Finding Summer in a Glass at Branch Bender Cider

You know those places that feel like a secret - the kind you want to tell everyone about and also somehow keep to yourself? Branch Bender Cidery in Accident, Maryland is definitely one of those places.

I got the chance to go with my husband and one-year-old son earlier this month. We visited on one of those classic late-spring days that couldn't quite make up its mind. It was gloomy, damp, and gray when we left the house, but by the time we arrived at their hillside farm, the rain had stopped and the sun made a gentle appearance, just in time to join us.

Rob (head of the Maryland Cider Association) and his wife Sharyn were already there, catching up with Chester, the cidermaker behind Branch Bender. We walked in as the three of them chatted away and were instantly welcomed in by the ambiance and just general good feeling. 

Their tasting area is set on a beautiful stretch of land, part of a former dairy farm. You can sip under an open-air shed or wander toward the views, glass in hand. While I didn’t make it into the restored Dairy Barn tasting room this time, just being on the property is peaceful enough.

Branch Bender has a very stylish vibe, great for events!

The Cider: Light, Refined, and Perfect for Summer

As for the cider itself? Wow. I loved them all but think I came away with two favorites.

Accident tasted like summer in a glass. Crisp with just the right hint of sweetness, rounded out by soft notes of melon and berry. It’s the kind of thing you want to pour while sitting in the grass, letting the day stretch out around you.

Cove Run was the one I could see stocking my fridge with all season. Mellow, versatile, and an easy crowd-pleaser. It reminded me of a poolside white wine, but a little more laid back and way less boozy. Just easy.

Sharyn, who had just found out she’s going to be a granny (congrats, Sharyn!!), was loving Sassy Granny. Tart and green-apple bright, with a buttery finish that happens to pair perfectly with sweets like s’mores or dark chocolate. 

Rob, the history, cider and cider-history buff, was drawn to Harmony - a single-varietal made with Harrison apples. Those are having a bit of a moment in Maryland right now, and for good reason. This one was rich, a little spicy, with a long caramel finish. 

And then there’s Chris - my husband, who usually skips cider entirely. He ended up nudging me to grab bottles of both Haymaker and Legends before we left. Haymaker had this woodsy, bourbon-barrel warmth that totally won him over, and Legends leaned a little more farmhouse, with just a touch of peppery pear. He also loved that none of them were carbonated. They’re still, soft, and made to sip.

One of the coolest things about Branch Bender is the fact their ciders aren’t back-sweetened, and every single one is aged at least 6 to 9 months - most even longer. You can absolutely taste the care in every pour.

Make a Day of It

If you’re headed out that way, make a day of it. Start at Branch Bender for a flight, then grab a bite in Accident at Firefly Farms or Brewery And The Beast and keep winding your way toward Deep Creek Lake.

And if you bring a friend who “doesn’t like cider”? You might just convert them.

Written by Lucy Hunt-Bailey, a Maryland Cider enthusiast!