By Anna Yoder | Columnist

When I drive down Spring Garden Avenue, it seems I am always in a hurry going to or coming from somewhere. Regrettably, I had never taken the opportunity to stop at Threadbare Cider and Mead. Nor did I know what exactly Threadbare Cider and Mead was; yet I vowed I would stop someday to check it out.

Luckily for (and unbeknownst to) me, Threadbare Cider and Mead holds a “Cider Saturday Concert Series” with music by local artists every other Saturday. A musician friend of ours was playing one Saturday and this became the impetus for my husband and me to stop and visit.

As it turns out, Threadbare is the sister business to Wigle Whiskey, originally located also on Spring Garden Avenue.

According to Elise Miranda, director of marketing at Wigle and Threadbare, the founding owners of Wigle Whiskey discovered a “beautiful historic brick building down the road” from their Wigle Whiskey location in 2017 and saw an opportunity to continue their “historical legacy.” The owners decided to produce cider from local apples and thus, the concept for Threadbare Cider and Mead was born.

My husband and I were very delighted to have discovered Threadbare; however, the variety of what they have to offer is what keeps us coming back. Yes, Threadbare is about much more than cider.

Of course, there IS cider at Threadbare and it is of the award-winning caliber. Cider — as I have come to learn — is simply the fermented juice of apples. Jonathan Chapman (better known as “Johnny Appleseed”) was born in 1774 and it is his story that was the “historic inspiration” for Threadbare Cider and Mead. Johnny Appleseed collected apple seeds from cider mills and sold the seeds to settlers (or out of generosity, traded the seeds for cast off or threadbare clothing to those who could not afford to buy his seeds). Threadbare’s handcrafted ciders are made 100% “on-site” and from local apples such as “Gold Rush” and “Northern Spy,” single varietal apples that are grown at Soergel’s Orchards.

And if you think there is just one flavor of cider, think again! Elise explained that cider is popular because it is “less predictive,” unique and comes in a variety of flavors. With the help of a little extra fruit, Threadbare ciders come in a wide range of sweetness and tantalizing flavors such as pear, pineapple, guava, cherry, and caramel apple. My favorite is the “Bridge City Bubbly,” which is a very dry cider with a crisp flavor, lower in alcohol, and of course bubbly! Elise mentioned, and I totally agree, that Bridge City Bubbly can “take the place of champagne at any celebration”! It is also no surprise that Threadbare’s most popular cider is the “Farmhouse” cider which is “classically apple with a hint of sweetness.” The individual responsible for creating Threadbare’s extensive list of cider recipes is their “cider-passionate” Head Cider Maker, Brian Bolzan.

Threadbare has a variety of drinks on tap. Photo by Anna Yoder

In addition to their ciders, Threadbare makes mead (also referred to as “honey wine”) which is “barreled and aged” fermented honey. Threadbare’s mead is also made 100% on site and the honey is sourced locally from Bedillion Honey Farm in Washington County. I never had mead and was offered a taste of their “Sweet Mead.” It was sweet and tasted just like pure liquid honey. But do not be fooled by this innocent mixture; it has a 14% alcohol content, and is for those who like to sip on something that packs a punch. And if you fancy a “Cyzer” — a combination of cider and mead — consider ordering Threadbare’s “Apples and Honey.”

If cocktails are your thing, you can order those too at Threadbare which are made using cider or the products from their sister business — Wigle Whiskey. The pretty pink cocktail named “Summer Sorcery” created by head chef Sherri Kelly is concocted with Threadbare’s Remix Dragon fruit cider, lavender simple syrup, and fresh basil — almost too pretty to drink. Threadbare also serves soft drinks and local craft beers. While you can enjoy all these wonderful drinks in the warm and inviting vibe of their main cider house, you AND your pooch can also relax in Threadbare’s well-appointed dog friendly patio.

Threadbare serves cider, mead, and drinks for sure, but did you know that Threadbare offers amazing and imaginative gourmet pizzas, flatbreads, and salads which are among the very best in the city? The gourmet pizza and flatbread recipes are also developed by the head chef Sherri Kelly and inspired by available “seasonal ingredients.”

I have had their extraordinarily delicious pizza prepared with caramelized onion and blue cheese, yet this time, I sampled two others: First was the “Funky Hawaiian” pizza — crafted with ham and pineapple drizzled with a concoction of honey, lime, and chipotle peppers. Sweet, savory and sassy! Next, I tasted the “Summer Harvest” — a flatbread adorned with all the summer season’s best: corn, peaches, tomato, onion, and cilantro layered on fresh mozzarella. I never had a combination quite like that on flatbread yet these veggies and fruits played well together and it was like a summer carnival party in my mouth. Both taste-treat sensations were prepared on homemade sourdough whose “starter” was from the “mother” dough used to make their very first pizza. Of course, the yeast used in the dough was from the cider fermentation process. For those who are gluten free — Threadbare offers a gluten free pizza crust and it pairs well with cider which is also gluten free. Talk about having something for everyone.

Threadbare clearly offers a “hyper local aspect” serving local food, cider, and mead made 100% in house. Combine all this with their extraordinary customer service and you are assured a fun night out!

In addition to supporting local, Threadbare is also community driven. In keeping with Johnny Appleseed’s legacy of generosity, Threadbare is also generous and offers their welcoming space AND staffing “for free” (Yes, for free) to any non-profit for their fundraising events. Nonprofits only need to complete the form on Threadbare’s website to request the space.

Fall is Threadbare’s busiest time because — as Elise described — it is a “cozy time and apple cider goes hand in hand with fall.” Yet when winter approaches, the fun does not stop at Threadbare. In mid-December, Threadbare holds their “Winter Market” comprised of various local crafters, vendors, and typically music — all in their cider cellar. And it is this time of the year too, that their “Imperial Cherry” mead aged in Bourbon barrels (from where else — Wigle Whiskey) will be ready to drink!

You now know that Threadbare is much more than cider.

If you too have driven down Spring Garden Avenue and wondered about Threadbare Cider and Mead (and are curious about the differences between a cider and mead), I am hopeful that this column has answered those questions. Hopefully too, the next time you drive down Spring Garden Avenue you will take that turn into their parking lot and enjoy everything delicious that Threadbare has to offer. Threadbare’s delicious use of local apples and their generosity would surely make John Chapman proud.

An insider tip: Threadbare also offers pizza making classes taught by the Chef Sherri Kelly.

Threadbare Cider and Mead is located at 1291 Spring Garden Ave., and can be contacted at (412) 322-5100. For more information, visit threadbarecider.com/