Based on a recommendation from Chris at Knotted Root, we headed into Boulder, CO. and made a beeline to BOCO Ciderworks. We are huge fans of Cider and BOCO is doing it right - "the Bolder way". We visited them just 3 days after their grand opening and owner Michael Belochi had a few minutes to sit down with us and tell us about the realization of his dream of opening a ciderworks. They're just a few minutes from downtown Boulder off route 36, at 1501 Lee Hill Drive in a bay Michael renovated with his own hands. He quickly explains he wasn't born in Colorado but he got there as soon as he could. He worked as a lawyer for a number of years and then he closed the books on his legal career to follow his passion for cider and the results really pleases the court. He went from being a member of the bar to owning one. God knows we have enough lawyers but we desperately need more cider brewers, and Michael is an artist. As the first ciderworks in Boulder they get to introduce cider to the town, and they set "the bar" pretty high.
For their grand opening Head Cidermaker Josh Smith, brewed up a wide ranging collection of experiences for first time cider drinkers. The English Style, Peach, Ginger, and the OG Hopped are going to be signature favorites for sure. The OG Hopped is a crispy naturally carbonated cider dry hopped with cascade hops. Michael hand harvests the hops from the gardens of the local homebrewers in exchange for a couple free glasses. It wakes up your pallet and is a great start to the party.
From there the English Style Cider (8.0% ABV) is a Heritage apple blend from Washington fermented with English Cider yeast, keg-conditioned with fresh apple juice. The Belgian Sour Cider (7.5% ABV) is a balance of sweet, sour, and savory cider fermented with Belgian Yeast. Cider version of traditional Belgian Sour. Next we tried the Belgian Heirloom (5.5% ABV) a juice pressed from heirloom apples grown in SW Colorado made in a white wine style. We didn't have time to taste them all but after a nice tour and chat with Michael and sampling a few of his proud creations we were hooked. BOCO is a must visit spot in Boulder. Give yourself some time to try a variety of ciders and then take a few crowlers to-go. We proudly wear a BOCO hat to announce we are a big fan and will definitely be looking for a chance to return to Boulder so we can visit BOCO again.

These were on-tap when we stopped in.
Colorado Heirloom (8.0% ABV) SW Colorado heirloom juice pitched with Scottish Ale Yeast makes for aromas of bright apple, guava, banana, orange zest fill the glass. Higher tannin content for the adventurous cider drinker who wants to experience what the orchard has to offer. Petrichor Cascade Hopped Cider (6.9% ABV) Western Slope of Colorado Apples dry hopped with Boulder grown hand picked Cascade Hops. "Smells like rain, tastes like lemons." OG Hopped Cider (8.0% ABV) Cider double hopped with Boulder grown handpicked Cascade Hops, highlighted by a floral effect. Michael hand picks the hops gown in the backyard of Boulder homebrewers, so you know they're fresh. Peach Cider (7.5% ABV) This fan favorite is created by adding peach and pear juice to our English Cider base. The resulting "Peach Kiss" has underlying layers of apple, apricot, and pear. Kombucha Infused Cider (6.7% ABV) Sour Cider base infused with Boulder blended with natural kombucha for a tart blend that has a hint of apple vinegar. Kinda Sour Cider (6.9% ABV) Sour cider base keg-conditioned with fresh apple juice to create a sweet and sour cider clash. Ginger Cider (7.5% ABV) ½ lb. of fresh ginger is added per gallon for a distinctive ginger with just a hint of spice. “If you’re a ginger fan this one is for you!” St. Vrain Chokeberry Cider - guest tap (6.9% ABV) This unique cider melds wild piquant berry and cherry aromas with a clean, dry, baked-apple-and-tannic-berry flavor profile. Finishes with a hint of black tea and a whole lot of newfound fascination for the aronia genus.