Podcasts about colrain

Drew Phillips opened the doors of Four Phantoms in Greenfield, Massachusetts in 2021. He began his fermentation career in the Pacific Northwest, and while waiting to open his own brewery, he took on the role as cider maker at Artifact Cider Project. Drew Phillips Known for his creative ciders and beers, Drew blends tradition with innovation, sourcing local fruit and experimenting with wild fermentation. Check out his talk on the making of Old Gods . In this episode, Drew shares how Four Phantoms' unique approach reflects the terroir of Western Massachusetts. Early Challenges of a Brewery/Cidery: Gaining a License Drew initially couldn't produce cider legally due to licensing restrictions in Massachusetts. After securing a farmer winery license, he started making cider alongside beer and mead. All ciders are crafted from Pine Hill fruit in Colrain, Massachusetts. Signature Ciders and Fermentation Techniques Late Harvest – 6.5% Apples (Spy, Golden Russet and Baldwin) Tamlane – 6% 100% Macintosh apples, aged on black birch wood, giving it a herbal, German liqueur note. Redfield – 7.7% 100% Redfield apples – A red-fleshed apple cider with natural acidity and structure. Chapin's Waltz – 8.5% A blend of Golden Russet, Baldwin, and Northern Spy, co-fermented with low intervention. King of the Wharf – 7.5% A Mac-based cider aged on rum-soaked oak chips, giving it a smooth, warming finish. Old Gods – 8% Inspired by Finnish farmhouse brewing, fermented on black birch. Listen to Episode 345 on how Old Gods a Co-Fermentation of Wort and Apple Juice was made! Ciders Tasted during this chat Low Intervention and Sense of Place Drew emphasizes low-intervention cider making — no back-sweetening, minimal sulfites, and natural wild cultures. The ciders reflect the unique qualities of Western Massachusetts apples and local wood aging. Poly tanks and oak aging contribute to the distinctive flavors and textures. Community and the Future of Four Phantoms Four Phantoms Tasting Area by the production room Drew values the connection between local agriculture and cider. He sees cider's future as more craft-focused than beer, with room for independent voices. “Cider resists commercialization,” says Drew. “It's about sense of place.” Contact Info for Four Phantoms Website: https://fourphantoms.net Mentions in this Cider Chat Totally Cider Tours Cider Route Itinerary send a request to Cider Chat Cider Rap Song – by Robert Sherman of EsoTerra Ciderworks in Durango, Colorado

Wally and Juanita Nelson were civil rights activists, peace activists, war tax refusers, subsistence farmers, and advocates for simple living. They were members of groups such as CORE (Congress on Racial Equality), FOR (Fellowship of Reconciliation), and Peacemakers. In western Massachusetts they were founding members of the Greenfield Farmers' Market, the Free Harvest Supper, the Valley Community Land Trust, and Winter Fare. They were recipients of numerous awards during their lifetime, including the Courage of Conscience Award from the Peace Abbey in Sherborn, Mass., the Sacco and Vanzetti Award from Community Church in Boston, and the Local Hero Award from CISA (Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture) for championing local food and agriculture. (Excerpted from https://www.nelsonhomestead.org) As folklorists, gatherers of oral testimonials and audio producers, we Klines, along with production assistant Nicholas Boyer, produced an hour-long audio tapestry. This is an interweaving of many of the 25 voices we've recorded near and far under the guidance of the Nelson Legacy Project Archival Committee. Each interview averages 90 minutes. We excerpt short portions in order to weave a conversation on the themes of the Nelsons' lives—race, or the one human race, nonviolence, war tax refusal, joy, dance, land trusts and the action around the Kehler-Corner home seizure in Colrain by the IRS, the local food movement and simple living. Most all of our documentaries have music woven throughout. We created a short piece on the Nelsons called You Don't Gotta. You can hear it on the Project website where you can also enjoy a great many other audiovisual pieces and writings featuring the Nelsons.

