Tenant Spotlight: Downeast Cider
Crack open a cold, refreshing hard cider next time you visit the shipyard. Downeast Cider is producing millions of cans each year in their taproom and welcoming visitors for tastings and pop-ups.
Downeast Cider began as an idea in a college dorm room and has evolved into a nationwide phenomenon. Their hard ciders are made with local ingredients right here in East Boston. The story of Downeast is fascinating, and taproom guests have a front-row seat to all the action.
The apple juices arrive to the tap room from Stow, Massachusetts, says Alex Rabassa, Digital Media and Communication Manager at Downeast, and includes a blend of apples that are local to New England, such as Macintosh and Honey Crisp.
Once at the tap room, they begin the fermentation process, which takes about eight days, and results in a "cider-wine,” says Rabassa, “and we turn that into a cider.”
Each of Downeast’s ciders are unfiltered, which is "the Downeast way. Unfiltered is the fresh pressed, New England apple cider we blend into our cans. By keeping it unfiltered, our cider makers are able to retain the full flavor and body from our premium apple cider. Unfiltered is something you can see in every Downeast pour, our signature unfiltered haze," says Rabassa. 100% of the cider is made right here in East Boston - over 30 million cans each year!
Since its inception, Downeast has come out with more than 100 unique blends. Some flavors are more traditional, like pumpkin, while others are more unique, such as caramel apple. Rabassa’s favorite? The original blend! “It had the best, real cider taste.”
Downeast’s brand team “does a lot of work in market research,” says Rabassa, in order to learn about what the consumer wants and develop new flavors. “Once we identify a flavor that resonates, we develop samples and conduct thorough sensory tests – with employees and consumers,” she says. Some of the taste testing takes place in the taproom and helps to determine which flavors hit the market and when. “It is always nice to have people at the location in the shipyard because they can try flavors that may not get released for another six months, or may not be released at all,” says Rabassa.
Not only does visiting the Downeast Cider House’s taproom, located at 256 Marginal Street, give guests the opportunity to try a variety of cider flavors, including those exclusive to the cider house, but also gives a sneak peek at the cans! The cider house is filled with stacks of Downeast Cider cans, some of which are not in market or have not been produced yet. For example, this past year, Downeast collaborated with The Big E on a special Caramel Apple Cider as a fair exclusive. Some lucky cider house visitors were able to see those cans before they were even announced. "The cans, both past and present, help to create a unique atmosphere, setting the Downeast Cider House apart from other taprooms in the area," says Rabassa.
In the summertime, the shipyard is also home to the outdoor Downeast pop-up bar. "Our shipyard pop-up is an extension of our cider house, where consumers can enjoy a refreshing cider while taking in the amazing city view." At the base of Pier 1, you will find their cider "garden," with containers converted into bars, furniture, the occasional live band or DJ, perhaps a local food truck, and of course, the best view of the Boston skyline around.
Downeast Cider is currently sold in stores across 19 US states, and ships around the country. With the exception of some sales staff and brand ambassadors, most of the Downeast team is here in East Boston.
Downeast fans consistently show their love for the products and brand. Last summer, the company ran an online contest they called the #OverboardChallenge to promote the launch of their 8% ABV ciders. Participants took to social media to share how they go “overboard” for Downeast. “The value and time people put into making those videos was so nice,” says Rabassa, “it really shows how invested our fans are. They get excited about new products that are coming.”
Downeast is focused on "continuing to make the best tasting cider while also launching innovative new products to excite our passionate consumers." Since 2011, their goal has been making the best products they can. To learn more about Downeast and plan your visit to the Downeast Cider House, please visit their website.
