Y
OU’VE PROBABLY SEEN LOST GIANTS CIDER in the
beverage aisle of the grocery store. The logo is hard to miss — a bearded, bespectacled apple-man with a stem sprouting from the top of his head. The graphic could stand for any one of the cider company’s three owners — Chris Noskoff, Abraham Ebert, and Brad Wilske — all bearded Bellinghamsters who have apples on the brain. The three first met through the Bellingham craft brewing community. As fellow employees at Kulshan Brewing Company, they discovered their interests in fermentation aligned. Putting their shared passion into action, they founded Lost Giants Cider Company in 2017. The name Lost Giants pays homage to the giant trees that once populated Bellingham. Noskoff, Ebert, and Wilske are all self-proclaimed “avid outdoor enthusiasts,” and wanted to acknowledge the area’s natural landscape as well as the trees at the heart of cider production.
“We hope to bring the fun and innovative culture that we loved in the craft beer world to the cider industry.”
Photo by Janelle Abel.
Brad Wilske Lost Giants opened to the public in 2018, blending Ebert’s extensive background in fermentation science with Washington’s natural agriculture abundance. The result is a variety of dry, flavorful ciders certain to appease any palate. Visitors to the 21-and-over production facility can taste Lost Giants’ brews, or order a regional craft beer from one of the guest taps. Wilske says his favorite part about cider-making is the culture and community. “We are excited to be a part of the craft cider scene in Bellingham and the Northwest. We hope to bring the fun and innovative culture that we loved in the craft beer world to the cider industry,” he says. When it comes to the cider itself, Wilske’s favorite is the Dry Cider, a crisp and refreshing classic. However, during the warmer months, he prefers their Pineapple Cider. “All of our ciders tend to be on the dryer or less sweet side of the scale, and the Pineapple Cider shines as a perfect balance of sweet and dry with that delicious pineapple finish,” he says. The Dry Cider and Pineapple Cider are also best-selling customer favorites, as is the unique Elderberry Cider. The ciders are also a nice option for those seeking a naturally gluten-free drink that also has less sugar. “Being on the dry or less sweet side, most of our ciders are also very low in sugar, making it a fairly low-calorie adult beverage. For instance, our Dry Cider comes in at 155 calories per 12 ounces,” Wilske says. As for the future, Lost Giants is always testing out new recipes. “We are especially looking forward to creating another Rosé Cider this fall using red fleshed Mountain Rose apples from Bellwood Farms Apple Farm,” Wilske says. 1200 Meador
How Do You Like These Apples?
Local Orchards for Apple-Picking Fun
Bellewood Farms & Distillery With 25,000 apple trees producing more than 20 varieties of apple, there’s plenty of delicious fruit to choose from at this family-owned-and-operated farm in Lynden. Starting on Labor Day weekend and lasting through the fall, stroll through the photo-worthy orchards and pick your own fruit. U-pick season kicks off with Gravensteins (green, tart, great for baking) and Tsugarus (a sweet, snackable Japanese dessert apple), with Honeycrisps following in mid-September. While you’re there, stop by the farm store for some cider, espresso, and other goodies, or drop into the distillery for a free taste of Bellewood’s unique farmmade spirits. 6140 Guide Meridian, WA-539, Lynden, 360.318.7720, bellewoodfarms.com
Apple Creek Orchards Mark your calendars, because Apple Creek Orchards is only open for picking in October. Their u-pick offers apple favorites like Honeycrisp, Jonagold, and Gala. There’s no store, stand, or bakery at this orchard, just a beautiful view and apples, apples, and more apples. 5367 Barr Rd., Ferndale, 360.384.0915
Sm’apples Gather the family for some apple picking at Sm’apples in Ferndale. Open from September through November, this orchard is perfect for lovers of Fuji, Jonagold, Honeycrisp, Red Free, and Akane apples. Make sure to take in the views of Baker while you’re picking. 1197 Willey’s Lake Rd., Ferndale, 360.318.1776, smapples.com
Stoney Ridge Farm Starting in October, visit Stoney Ridge Farm for apple-picking, wagon rides, a corn maze, and fresh apple cider pressed from apples grown on-site. While you’re there, be sure to try their famous mini cider doughnuts. 2092 Van Dyk Rd., Everson, 360.966.3919, stoneyridgefarm.com
Ave., Bellingham, 360.778.2189, lostgiantscider.com September 2020 53