Oh, cider. It’s not beer and it’s not wine, but it’s still boozy and delicious. There’s just something about drinking something that tastes like it came from a juice box and knowing that it still has the power to knock you on your butt the next day. In the outdoorsy state of Colorado, the cider industry has quietly been skyrocketing in recent years—not quite to the tune of the explosive craft beer industry—but cider makers are definitely on the rise. The health-conscious communities along the Front Range in particular can’t seem to get enough of this light, refreshing and gluten-free beverage, which is why Firestone-based Wild Cider, in collaboration with Decadent Saint winery, will be opening up a year-round tasting room in Boulder this weekend.
Since 2014, Wild Cider has been operating on 14 acres of land in Firestone which is home to a production facility, orchard and small outdoor seasonal tasting room that all exist under the watchful eye of Longs Peak and the snowcapped mountains looming to the west. Best known for their popular Apple, Berry, Bee Hoppy, and Agave Peach ciders, Wild Cider has sent 18 different ciders out into the world, packaged in kegs as well as 4 packs and mixed packs of 16 ounce cans—all making their way throughout Colorado and into 8 states total.
On March 17, the popular cidery and Decadent Saint winery will unveil a joint tasting room, complete with community seating, a large bar filled with a variety of draft, bottled and canned offerings from both booze-makers, and the vintage Hot Tin Roof Pizza RV (which will stay stationary inside of the tasting room and operate from 4-8 pm when the tasting room is open) at 1501 Lee Hill, Unit 14 in north Boulder. The small business district which the new collaboration will call home also houses a handful of other Colorado beverage makers like Upslope Brewing Company, Settembre Cellars and Bookcliff Vineyards. The joint effort was inspired by growth in Decadent Saint, sparking the winery to move production from the back portion of their location which freed up some real estate that Wild Cider owner Adam Gorove jumped on.
Opening weekend festivities will run on Friday and Saturday from 1 to 9 pm and Sunday from 1 to 6 pm. Hot Tin Roof Pizza will be serving wood-fired pizza all weekend and the New Jersey-based Barefoot String Band will be playing tunes on Saturday from 4 to 7 pm. The weekend will also include giveaways from both business and Wild Cider will be pouring three speciality ciders: Lemon Basil, Berry dry-aged in oak, and a Bourbon Cherry cider. Following the grand opening shenanigans, the tasting room, which is family-friendly and dog-friendly, will be open to the public Thursday through Sunday during the week.
