Alexandria Cider Festival

Celebrate Virginia Cider Week (Nov. 15 – 24) in Alexandria with a special tasting festival at historic Lloyd House on Saturday, Nov. 23 between 1 and 5 p.m. 

Hosted by the Office of Historic Alexandria in partnership with the Virginia Association of Cider Makers, this event includes cider tastings, live music, a tasting glass, and a little history too!  While enjoying a selection of Virginia ciders, learn more about the growing Virginia cider industry and its connection to Alexandria history.  

The Alexandria Cider Festival includes offerings from Albemarle Cider Works, Blue Bee Cider, Bold Rock Cider, Bryant’s Cider, Buskey Cider, Castle Hill Cider, Courthouse Creek Cidery, Lost Boy Cider, Old Hill Cider, and Potter’s Craft Cider. Delicious food available from "Executive Orders," the Mount Vernon Food Truck.

Cider was a popular beverage in 18^th and early 19^th century Alexandria and offered at area taverns, including Gadsby’s Tavern.  Thomas Jefferson cultivated eighteen varieties of apples in his orchard at Monticello (planted between 1769 and 1814).  

Today, there are over 30 different apple varieties grown specifically for cider production throughout Virginia. Cider is fermented like wine, not brewed like beer. One of the most common misconceptions amongst consumers is that hard cider is made in just ‘one’ style rather than the many different styles that are produced.  Virginia Cider Week was established by the Virginia General Assembly in 2012 to recognize this growing segment of Virginia’s economy.

Tickets are $45 per person (advance pricing) and may be purchased by calling 703.746.4994 or through alexandriava.gov/Shop. Check in at The Lloyd House, 220 N. Washington Street. Walk-in ticket pricing is $55 per person with special tasting talks offered for $5 per person.  For additional information, please visit Alexandriava.gov/historic.