Harvester Cider

DSC_0306Location: Zimborul, Sălaj county
Open since: July 2016
Founders: Sergiu Mureșan & Daniel Crișan

General information:

Cider is still in its infancy in Romania, with a long way off before it even scrapes at the level of popularity of beer. However, we’re very pleased to see that there are currently two cider producers operating in the country.

The first cidery to open in Transylvania, Harvester saw its beginnings in 2015, when Sergiu and Daniel, two former high school colleagues, returned to the country after working abroad. After several years spent in France and Scotland, where ciders are a fairly common occurrence, the two of them decided to follow the example and brew their own. What was initially supposed to be just a pastime to please their newly acquired taste for apply beverages soon became a pursuit to make cider more popular, as well as a readily available brew.

As with Clarks Cider, this was far from an easily achievable feat, and it took them almost a year to get the ball rolling and obtain their much needed authorizations. And while Romania is rife with orchards, the apples they grow are mainly intended for table consumption, deeming them too sweet or lacking the tartness needed to make a well rounded cider. This is why Harvester are primarily using apples from abroad, from countries such as Poland or Austria, although they are hoping to increase the percentage of Romanian apples in their brews to 40% in the years to come.

Harvester’s range may be small, yet they are currently the only cider maker in the country rocking a pear variety. What’s interesting about them is the fact that they also offer a mulled cider, packed with spices and perfect for warming the old bones on a winter day.

Their cider is currently available by draft, or in 330ml and 500ml bottles, primarily in the Transylvania region, though it’s slowly working its way across the country. In Bucharest, you can find it in places such as The Beer Institute. Keep an eye out for it in pubs and bars around Cluj, as well as supermarkets and festivals around the country, where their iconic red tent is bound to make an appearance. Or, if you’re nowhere in the vicinity, you can order it online, from their Facebook page.

Products:

Classic range:

  • Harvester Cidru de mere – sparkling apple cider – 5.5% ABV
  • Harvester Cidru de pere – sparkling perry – 5.5% ABV
  • Harvester Cidru cu ghimbir – cider with ginger – 5.5% ABV
  • Harvester Cidru cu coacăze – blackcurrant cider – 5.5% ABV

Seasonal & limited edition cider:

  • Mulled Cider – bag-in-a-box spiced cider found mainly in bars (available in winter)
  • Măr în Sticlă – dry cider

For reviews check RateBeer and Untappd.

Contact details:

This page was last edited December 27 2019.