053: Michelle McGrath | Executive Director, United States Association of Cider Makers

Michelle McGrath is the Executive Director of the United States Association of Cider Makers, a trade association for the cider industry. In this episode she chats on the mission of the USACM, the goals for the year, the upcoming Cider Conference (CiderCon) and the Pick Cider initiative for Thanksgiving.

The four core mandates of the Association

• Advance cider in the market
• Increase opportunities for peer learning
• Promoting a cider friendly regulatory environment
• Supporting the cider apple growers

The USACM has over 1300 members. 95% of cidery members are making less than 500,000 gallons/year

Membership in the USACM is tiered.

For instances, The Cidery In Planning is $175.

And there is even a tier level for "Home Cidermaker/Enthusiast" - $75.00 (USD)

Find out more info at http://www.ciderassociation.org/join

Michelle provided an overview of the Cider Act that comes into effect in 2017

• It will increase the allowable carbonation in cider
• Increase the allowable alcohol content from 7% to 8.5%
• Perry will now fall under the definition of allowable cider.
• And, there is a change in the Bond requirement for small cider producers, if not all alcohol producers. If you owe less than $50,000 a year in taxes, the government is going to stop requiring a Bond. If you already have a Bond, will get it back. BUT YOU have to request your Bond back and prove that you are a small producer.

Michelle also discussed:

The Craft Beverage Modernization Act that is still yet to be passed. Within this ACT there is a component that benefits small wineries. It expands the small producers tax credit. Right now the credit is available to producers of 150,000 gallons or less and will up that amount up 750,000 gallons or 3/4 of a million.

And, there will be a Request for Proposals (RFP) for research grants coming up in 2017 too.

What is happening with CiderCon? Where is it?

It takes place on February 8th, 9th and 10th in Chicago.

Here is a sneak peak into this year's special guests from France! Note the dates below might not be set in stone, always check the conference schedule ahead of time.

1. French Perry - Thursday, Feb. 9th @ 1:30pm – Daufresne Poiré & Christian Drouin Poiré.

2. Keeving - Thursday, Feb. 9th @3:15pm – Le Brun Brut Cidre de Bretegne, Le Brun Organic Cidre (demi-sec), Le Brun Cidre AOP Cornouaille.

3. Calvados - Friday, Feb. 10th @ 1:30pm – Guillaume Drouin to present on his own and select a range of his Calvados and Pommeau.

4. Grand Cider Tasting - Friday, Feb. 10th @ 5:15pm – All 3 French presenters on the panel.

What is Pick Cider?

The USACM is helping to promote cider by asking enthusiasts and commercial makers to use the #PickCider on Social Media.

Contact Michelle McGrath

Michelle McGrath

Executive Director

United States Association of Cider Makers (USACM)

Cell: (503) 593 - 1716

email: michelle@ciderassociation.org

Website - Facebook - Twitter - Instagram - LinkedIn

Mentions in this Chat

Columbia Gorge Cider Society aka Gorge Society that has a Cider Route in Oregon\Washington State Columbia River Gorge area

Cider Chat podcast episodes: 046: Going to CiderDays and 048: CiderDays2016 Schedule

USACM's Cider Certification Program

Find out more on Alan Stone's 2014 book Dorset Cider with An Excursion into the New Forest at the Cider Chat Resource Page

More CiderDays Insider Tips

Where to buy cider while attending CiderDays?

• Spirithaus Amherst MA
• River Valley Coop, Norhampton
• Ryan and Casey's Liquor Store, Greenfield

November 4th CiderMeetUP at The Root Cellar in Greenfield go to this event page and find out the scoop here! Mini scoop...it takes place from 6pm on. YOU can bring you OWN cider (pay a $5) corking fee and enjoy meeting new friends attending CiderDays.

Go to this page to see the ciderchat.com show notes page with photos

Please Help Support Cider Chat's (Ria's) trip to the International Hall of Gala Ciders. I am sure I won't have this trip paid off for a while and every little bit counts. Please donate today.

Social Media company mentioned in this chat

We Are Pr - helping small business manage social media

Donate to Cider Chat! Help keep the chat thriving!

Find this episode and all episodes at the page for Cider Chat's podcasts.

Listen also at iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher (for Android), iHeartRadio and where ever you love to listen to podcasts.

Follow this podcast on twitter @ciderchat