In the maze of breweries and distilleries that the Lehigh Valley has become, let's not forget another tipple in our toolbox: the hard cider squeezed from acre upon acre of PA orchards. Choose one of these to wash down your next local lunch or dinner.
1. Red Balloon Strawberry Cider | Switchback Pizza Co.
525 Jubilee St., Emmaus | 610.547.5625 | switchbackpizza.com
Pizza from Emmaus's Switchback Pizza is now served alongside the restaurant's proprietary cider brand, Red Balloon. Using apples from Scholl Orchards and strawberries from LaFarm at Lafayette College, the wholly local strawberry cider is pleasantly tart with the aroma of a ripe strawberry.
2. Urban Core | Fegley's Brew Works
559 Main St. Suite 101, Bethlehem | 610.882.1300
812 W. Hamilton St., Allentown | 610.433.7777
Along with signature brews like the Steelgaarden Wit and Pumpkin Ale, Fegley's Brew Works tried their hops-slinging hand at a hard cider just a few years back, and Urban Core has stayed on the menu ever since. Dry and crisp with a champagne-y nose, it pairs well with meat and potatoes.
3. Banter's Overcast | Scratch
325 Northampton St., Easton | 610.814.7774 | scratcheaston.com
The next time you snag a wood-fired artisan pizza from Easton Public Market's Scratch, you can accompany it with a bevy from Banter's Hard Cider. Based in Stroudsburg, Banter's makes a variety of strong and satisfying ciders, like their cloudy and semisweet flagship, Overcast.
4. Wyndridge's Apples to Oranges | Bell Hall
612 W. Hamilton St., Allentown | 610.437.1825 | bellhallallentown.com
Bell Hall in Allentown offers not just celebrated burgers but an impressive drink list, including ciders from Wyndridge Vines in Dallastown. For a refreshing hit of citrus, try the Apples to Oranges, fermented with mandarin oranges, bitter orange peel and orange blossom honey.
5. Blackledge's Early American Cider | Tavern at the Sun Inn
564 Main St. Suite 2, Bethlehem | 610.419.8600 | suninnbethlehem.com
The autumn vibe in Historic Bethlehem is legendary, so why not try a swig of cider in the style of the city's early settlement? Tavern at the Sun Inn carries scrumptious fare as well as Blackledge Winery's Early American Cider, made with natural yeast in a fresh bourbon barrel.
