Distillery Lane Ciderworks

What a fantastic visit yesterday to this historic farm and Apple Cidery! They have fantastic ciders, fresh and fermented, as well as apples by the pound. I was struck by how safe the ownership has made the dine-in experience with socially distanced seating spread out across the property, while still remaining fun and family friendly. Lots of people were taking beautiful pictures in the orchard overlooking South Mountain/Appalachian range in the distance. We especially loved the seasonal “Witches Brew” wild berry infused cider, and the draft options like Harry’s Masters Jersey Cider. Definitely worth the trip!

Beautiful location! Met Cidermaker Tim Rose & Orchardist Rob Miller. Both were gracious with their time, despite how busy they were. They mingled with guests & were great ambassadors for their business! Great cider as well! Love & recommend this place, great place to visit during the Fall season!

Small but nice tasting room with a reasonably priced tasting fee. The tasting menu was small but provided a variety and the cider ok, more wine like than some of the other ciders out there. Some of the flavors weren’t my favorite but I did enjoy it and brought a bottle home.

This is a fun place to taste traditional hard ciders, buy historic apple varieties that no one else has anywhere, and chat with random fellow visitors. Friendly staff.

On a Sunday afternoon in late summer I thoroughly enjoyed coming to FLC for a tasting and a chilled bottle of cider. I was blessed with the company of the local farm dog, who was very friendly and playful. The ciders are mostly dry, sweet lovers beware, but they were all delicious.

Probably one of the worst Apple orchard/distilleries I've ever been to. The cider tastes horrible. I wish I would have known before I bought it. The hard ciders along with their homemade wines were also horrible tasting. The prices are extremely expensive. It's a very awkward environment. There is no signs for anything, you basically have to ask your whole way through. The workers also have no knowledge about apples which is odd considering this is all about apples. I live 5 minutes away and was so excited to give this place a try. My entire family was so disappointed. I don't think we'll be back

Great place, very nice staff and their cider is great...both the hard ciders and regular. We did a reservation and had a great, shaded, high top to hang out at. The printing on their cute, take-home glasses is a bit shoddy but we didn't go "for the glasses". Great, safe way to have a nice, small social experience! :)

Pretty decent dry to off dry, traditional ciders. More Jeffersonian style with some aged in Bourbon barrels.

This distillery for hard cider and a lot of varieties is really nice to visit. This year, in the fall, they were only open 2 weekends listed on their website. It was super cold when we went to buy some bottles, taste some hard cider and they make regular cider. They had Apple cider donuts too- they were so yummy! They have a back area where they juice the apples and make the juice. A separate out building had the apples for sale, and a back area with benches, fire pit, and tasting by the glass. The staff are very friendly and they offer information on the apples and the differences in the hard ciders. I bought some bottles of witches brew and just a note none of their hard ciders are sweet. I would love to go back in the spring !! Beautiful countryside views!!

Stopped in over the weekend. Open air and cider, you can't beat it! It's my second time here & it was even better than the first! They're also adhering to COVID rules and wipe down all tables after each group. They have a block on the tables -- green = good to go & red = needs to be cleaned.

The tasting room was smaller than I anticipated. We had emailed ahead but need 10 guests or more for a private tour. Tastings are $7 and Glasses are $5. I recommend the Spring Blossom - nice flavor and sparkle to it. This is available for purchase in two sizes. The Small was $9. Self guided walking tour available! We were able to see the orchard and learn facts about the apples.

If you enjoy and appreciate fine hard cider, you have to visit this place. It is located in a beautiful county setting and the owners are very knowledgeable and helpful in assisting you pick the perfect cider for your taste.

Awesome location with walking tour and a really nice proprietor. We spent a great hour tasting and touring. The ciders are drier and not sweet at all if that is your thing. We like ciders a bit sweeter but you can definitely taste the apples in the ciders and all the notes they say are there from oak to bourbon. Kids get samples of fresh cider when available and can play outside.

Came here with a group of 16 friends on a Saturday afternoon at 12:30. The parking lot was a bit tight, but the extra cars were guided to park along the main building. The storefront and small tasting bar was filled with another small group when we arrived, but our group was immediately given a small debriefing on the farm, the apples, and the ciders. We were then taken into the larger room where the cider is made and had our tasting there. We sampled 5 different varieties for $6 and got to keep our tasting glasses. These are definitely not the normal bottled ciders most people are used to. Much drier, but also much more complex. I ended up splitting a 6 pack of different bottles with a friend to get the 15% discount. The bottles ran anywhere from $9 (on sale) to over $20, with most being $16-20. I would definitely love to come back when the orchards are full and we could go on the walking tour, but we all had a great time. We got to meet both Ruby and Kingston (the dogs on location) and I even went to the barn to talk to some chickens. Love this little escape just over an hours drive from DC.

