Member Discount: Building Backwards: A Practical Guide to Adjunct Cider Innovation

What does it take to create a standout cider that goes beyond apples? This session explores a practical, decision-tree approach to developing adjunct ciders—those made with fruits, hops, herbs, botanicals, or essences. Learn how to start with your target product and work backward to design a process that supports your vision. Panelists will share how they approach product development from concept to packaging, including sourcing strategies, processing considerations, stabilization, filtration, and maintaining identity across scale. Real-world examples will unpack the decisions behind different production paths for a hypothetical cider.


Moderator: Kate Pinsley, Schilling Cider Panelists: Kyle Sherrer, Graft Cider and Aaron Homoya, Ash & Elm


Price for Unlimited Access: $5 member/$20 non-member.


© 2026 American Cider Association. All rights reserved. Unauthorized copying, distribution, or use of this material is prohibited.