Kia Hitt, Certified Pommelier, Certified Cider Institute Cidermaker, WSET Level 2, Forklift Certified

I'm your friendly R&D Cidermaker at the Angry Orchard Ciderhouse in the Hudson Valley of New York (yes, there is a real Orchard!). We experiment with different traditional methods to make cider, trialing new flavors, and growing different cider apple varietals. We mostly operate independently as our own cidery, orchard, and taproom, but we also collaborate with different teams within the larger Boston Beer Network.

Before Angry Orchard, I also helped build the City Winery Hudson Valley location, and I harvest hopped at several wineries across Washington, California, New Zealand and Australia. I started very humbly at a small family-owned winery and cidery in Pennsylvania, and have had a worldwind of a career in wine and cider production over the last 10 years. I also co-own a beekeeping & honey business with my husband called Zany Farm.

I'm looking to get more involved in Pink Boots this year and fully support the mission of connecting women and non-binary persons across the beverage industry. I've had some incredible mentors at the places I've worked, and their impact kept me in an industry that I love even when it wasn't always easy.