Cuisine Scene: Cider

Cider, the kind enjoyed by grownups, can be sweet and it can be dry. In Long Beach, it can be enjoyed all over, in a ciderworks devoted to its creation–as well as to having a good time–and at breweries in the company of some great food.

FICKLEWOOD CIDERWORKS

Long Beach’s first dedicated cidery, Ficklewood Ciderworks (720 E Broadway) creates ciders from unique, botanical infusions, constructing dry ciders with pure, blended ingredients and a natural fermentation process that elevates flavor. It’s also a fun, family-friendly place to hang. Located downtown, it describes itself as “Long Beach’s living room,” and goes about playing the part by hosting such recurring events as comedy nights, board games, cornhole and Mario Kart competitions.

SMOG CITY BREWING

It’s not surprising that such an eclectic brewery as Smog City Brewing (3768 Long Beach Blvd) would make a point of having a guest cider on their beer menu. That includes the likes of the very popular Hibiscus Session, a semi-sweet, hard cider made with apple juice, hibiscus tea/flowers and organic cane sugar. Located at SteelCraft, Smog releases new creations every week. If you’re new to cider, you can try out a taster in Smog’s taproom.

ISM BREWING

A relatively recent–winter of 2023–and welcome addition to the Downtown Long Beach dining and drink scene, ISM Brewing (210 E Third St) came into being with its self-described mission of providing “good beer, good food, good time.” To that end, ISM not only brews a wide variety of its own beer but leaves some taps open for “guests.” Two of those are always pouring great cider, such as Prickly Pear Hard Cider and SD Jam Cider with mixed berries.

PBS PUB & CO.

Since its original iteration opened back in 1950, PBS Pub & Co (464 W. Willow St) has garnered a fiercely loyal following, attracted to this Wrigley neighborhood landmark’s wide selection of macro and micro craft beer, seltzers, kombuchas and ciders with such flavor profiles as apple, marionberry, prickly pear and pineapple. Enjoy them either inside PBS or on its spacious patio.

About the Author

Steve Lowery

Steve Lowery is a longtime local. Over the years he has written for the Los Angeles Times, ESPN, and others. If you're looking for the hidden gems of Long Beach, Steve is your go-to.