Good apples. Great fresh cider. The hard cider can be hit or miss, like they really don't have their cidery's act together - for instance an off-dry jugged cider underwent an unintended secondary fermentation in the bottle. Result - a cider that unfortunately won't keep if left unrefrigerated. Most of the cider is fermented very dry, which diminishes much of the apple flavor. They're at their best when they keep the yeast under control for a fruitier, off-dry product. If you're a Magner's, Woodchuck, or Woodpecker drinker, this is not your cider. That being said, their fresh cider which is pressed from whatever's being harvested that week, is really amazingly good. More than just sweet and apple-y, it's got a fantastic fresh taste and depth of flavor. You can also buy heirloom and non-supermarket apple varieties by the pound. Great road trip for a fall day.

This was our second visit to the Ciderworks, and I definitely hope it won't be the last. They specialize in old world ciders, which means you won't find the cloyingly sweet offerings the likes of Woodchuck and Hardcore here. Think white wine and you're in the ballpark. Old world ciders are far more dry, but with the fresh, clean taste of apples still on the palate. While I enjoy the sweeter ciders from time to time, this kind is more refined, more suited to the wine bottle, and definitely worthy of being served at special occasions. Or... just, whenever. Last Thanksgiving, we had a bottle of theirs to start the meal with, and it was so well received, the second bottle was consumed not long after the meal began. We have been thrilled with their products so far, and hopefully we will continue to enjoy their ciders for many years to come!

Spent $15.26 for two adults to taste 5 different kinds of cider. The tasting glass is for 4 oz of liquid, however they only give you ONE ounce per taste. There is a fill line drawn on the glass, yet they don't even pour half way up to that line. It's hands down the stingiest of tastings I have ever been to. The cider was not good either. Several tasted like vinegar, while others tasted like yeasty club soda. There were only 2 that were worth swallowing, but nothing that we honestly enjoyed. Save yourself the money, go out and buy yourself a bottle of hard cider at a liquor store. It will taste better and even if you buy the smallest bottle on the shelf, you'll still get 2 oz more of of liquid, and will save yourself $13. Only thing positive about the place was that most of the employees were friendly.

Tasty cider and nice people. I visited in the winter so there wasn't much to tour, but we got to taste lots of ciders for a good price.

It was a nice Autumn drive to DLC from Gaithersburg, we took Route 28 instead of 270. We liked that it was a small-ish and intimate working farm, not overrun with thousands of people. We tasted 8-9 ciders ($5=4 samples), the folks doing the pouring were all very friendly and patient with our gazillion questions. We also sat on hay bales and had a picnic lunch (there was a food truck from Curley's BBQ), and there was an ice cream truck from South Mountain Creamery (had a scoop of pumpkin ice cream-AMAZING!). Definitely worth a visit, especially if you enjoy cider as an alternative to beer or wine!

Great little orchard and cider distillery! The apples are delicious - I particularly liked the crunchier, brown apples that are used for cider. The prices are decent, a little more expensive than other places that I've been to, but I think that the apple variety is more unique. The cider tasting was awesome - we got to try six ciders for $6 and got a complementary glass. Well worth the price. The cider is not as sweet as the stuff you would get at a cheap bar. Definitely more like apple wine than sweet, bottled cider. You could very distinctly taste the differences between all the cider types - an awesome experience.

We had an amazing group tasting and event for 70 at DLC. They were easy to work with, reasonably priced, and incredibly nice. The day of staff went above and beyond to make sure the group had a great time.

It seemed that after our visit here that DLC was popping up on blogs and the newspaper every other week! Which makes it all the more exciting that it's here in Maryland! We came for a tasting ($5) and to buy some delicious bottles of hard cider. I was fortunate enough to buy the last bottle of Scrumpy's (much to everyone's dismay). I also bought the Winter Cider and one of the others. The staff were very friendly and knowledgeable. And their ciders are delicious. I highly recommend a visit and stock up on cider. PROTIP: If you have questions for them before your visit (like if a particular seasonal cider is available), it's best to just email them. They mentioned that they do a small batch of cranberry cider at the holidays and a cherry blossom one in the spring, so e-mail them and see when it's bottled and ready!

