Chatham Cider Works (CCW) is part of the Starrlight Mead family at The Plant. It is a family-run business that makes small-batch hard cider using local and mountain apples. The cider is on tap and on shelves locally. CCW is part of the Chatham County Craft Beverages & Country Inns Trail and is available at Havoc Brewing Company, Fair Game Beverage Company, 580 Craft Beer, Chatham Marketplace, and more.
Becky and Ben Starr of Starrlight Mead recently purchased Chatham Cider Works from its previous owners, Maureen and Jim. Starrlight Mead now has its first ciders, produced in-house, on tap, and in bottles, ready for your enjoyment. They are currently offering three flavors that CCW is best known for: Carolina Crisp, a dry cider; Pink Dogwood, a cider sweetened with tart cherry juice; and Highway 64, a dry barrel-aged cider.
Hard cider used to be widely made and drunk in the United States, but it died out during Prohibition. It is enjoying a resurgence, with cider makers and consumers discovering how varied the product can be. The selection of apples for cider has a significant impact on the flavor. CCW sources apples for flavor profiles that produce a balanced cider with light acidity and tannins. Their hard cider is also unfiltered, and higher in alcohol than most other commercial brands. It sits between a wine and a beer in alcohol levels.
