We are open Monday-Wednesday from 9am-9pm, Thursday-Saturday 9am-10pm and Sunday from 9am-7pm. Curbside pickup orders are open daily from 9am-5pm. Please visit our Events page to learn about upcoming In-store tastings. Please visit our Specials page to review our current sales ad.
A Summarized History of Hard Cider |
Often thought to be a newer beverage, hard cider has a long history. From Ancient Greece to the late 1800s in America, this delicious drink was the beverage of choice for most. With the help of prohibition and other factors, hard cider was almost eradicated from our glasses. The beverage has since made a comeback and is now a seasonal favorite. At Joe Canal’s, we dive into hard cider history and explore how it came to be one of the most popular alcoholic beverages today. Where Did Hard Cider Originally Come From?Cider can be traced back to Ancient Greece, Rome, and other areas. Like many other alcoholic beverages, hard cider was discovered by accident and then replicated for lasting enjoyment. As the understanding of alcohol expanded and the need for clean beverages rose, hard cider became the preferred drink for many. During the time of early development, water often contained dangerous bacteria and was unsafe to consume. The alcohol in cider made it a more sanitary beverage choice. Hard Cider in the United StatesAlong with the pilgrims, hard cider eventually hit the shores of America. By now, cider's popularity continued through the 18th and early 19th centuries. Cider was a staple at most dinner tables and was often treated as a food item. During these times, even children enjoyed hard cider — a weaker version of the drink called ciderkin. As America began to expand into the west, cider was introduced to a greater population. This was in large part thanks to the man known as Johnny Appleseed. While you may have heard the story of Johnny Appleseed spreading apple seeds throughout the Midwest at random, driven by his love of the fruit, the real story goes a little differently. John Chapman, a businessman and land prospector, acquired land and planted apple orchards to sell to incoming pioneers. Many of these orchards were used to produce cider, helping to drive its expansion across the country. Popularity of Cider Begins to DeclineDuring the late 1800s, hard cider began to see a decrease in popularity due to the Germans and Eastern Europeans who came to America and brought a thirst for beer with them. Because beer could be produced quicker, it was able to supply the growing cities of America more efficiently. However, the biggest blow to the beverage's popularity came from the government when they ratified the 18th amendment to prohibit the sale and consumption of alcohol. The production of cider was now illegal and prohibitionists even went as far as to destroy apple trees to help halt production. Enjoying Hard Cider TodayAs the 20th century rolled on, hard cider remained relatively small scale. It wasn’t until the craft beer craze did cider begin to experience a bigger revival. Today, hard cider is booming in popularity once again. Now that you know some hard cider history, try a crisp, refreshing bottle from our vast selection. At Joe Canal's in Woodbridge, New Jersey, we have a wide selection of hard ciders from some of the top brands in the industry. For more information about our specials or hard cider selection, get in touch with us today. |
Copyright © 2024 All rights reserved • Privacy Policy • Terms & Conditions | Powered by WineFetch |