506: Richard Yi on Craft, Family, and the Future of Brooklyn Cider House

Richard Yi of Brooklyn Cider House isn't interested in making cider that appeals to everyone. He's interested in making cider with personality and if you've ever enjoyed hearing a cider maker tell the story behind the glass, you're going to enjoy this conversation.

In this epiosde, you'll hear how a young man who once imagined a future in engineering found his way into the family cider business. Richard shares the influence of his father, Peter Yi, the evolution of Brooklyn Cider House, and why embracing the unpredictability of fermentation has become central to his philosophy.

Along the way, we discuss:

• Growing into a family cider legacy
• The transition from engineering to fermentation
• Why cider doesn't need to taste the same every year
• Orchard expression and vintage variation
• The role of trust in fermentation
• Brooklyn Cider House's approach to craft and authenticity
• Building a cider culture that values difference over uniformity

Whether you're a cider maker, orchardist, or simply someone who enjoys discovering what makes a cider unique, Richard offers thoughtful insights into the balance between tradition, experimentation, and family.

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Cider With Personality: Richard Yi's Approach to Craft Cider

01:34 Ciderville Standards Update

03:19 French Cider Tour 2026 Preview

04:50 Meet Richard Yi of Brooklyn Cider House

05:44 Family Roots, Wine, and the Path to Cider

07:23 Richard's Food Pairing Philosophy

09:31 Working Inside Brooklyn Cider House

10:43 Succession Planning and Learning the Craft

14:23 Building the New Paltz Farm and Orchard

17:28 Creating a Destination Tasting Room

18:27 Pizza, Barbecue, and Growing Crowds

21:10 Events and Community Building

23:15 Celebrating Korean Culture Through Cider

25:21 Craft Cider Versus Commodity Production

26:05 Native Yeast Fermentation and Cider Making

30:03 Wild Fermentation Versus Cultured Yeast

30:44 Small-Batch Ciders and Limited Releases

31:25 The Story Behind Nomad Cider

33:19 Nomad Cider Tasting Notes

35:24 Apples, Oak, and Barrel Aging

37:37 Sherry Cask-Aged Cider Explained

39:28 Lopez de Heredia and Winemaking Influence

42:15 Dance: A Basque-Inspired Fruit Co-Ferment

43:58 Dance Cider Tasting Notes and Technique

48:31 Innovation, Growth, and Consumer Trends

49:56 The Legacy of Peter Yi

51:17 Tandem Ciders Joins the CiderGoingUP Campaign

53:21 Cider Chat Summer Schedule and What's Next

Mentions in this Cider Chat

• Tandem Cider in Michigan joing the #ciderGoingUp campaign
• 2026 French Cider Tour
• Ganzenhof Cider – Belgium
• eCiderNews

Find the full show notes for Episode 506 at CiderChat.com

Direct Link at: https://ciderchat.com/podcast/506-richard-yi/

Listen to wherever you get your podcasts and don't forget to subscribe so you never miss what's coming next in Ciderville.

Prefer to watch?
Find Cider Chat on YouTube for more cider stories, orchard adventures, and global cider culture.

💛 Enjoy cider? Help keep #ciderGoingUP - by supporting Cider Chat.
Your support helps keep the podcast on the air and makes it possible to share more conversations like this one.

#cidergoingup