Bulwark has just added another layer of authenticity to the customer experience with the opening of Bulwark Cider House in Halifax.
Since its launch in 2012, the cidery had its sights set on a taproom to provide cider lovers with more opportunities to enjoy and discover their range of ciders. The wait is over. Bulwark is finally opening its first cider house in the centre of Halifax.
Located at 1518 Dresden Row, the house originally built in the mid-1800s is nestled in the heart of Halifax and features locally produced award-winning Bulwark craft ciders as well as cider-inspired drinks, roasted coffee, vodka soda and a seasonal menu to complement the cider house portfolio.
A match made in heaven, the house’s authenticity and heritage are a reflection of what Bulwark is all about: small batch cider made from real apples that are sourced locally.
The cider house’s interior design is casual and rustic to reflect Bulwark’s brand but also to maintain the heritage house’s unique character. Built in 1852, the building is an early and rare application of Italianate-inspired bracket architecture to the Georgian-style Halifax house. To showcase the building’s history, part of the internal frame remains exposed and encased in glass so that people can see how the house was assembled in the 1850s.
Bulwark Cider House will be the perfect destination for cider lovers to learn about cider-making processes and the difference between the many types of ciders currently on the market. For example, Bulwark is one of the few cideries in Canada where all the steps of cider making – apple pressing, fermentation and bottling – are done onsite. A rare achievement thanks to Bulwark’s proximity to local apple orchards and the owner’s commitment to traceability and artisan production.
“It’s an opportunity for customers not only to taste delicious ciders and learn how authentic ciders are made but also to learn about the Grade A Trustmark,” says Germain Bergeron, Bulwark founder, who created the trustmark to recognize genuine craft cider producers, using real apples and deploying an authentic cider-making method.
“Not all ciders are created equal,” he stresses. Consumers may be surprised that most ciders contain low quantities of juice and high amounts of added sugar. He adds: “Most other ciders have only 30% to 50% juice content or less such as 15% in Sweden. We’re different. Made with 100% apple juice at fermentation, the result is that our signature cider Bulwark Original is crisp with apple blossom aromas and similar to dry sparkling wines such as Prosecco in taste profile.”
What’s On Tap?
Create a flight or grab a pint from our selection of ciders – there is something for everyone at Bulwark Cider House. Cider connoisseurs will be at home in the new hangout and novices will be enthralled by how much there is to know about craft ciders.
The cider house will be open Tuesday to Sunday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. serving 16 taps of ciders and beers, as well as vodka soda and non-alcoholic beverages. A spacious nook has been carved out for a café and a bottle shop where Bulwark’s favorites will be available along with a few seasonal surprises such as foraged apple ciders that were crafted in 2016 and 2017, and apple ciders made from heirloom apples such as Cox’s Orange and Russet. Bulwark lemon lime vodka soda and Muwin Estate fruit wines will also be sold.
Bulwark’s new beer brand Burntcoat Head will be available before the end of the summer at the cider house. (Contact the cider house manager for details on what is being served and updates on future releases.)