4 Cideries around the Hudson Valley, Capital Region to visit this fall

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10)-- Well-crafted cider begins with great apples, from locally grown orchards. For years, orchards throughout New York have produced those apples to be fermented into cider.

With a general alcohol content ranging from five to seven percent, cider has become a suitable alternative to beer. Many local breweries have also started expanding their craft into making cider or offering cider options.

From upper Orange County to the Capital District, cideries are open and are included in craft beverage trails. If you're looking to try cider or embark on your own craft beverage trail, these cideries are ones to check out.

ALBANY

Nine Pin Cider Works, 929 Broadway

Nine Pin was founded in 2012 with the mission to support farms by producing cider with New York apples. The cideries commitment to local craft beverage development is known throughout the state, with craft cider in local grocery stores and in different bars and breweries. Nine Pin became the first official farm cidery in the state after receiving the first farm cidery license issued.

The green building, sporting a mural of an orchard has a variety of flavors to try. From straight-forward apple cider to more inventive flavors like Lavendar Lemon or Montmorency Cherry, Nine Pin has something for everyone.

Cider to try: Cranberry Orange Light Cider. Crafted with Samascott Orchard apples and cranberries from Deer River Bog in Brasher Falls, the low-calorie drink has an ABV of 4.5%.

Catskill

Left Bank Ciders, 150 Water Street

What began as an experiment with left over apples from local Farmer's Markets and apple trees roadside, became an inventive, frequently visited business. The owners of Left Bank Ciders started creating cider with a food processor and old pillowcases to grind and squeeze out the juice from bruised, banged and apples that had fallen off trees.

The cidery still collects their own apples but also partners with local orchards to create their cider, that's fermented and stored in their taproom. According to Left Bank, the small-batch ciders are made with simple practices, with different cider types rotated out.

Cider to try: Byron. In a 750 mL bottle, Baldwin, Northern Spy and Golden Russet apples make up this batch.

Hillsdale

Little Apple Cidery, 178 Orchard Lane

Little Apple Cidery began when the owners transformed an old apple orchard into a bountiful organic orchard. The orchard features a variety of apples, all used in their cider. Both English and French cider varieties, inspired the farm cidery and orchard bar.

Apples are hand-picked, selected for batches, pressed, fermented and racked over a six-month period. The variety of apples inspired both special blends and single variety batches.

Cider to try: Orchard Reserve, Heirloom Cider. In a 500 mL bottle, this is the Orchard's finest blend. With dry tones and notes of lemon, this cider has a 6.9% ABV.

Walden

Angry Orchard, 2241 Albany Post Road

As one of the most recognizable cider destinations in the Hudson Valley, Angry Orchard offers both a variety of ciders to try but also a 60-acre orchard to explore and enjoy.

Often capturing half of the national cider market, the taproom has over 28 flavors and other brands available. The kitchen also features sharable appetizers, food trucks on the weekend and guided orchard walks or a treehouse experience for booking.

Cider to try: Blueberry Rosé. With a hint of blueberry and a dry finish, this cider has an ABV of 6%.