A Celebration of Home Brewing and Heirloom Apples

The original concept behind ‘The Crush’ was to provide homebrew enthusiasts with a unique blend of up to 12 different late-season apple varieties, including many heirloom apples such as Roxbury Russet, Golden Russet, Tolman Sweet, and Northern Spy. This carefully curated mix of late-season apples and heirloom varieties has proven to be an excellent foundation for home brewers to apply their unique, sometimes secret, recipes in creating outstanding hard ciders. For approximately 30 years, The Crush has been a cherished tradition at Chapin Orchard, taking place in late October. It all began in the mid-’90s as a partnership between a local homebrew club and the orchard owners. Ann Whyte, owner of the former Vermont Home Brew Supply in Winooski and a dedicated homebrew club member, played a pivotal role in promoting and organizing this coveted annual event. Over the decades, Ann has tirelessly introduced the art of home brewing to thousands of Vermonters, providing endless education and mentorship along the way. As she embarks on her well-deserved “retirement,” we express our heartfelt gratitude for her unwavering commitment to The Crush. While The Crush remains centered around homebrew enthusiasts and their craft, other patrons of Chapin Orchard have discovered that this blend of late-season heirloom apples also yields some of the finest fresh cider imaginable. People are learning that fresh cider freezes exceptionally well, offering a delightful taste and a nostalgic reminder of crisp fall days well into the winter months. Whether you’re an experienced homebrewer or simply want to savor some of the best fresh cider, consider signing up for The Crush. But act quickly—the supply is limited!

For questions related to fermenting, brewing or equipment, please email [email protected] or visit https://www.mashers.org/