CiderDays 2.0 Cider Dinner on November 5, 2022 with 6 outstanding women producers from the east coast at the Hawks and Reed Performing Art Center in Greenfield, Massashusetts. Dine with Judith Maloney of West County Cider (MA), Lisa Laird Dunn of Lairds & Company (NJ), Louisa Spencer of Farnum Hill Cider & Poverty Lane Orchard (NH) , Eleanor Leger of Eden Specialty Ciders (VT), Nicole Blum of Carrs Ciderhouse & Preservation Orchard and Farm (MA), and Anne Garwood Hampp of Ragged Hill Cider (MA). Sing up now to receive notification to your in box on CiderDays 2.0 schedule of events and early ticket release dates and links. Judith Maloney on being America's First Cidery in 1984 In 1984 there were no commercial cidermakers in the United States. Only S. Martinelli & Co. based in Watsonville California was able to hold onto their license up to 1979, but gave it up when revenue from sales was only 1% of their overall business of offering apple juice products. Listen to John Martinelli discuss his family's story in episode 162 Terry and Judith Maloney in the early days of West County Cider   Judith Maloney Today In this Cider Chat Hear Judith backstory of her family's start from London to America in the 1940's. How she met Terry Maloney Making wine in the late 1960's with grapes from Rene di Rosa in the Carneros region or California How Judith and Terry ended up in Colrain, Massachusetts The paperwork to sell cider under a winery license and working with Agent Ernie  (Ernest) Giuliani of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (BATF) Getting scion for their orchard and the Redfield Apple Getting cider into stores, at a time when quality cider was unknown with Chef's like Jasper White Meeting Dewey the cidermaker Farm Cider in western Massachusetts Steve Wood of Farnum Hill Cider in NH helping Judith when Terry unexpectedly died in 2010 Starting CiderDays in 1994 and the building of community of makers and friends West County Cider Today Judith's son Field Maloney and a silent partner are now the owners of West County Cider. They continue to work with Pine Hill Orchards in Colraine, make Redfield Cider and other single varietal ciders that Field's father Terry showcased. Judith still travels to Boston and loves going to Formaggio Kitchen in Boston where she brings West County Cider products to sell for her son and marvel at the wide range of selections and loves tasting cider with the cheese monger there. Contact for West County Cider Website: http://westcountycider.com/ Address: 208 Peckville Rd, Shelburne Falls, MA 01370 Mentions in this chat Historical Cider Chat episodes on cider's history in America 317: How the "Cyder" Teapot Fueled the American Revolution 162: S. Martinelli's & Co. | 150 years of Cider Hear Field Maloney on Episode 001 of Cider Chat Help Support Cider Chat Please donate today. Help keep the chat thriving! Find this episode and all episodes at the page for Cider Chat's podcasts. Listen also at iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher (for Android), iHeartRadio , Spotify and wherever you love to listen to podcasts. Follow on Cider Chat's blog, social media and podcast Twitter @ciderchat Instagram: @ciderchatciderville Cider Chat FaceBook Page Cider Chat YouTube

Franklin County CiderDays now has a "Cider Trail" with 16 stops covering western Massachusetts and the Berkshires! This is part 2 of the series on traveling the Cider Trail and we will look at 10 stops along the trail. Episode 243 is part 1 of this series and details a 5 stop loop and day trip. View from West County Cider - picnic area looking out to Vermont and New Hampshire[/caption] This episodes brings us west of the Connecticut River and into the rolling hills of west county. We begin with: Bear Swamp Orchard - Distillery and Cidery 1209 B Hawley Road, Ashfield MA 01330Bottle Shop Saturday and Sunday 1-5 on November 7th & 8th Bear Swamp Orchard WebsiteTelephone (413) 625-2849 The apple brandy/hard cider bottle shop and tasting room is open  November 7th & 8th (traditional cider days weekend) 1-5 PM all dates. Besides that we will still offer Saturday afternoon in person pick up for orders through our online store until the end of November. Bear Swamp is at the top of the hills on the east side of the Berkshires in western Massachusetts, with views that reach out to Vermont and New Hampshire. The farm borders the Trustees of Reservations Bear Swamp Reservation, which offers miles of scenic hiking trails and views of its own.Look for: Hard Cider, brandy and liqueurs. Vinegar (raw, unpasteurized, untreated) Jams and Jellies Maple syrup Headwater Cider 112 Forget Road, Hawley, MA 01339 Open weekends, Oct. 10-November 8; 