Tap Handle #368: Berkshire Cider - Johnny Mash Original American Cider

Tap size:  13"
Rarity:  Very Rare
Mounting:  standard 3/8" ferrule on 5/16" anchor bolt

This rustic-looking tap is a perfect fit for a barrel-aged hard cider. It reminds me of some other similar taps from Jack Daniels. I'm not really sure if the tap is made of wood or resin - if it's resin, the wood appearance is very well done. The brand is a small, regional business, which makes this tap pretty hard to find.

Click through to read more about Johnny Mash Hard Cider and see more photos of the tap...

Johnny Mash was founded in Richmond, Massachusetts in 1994 by John Vittori. The Vittori family has owned and operated the 100-year-old, 200-acre Hilltop Orchards in Richmond since 1987, as well as their award-winning Furnace Brook Winery. Vittori  had made hard cider for his own use for some time, and traveled to England to attend a two week course on cider making. While attending the Wooster College of Agriculture, Vittori was amazed at hard cider's popularity in the pubs. With his cider-making certificate in hand, Vittori and his wife Julie began the Berkshire Cider Company. The Johnny Mash brand came after they did surveys in bars and restaurants of various names. "Johnny" was chosen after Vittori's own name, "John," as well as for the orchard legend Johnny Appleseed. "Mash" refers to the cider-making process.

After developing a formula, the Vittori's contracted with Brotherhill Winery in Washingtonville, New York where the cider could be oak aged for three months. They then found a bottler, formed focus groups and did extensive market research before launching Johnny Mash. Because Johnny Mash had a marketing and production budget a fraction of the size of its competitors, Vittori tried to carve a niche in other ways, focusing instead on quality and service. Vittori throws "Mash Bashes," promotional parties with product-related giveaways and extensive tastings. Johnny Mash has been recognized by national business publications, such as the Boston Business Journal and the Wall Street Journal, and has received highly favorable reviews from cider critics.

Johnny Mash is a hard cider with delicious oaky notes that meld magically with apple fruit on the palate. Slowly aged in American oak. Johnny Mash is made with McIntosh and Northern Spy apples. And it's not just for drinking - not only can cider be substituted for white wine in almost any recipe, but it lends an

incomparable and unique flavor to dishes. It is also excellent as a tenderizer or marinade. Recommended food pairings are fish, poultry, pork, and cheeses such as smoked gouda, cheddar, and jarlsberg. Weighted average on ratebeer.com is 3.11 out of 5.

Johnny Mash Official Website

Source Material

The Berkshire Eagle (found on the Johnny Mash website)

The Berkshire Record  (also found on the Johnny Mash website)