Leading the charge in ciders

While San Diego may reign as a craft beer capital, a wave of cideries are bringing new tastes to the scene, thanks to several high-quality local producers.

Dating back to the Roman empire, cider has been pleasing apple-loving palates for millennia, with origins as a safe alternative to water and to provide nutrients. Now, mostly enjoyed for its taste, cider is carving out its own niche among the local drink market, offering up a variety of mouthwatering flavors and stellar reviews.

Here is the latest roundup of cider producers around San Diego County.

Bivouac Ciderworks

Inspired by traveling, climbing, surfing, hiking and all things outdoors, Bivouac mingles love of the environment with tasty cider. Along with the its popular Rising Star dinner series the cidery offers a full food menu from chef DJ Tangalin and a variety of housemade and guest ciders on tap. The term bivouac means “a temporary camp without tents or cover, used especially by soldiers or mountaineers.”

3986 30th St., North Park, 619.725.0844, bivouaccider.com

Newtopia Cyder

Offering English-, French- and Spanish-style cyders in beautifully artsy cans and on draft, Newtopia crafts a flavor for every palate. Flagship varieties include India Pale with Mosaic, Belgian Pineapple with elderberry and cardamom, Semi-Sweet with hibiscus, and Wyld with marionberry.

10045 Carroll Canyon Rd., Suite A, Scripps Ranch, 858.926.4305, drinknewtopia.com

Serpentine Cider

Run by wildlife biologists and inspired by a sidewinder snake, the craft cidery is housed in the Miralani Makers District alongside Lost Cause meadery and The Good Seed Food Company.

8665 Miralani Dr. #100, Miramar, 619.880.6697, serpentinecider.com

Guthrie Ciderworks

With the slogan “because cider does not need to be sweet,” Guthrie’s British-style dry ciders (including Truly Dry and Semi) can be found around the county on draft and in bottles, with distribution locations available on its website.

6496 Marindustry Dr., Miramar, guthriecider.com

Julian Hard Cider

This veteran-owned cidery has been blazing the apple trail for years with a range of popular flavors including Harvest Apple fermented with Champagne yeast; Cherry Bomb with Montmorency cherries; Black & Blue with blackberries and blueberries; Apple Pie, Razzmatazz with raspberries; and Phenomenal with mint, pear and lime.

4470 Julian Rd., Julian, 760.765.2500, julianhardcider.biz

Turquoise Barn Cider

What started out as a chicken ranch and four years of homebrewing turned into a popular cidery in Ramona with trademark flavors that include Apple Pomegranate and Apple Maple.

955 Maple St, Ramona, turquoisebarncider.com

Raging Cider & Mead Co.

Inspired by their own punk rock youth, owners Dave and Kerry Carr bring more than 20 years of homebrewing experience to the table. Utilizing wild fermentation techniques Raging Cider sources all of its fruits and honeys locally, as well as from its own estate and farm.

177 Newport Dr., Suite B, San Marcos, 760.801.8771, ragingcidermead.com

Twisted Horn Mead & Cider

Inspired by Vikings and Valhalla, this dual facility offers a variety of cider flavors including Østgard with apricot and cardamom, Crimson Frost with lingonberries, Earth & Skye with roasted sweet potatoes, and Massacre with tart cherries.

1042 La Mirada Ct., Vista, 760.295.5888, twistedhornmead.com