2016 Class Schedule Coming Soon!
2012 cider-making class participants taste some of our cider during the class.
Each year from January – July, Distillery Lane Ciderworks offers a cider-making class that covers the basics of home cider-making. The classes are held on-site in the DLC cider house. Our head cidermaker, Tim Rose, and our orchardist, Rob Miller, run the informative class. For more information about the class, check out our FAQs below.
Gift certificates for our 2015 cider-making class are now available and make a great gift. Advance purchases for classes are highly recommended as all classes sell out!
Classes are offered based on the availability of fresh cider.
See the Washington Post article featuring our class here!
FAQs:
Q: Who is the cider-making class for?
A: The class is perfect for anyone interested in (legally) preparing hard cider at home. The information presented in the class is accessible for people ranging from novices to cider aficionados.
Q: When are classes held?
A: Classes are held on the first Saturday of each month during the off-season (January through July).
Q: How long is the class?
A: The class starts at 9:30 AM and ends around 12:30 PM. These three hours include a tour of the orchard, the class itself, and cider tastings.
Q: What topics does the class cover?
Tim Rose, the cidermaker for DLC, explains some of the basics of cider-making at one of our 2012 classes.
A: The course covers topics such as desirability of various apple varieties, how different apples (bittersharp, sharp, and bittersweet) are used in the cider, the fermentation process (including yeast selection, acidity measurement, and secondary fermentation), the importance of sanitation, and blending the finished product.
Q: What does the class cost?
A: The class costs $125 per person (pre-registration and a $25 non-refundable deposit is due to hold a spot in the class). This fee covers the class, tastings, and all of the materials needed for participants to ferment a case of their own hard cider at home (fresh cider, fermentation container, airlock, and yeast).
Q: How many people can attend the class?
A: Each class is limited to fifteen participants.
Q: How do you register for a cider-making class?
A: Sign up Online (when classes are available). Register early to reserve a spot. Classes fill very quickly!
Or: RSVP and register by mail, using this two-step process.
1: Submit your rsvp by completing the form below, then
2: Send a check for $25/per participant to 5533 Gapland Road, Jefferson, MD 21755 along with the names of each participant, email address, and best contact number.
or
3. Use the Square register link to purchase the full class or make your deposit online. Be sure to fill out the form below with the required information in addition to resgistering.
Registration will be considered complete upon receipt of the registration fee. An email confirmation will be sent when registration is received.