My first time having hard cider, and it was more to me like an apple-flavored white wine than a cider. Was still delicious, so we bought a couple bottles to being back. $5 game you a few tastings, but unfortunately it didn't include all their offerings, and they don't offer tasting add-ons either. Tasting room was cramped and understaffed. Definitely get some freshly pressed apple cider while there. This stuff isn't like what you buy in the store. You can taste the apple variety they used to press for the ciders. Can also come here to buy ales they grow in addition to doing your own apple picking. Good to keep in mind the next time you want to make apple pie. Good products are worth coming out here for trying. Ok tastings offerings but good to have something.

This is my go to place for apple cider. The taste is so superior to grocery store brands that contain God only knows what. This is not a winery, but a distillery as they also make hard cider which is not a wine. So, don't go expecting apple wine or anything like that. Hard cider is made correctly - it's hard, heavy, tart, and lingers more like an ale. The plain, soft cider can't be beat. I go every chance I get to stock up on cider (don't keep it too long because it will turn) for cooking. Especially during the autumn when I make everything from cider braised short ribs to mulled cider. You can't beat fresh pressed. If you're looking for cider, apples, or just a great afternoon in the countryside, make this a destination. You won't regret it!!!

After reading the big article in the Post this month, I knew I needed to check out some local cider spots! With my sister visiting from Boston, this was our first stop on a autumn day trip. Very friendly folks, lovely orchards (though I was surprised by how many apples I saw on the ground), small tasting room but for only $6 you get to sample five ciders plus keep the adorable glass. A variety of both sparkling and still ciders are offered, and they are constantly changing. Most of the bottles range from $16 - $20, but I picked up their least expensive bottle at $10. Then stopped at the barn for a few pre-picked apples at only $1.99/lb. At least a dozen varieties were being sold, and you could also go out and pick your own. The nice guy in the barn said that I had chosen their best value cider, so I am looking forward to enjoying the bottle with friends.

One of the other reviewers commented that most of their ciders finish dry, which I agree with. We weren't able to taste the winterfest which is supposedly like an ice wine, and so much sweeter which I'm hoping is true. Very full bodied, I really wish that we had the opportunity to try everything they had on hand.

I'd had my eye on visiting Distillery Lane Ciderworks for awhile and was really pleased to be able to add it as a stop on a recent day trip into Frederick Country. I'm a big fan of visiting breweries and wineries, and was glad that Maryland had a different spirit to add to the list. DLC is located on a working farm, and their cider is 100% made with apples grown on site. During the warmer months, many festivals and outdoor walking tours of the orchards make this a draw for daytrippers. But a winter visit was worthwhile, too. Less people meant we got to talk with the owner and the cider-maker (and get the full attention of the two lovey-dovey barn cats that live on the farm) and we learned a ton about the craft of making cider during our visit. A $5 tasting of 4 different ciders was a great deal- we could even take the stemless glass home- score! I was surprised with the number of different ciders they had bottled, and was also surprised to find varieties that were really different from the fizzy, sweet hard ciders often served up in bars. Sweet or tart, sparking or still -- a stop here is sure to open your eyes to a new understanding of the diverse offerings of hard cider. (The "Celebration" was our favorite.)

Our visit today was a great surprise! We enjoyed chatting with the owner and took home several bottles. Very casual and friendly. We'll definitely be back!

Great cider! Came here to do a little cider tasting and left with three bottles. The spring blossom was our favorite!

Fun adventure with friends and kids. Did the sampling and took a bottle to walk around the orchard. Cider was average but admittedly, I am not much of a cider person. The ambiance and staff were nice and it was a very fun way to spend a few hours. We were camping just a few miles away.

We have been to the farm several times, and have never been disappointed. Our last visit was in the fall for apple picking, live music, food trucks and...CIDER! (delicious!) My daughter loves to run through the apple orchard, picking apples and eating them right off the tree. We ended up with a bag of apples and several bottles of cider- as we do each time we visit. We even purchased a jar of local honey from a beekeeper who was stationed there that day. The staff is fun and engaging and ready to teach and talk about each cider, the apples that make it and the process behind it. They even teach cider making classes to share what they know and what they have learned over the years. In the many times that I've visited, I've seen bachelor and bachelorette parties, families and couples, all enjoying themselves either on picnic blankets in the field by the estate or on the patio under the umbrellas. Overall, a lovely day can be spent at Distillery Lane and we can't wait for our next adventure!