10-5 Saturdays and Sundays Headwater Cider Website (413) 695-6099 Grow What You Press. Press What You Grow.Estate Cider from Franklin County. Crisp and Dry. Grown, Pressed, and Bottled here at the orchard. Sample and purchase a range of alcoholic ciders at the source! $12 / 750ml bottle Pine Hill Orchards 248 Greenfield Road, Colrain, MA 01340 Store open daily 9am-6 pm, year-round. Food trailer operates Thursday-Sunday 9 am-4 pm, seasonally Pine Hill Orchard website Pine Hill Orchards on Facebook (413) 624-3325 Orchard selling apples, cider and locally made foods. Special Blend Cider Sale for Cider Days Weekend: Bring your carboys and barrels to fill up with fresh-pressed specialty blends for bulk sale! Four different blends with multiple cider varieties used. 4000+ gallons will be available on November 7th and 8th from 9am to 5pm ONLY!! First come first served! Bob DeLisle and Charlie Olchowski will be available all Saturday morning at the juice room to answer cider making questions and to give guidance. The Farm Store is open year-round from 9 am to 6 pm daily. The New Food Trailer is open seasonally Thursday through Sunday serving over-the -top burgers, poutine, irresistible fried dough, and more! Make sure to grab a bag of Cider Donuts! Ryan & Casey Liquors 55 Main St., Greenfield, MA 01302 Hours of operation: Mon-Sat, 8 am-11 pm; Sun 10 am-9 pm Ryan & Casey Website (413) 775-6585 Bottle shop featuring ciders from Western MA producers, as well as other national and international brands, plus wines, beers, and spirits. There will be samples and discounts on cider and all things apple from mid-October through Franklin County CiderDays weekend (Nov. 7-8). Shelburne Falls Cork 1 Deerfield Avenue, #2, Shelburne Falls, MA 01370 Wednesday- Saturday 11am - 6pm; Sunday 2pm - 5pm Shelburne Falls Cork Website Shelburne Falls Cork on Facebook (413) 362-0265 Hard cider, artisanal wine, craft beer, local cheese, charcuterie, chocolate, and preserves. It is my desire to sell local hard ciders, craft beer, and wine from family-owned wineries, where I think the best values are found. We also carry local cheese and charcuterie from Massachusetts and Vermont. And of course, we have case discount of 10% for mixed or not mixed cases of hard cider and wine. West County Cider 208 Peckville Rd. Shelburne MA 01370 Thurs. 2-5, Fri. 3-6, Sat 11-6, Sun 11-6 West County Cider Website (413) 768-9318 Come visit the oldest running cider house in the country. Our tap room and bottle shop at 208 Peckville Road in Shelburne will be open Thursday through Sunday this fall. Come for our legendary ciders while enjoying our hiking trails and picnic grounds with a glorious three state view. West County Cider was started by the Maloney family in 1984 with a commitment to making small-batch ciders with impeccable apples from local orchards. Thirty-five years later, our family has grown but the tradition continues. We use fine-winemaking techniques and focus on freshness of flavor and total respect for each individual apple variety. Every harvest year represents a new a foray into the possibility of the apple. Artifact Cider Project 34 N. Maple Street, Suite 15, Florence MA 01062 Fridays, 3 - 9 pm; Saturdays, 1 - 9 pm; Sundays, 1 - 7 pm Artifact Cider Project Website Artifact Cider Project on Facebook (508) 308-7361 We make cider for the new Northeast. We produce craft cider in a variety of styles by respecting tradition, but refusing to let it limit us. Using local apples and innovative cidermaking practices, we create ciders that are as authentic, eclectic, and forward-looking as the region they come from. Artifact was founded in 2014 by Jake Mazar and Soham Bhatt and is based in Florence, Massachusetts. Carr’s Ciderhouse  295 River Drive, Hadley, MA 01035 Farm Store open Thursday-Friday, 3-6 pm; Saturday 12-6 pm; and Sunday 12-3 pm. Also open by appointment: call (413) 336-7363 Carr's Ciderhouse Website Farm shop featuring Carr’s wild-fermented hard ciders, vinegars, cider syrup, fruit shrubs, and more. We produce ciders from locally grown apples and are the authors of The Ciderhouse Cookbook, available for sale at the farm store, which shares how we make everything and contains 127 recipes for cooking with cider. On CiderDays weekend we will be holding a tasting at our press barn at Preservation Orchard, located at 12 Mt. Warner Road in Hadley, MA. Tastings open on Saturday, Nov. 7 and Sunday Nov. 8 from 12-5. Please see our website for directions, details about parking, and important updates. Carr’s ciders are $12-$15/750 ml bottle Clarkdale Fruit Farms 303 Upper Road, DeerfieldRetail store open 9am-5pm every day of the week, August-December. Open weekends