BY KRISTINA ROSEN
After months of anticipation and a government shutdown setback, Wise Bird Cider Co. opens today in the Distillery District at 1170 Manchester Street, Suite 140.
What started as a hobby for owners Greta Pittard and Tim Wright has turned into a vision to build community around one of America’s most traditional American beverages: cider. They left their corporate jobs, moved to Lexington and found a community of support around creating and serving their own cider — all while Greta was pregnant with their second son.
A ribbon cutting ceremony included VisitLex’s Mary Quinn Ramer and Commerce Lexington’s Bob Quick.
The 4,000-square foot space features a patio that overlooks the creek and garage-style doors that roll up during the warmer months. There’s a large production facility that can be viewed from the taproom area along with an expansive bar and two lounge areas. The space is decorated by local architects and artists with wood shelving made from an old Jim Beam plant and original murals created by Often Seen Rarely Spoken. The spacious patio has shaded areas and plenty of seating that overlooks Town Branch Creek, and the city’s planned Town Branch Trail.
Martine’s Pastries and Wine + Market helped develop the menu which includes Martine’s roasted chicken salad sandwich and a charcuterie board from Wine + Market. A kids menu is also available, and food trucks will make appearances on the weekends.
Wise Bird Cider Co. offers three new products with five more in production. Their cider is produced much like a wine, with a focus on the apple varietals and combinations, rather than grape. Cider is fermented and aged, then carbonated. All Wise Bird Cider Co. ciders are made from heirloom and modern apples grown in Kentucky, Virginia, Pennsylvania and Ohio. The ciders, like wine, can range in sweetness from bone dry to semi-dry and semi-sweet. Customers can also enjoy single varietal ciders, which are made using only one apple type.
Their tap menu features several house ciders, as well as guest selections from Pivot, Mirror Twin and Ethereal.
Wise Bird Cider is open Wednesday through Sunday and will host a grand opening in late June.
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