Savory Saturdays: Throw Us Some Cider And Serve Up The Sausages

NEW PALTZ, NY — Twin Star Orchards, home of Brooklyn Cider House, makes fall even more savory, what with Cider Week New York and Octoberfest added to their usual offerings of BBQ a la carte, wood-fired pizzas and burgers.

To kick off Cider Week, Cidermaker Peter Yi and his daughter and assistant cidermaker Olivia Yi held a Cider Catching Class on Friday to teach customers the Spanish art of throwing cider, in which cider is poured from high above one’s head to add bubbles and improve the aromas, flavors and texture.

Pouring with one hand and catching the cider with a glass in the other is also a lot of fun.

“One reason why I love what I do is because working on a farm and being out in nature is very fulfilling and keeps me literally grounded," Olivia Yi told Patch. "Also, cider is the perfect food pairing beverage. It’s the palate cleanser, the pickle to a burger, a splash of cold water to wake you up. The raw cider we make brightens a dish and wakes you up with a fun splash. Which is another reason why I love what I do – I genuinely love to drink cider.”

Twin Star Orchards offered up their fan favorite seafood paella afterward, made with Spanish bomba rice and an abundance of shrimp, mussels, calamari, chicken, and chorizo, served in a special 36-inch paella pan.

Available Friday, Saturday and Sunday are the orchard's fabulous wood-fired pizzas offering a variety of great tastes including Margherita, Sweet Sausage & Broccoli Rabe, spicy Dragon’s Breath, Three Mushroom White Pizza and Vegan Pizza.

They're also open holiday Mondays.

And you need to know about Twin Stars Orchard's own BBQ a la carte, including their 15-hour low-and-slow smoked brisket; smoked pork spareribs with house BBQ sauce (half rack or full rack); and smoked cheddar, jalapeno, and pork sausages. BBQ is available Saturdays and Sundays.

Cider Week New York runs through Oct. 9, but that's not all that's going on at Twin Star Orchards.

Oktoberfest celebrations will take place Columbus Day weekend Oct. 8-10 with live music and sausage specials. Not to be missed are the Belly Buster, a sausage party with kielbasa, bratwurst and house-made jalapeño & cheddar links, 2 pretzels, corn on the cob, and sauerkraut; Sausage Platters of kielbasa and bratwurst with a pretzel and sauerkraut; and Pretzel with Beer Cheese.

Twin Star Orchards, home of Brooklyn Cider House, is located at 155 N. Ohioville Road in New Paltz. (845) 633-8657.