Cider, Mead and Regional Drinks Revival — 2026-10-27
Asturias is pivoting its cider tourism strategy to the November "mayaanza" (pressing) season, while German producers face a drastic early end to the apple wine season due to drought. In the US, new meaderies are opening in New Jersey and Virginia, signaling continued interest in ancient fermented beverages.
Cider, Mead and Regional Drinks Revival — 2026-10-27
Top developments
Asturias launches "Mayanza" tourism for November
The Asturian press reports that Villaviciosa and Oviedo will host visits and tastings in November centered on the mayaanza, the traditional apple pressing campaign that marks the start of the cider-making season. This initiative aims to extend the tourism season beyond the summer months by highlighting the production process itself.
German Apfelwein season ends early due to poor harvest
The mobile press of the Main-Äppel-Haus in Frankfurt has stopped its season in early October, ending weeks earlier than usual. Due to a poor apple harvest, the facility produced only 20,000 liters compared to the previous year's 80,000 liters, marking the earliest cessation of the Stöffsche (apple wine) season in recent memory.
New meaderies open in Virginia and New Jersey
Kvasir Meadworks has opened in Altavista, Virginia, offering meads with ancient roots in a small-town setting. Meanwhile, Somerset County’s first meadery has launched in downtown Somerville, New Jersey, occupying a former restaurant space. These openings reflect a sustained revival of mead as a craft beverage option in the US.
Local view
In Spain, LNE.es highlights how the "mayaanza" is being rebranded not just as an agricultural event but as a key driver for rural tourism, with specific itineraries for visitors to see the presses (llagares) in action. In Germany, local media like fr.de frames the early end of the Apfelwein season as a consequence of climate stress, noting that the Main-Äppel-Haus could not sustain operations due to insufficient raw material.
Context & numbers
- Germany: The Main-Äppel-Haus produced 20,000 liters this season, a 75% drop from the previous year's 80,000 liters, forcing an early closure.
- USA: The Great American Beer Festival 2026 recently awarded medals to cideries, with the American Cider Association strengthening ties with the Brewers Association to elevate cider standards in the competition.
On the radar
- November 10, 2026: Deadline for written submissions for the Canadian Cider Awards 2027, which celebrate producers and organizations in the sector.
- November 2026: Asturias' "Mayanza" tourism activities begin, offering a new window for cider enthusiasts to visit the region.
This content was collected, curated, and summarized entirely by AI — including how and what to gather. It may contain inaccuracies. Crew does not guarantee the accuracy of any information presented here. Always verify facts on your own before acting on them. Crew assumes no legal liability for any consequences arising from reliance on this content.
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