Cider Institute Courses

Class Levels

CIDER & PERRY PRODUCTION - A FOUNDATION

This course is required for the Foundation Certificate in Cider & Perry Production . It provides an introduction to cider and perry production, and is a prerequisite for additional levels of certification.

‍Participants of the five-day Cider & Perry Production - A Foundation course, run in association with the Cider & Perry Academy (CPAC) and approved Training Providers, will gain an understanding of cider and perry and acquire the key skills and knowledge necessary to make quality products. Academic instructors of this course will introduce you to the fundamentals of cider making as well as the history and traditions behind the modern cider and perry industry. The course involves hands-on practical lab work, lectures, workshops, and cider tastings that include:
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- Knowledge and understanding of the main principles and processes of cider and perry production
- A broad appreciation of the main styles of cider and perry, along with an understanding of the cider industry
- An essential grounding in the chemistry and microbiology behind cider and perry
- Practical hands-on training in the key skills of cider production and methods of laboratory analysis
- Introduction to sensory analysis of cider and perry

Based on Peter Mitchell's curriculum, each instructor has adapted the course to her/his teaching style and regional considerations. Successful completion of the Foundation Certificate Examination at the end of this course is a prerequisite to the Advanced Certificate in Cider & Perry Production.

Length: 5 days
Format: In-person
Prerequisite: be 21 years of age or older

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CIDER & PERRY PRODUCTION - A FOUNDATION ONLINE COURSE

This course is required for the Foundation Certificate in Cider & Perry Production . It provides an introduction to cider and perry production and is a prerequisite for additional levels of certification.

Taught in collaboration with all of CINA's training providers, this 15-week online course is offered as an alternative to the traditional in-person Foundation class. It was developed to deliver an engaging, flexible, and interactive digital experience. The curriculum and learning outcomes are the same as the 5-day intensive class, with the following differences in format:

Course materials & videos will be available on a weekly basis.
Live (virtual) discussions will occur each week to discuss the module content. They will feature cider experts to lead conversations related to the topic. All sessions will be recorded for anyone who's unable to make the live session.
Group work and networking will be facilitated through online tools to connect with your peers and build community during and after this course.
Sensory analysis skills will be developed and assessed through both guided and independent tasting sessions.
Fermentation supplies will be mailed to all participants so you can make your own cider through the length of the course.
Certification exam after the course will evaluate your cider production knowledge. Successful candidates will receive the Foundation Certificate in Cider & Perry Production.

Length: varies
Format: online
Prerequisite: be 21 years of age or older

The following courses are Core Modules for CINA's Advanced Certificate in Cider & Perry Production.

SCIENCE, PRACTICE & QUALITY ASSURED CIDER & PERRY PRODUCTION
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Developed by Peter Mitchell for CINA, this class builds on the Foundation course and aims to cover, in depth, advanced theoretical aspects of cider and perry production. A key part of the class program involves undertaking a new product development project with an emphasis on developing marketing and production plans.

Participants will receive a broad knowledge and fundamental understanding of:
- Principles & practices of quality-assured production
- The microbiology and biochemistry of cider & perry production
- Principles of marketing & product development
- Selection, application and management of production processes and technologies
- Sensory evaluation
- Quality Assurance and Quality Control

Length: 5 days
Format: In-person
Modular Credit: 2.0 (out of 6.0 Core Module Credits)
Prerequisite: Foundation Certificate in Cider & Perry Production and / or extensive experience in cider production.
This course is taught by Peter Mitchell in North America. Courses in the U.K. are offered through the Cider & Perry Academy.

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ESSENTIAL SENSORY ANALYSIS OF CIDER & PERRY

This course designed for cider producers will teach the theory of sensory analysis and hands-on sensory evaluation of cider and perry. Day 1 is a scientific overview of sensory analysis generally and applied to cider specifically, including faults common in cider. Day 2 runs through a series of sensory evaluation tests for ciders provided by the participants in areas they want to get feedback on (e.g. difference-testing between different apple sources or production practices; descriptive testing for trained-panel feedback; and acceptance testing for consumer likeability).

