Reeves-Reed Arboretum Puts the 'Pub' in Public Garden - Cider Tasting, Friday, October 13.

Friday, October 13 from 7:00 pm to 9:30 pm Hard cider, the original Jersey beverage of choice, and especially Newark cider, considered by George Washington, to be the champagne of ciders in America, will be the offering at Reeves-Reed Arboretum's Put the 'Pub' in Public Garden Cider Tasting. Jersey Cider Works, the home of Ironbound Hard Cider, will be on hand to offer samplings of their complex, interesting and truly delicious hard ciders crafted from 100% fresh-pressed local apples. Not quite dry, not quite sweet, with a viscosity, richness and complexity that rivals a wine, Ironbound Hard Cider is recreating a storied past. Historical accounts of early Newark are filled with praise for the quantity and especially the quality of the region's hard cider. Newark's abundant apples, prime shipping location, and barrel-making capacity facilitated the export of cider, making hard cider one of the city's earliest industries. And now, hard cider is the fastest-growing sector of the liquor market. Montclair resident and entrepreneur, Charles Rosen is the founder and CEO of New Ark Farms (the name given Newark by its Pilgrim founders) and Jersey Cider Works. Rosen's goal is to create a delicious, locally crafted product while pairing his passion for sustainable agriculture and social justice. To that end, the majority of the workforce of New Ark Farms is made up of the formerly incarcerated. It's all part of Rosen's bigger picture plan to merge business needs with societal needs. "I wanted to start a company that was highly focused on community and workforce development to help rebuild the Newark economy," he said of New Ark Farms. Produce from the farm will also be part of the specialty menu created for and served at the tasting, under the direction of New Ark Farm's chef, Ben Walmer.