Blog

Want to learn more about the world of cider-making? Read our blog for insider information, tips and more from our cider experts!

Owners Taylor Benson and Mackenzie Smith standing behind a tasting room bar, smiling.

New Owners, New Location: Who, What, Where, When and Why?

An element that we both miss when visiting establishments is the novelty of meeting owners of the business. We want to bring back that intimacy and personable aspect. Along with bringing back some of your favorite staff members, we will also be behind the bar – sharing our story and making connections.  

Hops Addition

Confession: One my favorite aspects of working in the beverage industry is utterly dismantling people’s preconceived notions and expectations about our craft.

A Potluck in a Glass

Loyal followers, allow me to introduce a new addition to the Blue Bee Cider family… Harvest Party. Every cider tells a story, and this one is a doozy. The origin…

Petit Manchurian

More than six years into this cidery concept, it’s hard to believe that we haven’t yet put apples and grapes together in a beverage. But at last, that’s about to…

Persnickety Pawpaws

Of the four Foraging Series projects, Golden Pawpaw proved to be my bugaboo. This was the third straight summer that I traversed the trails along the James River, in search…

Plums & Aplomb!

It’s safe to accuse those of us at Blue Bee Cider of having a fruit obsession, particularly when it comes to fermenting said fruit. From a creative standpoint, one of…

Fanfare Returns

Oh, how I’ve longed to type these three little words… Fanfare is back! It’s been over three years since we released a full run of this wild mulberry-infused cider. April…

Presenting Our Greatest Hits

Since we opened five years ago, the tasting order for customers has been a constant topic of discussion. Every time a new cider or a new vintage enters the lineup,…

2017 Good Food Awards Remarks

Full text of Courtney Mailey’s acceptance remarks at the Good Food Awards in San Francisco, Jan. 20, 2017. Thank you for honoring our little company with this award tonight. It…

Weddings and Events at Summit Stables

Since opening our newly rehabilitated cidery in Scott’s Addition, we have had many requests to host private events, meetings and wedding celebrations. Beginning in 2017, Blue Bee Cider will begin…

Fanfarewell

In the craft cider world, we simple humans like to pretend that we’re in charge. But alas, Mother Nature is the boss. And she can be mean. We are preparing…

Notes from the Orchard

Like most small businesses, Blue Bee Cider wouldn’t be what it is today without the support and energy of many people. In the tasting room, we get the occasional question…