Gypsy Circus Cider Co., Tennessee’s first craft cidery, will open the Southeast’s first wild, barrel-aged manufacturing facility and taproom in Knoxville in fall 2019. With this opening, Gypsy Circus Cider aims to bring the south to the national cider scene.
The Barrelhouse by Gypsy Circus will be the largest cidery taproom in the southeast and the first to feature on-premise barrel-aged wild yeast cider. It will host a production facility in its 4,000-sq-ft taproom that will include 40 taps of Gypsy Circus’ products and local craft beer. Embracing wild yeast requires an exclusive facility for production to elevate distinct flavors and taste profiles, differentiating it from other, more traditional forms of yeast used in modern ciders.
“Three years ago when we opened, we were the state’s first craft cidery and found ourselves educating consumers about cider. Now, those same Gypsy Circus fans are looking for the next level of craft cider, and we are exploring production methods to take them on a wild, new journey. Our ability to ferment wild ciders and lambic ciders brings a new element to customers who really appreciate the craft side of the business,” said Aaron Carson, Tennessee-native, military veteran and cofounder of Gypsy Circus with wife Stephanie.
The facility will also feature The Bohemian, a restaurant serving a blend of international cuisines and menu offerings infused with its ciders. TAPestry, a 2,500-sq-ft hall located on the property, will be available to rent for weddings and private or corporate events.
“Gypsy Circus ciders offer a colorful palate of flavors that meld well with international foods. We are travel junkies ourselves and love bringing the tastes we’ve experienced in places from Greece to Thailand into our food and cider,” Stephanie said.
The cidery uses fresh-pressed juice along with a more holistic, natural approach that differs from other brands. All Gypsy Circus’ employees are Certified Cider Professionals by the U.S. Association of Cider Makers, which equips them with the knowledge on how to make award-winning products and enhance everyone’s appreciation for craft cider.
In 2018, Nielsen data revealed the cider category grew faster than beer, wine or spirits. In the same year, Gypsy Circus quadrupled production capacity, just two years after opening its doors. The Barrelhouse, Bohemian and TAPestry located at 621 Lamar Street in Knoxville will employ more than 30 people, adding to the economic impact of the already-burgeoning distilling, brewing and fermenting community across the state of Tennessee.
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