Blue Bee Cider, Richmond, Virginia

Enjoyed a fun and insightful tour of Blue Bee Cider House here in Richmond, Virginia! 

I recommend you drop by to visit them for a tasting and tour. Tours are free. Check out their site at the end of this post for the times. The tasting was $4. On their chalkboard, it appears they have other events like food pairings.

Mel was our tour guide on this day. He did a great job explaining the 4 ciders we sampled, then walked us through the packing and production area.

The Army brat in me Loves the American flag! :-)

Mel ~ filling the cups up!

Four ciders to sample

Couple notes I took during the tour:

Blue Bee Cider started in Aug 2010 

Mel's daughter is the founder and head of the Company. Together, they took a cider lab at Cornell Univ. (Peter Mitchell Cider Academy).

Found out there are 2 style ciders:

1. Craft cider made like wine

2. Session cider like beer

After cider academy, his daughter did an apprenticeship for a year in VA. Right now, they serve only in Richmond and sell at about 55 places. They are the only cider production house in the City. 

Apple trees are on premises. Rose bushes are a tree disease indicator and you'll find them near the apple trees. 

Funny Mel tour line was when he showed us a sample of distilled alcohol. 

He asked us, "How many people have been to a distillery?"

Response: Crickets (aka no one has gone). 

His response: "You all need to get a life."

Ha! Indeed. Funny, I could tell Mel was very sharp by the overview he provided us. When I asked what he had did for work before retiring, he asked me to guess. I had no clue, but had a feeling he did something very noggin skilled (like Engineering or something that requires a lot of brain power). He said he had 2 careers, one in various roles in the healthcare field and before that 20 years working in the Army as a helicopter pilot. Ha! I knew he was sharp. Helicopter pilot is not your average bear gig. I found it amusing to make a random pilot connection here. :-) Anyways, great job by Mel and again, I recommend checking them out to get the tasting and tour!

I'm intrigued by some special brandy infused cider they are creating called Firecracker. Sounds like it is set for release near 4th of July. 

Here is out goody bag we received.

Shirt & tasting glass.

I'll be back!

Go out and visit them, either at their spot on W 6th Street or Saturdays at the South of the James farmers market. I hear they debuted there this past Sat. In the meantime, check out their site!

http://www.bluebeecider.com