Enjoy cider and other goodies at the Fly Creek Cider Mill
The Buffalo News
October 30, 2016
I knew from the minute I got out of the car that Fly Creek Cider Mill and Orchard was going to be a place I’d enjoy visiting. With signs in the parking lot that said things like “Parking for cider slush lovers only,” and “Parking for nice old ladies only (mean old lady parking in rear by dumpster),” I figured it would be a fun place. The cider mill is located in the central New York hamlet of Fly Creek, NY, a four hour drive from Buffalo, located about three miles west of Cooperstown. We were heading back home from a visit to Cooperstown a few months ago and spent a couple hours exploring the cider mill on our way home.
The name Fly Creek can be traced back to the Dutch explorers who traveled through this area in 1714. The Dutch word for marsh is “vlie” and the northern portion of the creek running through the hamlet looks like a marsh. The Dutch named the area “vlie” which later changed to “fly.” The Fly Creek Cider Mill is the only remaining mill of eight that once were located on the banks of the creek. The other mills manufactured a variety of items, including pails, forks, barrels and lumber.
Before heading inside, we walked to the mill pond; following the signs on the ground that said, “Waddle this Way.” For a quarter you can buy a handful of corn to feed the ducks and geese that live by the pond. Even though my kids are older, they still had a blast doing this.
I took a minute to read the sign explaining the history of the cider mill, which originally opened in 1856. The first owner, Hosea Williams, built the mill so that he could turn apples into sweet cider; using water power from the creek to operate his press. He also used the water power to run a grist mill and woodworking shop. The property’s next owner was Linn Kane, who ran the mill and woodworking shop until the 1950’s, when he closed it.
Charlie and Barbara Michaels purchased the property in 1962, mainly for the former miller’s residence, which they renovated. However, Mr. Kane would stop by and tell them stories about the mill’s “golden years,” and soon the Michael’s envisioned starting a small family business selling cider and baked goods on weekends only. Before long this business grew to be a popular fall destination.
When they were getting ready to retire, their son, Bill, and his wife, Brenda, took over the business, expanding it to include specialty foods, a café, winery, and even an online store.
As soon as we entered the door of the marketplace, we were welcomed by an employee who explained that they have a large selection of products, from savory to sweet, including barbecue sauces, jams, pasta sauces, pickled items, hot sauces, salsas, cheeses, dip mixes, baked goods, sweet cider, hard cider, apple wine and more. On any given day there are over 40 product samples out for visitors to taste. Many of these products are either made at the mill or in New York State. They are members of the Cooperstown Beverage Trail (www.cooperstownbeveragetrail.com) which has a number of local wineries and breweries as members, including the nearby Pail Shop Vineyards and Rustic Ridge Winery.
Let’s just say that our shopping cart filled up quickly, as everything tasted good to us! They even have homemade fudge and a variety of other candies. While we sampled some fudge and candy, we were able to resist purchasing the confections. We did however, get some dips, sauces, wine, hard cider, and of course some of their famous sweet cider. Note that since we were there in late August, they weren’t pressing the cider yet, but they had it available frozen from the previous year. They had Styrofoam coolers available for a few dollars to transport the cider home. If you visit now in the fall, you’ll get freshly pressed cider. All of their products, including the cider, are available from their online store.
There’s also a whole second floor to explore. The first room you’ll enter is filled with all sorts of holiday ornaments and seasonal décor items; an adjacent room has accessories, jewelry, and bath and body products. However, by far the most interesting thing to see is the 1889 water powered press, which is located in the center of the second floor. It is here where they process over 20,000 gallons of sweet cider between September and Thanksgiving. In November they freeze over 5,000 gallons to sell during the next spring and summer.
The adjacent exhibit, called Power, Press and Popularity explains the cider making process. Water power from Fly Creek operates the press. Water from the mill pond travels through a pipe into a wooden silo; a turbine is located in the bottom of the silo. Water flows through the turbine to turn shafts, which power the circa 1889 Boomer and Boschert water hydraulic press, which applies 2,000 pounds of pressure to turn apples into cider.
Also on the second floor is a display of apple parers from the International Society of Apple Parer Enthusiasts, which celebrates American ingenuity through the history of the apple parer, which was first invented in the 1790’s.
Let’s not forget the cider mill’s snack bar and bakery. The menu includes a variety of items including pulled pork and pot roast sandwiches, soups and chili, served in a bread bowl, cider slushies, made with sweet cider or hard cider, wine slushes, premium ice cream, and other goodies. Most of the pies, cookies and other desserts are made in their in-house bakery, including their donuts and cinnamon buns. The snack bar remains open until the end of October. There is a small playground for young children right outside the snack bar.
A variety of special events are planned in the fall, including the Fly Creek Cider Festival October 8 & 9.
