KATHY MICHAELS
Black Press
Flats of Broken Ladder cider are being snapped up faster than can be produced, creating the most delicious dilemma local agriculturalists have seen in some time.
“We are constantly hearing, ‘I’m out,’” said Shannon Forgues, B.C. Tree Fruit’s Cidery Co. promotions manager.
“Right when the first palates come off the line, I’m there shipping them out to wherever they need to be. And when we think we have enough we run into the same dilemma again.”
With each palate of cider being gulped up, the need for more local fruit arises and that’s where local co-op members see rewards.
“For the first time in a long time we’re able to use the apples that didn’t necessarily have a lot of value before,” said Forgues
“Now we have a home for them, and it’s a home that’s generating revenue.”
The company created two new ciders for release this spring: Pears and Apples & Hops.
“It was another labor-intensive recipe process,” says Michael Daley, cidery manager.
“The results are two new varieties of cider, Pears and the distinct taste of Apples & Hops. These, in addition to Apples will be available in B.C. Liquor stores and private retail stores mid-April.”
