Pierce County is home to businesses large and small and all are appreciated for their contribution to the County’s economic well-being. The Pierce County Economic Development Department and its partners work together to encourage and assist small, entrepreneurial firms to thrive and grow. In each newsletter, we feature one of these companies.
Cockrell Hard Ciders
The Pacific Northwest is home to many quality microbreweries but not so many artisan cider houses. John and Rich Cockrell of Cockrell Hard Ciders plan to change that. Their creations have won many local, state and national awards and accolades, including the most recent 2015 Pacific Northwest Cider Awards Gold Medal in the Modern Sweet Category for its Cockrell Hard Cider Original. This is the beverage that started it all, a result from the encouragement of friends and family for the brothers to consider sharing their creative talents with a larger audience.
The brothers began formulating a plan which included searching for the perfect cider apple. For over 100 years, the Puyallup Valley has been an agriculture leader in Washington State. The brothers’ quest brought them to Gwyndon Farms in Puyallup, which at its peak had over 1,500 apple trees. The production facility is located on the farm mere footsteps from the apple trees and raspberries utilized in the production process.
The brothers have expanded their selection to include Valley Red, a raspberry cider made from local fruit. The product line also includes a dry hopped cider, a blackberry and raspberry habanero cider The line is completed with Call Me Dusty. Rich says, “This is a refreshing cider for those who like it a little drier and lighter.” Other seasonal and reserve offerings come out throughout the year.
Cockrell Hard Cider can be found throughout the Puget Sound in Sumner, Tacoma, Lakewood, Bonney Lake, Federal Way, Seattle, Puyallup and other locations.
In addition, the farm will soon host a tasting room just footsteps from the fermentation vats and the apple orchard and berry vines along the banks of the Puyallup River. At the moment, the farm is open to visitors by appointment only.
Cockrell Farms
6613 114th Ave Ct E | Puyallup, WA 98372 | www.cockrellbrewing.com
www.piercecountywa.org/edd