New Cidery Opens In Middletown

MIDDLETOWN, CT — The quest for finding the best ciders in the world led a husband and wife to open their own cidery in Middletown. Ronald Sansone and Kimberly Sansone are co-owners of Spoke + Spy Ciderworks, which recently opened at 180 Johnson Street in the historic Keating Wheel building and features unique hard ciders.

The Sansones decided to open their own cidery after returning to the U.S. after living, and drinking ciders in pubs, in London and “not having the options for unique dry real ciders” over here. “Thus began the journey of discovering the world of cider and making cider at home,” according to the Spoke + Spy Ciderworks website.

“Our quest to find the best ciders in the world has led us to crafting our own unique lineup of ciders,” reads a post on the site. “We have a focus on local ingredients, working with nearby farmers and orchards to bring the local flavor to your glass. When local isn't an option we will seek the best and most unique ingredients while maintaining our commitment to producing the highest quality ciders.”

While the cidery location is new, Ronald Sansone is an experienced cider maker and has taken home multiple medals at the Great Lakes International Cider and Perry Competition — the world’s largest cider competition, according to CiderCulture.com. Sansone also founded the Connecticut Cider Association.

Spoke + Spy Ciderworks, which is located between Forest City Brewing and Stubborn Beauty Brewing in the Keating Wheel building, is currently opened on Saturdays from 12 noon to 5 p.m. For the updated list of ciders currently on tap, visit the website here. Customers are encouraged to bring their own food or visit the nearby food trucks.

For more information, visit the Spoke + Spy Ciderworks website here and on Facebook here. Also read more at CiderCulture.com here.

Contributed photos