Our visit on First Press Day should have been wonderful, since we love apples and farm tours. Since we prefer our apples and cider without politics, the owner's insistence on pushing his own point of view completely ruined our visit. The event looked good as we drove in--two food stands, music, a funny metal sculpture, a free orchard tour, cider tastings from $3-5. We got in line for the orchard tour, led by the owner. When we saw the warning that there would be scary objects along the way to scare away animals, we looked forward to more funny sculptures. Unfortunately, the focus was heavily political, though there was some interesting information about raising apples along the way. First we heard about the tree he called George Bush because it didn't produce anything good. Then there were campaign signs from Republicans hung on the electric fence, and he said they were to scare away deer. The nastiest was the scarecrow of Sarah Palin, made to look very ugly, with a sign around her neck that said "You betcha I'll shoot." Then there was the Obama tree, which he said needed a few more years because it inherited too many problems from bad soil to produce enough, so the problems were not its fault. Enough already. Why risk alienating customers who may not share your point of view, or those who really just want apples or cider? We tried the cider, were not impressed (watery, not much body or taste), and left. We won't be back, though those who share the owner's politics may cut this place some slack.

A very pleasant visit. The self-guided tour is a nice 30 minute walk around the orchard with good information about orchard farming, apples, and cider history. Many of the ciders are sparkling and all are dry but fruity. As a wine drinker, I like that these ciders are more like white wines and champayn than soda pop. Very enjoyable chilled summer beverage. Looking forward to making another visit.

My husband and I visited DLC today with our toddler. The tasting was great, the staff very friendly and knowledgeable. Bonus points for offering my daughter a little apple (or three) to munch on while we tasted cider. After our tasting, we enjoyed the grounds with a bottle while our daughter played with the resident kitty. Lovely spot on a lovely day.

Great place to visit...make sure you go on a nice day to take the self guided tour through the orchard. The ciders are not the typical sweet ciders that you find. Do the tasting and try for yourself. Word to the wise... avoid the cider they characterize as cheesy! Really wanted to try the winter cider but they don't give samples. Hopefully they will add that to the tasting for the folks that prefer the sweet ciders. Be sure to check out the different types of apples they have for sale. Got some giant baking apples and can't wait to make a dessert with them.

We were driving back-roads toward Harper's Ferry when we passed a sign for the entrance of this place, so we swerved around and tried it out. They were having (alcoholic) cider tastings. We sampled about 5-6 different ciders, and the glass came gratis with the tasting price! Definitely stop in here if you are in the area.

Great ciders. More traditional unlike the ciders you usually get when you order a hard cider at a bar. This means they are more dry than the ciders like Woodchuck or Angry Orchard. I would recommend trying the barrel aged Kingston Black, Celebration, or Summer Buzz. My parents really like Celebration and always keep a few bottles around the house for guests.

I'm a Montanan who visits central Maryland whenever possible. I'm a student of the Civil War (not a re-enactor but I won't rule it out!). I''m author of a book about legends of South Mountain, too. See www.soldiers-rest.com. So I was pleased to note that Distillery Lane has produced a drink called Encampment, and even more gratified to notice their presence and involement at the recent Antietam commemoration. Our history is too important to be forgotten, and the revival of a distillery in this location is a great thing! I sampled the ciders during my stay in Maryland and will return!

We visited Distillery Lane Ciderworks for their First Press Festival over Labor Day weekend. It has a rustic feel to it, with the tasting room and other demonstrations in various barns. They refer to their goods as hard cider, but it was more of an apple wine to me. I think we were able to taste half a dozen or so different samples, which were all pretty good. As part of the festival, the owner gave a tour of the orchard -- you could tell he really knew and cared what we has talking about -- and there was live music and food trucks on the property.

Delicious cider, wonderful apples, and a great environment. Thanks for a wonderful Saturday!

Went to fall festival. Highly highly recommend. The staff is very cordial and knowledgable. The farm is beautiful! The cider and apples were well worth a very scenic drive.

The best apples and cider around! They have heritage apples, that are the best you will ever taste or bake with (not like the grocery store). Ciders are dry to off dry, sparkling and still. The fresh cider is amazing as well & a very friendly and helpful staff!

Love this place, they offer cider making classes and have a first press festival once a year in the fall that is a great time. My family and I come back often.

We visited distillery lane for the first time for my 30th birthday with a pretty large group. They were incredibly accommodating, gave us a full tour of the orchard and distillery and set up our tasting outside as it was a lovely day. You can really tell how much the owners care about what they are doing and their ciders are fantastic. We will definitely be back.