Sample from 28 different handmade ciders on tap at Portland Cider House.

Portland’s Cider Scene

Hard cider has joined the ranks of beverages made — and obsessed over — in Portland.

Updated Nov. 15, 2024 2 min read

While Portland is known for having 80+ breweries, amazing wines from the nearby Willamette Valley and a host of craft distilleries, the latest beverage trend in town is hard cider.

Since the tart beverage is made from fermented apples, Oregon cider makers have plenty of raw material from the apple-growing regions of the state and neighboring Washington. Cider-making draws from techniques typically used in brewing and winemaking, such as using oak barrels to age the brew or adding hops to increase its bitterness, making it a perfect fit for Portland.

Cider-making draws from techniques typically used in brewing and winemaking, such as oak barrels.

Seattle cider-maker Schilling Cider opened Schilling Cider House Portland in 2017, where they make the cider on-site. Billed as “the world’s largest cider taproom,” you’ll find a spacious cider hall with windows looking westward to downtown. In addition to 50 cider taps, they also have a dedicated gluten-free menu, serving nachos, loaded tots, vegan tacos and more.

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In Southeast Portland’s Central Eastside, Bauman’s on Oak is helmed by Christine Walter, a fifth-generation farmer and Bauman’s head cidermaker. Her award-winning cidery specializes in hard cider highlighting estate-grown apples and fruit. They also offer guest ciders, beer, wine and non-alcoholic options, plus a menu of fresh, farm-to-table fare. Swift Cider is another Oregon-based brand specializing in hand-crafted, small-batch hard cider. Find their tasty creations — like the semi-dry strawberry cider or the pineapple mai tai — at beer bars and bottle shops around town.

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In addition to these Portland makers, cider from other Oregon makers, such as Peak Light, Wandering Aengus, EZ Orchards, and Blue Mountain, can be found on tap and in bottles throughout the city. It is common to see several ciders offered alongside numerous craft beers at many of the city’s taprooms and bottle shops, including favorites like Saraveza, The Place or Imperial Bottle Shop.

Much-loved neighborhood bottle shop Belmont Station stocks a mind-boggling 1,400 beverage varieties, including plenty of cider from producers in Oregon, Ireland, France and just about everywhere in between. Stop in and stock up on cider to take home as a gift for your future self.