Nine Pin Ciderworks, New York’s first farm cidery based in Albany, has announced the return of its innovative 26er program, a year-long cider appreciation challenge, on Thursday, March 24.
“After working hard in 2021 to develop these unique 26er ciders, I am confident they are some of the best and I can’t wait to share them after the shutdown we experienced in 2020” said Alejandro del Peral, co-founder, and cider maker. “I encourage you to participate in this unique experimental cider challenge that supports New York agriculture and our beloved treasure that is the Adirondack Park.”
“26er cider sales support the Adirondack Mountain Club Summit Stewardship Program,” said Kayla White, ADK’s Summit Steward coordinator. “A big thank you to Nine Pin for donating a portion of sales to our program.”
Every two weeks during the challenge, the cidermakers at Nine Pin present a brand new cider style for participants to try; each participant must try all 26 ciders to complete the challenge. The challenge has grown significantly since the inaugural 26er series in 2016, when more than 325 individuals earned 26er status; 669 individuals earned 26er status in 2018. In 2020, the program was cut short due to COVID-19, but Nine Pin has great expectations for 2022, when, again a portion of the 26er cider sales will be donated to support the Adirondack Mountain Club (ADK)’s Summit Stewardship Program.
Nine Pin works with Kinderhook, N.Y.-based Samascott Orchards to develop 26 new and unique ciders that will be part of the 2022 program and only available at Nine Pin’s tasting room in Albany. Those who achieve 26er status are entitled to various benefits in Nine Pin’s tasting room including perpetual happy hour pricing. Prospective participants who earned 26er status in 2016 and 2018 are eligible to complete the challenge again to reach 26er Silver or Gold status. Achievers at each level receive different additional prizes and privileges.
