The Office of Historic Alexandria in partnership with the Virginia Association of Cider Makers celebrated Virginia Cider Week November 16–22, culminating in the Alexandria Cider Festival at historic Lloyd House. Virginia Cider Week was established on September 5, 2012 by the Virginia General Assembly in recognition of the state’s expansive cider industry.
Cider can be alcoholic or non-alcoholic, made from the fruit of apples, pears, and other fruits- even mango! There are over 30 varieties of apples grown specifically across Virginia for cider production. Cider is fermented like wine. It’s not brewed like beer but is crafted in a variety of styles much like both.
Cider was an extremely popular libation in Alexandria during the 18th and early 19th century, being offered at area taverns including Gadsby’s in Old Town. The Virginia wine industry had not yet taken off despite Thomas Jefferson’s best efforts. Presidents Washington at Mount Vernon and Jefferson at Monticello had orchards growing fruit to meet the cider demand. Jefferson alone cultivated 18 varieties of apples.
Many of Virginia’s finest cider houses represented at this year’s festival including Alexandria’s Lost Boy Cider, Albemarle CiderWorks, Blue Bee Cider, Bold Rock Cider, Ciders from Mars, Henway Hard Cider, Potter’s Craft Cider, and Winchester Ciderworks were also featured. Albemarle won a gold medal in the Governor’s 2025 Gold Cup cider competition.
Alexandria’s French Sister-City Caen’s Pet-nat very dry style cider was served in wine bottles by former Mayor Justin Wilson’s mother Leslie Tourigny. Did you know that Alexandria also has a Swedish Sister City in Helsingborg? Rekorderkig Swedish ciders are light and sweet using unique fruits for ciders and wild berry combinations such as mango-raspberry, strawberry-like and white pear.
The fall color in the garden of Lloyd House endured on a mild and sunny afternoon. A perfect day to take a trip back in time. Lindsay, Martin, & Dobbs performed traditional Irish music along with Hardtack & Seabiscuits who played mid-19th century music including sea shanties on the fiddle and banjo.
Inside the parlor of the late 18th century Georgian-style building, period games were set up for guests to learn and get in the spirit of the occasion. Let’s raise a glass to our founding fathers Washington and Jefferson for kickstarting an ever-expanding economy of Virginia craft cider.
Mark your 2026 calendar for next year’s Virginia Cider Week and Alexandria Cider Festival. Proceeds from the festivals help support the Lloyd House and all the Port City history museums. A hat tip to the Office of Alexandria History – forever making history come alive. And fun!
