Agassiz-Harrison residents may have already found a hidden gem in their midst where they can enjoy the area’s apples in a whole new way – fine cider.
Homestead Cider opened earlier this summer in the Seabird Island area, and the reception from the community has been nothing short of warm.
“We’re so serene and tucked away,” said Brett Carlson, one of Homestead Cider’s owners. “It’s a little bit to get out here, but once you’re out here, it’s very quaint and quiet, and you can really get away from the city life.”
Brett Carlson, who owns the cidery with his sister, Dallas, was living in Vancouver until he came out to the area to spend time with his grandfather. The property has been in the family for about 50 years.
“I knew he had a couple of apple trees and never really thought much of it; he was donating them to local farmers,” Carlson said. “I randomly saw somebody I knew at a cidery one day and I’d never really heard of a cidery before. I thought it might be interesting to try to make cider with the apples we have.”
This was about three years ago, starting with a few home-brew batches that eventually blossomed into four fully developed flavours that the cidery offers today: farmhouse dry, blackberry, raspberry and hopped. Carlson hopes to add more flavours next year.
Cider apples can be hard to come by in the area, which is why the team at Homestead has planted 600 cider-specific varieties, which should produce in the next couple of years.
Carlson said the cidery industry is really starting to grow.
“I think people are really looking for alternatives to craft beer and gluten free options as well,” he told The Observer. “You’re seeing now within the last couple of years, cideries pop up in Chilliwack, Abbotsford and Langley. I’ve been to the Sunshine Coast a few times, there’s quite a few over there. And everyone’s bringing something different and something really interesting to the table.”
Homestead attended their very first festival at Brewhalla Chilliwack on Oct. 7, where more than 30 breweries, cideries and distilleries showed off their wares.
As for the future, Carlson hopes to work with local restaurants, bars and other establishments to carry their cider and offer more at their location for visitors to enjoy.
“It’s been awesome; the majority of our business is local,” Carlsons aid. “We’ve had a lot of people say that their friends from Agassiz or Harrison sent them here, so it’s been very cool to see people we haven’t seen in 10, 15 years. Even my grandfather’s been able to sit with some people who worked for him years ago.”
Homestead Cidery is located at 6046 Kamp Road.