Distillery Lane Ciderworks, Maryland’s top cidery, is holding a month-long fundraising event in October to aid the Maryland Food Bank’s efforts to help out of work families. Between March 1 and August 31, the Maryland Food Bank distributed nearly 31.4M pounds of food – a 97% increase over last year.
The “Witches Brew Project” will donate 100% of the bottle proceeds of retail sales of its fall specialty cider, “Witches Brew,” to the Maryland Food Bank.
Rob Miller, who founded the cidery 20 years ago with his wife, Patty Power, said the goal is to donate $10,000 to the food bank. Miller said “I have more than $20,000 worth of Witches Brew inventory, and all of it is available for sale to benefit the Maryland Food Bank.”
“Before the coronavirus pandemic hit, we supplied lots of restaurants and stores. Many of them are now closed or operating at a loss. That’s really hurt a lot of their employees. We wanted to do something to help and give back,” he said.
“The Maryland Food Bank needs a special hand this year, as it tries to raise $28 million for the fall and winter, and we hope to do our small part to help get them to the finish line,” said Miller.
“Witches Brew” has long been one of the most popular hard ciders sold by DLC. It is made from the orchard’s home-grown apples and aronia berries to make a tart, refreshing apple wine.
Nestled on the outskirts of the central Maryland town of Burkittsville, home to the haunting “Blair Witch Project” movie, Distillery Lane Ciderworks grows over 4,000 trees, producing dozens of different heirloom and cider apple varieties.
DLC has been producing the “Witches Brew” as its seasonal specialty cider since 2016. The “potion”goes perfectly with smoked foods, especially cheeses, and just about anything savory you’d find on the Halloween or Thanksgiving table.
The fundraiser will run for the five weekends in October. “Witches Brew” will be available at DLC’s farm stand on Saturdays and Sundays from 12-5pm. It can also be ordered online, for contactless pickup at www.distillerylaneciderworks.com.
For media inquiries:
Rob Miller • Owner, Distillery Lane Ciderworks • ciderguys@distillerylaneciderworks.com • cell: 214.683.7052
Joanna Warner • Director of Communications, Maryland Food Bank • jwarner@mdfoodbank.org • 443.297.5167