Prominently located right off Rt. 100 in Waterbury Center, Vermont is the ever-popular Cold Hollow Cider Mill. First established in 1974, they still make cider the old-fashioned way with a 1920s-vintage rack and cloth press. However, Cold Hollow has been evolving its offerings from the beginning … a wide variety of Vermont-made goods are available, there is a restaurant, and Boyden Valley Winery has set-up a wine tasting room.
Today we came for Cold Hollow’s newest venture … hard cider. Set square in between the restaurant and the wine tasting room is the hard cider tasting room. I tried three of the available ciders.
Soul Shifter (5.9% ABV) This cider has a tasty sweetness, but is nice and dry … a good cider for the summer.
Barn Dance (6.9% ABV) Made from Macintosh apples, this is a semi-dry cider and has hints of oak and pineapple.
Good Altitude (7.2% ABV) This cider comes the closest to tasting like wine and has the ABV to boot. Made with bittersweet apples.
All three of these ciders are very pleasant and will be enjoyed on a hot summer day. In addition to the samples, you can purchase bottles and growlers of the hard cider when available.
The Cicerone says: Cold Hollow Cider Mill is a popular destination … to avoid the crowds, get there before Noon or late in the afternoon. And don’t forget to try the cider donuts!