If you go
Fly Creek Cider Mill & Orchard, 288 Goose Street, Fly Creek, NY 800-505-6455, www.flycreekcidermill.com
Directions
From Buffalo, take the New York State Thruway (I-90) east to exit 30, toward Herkimer/Mohawk. Follow NY 28 south to Route 26 north to Goose Street
The name Fly Creek can be traced back to the Dutch explorers who traveled through this area in 1714. The Dutch word for marsh is “vlie” and the northern portion of the creek running through the hamlet looks like a marsh. The Dutch named the area “vlie” which later changed to “fly.” The Fly Creek Cider Mill is the only remaining mill of eight that once were located on the banks of the creek. The other mills manufactured a variety of items, including pails, forks, barrels and lumber.
Before heading inside, we walked to the mill pond; following the signs on the ground that said, “Waddle this Way.” For a quarter you can buy a handful of corn to feed the ducks and geese that live by the pond. Even though my kids are older, they still had a blast doing this.
I took a minute to read the sign explaining the history of the cider mill, which originally opened in 1856. The first owner, Hosea Williams, built the mill so that he could turn apples into sweet cider; using water power from the creek to operate his press. He also used the water power to run a grist mill and woodworking shop. The property’s next owner was Linn Kane, who ran the mill and woodworking shop until the 1950’s, when he closed it.
Charlie and Barbara Michaels purchased the property in 1962, mainly for the former miller’s residence, which they renovated. However, Mr. Kane would stop by and tell them stories about the mill’s “golden years,” and soon the Michael’s envisioned starting a small family business selling cider and baked goods on weekends only. Before long this business grew to be a popular fall destination.
When they were getting ready to retire, their son, Bill, and his wife, Brenda, took over the business, expanding it to include specialty foods, a café, winery, and even an online store.
As soon as we entered the door of the marketplace, we were welcomed by an employee who explained that they have a large selection of products, from savory to sweet, including barbecue sauces, jams, pasta sauces, pickled items, hot sauces, salsas, cheeses, dip mixes, baked goods, sweet cider, hard cider, apple wine and more. On any given day there are over 40 product samples out for visitors to taste. Many of these products are either made at the mill or in New York State. They are members of the Cooperstown Beverage Trail (www.cooperstownbeveragetrail.com) which has a number of local wineries and breweries as members, including the nearby Pail Shop Vineyards and Rustic Ridge Winery.
Let’s just say that our shopping cart filled up quickly, as everything tasted good to us! They even have homemade fudge and a variety of other candies. While we sampled some fudge and candy, we were able to resist purchasing the confections. We did however, get some dips, sauces, wine, hard cider, and of course some of their famous sweet cider. Note that since we were there in late August, they weren’t pressing the cider yet, but they had it available frozen from the previous year. They had Styrofoam coolers available for a few dollars to transport the cider home. If you visit now in the fall, you’ll get freshly pressed cider. All of their products, including the cider, are available from their online store.
There’s also a whole second floor to explore. The first room you’ll enter is filled with all sorts of holiday ornaments and seasonal décor items; an adjacent room has accessories, jewelry, and bath and body products. However, by far the most interesting thing to see is the 1889 water powered press, which is located in the center of the second floor. It is here where they process over 20,000 gallons of sweet cider between September and Thanksgiving. In November they freeze over 5,000 gallons to sell during the next spring and summer.
The adjacent exhibit, called Power, Press and Popularity explains the cider making process. Water power from Fly Creek operates the press. Water from the mill pond travels through a pipe into a wooden silo; a turbine is located in the bottom of the silo. Water flows through the turbine to turn shafts, which power the circa 1889 Boomer and Boschert water hydraulic press, which applies 2,000 pounds of pressure to turn apples into cider.
Also on the second floor is a display of apple parers from the International Society of Apple Parer Enthusiasts, which celebrates American ingenuity through the history of the apple parer, which was first invented in the 1790’s.
Let’s not forget the cider mill’s snack bar and bakery. The menu includes a variety of items including pulled pork and pot roast sandwiches, soups and chili, served in a bread bowl, cider slushies, made with sweet cider or hard cider, wine slushes, premium ice cream, and other goodies. Most of the pies, cookies and other desserts are made in their in-house bakery, including their donuts and cinnamon buns. The snack bar remains open until the end of October. There is a small playground for young children right outside the snack bar.
A variety of special events are planned in the fall, including the Fly Creek Cider Festival October 8 & 9.
If you go
Fly Creek Cider Mill & Orchard, 288 Goose Street, Fly Creek, NY 800-505-6455, www.flycreekcidermill.com
Directions
From Buffalo, take the New York State Thruway (I-90) east to exit 30, toward Herkimer/Mohawk. Follow NY 28 south to Route 26 north to Goose Street