only in the winter months. Clarkdale Fruit Farms Website(413) 772-6797 Fourth-generation family orchard growing high-quality tree fruit since 1915. We farm 45 acres and grow over 50 varieties of apples, including several heirlooms. Our diverse plantings also include pears, peaches, plums, cherries, nectarines, and grapes. We produce our own sweet cider in season, and offer several special blends for holidays in the Fall. Bulk cider for fermenting is available upon request. Find us on fb and Instagram as well. Artisan Beverage Cooperative 324 Wells St. Greenfield, MASaturdays 12-2pm Artisan Beverage Cooperative Website Artisan Beverage Cooperative on Facebook(413) 335-0576 Artisan Beverage Cooperative—makers of many gluten-free, high-quality beverages. For Cider Days we offer our famous Valley and Whiskey cyzers. Apple-honey wine made with cider from Clarkdale Fruit Farm and honey from Western Mass. Cyzers are a variation of mead, a traditional fermented honey wine, but instead of water, cider is used. Both our cyzers are made with local raw honey and cider from Clarkdale Fruit Farm. The Whiskey Cyzer gets its name because it was aged in Bully Boy whiskey barrels before bottling, giving it a slightly smokier and oak-ier flavor profile than the Valley Cyzer. Both variations have been aging to perfection and supplies are limited. 14% ABV Gluten-free. Valley Cyzer - $15/ 500ml bottleWhiskey Cyzer - $20/ 500ml bottle Mentions in this Chat Additional stops: Perkarski's Sausage - on Route 116 Elmer's - food stop in center of Ashfield 3 Cider Features in the press; It’s Time to Get Obsessed With Hard Cider, The Next Frontier in American Drinking - Inside Hook 10/14/20  Matt Kaminsky - Climbing Apples Trees with a Man Called Gnarly Pippins - Boston Globe article 10/20/20 YouTube presentation with John Bunker from Maine Historical Society Help Support Cider Chat Please donate today. Help keep the chat thriving! Find this episode and all episodes at the page for Cider Chat's podcasts. Listen also at iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher (for Android), iHeartRadio , Spotify and wherever you love to listen to podcasts. Follow on Cider Chat's blog, social media and podcast Twitter @ciderchat Instagram: @ciderchatciderville Cider Chat FaceBook Page Cider Chat YouTube

This week we made out way to Colrain, Massachusetts. Never heard of it, neither have we, but in this small town of 1700 resides a one person operation known as Stone Man Brewing. Stone Man is a small farm brewery located on a 74-acre farm. The beer contains nearly 100% locally and regionally sourced ingredients.***Looking to start a new hobby? Wanting to get into homebrewing? Just looking to upgrade your current set up? We have you covered with our Beer & Wine Hobby promo code! Beer & Wine Hobby is a Family owned business driven to help folks make amazing beers, wines, cheeses, and charcuterie. Fortunately, for our listeners we are able to offer an exclusive promo code for 10% off your online order. Items can either be ordered online and picked up in store same day for our local listeners or delivered to your home (for free over $35). Use our promo code BREWROOTS for 10% off your next order! Go to www.beer-wine.com to get all your brewing needs!***Shirts on Tap is finally coming to Boston! Their first New England based shirt comes out in October and we’re all super excited! Join the excitement with our code BREWROOTS to get $5 off your first shirt. Go to www.shirtsontap.com for more. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Matty Mo continues to be the Colrain of Turtleboy Live hosts as he once again passed during the middle of an episode. Lots on the agenda for this episode though, and Bret and Uncle Turtleboy held down the fort, including Poopgate, the gerber server gestapo, theybies, the Candy Dennis saga, the return of the Fall River dirty dick gladiator, and of course Henry Pills and TJ Facks, the wannabe East Boston gangstas. Both of them claimed they'd call in but ended up getting scared and hiding because they fear the turtle. Sad.

Life TK is breaking the rules this week, because Caitlin Kelly's career didn't begin in her 20s—she started in high school. The award-winning journalist and author of two books recounts how she got her first assignment and a fellowship that changed the trajectory of her career, and tells us how to write a good profile when your subject won't even talk to you. Plus, thoughts on micro-mentoring, the detriments of cheerleading culture, and a dose of tough love. This episode was produced by Erin McKinstry. Our music, from Blue Dot Sessions, is called Colrain and The Zeppelin. Logo by Theresa Berens of Boss Dotty.

