A local cider company has officially hung up its press.
Ela Cider, an early adapter in Wisconsin’s slow-growing hard cider renaissance – which helped pave the way for other local projects like Pomona Cider and Cache Cider – announced today that it has ceased production.
“After 6 years of making an award-winning cider we have made the difficult decision to close our business,” notes a message posted to the brand’s website and social channels. “While we are proud of the exceptional quality of our cider and have greatly enjoyed serving our customers, we have been unable to make our business financially viable. Thank you to all the loyal cider fans who supported us on this venture. Working with all of the many fine people we've met along the way has been one of the true pleasures of making cider.”
- The Ela Family
John Ela, a fifth-generation Wisconsinite, was the cider maker behind the family-run business, which made cider using apples grown at a family orchard in Rochester, Wisconsin.
Ela Cider built its reputation on distinctive, locally made ciders, pulling in national accolades, including a Good Food Award in 2016. Among their offerings was Stone Silo (an off-dry crowd-pleaser made from pressings of a wide-range of apples including Jonagold, Stayman Winesap, Ida Red Jonagold, Golden Russet apples) named for an old silo located near the family orchard (photo above).
They also built a following for Barn Cat, a dry, tart, slightly funky cider that appealed to those looking for the flavors commonly associated with traditional European ciders.
Lori is an avid cook whose accrual of condiments and spices is rivaled only by her cookbook collection. Her passion for the culinary industry was birthed while balancing A&W root beer mugs as a teenage carhop, fed by insatiable curiosity and fueled by the people whose stories entwine with each and every dish. She’s had the privilege of chronicling these tales via numerous media, including OnMilwaukee and in her book “Milwaukee Food.” Her work has garnered journalism awards from entities including the Milwaukee Press Club.
When she’s not eating, photographing food, writing or recording the FoodCrush podcast, you’ll find Lori seeking out adventures with her husband Paul, traveling, cooking, reading, learning, snuggling with her cats and looking for ways to make a difference.
