B.F. Clyde’s Cider Mill – Mystic
Although autumn may be more often associated with the northwestern and northeastern corners of the state, B.F. Clyde’s Cider Mill in Mystic is a must visit once the leaves turn red and gold. Visit during their season from September through December for cider making demonstrations, tastings and to buy all things apple. Clyde’s is most certainly a gem, albeit not so hidden. Long lines will greet you on a weekend visit in the fall. The line to buy the cider and cider donuts often leads out the door, down the steps and out into the yard. Driving by their location, at 129 North Stonington Road in Mystic during the off season made me wonder if the venerable cider press was closed for good as the trees were decorated with “No Trespassing” signs and the yard was unkempt. Gladly, I was proved that I had nothing to fear when the following October it was teeming with cars. The cider is produced by steam power, which Clydes heralds as the oldest and the only such press in the country. Since 1881, the Clyde family, now on its sixth generation has produced apple cider that has been heralded as the finest in the country. Other gift items are also available to purchase like fudge, baked apple goodies and fall decorations. Clydes also manufactures their own wine and hard cider which can be tasted and purchased on premises. The cider press demonstrations happen in the cider mill located at the rear of the property while the main building houses cider and baked goods.
The cider mill is located on the National Register of Historic Places and rightfully so, since its inception in 1897, the same cider press has churned out thousands upon thousands of cider. Up until the early twentieth century, the term ‘cider’ referred to what is considered ‘hard cider’ today. Colonists brought over apple seedlings from England to be grown in the colonies. Local farmers harvested their apples and brought them to community cider presses to turn their fruit into the alcoholic libation. Benjamin F Clyde started out this same way in 1881, when he began to use other cider mills to make his product. Six years later he decided to build his own cider mill. He purchased a four screw press as well as a cider pump, apple elevator and apple grater from a manufacturer from Syracuse, New York. The cider press ran on steam power, as it does today.
For more information visit: http://www.bfclydescidermill.com/ and http://connecticut.cbslocal.com/top-lists/best-cider-mill-tours-in-ct/