Becca Polk and Anna Mullany joined with Rhonda Anderson who recently returned from Standing Rock. Rhonda is an area Inupiaq-Athabaskan Indigenous woman from Alaska, living in nearby Colrain, MA. Listen to our discussion about her time at Standing Rock as well as local indigenous struggles and resistance.

With a bit of history on the oldest Cider Fest in the US held the 1st weekend of November CiderDays (yes it has always been spelled as one word) was founded in 1994, by Judith and Terry Maloney or West County Cider in Colrain, Massachusetts. Listen to their son West County's cidermaker in 001: Field Maloney | West County Cider, MA USA CiderDays is always held on the first weekend of November. For many years, it was a one day event. It took a few years, but before we knew it CiderDays became a two days and then three days. This podcast chat provides insider tips on traveling to CiderDays, places to stay, where to get cider and off beaten tips for this region. 047: Attending CiderDays provides info 2016's  schedule, that chat goes live on September 21, 2016. Where you can get supplies to make your own cider or buy cider to take home. Tip: Place your order for cider supplies now - especially yeast! Beerology this is a brand new store and it will be open by CiderDays 2016 (Northampton, MA) Beer and Wine Making Supplies, Inc (Northampton, MA) Pine Hill Apple Orchard (Colrain, MA) also has a retail outlet with some cidermaking supplies and they sell bulk cider on CiderDays (usually 3-4 large cider blends so bring your carboys and barrels). Let's begin with a bit of history; The first CiderDays began as a one day event on the first saturday of November, the year was 1994. It has been held on the first weekend of November every year since. Of course the Maloney's didn't do this all alone, but they were certainly the catalyst. Local orchards like Pine Hill, Clarkdale Fruit Farm, the now closed Greenwood Orchard in Northfield, which I regretfully say had one of the most amazing assortment of cider trees around along with a beautiful old press was sold after the owner just couldn't sustain the lack of interest in apples. Ug! Some of those trees are still there shrouded in vines. That orchard sold to folks who don't care about apples. It happens. You can now stop in at so many more orchards to get a jug of cider or buy pear juice at Clarkdale for instance. Many sell  fresh apples - pears and you can also enjoy a walk in the orchard. One of the main source for CiderDays volunteers  was Valley Fermenters, consider to be the oldest homebrew club in the US. I am a member and as such I gladly volunteered to go out to a cider house in the region and stand ready with carboy, airlock and sweet cider to provide a demo on cidermaking. At the end of the day, we all congregated at the building next to Pine Hill which has since been turned into a residence. It was there that West County use to have a tasting room. A few of use showed up and Judith and Terry would provide a big round of cheese and we would all bring out our own bottles of cider. The chatter would grow louder and louder and eventually Judith would stand up on a chair and  thank the group and do a toast. Little did we know that that after party would eventually turn in to the two session Cider Salon that is sold out every year. In 1998, I was invited to the after after party/dinner at the Maloney's. Their home is tucked up high onCatamount Hill. A catamount is another name for a mountain lion. There are many sightings of these big cats and just as many denials by the Fish and Wildlife department in Massachusetts. Driving north of Pine Hill Orchard in Colrain, make sure to look to the right as you go down a long steep and I mean steep hill. You'll want to shift down and slow a bit, not only because of the hill but to see the beautiful life size metal shadow figure that is mounted on the side of the rocky hill that was cut in the form of a mountain lion.  If you see it, you too can say that you saw a Catamount! I certainly passed the lion on my way to the Maloneys, when I was invited to attend their special CiderDays after after dinner party with  local apple farmers like Ben Clark of Clarkdale Orchard and Dave Shear of Pine Hill Orchard.  Along with Paul Correnty who was the chef for many years at the Cider Dinner, up until the Maloney's and the other organizers realized that a larger community dinner made sense for CiderDays. Paul is quick to a smile and also the author of The Art of Cidermaking (1998). Published in 1998, it was the first book I ever owned at the time on cidermaking and by the way he spelled cidermaking as one word. In that book are photos taken of local orchards that are still to this day involved in CiderDays. It was at that first dinner I attend, likely in 1998 cuz Paul was sitting next to me on a milk crate as there were no more chairs. We sat at a long table, with candles illuminating lots of cider smiles, bottles and jugs of cider and good conversation. It was then that I proclaimed out loud that I would really like to help promote apples and cider. And so I did, with many subsequent writes ups and features in Brewing News. I wrote the obituary for Terry Maloney when we lost him due to an industrial accident while working in his cidery in 2010. I had to really work hard to convince the editors to let me have space for cider in the well known beeriodical Brewing News, but they relented and now just this year all the writers for Yankee Brew News were told that they could put cider news in their regular beer column. I'm not precise on the date, but soon I was the only person teaching cidermaking at CiderDays.  