In this episode of the North Carolina Food and Beverage Podcast, co-hosts Max Trujillo and Matthew Weiss explore the world of cider, a fermented beverage adjacent to beer, wine, and spirits. They are joined by Oliver Koch and Dustin Skywalker from East Bower Cider, who share insights into the cider-making process, discuss the distinctions between making cider and brewing beer, and address the industry's stance on the terminology. They also delve into the types of apples used in cider making, emphasizing the shift towards using 100% North Carolina apples and the trend towards cider-specific apple varietals. The guests further discuss the challenge of fighting the stereotype of cider as a sweet drink, sharing their backgrounds in the beer industry and their mission to introduce cider as a sophisticated, enjoyable beverage. The episode also touches on the logistics and challenges of running a cidery, including sourcing from Cisco, and concludes with a dive into cider styles, the importance of varietal specificity, and the future goals for East Bower Cider.   00:00 Welcome to the North Carolina Food and Beverage Podcast 00:48 Diving Into the World of Cider 01:22 The Art and Science of Cider Making 02:23 Exploring Apple Varieties and Cider Making Processes 05:41 Battling Cider Stereotypes and Embracing Craft 15:48 The Business Side of Cider: Challenges and Opportunities 17:34 A Deep Dive into Coffee with Carrboro Coffee Roasters 24:18 Exploring the Transformation of Local Spaces 25:23 A Deep Dive into Cider Making: Techniques and Challenges 26:40 Bridging the Gap: Crafting Ciders for Beer Lovers 27:32 The Art of Carbonation and Flavoring in Cider Production 29:21 Scaling Production: Challenges and Aspirations 36:50 The Journey of Starting a Cidery During a Pandemic 42:20 Future Plans and Community Engagement Get your tix to Bubbles & Bagels here On the mic this week: @trujillo.media @weisswine Join our Facebook family: @NCFandBPod Follow us on Instagram: @ncfbpod Support our Sponsors: Welcome SYSCO as our Title Sponsor!! Drink better coffee - get Carrboro Coffee Roasters Here Enjoy Duke's Mayo - It's Got Twang!