweet, balanced, and it really opened my eyes. I paired it with Rogue Creamery's Rogue River Blue. That cheese is aged in wine grape leaves that have been soaked in pear brandy. The pear brandy was made with pears from the same valley where the apples in the cider came from. It was a major homerun pairing, and I've been a big cider fan ever since. That was 2010.
Q: What is your current favorite apple for cidermaking and why do you love it?
MM: I can tell you what apples I appreciate in other people's cidermaking. I'm really into high-acid ciders right now, so I've been drinking a lot of bottles featuring crab apples. It truly depends on what I'm eating and the season, but most recently that I'd say crab apples like Manchurian, Dolgo or Hewe's are at the top of my cider drinking list.
Q: What so you do when you’re not organizing the cider world?
MM: I love to cook and garden, and I'm really hoping to get back into hiking, camping and rock climbing now that my kids are getting a tiny bit older. My 2.5 year old went bouldering at the gym for the first time recently and he absolutely loved it. I'm hoping this means I get to get back into the sport! I am also a writer and an artist. Sometimes I forget I am those things, so it's good for me to commit to them on paper!
Q: Whose ciders are you drinking now? Any recommendations?
MM: I'll share my favorite spring cider tradition--pairing rhubarb cider with barbecued lamb for Easter! Schilling and Eaglemount both make rhubarb ciders in my neck of the woods. I would love to know who else is making commercial versions.
Q: Anything else you'd like to add?
MM: From CiderCon volunteers to regional cider passion projects to TCE, the industry owes so much to the community of cider loyalists. Special thank yous to Matt, Erica and Ryan for all you do and for demonstrating how transformative a positive, big-tent attitude free of shaming can be for the industry. Also- I'm exploring the Finger Lakes and Hudson Valley cider regions in a couple weeks. I'm so excited!!
American Cider Association
P.O. Box 66483
Portland, OR 97290