This course will help cider producers to:
- Understand the role, importance, and underlying principles of sensory analysis
- Investigate the main sensory analysis techniques used in the cider industry
- Investigate the range and source of flavor-active chemical compounds found in cider
- Undertake sensory analysis of cider and perry

Length: 2 days
Format: In-person
Modular Credit: 0.5 (out of 6.0 Core Module Credits)
Prerequisite: Foundation Certificate in Cider & Perry Production and / or extensive experience in cider production and be 21 years of age or older

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ESSENTIAL LABORATORY TESTING OF CIDER & PERRY

What should you be testing in your cider? How often? Using what equipment? There are many benefits to doing your own testing on your cider, including quality control and regulatory compliance, but it can be daunting to decide what equipment to buy or how to know if the testing your are doing is accurate.

This course aims to cover, in depth, the following key aspects of cider and perry analysis:

- Base principles of laboratory analysis
- Role of laboratory testing in cider and perry production
- Chemical parameters of cider and perry and their role in cider and perry
- Range of techniques that are used in laboratory analysis of cider and perry
- Competence completing core laboratory analyses of cider and perry (specific gravity, pH, TA, Free and Total SO2)
- Experience completing a range of analyses (fruit maturity, alcohol, residual sugar, volatile acidity, microbial analysis)

‍The majority of this class will be spent in a practical laboratory setting, learning the methods for determining common cider and perry chemical parameters. Students will be evaluated on their ability to complete these methods independently at the end of the class.

Length: 3 days
Format: In-person
Modular Credit: 0.5 (out of 6.0 Core Module Credits)
Prerequisite: Foundation Certificate in Cider & Perry Production and / or experience in cider production and be 21 years of age or older
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GOOD MANUFACTURING PRACTICES, SAFETY & SANITATION FOR CIDERY OWNERS AND OPERATORS

This course is a Core Module for CINA's Advanced Certificate in Cider & Perry Production. Note that CINA also offers a scaled-down version of this class, Good Manufacturing Practices for Cidery Employees for staff to meet annual safety training requirements, which is not part of the Advanced Certificate program.

How can you ensure that your product is safe for consumers? How can you design a workplace that is safe for employees? How can you develop a sanitation program that is adequate to prevent spoilage? How can you prove any of the above to customers or government inspectors? The modern marketplace and regulatory environment demands that cider and perry producers adopt documented, repeatable procedures to ensure that products and production environments are safe and sanitary.

GMP, Safety & Sanitation offers an introduction to key quality, safety and sanitation terms and techniques, as well as the formal approaches that underpin modern food production.

At the end of this course, participants will:
- Understand the importance of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP), Quality Assurance (QA), and Quality Control (QC) in all aspects of the cider and perry production process to ensure product and process safety and quality.
- Have a fundamental knowledge and understanding about the principles, range and application of GMP, QA, and QC systems and methods.
- Recognize and review the development and implementation of GMP operations throughout the whole cider and perry manufacturing process.
- Learn how to operate safe and effective working practices throughout the production of cider and Perry.
- Understand the importance and effective application of sanitization and plant and equipment maintenance.
- Recognize the importance of good record keeping and develop tools to maintaining your records.
- Understand the importance and application of HACCP. During the course, you will create a HACCP plan for your operation.

Length: One month
Format: Online (self-directed)
Modular Credit: 1.0 (out of 6.0 Core Module Credits)
Prerequisite: Foundation Certificate in Cider & Perry Production and / or extensive experience in cider production and be 21 years of age or older
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DIPOLOMA IN CIDER & PERRY PRODUCTION

The Cider Institute's Diploma in Cider & Perry Production will assess the producer's level of competence in the management of the cider and perry making process. Candidates must also be able to demonstrate a detailed and broad knowledge and deeper understanding of the theory underpinning the production processes involved. CINA is currently defining module outcomes and performance criteria according to industry standards for this designation that demonstrates industry knowledge at the highest level.

