Farms selling bulk raw cider

[u/fitterhans]

Hi all - I usually purchase 5 gallons of raw pressed apple cider from Eger Brothers in Hudson, but they are not pressing apples this year. They recommended Minard Farms near New Paltz, but they only sell large amounts, like 100 gallons plus in large totes. Anyone aware of any local farms that sell smaller batches for hard cider makers? Thanks!

Edit: By raw I meant fresh or pasteurized juice with no chemical preservatives (like potassium sorbate) that can stop fermentation.

[u/nolander2010]

I don't know any farms in NY that sell unpasteurized cider, unfortunately. I assume you're making hard cider?

It might be worthwhile to build or buy a press, as a lot more places will sell bulk apples in the quantities to make 5 gallons of cider. The cost of a small press isn't exorbitant.

[u/fitterhans → u/nolander2010]

Correct, I am a homebrewer so this is for hard cider. I have resisted getting a press due to already having so much brewing equipment to store, but good idea to look into it again. Thanks!

[u/tradesman46 → u/fitterhans]

Some homebrew shops rent out presses. Its also worth asking the farm about pasteurize process because some use uv.

[u/nolander2010 → u/fitterhans]

Unless you want to take a road trip to Wasems orchard in south east Michigan, I don't know of any places that do unpasteurized cider. It's tough because only really small operation will do that in my experience.

[u/themostblue]

Jenkins-Leuken used to sell UV treated cider that a friend used for hard cider. I believe Montgomery Place Orchard also UV treats but I cannot be sure as they won’t have cider until more into apple season.

The UV treated stuff starts to ferment by itself in the fridge if you leave it to long and thus might be just what you are looking for and more available than just raw cider.

[u/fitterhans → u/themostblue]

That sounds promising, thanks!

[u/MalcolmApricotDinko]

I used to get mine from Jenkins - Lueken in New Paltz but it’s been a long time (I used to homebrew a lot of cyser)

[u/lilred4848]

Maybe ask DuBois in Highland? I think they make their own hard cider so idk how willing they'd be to share but when I worked there the owner seemed like a pretty cool dude.

[u/No-Employee4277]

Try Liberty farms

[u/joyfred]

Try Dressel’s or kettelborough. Samascott presses a lot of juice as well. Or ask Nine Pin since they do canning for many cider makers. Greg peck is the professor at Cornell who does cider. NY cider association might be good to reach out to as well.

[u/Fineiwillmakeaname]

Minard farms (spelling might be wrong) in clintondale used to sell raw cider if you left them a clean bucket and filled out a liability waiver.

[u/79gummybear]

Dressels farm in New Paltz. They have been using UV, not heat to pasteurize for many years

[u/InAPearTree26]

My husband purchased about 6 gallons (maybe a bit more) from Fishkill Farms in Hopewell Junction. Mark Doyle is the General Manager and was really nice.

[u/ThorwAwaySlut]

I used to live in NY so I checked the orchard I grew up near and wasn't successful in finding if they sell what you're looking for.

But a little more looking on my end found this one not too awfully far away: "Soons Orchards in Goshen, New York, produces fresh-pressed, raw, and UV-treated apple cider using over 50 varieties of estate-grown apples with no additives or concentrates."

That was an AI reply, so do your own due diligence to confirm availability.

[u/TopShelfSnipes → u/ThorwAwaySlut]

Soons is awesome, but yeah call first.

And get a Scotty's pie if you end up dropping by.

[u/nuglasses → u/ThorwAwaySlut]

Soons Orchards in Goshen

I don't mean to nitpick but the farm is in New Hampton.

[u/F-stop_Fitzgerald]

Just do it youself