The fifth BC Cider Festival took place once again inside and out at The Pipe Shop, the foot of Lonsdale in North Vancouver. (photos by linda c)

As a kid growing up in North Van, I had always heard about the Pipe Shop. It’s where my Father Pat Mulligan and our neighbor’s mothers and fathers built ships for WW2.

To be in that room on Father’s Day was emotional and very reflective.

I love this gathering of cider makers and cidery owners. In many cases, it’s the same person.

Peri Lavender Ciderworks (Salt Spring Island)

The tasting and information is immediate and direct.

There’s no PR baggage, rather it’s the bottom line story of how the cidery was conceived, and built and how generations of family have grown and created their craft cider.

Often, it’s Canadian history in a glass.

Curated by Shawn and Kelly Pisio from Txotx Imports and Rich Massey of Massey Wines, this tasting event allows attendees to enjoy unlimited samples from each of the producers over the course of the four hours.

Even though tables are laden with cider of all shapes, content and sizes, I chose to taste just the dead center of the portfolio – the dry cider they all made as they began.