For about two years in a row, I did a demo on saturday and sunday. I'm posting a photo of me taken at the saturday event that was held back when the old brick building in Colrain was used. I remember seeing Terry watching me and then saw Mike Beck standing way in the back…I think shaking his head. I had brought along a big jug and bottles to share. I'm a bit of a rogue cidermaker and at the time didn't give a hoot about specific gravity or the science. Mike, probably thought I was crazy and he'd be right. But I also thought what up with this cidery from Michigan that is encasing their bottles is lime green? Of course that has changed, but back then - it was pretty wiggy branding for Uncle John's. I taught cidermaking for the first 16 years of that event, but as my professional work as an international consultant in curriculum and crisis intervention became more demanding I had to pull back. Between 2008 and 2012 I was only able to do my demo at New Salem Preserves and that was about it. I barely had time to make my own cider, and as a result the quality in most recents years really declined. Which leads me to say,  "Yes getting sweet cider to ferment is easy to do. The work of nurturing and paying attention to the cider once you get it rolling requires time and a bit of skill". I suspect I will get back to it and certainly will make cider this year, but not the same volume  that I use to make. My cider is now the voice of many around the world chatting about what you and I love to sip and savor. There are more stories to tell and I plan on collecting those during this coming CiderDays, so if you have one, please don't be shy. I want to hear your tales if you have ever attend Ciderdays and would like to share a special moment for this amazing event - or leave me a message on this site via Speakpipe! Overview of chat tips and mentions Franklin County is located in Western Ma - which is 75 miles to the west of Bos. Folks can fly into Logan airport, Manchester Airport in New Hampshire, the Providence Rhode Island airport and Bradley Field Airport in Ct. Any of these airports will drop you into a region where you can plot your own map to CiderDays. Want to find a local cidery? Check out Cydermarket LLC If you are traveling west on Route 2, pick up cidermaking supplies at NFG Home Brew Supply Shop. They are open  thursday 3-8, friday 9-2 and saturday from 10 - 3. I would recommend Bradley Field, mainly because it is the closest, super easy to get around, with lots of choices for local hotels - and some nearby Beer stops with tasting rooms - note there aren't that many cider hotspots. Its an easy one hour drive up  interstate 91 to Franklin county. Or take Route 75 north and into Agawam and stop at Kaptain Jimmy's. They are part of the Opa Opa Brew Label (yes this is owned by two greek brothers who came to the US with nothing more than a blanket) and they have built up a big beer empire locally. I like this place because they have great food, big pours and a distillery on site. Easy stop, affordable and on you go. Then pop on route 57 and it will take you back to Interstate 91 or go along the mighty Connecticut River and follow Route 5 all the way. That will drop you right smack into Northampton Massachusetts, where Smith College is located. As you are entering town on Pleasant Street you will see to your right Beerology at 324 Pleasant. This is a new home brew supply store own by husband and wife team Mike Schilling and Jordana Starr. I am going to record a Cider Chat at Beerology on Friday November 4th with Ellen Cavalli of Tilted Shed Cider in California and maybe Darlene Hayes too. They are both traveling together. You can listen to my chat with Darlene by going to episode 18. Stop in and get your supplies at Beerology on the way in as they are really stoked to share their wealth of knowledge. Northampton is a college town and a very eclectic city with excellent coffee shops, beer bars, like The Foundry, Dirty Truth, and Sierra Grille. The Sierra Grille has two dedicated cider taps. And I am talking with O'Brain Tomlin (who by the way is actor Susan Sarandon's brother - cool right) he is a great dude in his own right believe me and he loves to talk about food. I expect he will be doing a cider menu that weekend, so stay tuned for last minute tips as we get closer to CiderDays. As you are rolling north on Route 5 out of Northampton you can stop in at Beer and Winemaking Supplies Inc - also a homebrew shop, incase you forgot some critical items like a carboy or a food grade plastic 5 gallon bucket to get some unpasteurized sweet juice that weekend. Also, this stretch of road has a  bunch of gas stations and further up on Route 5 you can hop back on Interstate 91 and sail north or if you decide to take the back way you will pass Big Y grocery store and then River Vally Market - which has a nice selection of food and a bit of cider. From here you are about 20 minutes to Greenfield and Franklin County. Franklin county spans both sides of the Connecticut River. There is a spectacular view at Mount Sugarloaf  which is a State Park. I don't think you will be able to drive up this late in the season, but there is a nice