Pick up a cup of farm made apple cider at these 8 Connecticut farms

As the leaves begin to turn, you begin to crave a cup of sweet, local apple cider.

Apple pies, apple fritters, apple turnovers, cold cider, hard cider or hot mulled cider, the taste of fall is all around New England. It’s the perfect time to stop by a farm, pick some pumpkins or stroll through the apple orchard. Many of the orchards offer family-friendly activities including pumpkin patches and corn mazes along with their cider. Some, like Hogan’s Cider Mill, have an adult Tap Room featuring hard cider and cider slushies.

Here’s a few places in Connecticut to pick up a gallon of farm grown, local cider.

Old Cider Mill

1287 Main St Glastonbury, CT 06033

The Old Cider Mill in Glastonbury not only has their delicious cider – the mill is known as the oldest, continuously operating cider mill in the U.S. – but fritters and a petting zoo. While you’re picking up a gallon of sweet cider, shop around for fall decorations, pumpkins, mums, corn stalks and straw bales. The shop inside also sells chips and salsa, local honey, fudge, maple syrup and more.

Gotta’s Farm and Cider Mill

661 Glastonbury Turnpike, Route 17, Portland, CT 06480

At Gotta’s Farm and Cider Mill in Portland, pick up your cider along with pies, breads, cookies, your Christmas tree, plants, other fruit and more. The farm also hosts pick your own apples, strawberries, peaches and pears when they are in season.

Bishop’s Orchard

1355 Boston Post Road, Guilford, CT 06437

Bishop’s Orchard in Guilford has a little bit for everyone including cider, wine, a farm market, pick your own and more. Bishop’s Orchard is known for their cider which they began making in the late 1930s. Bishop’s Orchard uses a blend of apple varieties so their cider is unique to the orchard. They sell a cider size to suit each household from a gallon container to a 6-pack Cider Chugger bottle collection.

B.F. Clyde’s Cider Mill

129 North Stonington Road, Mystic, CT 06355

B.F. Clyde’s Cider Mill in Mystic is the oldest steam-powered cider mill in the United States. The mill began in the 1880s and is a National Historic Landmark. Along with traditional cider, the mill also sells hard cider, wine, cider donuts and other local goods. The way the mill makes its cider has not changed since the first day it opened. While visiting, you can watch a demonstration of cider making, taste wine or hard cider and munch on cider donuts.

Roger’s Orchard

336 Long Bottom Road, Southington, CT and 2876 Meriden Waterbury Turnpike, Southington, CT

Roger’s Orchard has two locations in Southington. Established in 1809, pick up some of their other fruit while getting your cider including tomatoes and sweet corn. You also may be familiar with Roger’s Orchard cider since it is stocked in local grocery stores as well.

Lyman Orchards

32 Reeds Gap Road, Middlefield, CT 06455

Lyman Orchards in Middlefield has a wide assortment of apple products including their classic cider. The farm instead is a fun, family destination. They also sell pies, cider donuts, muffins, cookies, breads, pastries and other desserts. The store is stocked with cheeses, milk, eggs, meats, specialty food items, jams, jellies, sauces, relishes and mixes.

Beardsley’s Cider Mill

278 Leavenworth Road, Shelton, CT 06484

Beardsley’s Cider Mill in Shelton makes their cider the classic way. The cider is 100% juice and made from sound, ripe apples that may have been too small to be sold by the bag. They use a state-of-the-art system to press the apples along with keeping the system clean and sanitary. While there, pick your own apples as well to bring home.

Hogan’s Cider Mill

522 Spielman Hwy, Burlington, CT 06013

Hogan’s Cider Mill in Burlington is well known for its cider. Ever heard of a cider slushy? You can get one here. Hogan’s has a downstairs Mill Shop and an upstairs Tap Room for adults. Along with cider, they sell cider donuts, pumpkins, baked goods, crafts, shots and hard cider.