From Farm to Glass: Cider at 1000 Stone Farm

At 1000 Stone Farm in Brookfield, Vermont, Kyle Doda and Betsy Simpson have built a dynamic model that unites organic farming, community-supported agriculture, small-batch cider. First came the farm and then over ten years, the couple expanded their offerings to include fruit trees, livestock, mushrooms, and now a seasonal restaurant and tasting room: The Farmers Hand Cider House & Kitchen. Besty is the Chef and a graduate of the Culinary Institue of Arts in New York.

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Besty Simpson and Kyle Doda

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The Orchard & Philosophy

Situated between 1,400–1,700 feet in elevation, the farm grows:

• Over 60 varieties of apples
• Plums, peaches, cherries, and Perry Pears
• Herbs interplanted with vegetables and orchard rows
• Livestock including lamb, pork, beef, and poultry
• And there is a dedicate grow space for a mushroom buisness

Fruit is fermented on-site with minimal sulfites, both neutral and spirit oak barrels, and some filtered fresh juice for back-sweetening. The cidery prioritizes clean expressions of fruit and soil.

Ciders Tasted During this Recording

• Volume One – Off-dry, barrel-aged, lightly back-sweetened
• Volume Two – Dry blend with Winesap, Kingston Black, Northern Spy
• Volume Three – Porter’s Perfection and Ashmead’s Kernel
• Tomcat – Gin barrel-aged cider, 10% ABV
• Graf – A farmhouse cider-beer hybrid aged in oak

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Gathering at The Farmers Hand

Open seasonally, The Farmers Hand Cider House & Kitchen features hyperlocal meals built around the farm’s own produce and meats. The space invites locals and visitors to connect over cider, community, and shared tables.

There is seating at the bar and also outside on a brand new patio for the 2025 season.

Contact Info for 1000 Stone Farm and The Farmers Hand Cider House & Kitchen

• Website: https://www.1000stonefarm.com
• Farm Store: Open daily, 8am–8pm (self-serve)
• The Farmers Hand: Seasonal hours; check website or Instagram for updates
  • June through December Fridays 1-8pm & Saturdays 1-8pm
• Location: Brookfield, Vermont

Mentions in this Cider Chat

• Totally Cider Tours UK_Edition 2025
• Wolfkin Cider, Seattle Cider
• 375: Cider’s Low Carbon Footprint | Wildbranch Cider, Vermont – Cedar Hannan