Millstone Cellars from Monkton, MD visited Norfolk, VA recently to help kick-off The Birch's debut of five new taps dedicated solely to cider and mead. Representing Millstone were Kyle and Sara Sherrer, brother and sister who run the cidery/meadery with their father Kurt.
The Birch's owner, Malia, tapped four Millstone ciders:
Farmgate #5, Cobbler, Hopvine, and Gingeroot
We've never tried anything from Millstone before, so the idea of buying a flight to sample a few of them was very exciting.
This is serious stuff - yes were excited.
I introduced myself to the Sherrers and chatted a bit about their operation, where they were from, and the fact that Shelby had just finished her first cider at home. Kyle offered me a glass of their Farmgate #6 batch he brought down in bottles. We got to compare the two Farmgate batches which was pretty cool. The ciders were dry, not too sweet and refreshing. I loved how the Hopgate smelled, it reminded me of a light spearmint.
Sara come over to our table and chatted with Shelby, going over some of the events they hold at the cidery. There is one coming up in the Fall that sounds like something we'll do, Shelby loves autumn and hanging out in an orchard drinking cider and mead sounds like a good time.
Swing by The Birch to try Millstone on tap. I know Grape and Gourmet sells bottles of their product too.