Scion Cider Bar Hosts Events for National Cider Month
The Salt Lake City establishment celebrates cider culture following a challenging season for local fruit growers.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Food and Drink
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Scion Cider Bar is celebrating National Cider Month throughout October with a series of events, including an heirloom apple tasting and a local cider showcase. These festivities come as Utah producers work to recover from a severe late April freeze that devastated local apple harvests.
Why it matters
The cider industry in Utah is relying on strategic collaboration and out-of-state sourcing to maintain operations after climate conditions wiped out much of the regional fruit crop. These efforts highlight the resilience of the state's eight operational cideries during a difficult production year.
Utah is home to just three certified pommeliers and eight active cideries. These establishments are navigating a landscape where 2,500 apple varieties exist across the U.S., compared to 7,500 varieties grown globally.
The players
Scion Cider Bar
This Salt Lake City establishment is a hub for local cider culture and operates as a center for industry collaboration.
Rio Connelly
He is one of only three certified pommeliers currently practicing in the state of Utah.
The details
To overcome the shortfall caused by the April frost, Utah cideries are pooling resources for shipments and deliveries. Scion Cider Bar, which opened in December 2022, is utilizing manual presses and a crusher to process fruit during its upcoming Apple Press Day.
Timeline
December 2022: Scion Cider Bar opens in Salt Lake City.
April 2026: A late freeze destroys most of Utah's apple and fruit harvest.
October 21, 2026: Heirloom apple tasting event held at Scion.
October 25, 2026: Utah Cider Showcase event takes place at Scion.
October 31, 2026: Apple Press Day scheduled at Scion.
Industry Dynamics
The cider industry in Utah is shifting toward a model of shared resources and out-of-state logistics to mitigate the volatility of regional harvests. This collaboration mirrors strategies often seen in craft beverage sectors attempting to navigate supply chain gaps following climate-related crop failures.
Cider enthusiasts can purchase tickets for the Utah Cider Showcase for $20 per person. Consumers will also have access to new limited releases, such as the upcoming fruitcake cider, throughout the holiday season.
The takeaway
Maintaining a local cider culture during years of poor harvest requires significant cooperation between producers and flexibility in sourcing. Enthusiasts can support the industry by attending local showcase events and exploring diverse apple-based products.
Further reading
Explore more local culinary trends in Salt Lake City Food and Drink.
More information
Find event details and scheduling information on the Scion Cider Bar website.
Source note: This article includes information reported by City Weekly.
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