Beardsley's Cider Mill & Orchard

278 Leavenworth Rd., Shelton, CT - (203) 926-1098

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Posted By Michael Stern on December 14, 2011 12:24 PM

Beardsley's Cider Mill opens for business mid-September, and remains open until just before Christmas. It's a short season, but this farm in the White Hills of Shelton, Connecticut, is an apple-pie landmark.

The minute you walk in the door, the aroma of baking pies is overwhelming. Ovens are located just to the right behind the register; and from them come some of the best apple pies we've ever eaten. Using only Northern Spies, the Beardsley family bakes traditional double-crusters and crumb-tops, plus apple-cranberry, peach, pumpkin, pecan, fruit 'n' berry and no-sugar apple. For us, it's apple pie for sure; but still, it is a tough decision choosing between the crumb-top with its thick, sugary crunch and the two-crust pie with its surfeit of savory pastry, top and bottom.

If you are an apple aficionado, this is a place you need to know about. First there is the cider pressed on premises in the attached mill room. We spoke with one member of the family who described herself as "an unimportant Beardsley" (not likely; she was the one tending the pies in the oven!); she described the difference between Beardsley cider and supermarket stuff as "the difference between sunlight and a light bulb."

Then there are the apples themselves. Macouns, Red Delicious, and McIntosh grow in abundance. The farm also is home to trees that produce what the Beardsleys call "ugly apples" that happen to be rare and unique: Kingston Black, Tremlett's Bitter, Brown Snout, Spitzenberg, etc. The latter are not always available; but it's wonderful to know that this family cares enough to keep the heirlooms thriving.

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apple pie

apple cider

Cider Donut

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Posted By June McAllister on October 26, 2011 4:23 PM

I am a sucker for pies. Any pie. Anywhere. Anytime. I LOVE pie. I purchased one of their apple crumb pies and it is delicious! Tons of apple in it and the flavor is just right, the topping generous. I am happy to report that not only do they know how to make an excellent pie crust, they actually make one and don't turn out mushy imitations by trying to cut corners on ingredients. Mushy, oily pie crust is near the top of my food dislikes list.

They take Mastercard and Visa.

Did I mention I love pie?

Overall Rating

apple pie

apple cider

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