Cider, Mead and Regional Drinks Revival — 2026-09-02
The 2026 cider harvest season is underway in the Basque Country and UK, though drought conditions have significantly reduced yields in both regions. In North America, interprovincial trade barriers are hindering mead distribution, while the Pacific Northwest prepares for its major annual cider festival.
Cider, Mead and Regional Drinks Revival — 2026-09-02
Top developments
Basque cider harvest begins early due to dry summer
The apple harvest for Basque sagardoa (cider) has started earlier than usual in 2026, driven by a dry summer that accelerated ripening. Euskal Sagardoak, the association of Basque cider makers, reports that most cider houses (sagardotegiak) will begin pressing apples in the first half of September. However, the total yield is expected to be between 0 and 35% lower than last year, with smaller fruit sizes noted as a direct consequence of water scarcity.
UK cider producers face "worst year" amid drought
British cider producers are bracing for a significant drop in production as heat and drought shrink the apple crop. Alison McIlwraith of a 40-acre Devon farm predicts cider production could fall by 80%, with only half of her orchards expected to be harvested this year. This follows a broader industry concern where the National Association of Cider Makers (NACM) highlights the vulnerability of the £2.7bn sector to climate extremes, with total category volume recently reported at 643 million litres.
Interprovincial trade barriers scuttle Nova Scotia mead order
A Nova Scotia meadery lost a major order to a New Brunswick Renaissance fair due to prohibitive markup fees charged by New Brunswick’s liquor regulator. The meadery was set to sell nearly 600 bottles, but markups exceeding 100% rendered the deal unviable. The incident has drawn criticism from Nova Scotia’s Premier, highlighting ongoing friction in Canadian interprovincial trade for regional alcoholic beverages like mead.
Merridale Cidery launches month-long Harvest Season Festival
In British Columbia, Merridale Cidery & Distillery has announced its month-long Harvest Season Festival for September 2026. The event aims to celebrate fall traditions with a focus on craft cider production and tasting experiences at their Victoria-area farm. This follows their recent participation in broader regional harvest celebrations across Canada.
Local view
Local media in the Basque Country, such as Deia and Donostitik, are focusing heavily on the agricultural impact of the drought on cider production, framing it as a critical issue for local identity and economy. Meanwhile, Kent Online is promoting upcoming food and drink days out in Kent, including wine harvests and the Faversham Hop Festival, signaling a strong consumer interest in seasonal agritourism despite weather challenges.
Context & numbers
- UK Cider Market: Total category volume stands at 643 million litres; the industry contributes £2.7bn to the economy.
- Basque Yield Forecast: Expected to be 0–35% lower than the previous year's harvest.
- Devon Production Drop: One farm expects an 80% reduction in production due to drought.
On the radar
- Cider Swig Festival: The 13th Annual Cider Swig Festival will take place on September 26, 2026, at LeMay – America’s Car Museum in Tacoma, Washington, celebrating Pacific Northwest craft ciders.
- Bay Area Fall Events: A curated list of beer, wine, and cocktail events for the fall season in the Bay Area has been published, indicating a robust calendar for regional drink enthusiasts.
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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