UK Cider Production Study Tour

Production, Tour

DATE:

May 25, 2025

May 31, 2025

TBD

LOCATION:

West Country & Wales

The Cider Institute is partnering with The Ciderologist Gabe Cook to organize a tour for cider producers to the West Country and Wales May 25-31, 2025. Participants will pour at and explore at the legendary Royal Bath & West Showand visit the following cideries:

Oliver's Cider & Perry
Little Pomona
Westons Cider
Hallets Cider
Sanford Orchards
Find & Foster Cider
The Newt
London Cider House

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Essential Sensory Analysis of Cider & Perry 2025 (In-Person)

Advanced, In-Person, Sensory

DATE:

June 23, 2025

June 24, 2025

TBD

LOCATION:

Brock University, St. Catharines ON

This 2-day course is designed for cider producers and focuses on the theory and hands-on practice of sensory analysis. It provides in-depth training on the role and principles of sensory testing in cider and perry production, planning and executing sensory assessments, identifying attributes and flaws, and developing comprehensive flavor profiles for cider and perry.

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Instructor: Steven Trussler

Information: Brighid O'Keane, brighid@ciderinstitute.com

Essential Laboratory Testing of Cider & Perry 2025 (In-Person)

Advanced, In-Person, Lab

DATE:

June 25, 2025

June 27, 2025

TBD

LOCATION:

Brock University, St. Catharines ON

This 3-day in-person course covers the fundamentals of lab analysis, the role of analytical testing in production, various testing methods, and how to assess result accuracy. With an emphasis on practical lab work, it equips producers with the skills to test common chemical parameters in cider and perry.

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Instructor: Steven Trussler

Information: Brighid O'Keane, brighid@ciderinstitute.com

Advanced Cider and Perry Production: Science, Skills, and Quality (In-Person)

Advanced, In-Person, Production

DATE:

April 27, 2026

May 1, 2026

TBD

LOCATION:

Cornell University, Geneva NY

This immersive 5-day course offers hands-on learning in cider and perry production covering fermentation, maturation, and quality assurance. Participants will explore cider science, gain practical cidery skills, and apply quality control methods. By the end, they’ll have both theoretical knowledge and practical experience in quality cider-making.

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Instructors: Chris Gerling; Steven Trussler; Cortni Stahl

Information: Brighid O'Keane, brighid@ciderinstitute.com

Essential Sensory Analysis of Cider & Perry 2026 (In-Person)

Advanced, In-Person, Sensory

DATE:

October 5, 2026

October 6, 2026

TBD

LOCATION:

Mount Vernon, WA

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Instructors: Steven Trussler; Chris Gerling

Information: Brighid O'Keane, brighid@ciderinstitute.com

Essential Laboratory Testing of Cider & Perry 2026 (In-Person)

Advanced, In-Person, Lab

DATE:

October 7, 2026

October 9, 2026

TBD

LOCATION:

Mount Vernon, WA

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Instructor: Steven Trussler

Information: Brighid O'Keane, brighid@ciderinstitute.com

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Class Levels

cina's Cider & PERRY

Production Certificate Program™

Current Classes

Good Manufacturing Practices for Cidery Employees (Online)

GMPs, Safety & Sanitation for Cidery Owners and Operators (Online)

Technical Skills Share Series (Online)

Cider Institute Custom Trainings

Cider & Perry Production - Foundation (Online)

UK Cider Production Study Tour

Essential Sensory Analysis of Cider & Perry 2025 (In-Person)

Essential Laboratory Testing of Cider & Perry 2025 (In-Person)

Advanced Cider and Perry Production: Science, Skills, and Quality (In-Person)

Essential Sensory Analysis of Cider & Perry 2026 (In-Person)

Essential Laboratory Testing of Cider & Perry 2026 (In-Person)

A DIVERSIFIED TEAM

OUR PARTNERS

Find out when new classes are added

Experts from every part of the industRy

OUR Passionate TEAM

Brighid O'Keane

Executive Director

North Carolina

Chris Gerling

Vice President | Curriculum Lead

Cornell University - New York

Christine Hardie

Riley's Cidery - British Columbia

Christine Walter

Vice President | Secretary

Bauman's Cider - Oregon

Dave Takush

2 Towns Ciderhouse - Oregon

Kira Bassingthwaighte

Western Cider - Montana

Nick Gunn

Benchgraft Consulting - Oregon

Nicole Leibon

Lenose Knows - Vermont

Paul Vander Heide

Treasurer

Vander Mill Cider Co. - Michigan

Ryan Burk

President

Blake's Hard Cider Co. - New York

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