hike that would take an hour of your time to get up and down. Here they filmed a Mel Gibson motion picture a couple years back now. Whatever…and many folks travel here to view the Ct River. You can see all the way south to Springfield. There is a great hike up the road, but I recommend taking the trail with its switchbacks and views along the way and then coming back down the road. Believe me it is worth it. You can then drive north from Sugar Loaf and pass into South Deerfield. that will take you back to Route 5 and in no time you will be in Old Deerfield. There are two big attractions right in South Deerfield, Yankee Candle which is a trippy tourist area, but it has lots of restrooms and a restaurant and then also the Butterfly museum. There is also a Red Roof Inn right off the highway here. This is not a bad location to land after a busy day, because you can fly right up the highway and manever about pretty easily from this spot. It is about a 10 minute drive up the road to downtown Greenfield. Deerfield Academy is located in the Heart of Old Deerfield or Historic Deerfield as some prefer to call it. This is where a lot of events have taken place over the years for CiderDays at the White Church, where we also hold our monthly Valley Fermenters meeting on the second thursday of every month. There is a ton of history here to see. A world class museum and the Deerfield Inn, if you have the bucks to stay here, they do have a very nice restaurant and the location is perfect for many CiderDays events. If you are just driving through this town you will see a ton of old New England homes and the Sheldon Hatchet Door. It is the original door that was there when during a very bloody 1704 Raid on the town. Check the link provided to find more info. Swing up north on Route 5 and soon you will be in Downtown Greenfield. Stop in at Seymour a beer bar, that I know will have cider on hand - I expect they will be having a bit of a cidercentric selection all weekend. I will be there on friday night post Darlene Hayes talk across the street. Watch for my tweets on last minute updates on events and meetups on my twitter feed @ciderchat If you are looking for lodging during your stay check out Airbnb and also some of the fine Bnb's  There are a bunch of selections. There is also a Hampton Inn, a Days Inn in Greefield.  You might be caught having to look south in Amherst and Hadley for lodging or even Northampton. But don't worry, it is all pretty darn drivable and as this is considered the 5 college area there are lots of cheap darn good eats to find too. I use Hotels.com to peruse the reviews and make the best selection and recommend the same to you. As I said earlier Franklin County covers a very wide area. You will hear folks calling the hill towns of Colrain and Shelburne Falls " West County" and some think this is the Berkshires, but in the end it is all still Franklin County. Do know there is lodging also in Shelburne Falls and out this way on Route 2, which is also called the Mohawk Trail. In Shelburne Falls, you have to see the Bridge of Flowers, which was an old trolley track that is now adorn with flowers and lovely to walk year round. This town has also been  used for filming major motion pictures like the Judge and Labor Day. But I know it as a great place to walk about and get a good bite to eat, view the Pothole area south of the bridge that connects Shelburne Falls and Buckland across the river and get a cone of ice cream before heading home. Dinner Options: West End Pub Blue Rock Have treat at Mo's Fudge Factory Recommended hike in Shelburne area: High Ledges (approximately 1 hour back and forth) While you are up at High Ledges, you will pass by a sign that says Wheel-View Farm. This is also a cidery and has a Tasting Room. Check with their webpage to find timing. Coming up from Northampton or Pittsfield, Ashfield's Elmer Store serves food and has wifi. Help Support Cider Chat's (Ria's) trip to the International Hall of Gala Ciders. I am sure I won't have this trip paid off for a while and every little bit counts. Please donate today. Donate to Cider Chat! Help keep the chat thriving!   No need to scroll up. I have posted the chat right here for you to start listening. Enjoy![app_audio src="http://ciderchat.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/046-Going-to-CiderDays-Insider-Tips-Massachusetts.mp3"]

West County Cider, of Colrain Massachusetts was one of the very first producers of cider post prohibition in the US, starting back in 1984. Terry Maloney made the cider on the side while continuing to work as head of the local hospital’s ER. He and wife Judith and son Field worked tirelessly selling their notable ciders and were founders of the now annual CiderDays in Franklin County Massachusetts, one of the first cider fests in the US now in its 21st year.   It was a long road for the family, even with write ups in the New York Times and Ebony magazine touting their ciders. Just as cider was beginning its long awaited comeback, tragedy struck the family in 2010. Terry died when a valve released on a tank of gas throwing him back into a nearby wall. Field who had helped plant apple trees with his dad, stepped up to the plate and is now full-on as cidermaker at this renown orchard. Listen as he speaks with Cider Chat about the cider revival in the US, working with Redfield apples, and the bountiful future of West County Cider.

