Cider Summit

Fun event, REALLY crowded, but manageable to find short lines if you looked around a little. Apparently, the event expanded into a bigger room from last year, but it still was very difficult to move at times.
TONS of cider options for any cider taste. Make sure to get the vendor booklet to plan where you want to hit, or, you could be like me and just go to the table that had the least amount of people!
The event could’ve used a few more vendors of snacks. They were handing out free pieces of Kind bars, and you could buy a small cup of meat from Binny’s for one ticket, but that’s it. I was desperate for a pretzel to balance the sweetness of all the ciders, and had no luck with this. I would come prepared with snacks!
I was worried that the second session would mean vendors were out of items– this was NOT a problem at all. Everyone was fully stocked, and able to answer questions/​make recommendations.
I definitely found a few new favs and some options that were not favs, but had a blast overall!

As a cider lover, I’m thrilled that the number and style of cider options have blown up in the last few years.
I don’t my many deals anymore, but when a Living Social deal came up for tickets to Cider Summit Chicago, I pounced on it. I heard about Cider Summit last year, but a few days after the event happened (cue sad trombone).
The Summit was held at Navy Pier and had two sessions, 11 – 3 and 4 – 8. We had tickets for the early session, but I mistakenly put 1 – 3 on our calendars. Frankly, I think that worked out for the best; after traipsing to the far end of the pier through cranky parents and kids, strollers and construction a crowded room wasn’t a welcomed site. Next year, it would behoove the organizers to book a larger space, preferably one with some high tops and more bathroom options. There’s no way I could’ve handled four hours in that room; the space felt cramped with people and the nearest ladies had three stalls and a steady line.
The Summit is a cider lover’s dream, there were approximately 35 cider purveyors, each featuring 2 – 4 varietals from around the world and one or two food options. Your ticket got you a commemorative taster glass and 8 tickets for cider; most tastes were one ticket, but a few were two. Additionally, the Summit produced a newspaper listing each table, the varietals they were featuring, and the alcohol content. The newspaper was a great takeaway that I intend to use next time I head to Binny’s. Our strategy was to steer clear of the big name ciders I could have any time (looking at you Angry Orchard, Original Sin, Woodchuck, and the like), which I think was what many people did. Despite the number of people, for the most part the lines weren’t that long.
If you’re a cider lover, keep your eye out for Cider Summit ’15. It’s a great way to gain exposure to some really unique ciders.

Crazy crowded but awesome to see all the people who love cider now. It’s come a long way from those days I was really lucky if a bar had 1 type in Stock…

The place was packed, the lines were long and the weather was terrible but it was well worth it! For occasional sippers with a low tolerance, cider is most appreciated. It is typically low in alcoholic content but full of flavor. It is great to see its growth in the marketplace and this event is great for consumers who are in search of ciders unknown.
The Summit admission ticket included admission to a four hour session, a glass compliments of Binny’s and 8 – 10 tickets. The tickets are used to sample ciders or cheese. Most cider tastings were 6 oz for one ticket. The higher end ciders were 2 tickets per tasting.
There were tons of vendors, some of which are not even on the market yet. They range from dry to sweet and are made with different type apples and various processes. There were many vendors with no line at all. Not because they were not good, they were perhaps unknown or pretty popular (AppleTroew, Angry Orchard etc). The longest lines seem to have been for the Ice Ciders. It is a very unique flavor in comparison to traditional ciders. I tried one Prohibition (Sea Cider) that is reportedly paired best with BBQ or a sweet dessert.
Other ciders were made with whiskey or mixed with other fruit flavors (Bluberries, Peach, Apricot, Pear and Cherry). I even tried a cider with a pecan and cinnamon flavor (Totally Toasted).
Designated drivers received admission for $ 5 and it included a bottle of water. If you lacked a DD, Über was onsite to offer rides and a $ 20 off discount for first time users.