Cliff Sider Heirloom Apple Cider Inspired by the Helderberg Escarpment Launches

Indian Ladder Farms presents Cliff Sider, a crisp cider crafted from heirloom apples harvested under the Helderberg Escarpment. The blend combines traditional cider apple varieties to achieve a balance of tannin and bright acidity – and a clean, dry finish. It embodies the farm’s commitment to making estate-focused ciders that express the personality of its orchards and the land that surrounds them.

A press release from Indian Ladder Farms and Indian Ladder Farms Cidery & Brewery announced that Cliff Sider is available now at the the farm’s tasting room in Altamont and will be available in limited distribution while supplies last.

Cliff Sider is an homage to a distinctive orchard block tucked beneath the Helderberg Escarpment, where Indian Ladder Farms cultivates its finest bittersweet and bittersharp apples specifically for cider production. The towering limestone cliff above not only defines the landscape, but plays a quiet, essential role in shaping the cider itself, filtering and feeding the mineral-rich aquifers that nourish the orchard below.

The result is a cider that is deeply expressive of place. Cliff Sider is crafted from a thoughtful blend of heirloom varieties including Golden Russet, Dabinette, Wickson, Porter’s Perfection, and Kingston Black. Together, these apples create a cider with balanced tannins and bright acidity, finishing with a clean, structured dryness. On the nose, Cliff Sider opens with aromas of freshly crushed apples layered with a warm, nostalgic note of rich applesauce.

“Cliff Sider is a reflection of everything we strive for as cidermakers; letting the fruit and the land speak for themselves,” said Alex Gill, Head Cidermaker at Indian Ladder Farms Cidery & Brewery. “That orchard block beneath the escarpment consistently gives us fruit with incredible depth and structure. This blend brings together those varieties in a way that feels both classic and uniquely tied to this place.”

Bottled at 7% ABV, Cliff Sider continues Indian Ladder Farms’ commitment to producing New York-grown, estate-driven ciders that highlight the diversity and complexity of traditional cider apples.

For more information visit www.indianladderfarms.com, and www.ilfcb.com.  

About Indian Ladder Farms and Indian Ladder Farms Cidery & Brewery.

Nestled in the shadow of the Helderberg Escarpment in Altamont, New York, Indian Ladder Farms is a fourth-generation, family-owned farm founded in 1916 by Peter Gansevoort Ten Eyck and now recognized as a New York State Centennial Farm. Spanning more than 300 acres of apple orchards, berry patches, pumpkin fields, hop yards, and animal pasture, the farm serves as a beloved agritourism destination dedicated to connecting the community with local agriculture and the land. The property also offers a scenic setting for weddings, private events, and seasonal celebrations throughout the year.

Located on the farm, Indian Ladder Farms Cidery & Brewery, a New York State Farm Brewery and Cidery owned by Dietrich Gehring and Stuart Morris, provides a true farm-to-glass experience. Craft beers are brewed using hops grown on-site and New York–sourced grains, while hard ciders are produced from fruit harvested from the farm’s orchards and berry fields. The Tasting Room and Biergarten feature beverages on draft as well as in cans and bottles, and during the spring and summer months guests can enjoy wood-fired fare at the Pizza Garden by DeFazio’s, creating a full farm-to-table experience.