This week's episode has been sponsored by:On the Needles:Gigi has finished the second bright blue Regia Saturn sock, she's turned the heel on her first Franklin's Panopticon sock. She is working on a vanilla red and black (Regia) sock. Gigi has also started the Scandanavian sock (out of the Little Box of Socks) in a tan/cream Regia with black Regia as the contrast color. (Tika is using the same MC Regia to make Relatively Normal socks.)We also discuss our preemie hat knit-a-long. A pattern from Chloe Sparkle is pending.Jasmin continues to work on her Santa Fe Wrap, which is about 3/4 done. Jasmin has finished the first Bird of Paradise (color) sock in Lisa Souza's Sock! while playing a board game with Tika, ManCandy, and Andrew.Gigi is working on some socks out of Jasmin's Brown Eyed Girl handspun. Gigi will be doing a Lucy Neatby garter stitch short row heel on this toe-up sock. Tika suggests using a kitchen scaleto weigh yarn.Gigi has tripped a little on her resolution to weave in her ends. Gigi has gotten a birthday gift - a cone of Artfibers Kyoto in color #20 (Gigi's perfect red). (Jasmin meant for it to me a cone of Tsuki, but got a little distracted in the process.) Gigi is looking for ideas on what to knit with her birthday Kyoto.Jasmin is five seconds away from finishing sock #1 in the Lisa Souza Mahogany. Jasmin is almost done with the first Leyburn sock in the Lisa Souza Hardtwist (in Blackpurple).Countingsheep on Ravelry is doing a "Wrap Alison in Comfort" blanket. If you're interested in participating, please do so before January 31st.Jasmin got a new camera! We talk about photography and knitting. Some of our knitting photography idols include Jared Flood and Franklin Habit. Check out Flickr.com for ideas on how to punch up your knitting pictures (search "knitting" in the "search" box). You can sort by "relevant" or "interesting".Mother Knows Best:Gigi has been working on the Knitting Pure and Simple Neckdown Wrap Cardigan. Gigi isn't a fan of the i-cord finish, so she is going to use a silk ribbon for the closure.We talk about planning for Stitches West, specifically making a wish list.Start by going through your stash. Evaluate what you have, what you want, what you don't want, and the colors that your stash is flush with. (Knitter's Review had a great article about "slow stashing".) It's also a good time to organize your Ravlery queue. Last year, Jasmin's list included Colrain lace (from Webs), fiber from Lisa Souza Dyeworks, and glass needles from Michael and Sheila Ernst.Jasmin talks about the peril of putting down yarn you might want around rabid knitters at Stitches. Jasmin recommends buying handpainted yarns in personEvents:Meet and greet with the Knitmore Girls at Stitches West in the Purlescence booth from 2-4pm, Saturday, February 28, 2009.Details: The "Style a Knit to Suit you" workshop will be hosted Sunday, January 25, 2009 from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm at Purlescence. The fee is $60. Do you look through knitting magazines and wish that the finished pattern size was larger (or smaller), or that one had a different neckline, or was shorter, that you could use a different yarn? If you attend this workshop all those problems will disappear. Sharon will help you through the process of overcoming those things that have always prevented you from knitting the patterns you love. You will look at shape that suits you and come up with a standard measurement guide especially for you. You'll learn the use of gauge and stitches, shaping and necklines that will make that perfect sweater for you. This is a rare opportunity to learn from a knitting legend. The shop will remain open until 5 pm on January 25 for meet and greet and book signing with Sharon. Call Purlescence at (408) 735-9276 to register.