Sign up for The Dish
Stay up to date on the latest food and drink news from Boston.com.
Sip hard cider at these 5 Massachusetts apple orchards
Pick some apples, then sit down with a glass of hard cider straight from the source.
There might be nothing more aesthetically New England fall than sitting at an outside bench at an apple orchard, with a U-pick bag full of fruit, while enjoying a glass of hard cider right from the source.
The main event at an orchard in Massachusetts may be the picking, but in recent years many apple farms have expanded operations to include more of a farm tour experience. That includes petting zoos, mazes, and other family-friendly activities, but there’s also some fun to be had for adults.
On site at orchards, you’re more than likely to find a taproom or tasting room for beer, wine, cider, or all three. Even when the orchard doesn’t make its own hard cider, you can probably still get a glass or can of a nearby popular craft brand.
Advertisement:
Below is a list of some of the best apple orchards with hard cider that also happen to be a pretty close drive from Boston. Cheers to fall!
Carlson Orchards
You’ve probably seen a can of Carlson Orchards’ hard cider at the grocery store or on tap at a nearby bar, but drinking it at the property’s Cider Barn gives you more options. There’s the flagship hard cider, the Oak Hill Blend, but libation seekers can find a cider from semi-sweet (the Honey Crisp) to bone dry (one of their newest, Simply Dry) on tap — and those are just some of the year-round options. Check the Carlson Orchards website to see what seasonal and limited edition hard ciders are available.
Advertisement:
Retail store hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily; Cider Barn hours: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.
115 Oak Hill Rd., Harvard
Hollis Hills Farm
This family-run spot is more farm than bar, where you can get several types of fruit, beef and pork, and trees for Christmas. But its restaurant and bar offers some well-known brands of hard cider, Downeast Cider and Carlson Orchards, either by the can or on draft. Settle down with a beverage with live music after a day of picking up several apple varieties available on the farm.
Bar hours: 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, noon to 9 p.m. Saturday, and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.
340 Marshall Rd., Fitchburg
Lookout Farm
This 160-acre orchard claims to be one of the oldest continuously-working farms in the country, and visitors have options when they step foot on this plot of farmland. The taproom is open all year for visitors to try a glass of hard cider, while the seasonal outdoor dining is also an option to order hard cider. With an admission wristband, parents can also grab a hard cider within the Lookout Farm play area. Offerings this year include a Pumpkin Patch hard cider, the cranberry-flavored Bog Juice, Rose-style First Crush, and an all-new cider called Pink Tractor, made with dragon fruit and prickly pear.
Advertisement:
Orchard hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday to Thursday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday to Sunday; Taproom hours: 4 to 9 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday. Outdoor dining hours: Noon to 8 p.m. Friday to Sunday.
89 Pleasant St., South Natick
Red Apple Farm
Beyond the Boston Public Market stall is a massive, scenic farm that’s been run by the Rose family for generations — and that was recently voted the second best apple orchard in the country. Before apple picking, stop by the year-round Brew Barn for a glass of hard cider with some barbecue. To try various ciders made in-house, head to the Cidery, which has picnic tables situated in a garden and hosts its own seasonal events, like an upcoming Flannel Festival.
The Cidery hours: 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, noon to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and noon to 7 p.m. Sunday; Brew Barn house: 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, and 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday.
455 Highland Ave., Phillipston
Russell Orchards
This family-owned plot of land sticks to seasonality, even at the farm’s winery. The Russell family produces around 40 varieties of wine and hard cider, but each weekend the owners choose just four glasses to feature during their tasting hours. The changing menu always includes at least one hard cider, whether it’s the slightly sweet Middle Ridge or the award-winning dry sparkling cider. Visitors can also purchase the wine or hard cider by the glass, as well as buy bottles to take home.
Advertisement:
Tasting hours: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday to Sunday.
143 Argilla Rd., Ipswich
To comment, please create a screen name in your profile
To comment, please verify your email address
Conversation
This discussion has ended. Please join elsewhere on Boston.com