A Journey through Michigan's Cider Scene This Fall

The scent of crisp air, the tapestry of orange, yellow, and red leaves, and the taste of freshly pressed apple cider must be Autumn in Michigan. Michigan Cider is an experience you won’t soon forget.  Join us this fall at our Michigan bed and breakfast and visit some of the best cider mills in Michigan. 

A Rich History of Cider Making at Michigan Cider Mills

Michigan ranks third in the nation for apple production. The soil and weather make it the perfect location for growing apples. More than 775 apple orchards, with a variety of apples, are dotted throughout the state and are all family-run farms, with some being in cider production for generations. Many of the apples you see at your local grocery store, from the sweet Gala, Honeycrisp, Fuji, and Golden Delicious to the tart Jonathan and McIntosh are grown in the region.

Apples are not native to North America; they originated in central Asia, and it is thought that the first visitors to Jamestown, VA, brought seeds. In 1620, the Pilgrims who settled in Massachusetts brought apple trees from England and planted several orchards throughout New England. By the 1700’s apple planting was plentiful in Michigan. The oldest apple orchard in MI was founded in 1837 by George Wiard and is the oldest continuously owned family business in Michigan. Apples are part of our history, as is cider.

Hard cider has seen a renaissance in recent decades. This fermented version offers a variety of flavors – from bone dry to dessert-like sweet. Michigan's hard cider scene has grown exponentially, with many cideries experimenting with unique flavor profiles, including those infused with berries, hops, or aged in bourbon barrels.

Embarking on the Cider Trail

A trip to Michigan isn’t complete without a visit to a cider mill. As you can see from this  Michigan Cider Map Directory created by Eric West, there are plenty of small farms to visit during your stay.

Within a short drive of the Inn

Saugatuck is home to two craft cideries as well as four independently owned-breweries. 

Located just a few miles from our Saugatuck bed and breakfast, Virtue Cider (Fennville) offers guests a great experience to sample locally made ciders. Founded in 2011 by Gregory Hall, an award-winning brewmaster who honed his craft at Goose Island Beer Company, they are known for using traditional methods that create a crisp and complex hard cider.

Virtue Cider is proud of its sustainability practices and fosters a symbiotic relationship with the land, water, and pollinators. The all-natural process is what makes their cider so good. Apples come from local growers, and they press all their apples on-site and ferment them in underground tanks. 

Check out their tours and events before visiting and make an appointment to view the process.

Farmhaus Cider CO is a little to the north of us, and about 30 miles from the inn. This out-of-the-way cidery started, like all great business, in the garages of John and Megan’s parents. Fast forward to John’s birthday. An unassuming day out visiting a cidery became the deciding factor in opening their own cidery. 

Taking an abandoned farm building located on the property of John’s great-grandparents, who had immigrated from Germany more than 150 years ago, they set to work restoring the 100-year-old barn. Before they were fully finished, their first customers started showing up. 

Tucked in the woods close to Grand Rapids, this little cidery offers a variety of unique ciders. Tickle and tantalize your tastebuds with these Michigan's signature ciders. Punch Bowl Sangria is made with tart cranberries and blackberries and is blended with blood orange and fresh citrus blossoms. For fall, try the Sweater Weather Cider a mix of local apples and chai spices. Ever had pancakes in a can? Then you have to try the Brunch Hard Cider. Made with cinnamon and a touch of maple and, of course, Michigan apples. 

Check out their opening hours and location.

Two Iconic Michigan Cider Mills – A Little Further Away

When traveling from the east, we suggest a stopover at Uncle John's Cider Mill (St. Johns) just north of Lansing. John and Carolyn Beck purchased the family farm in the early 1970s and turned a wholesale fruit and vegetable farm into a thriving cider mill. A modern cidery set in a rustic environment, Uncle John's offers traditional apple cider and an impressive range of hard ciders. Their tasting room provides a perfect backdrop to sample their creations. Check out their calendar for events, as they often have food trucks, activities, and, at this time of the year, a corn maze.

Yates Cider Mill

While a 3-hour drive from our Michigan bed and breakfast, if you are coming from Ontario, Canada, or other places east of Detroit, then we recommend you stop at the Yates Cider Mill (Rochester Hills) – Operating since 1876 when they sold their first pint of cider. They still make cider like they did when they first opened. When you visit the mill, you can get a history lesson and a demonstration of how they create their premium ciders using a traditional water-powered press installed in 1894 that is still in use today. Their ciders are made from a unique blend of locally grown apples, so by mid-October, as many as ten varieties of apples are blended into a unique cider.

When you stop by, make sure you also treat yourself to one of their signature apple donuts or a donut sundae. 

Steeped in history and tradition, Michigan's cider scene offers a sensory delight come fall. Whether you're sipping on a fresh apple cider amidst the rustling leaves of an orchard or tasting a flight of hard ciders in a chic taproom, the experience is uniquely Michigander. So, this autumn, wrap yourself in a cozy scarf, hit the road, and immerse yourself in the apple-infused magic of Michigan. Cheers!

Enjoy a romantic Michigan getaway at the Hotel Saugatuck and make it a weekend to remember.