Our Story

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How did cider maker Kelly Roark get his start?

Award winning cider maker, Kelly Roark, has been brewing cider out of his home since 2007 creating a cider that is authentic, distinct and loved amongst the Bend, community. “I started years ago filling up trash cans with free apples I would find growing around town ( Bend, Or. ). I pressed them with friends and created home brew apple cider. At first I did this in my quest for a sustainable lifestyle but then I realized that it was also a creative outlet where I could use my love (and degree) in science and cider while bringing the community together.” Kelly and Tammy planted a small orchard in the Willamette Valley in 2015 and started a Central Oregon orchard in 2021. “We are excited to watch the orchards grow with the company and use the specialty apples in our ciders”. Until the trees mature, they source apples from the PNW.

BEND CIDER CO. was born November 2019 with partner Tammy Roark “We had a vision to start a cider company when we met, a locals spot- with really, really great DRY hard cider, we built the cider building together, we planted the apple orchard (with specialty apples) together and it’s only natural that we start this company together!"  They are taking it a step further and placing a focus on conservation giving a percentage of sales back to environmental education. BEND CIDER CO. is a botanically focused cider company, with every flavor having a botanical element in it.  The current can flavors are DRY APPLE , MANDARIN JUNIPER,  HUCKLEBERRY GINGER, GUAVA HIBISCUS, BLACKBERRY ANCHO, PEACH STRAWBERRY AND CHAI.

A Little About The Cider Building…

In 2013 Kelly bought a commercially zoned property in downtown Tumalo with he intention of taking his cider making to the next level. When thinking about where the cider could be made in larger batches, renting an industrial space just didn’t sit well. Kelly wanted a place to remind him of the love, intention and good energy that he wanted to put into the cider. He didn’t want to just hire someone to build a cidery either. He wanted it to be a project in which many people could participate and learn. Friends and family came from all over and worked some long, dirty, but fulfilling hours building and creating new friendships. Contractors and businesses around town offered their knowledge and time to support and our  community has shown immense support through the whole process.

The Bend Cider House is an interesting and green structure in that the walls are made of pumice-crete, a “green” resource coming from our local volcanic lava and pioneered by the ancient Romans. The roof is a living roof design that has the potential for sanitary water catchment. The building design focuses on thermodynamics and features large south facing windows to help harness the suns abundant energy. Solar and wind energy are future plans for the building and Kelly hopes it will be an example of realistic commercial development in and around Central Oregon.

The energy, passion and drive Kelly has put into building the Bend cidery is just the beginning of what is to come. “I am really excited to see the Bend Cider Co. grow up with such an amazing community backing it, we feel so loved and supported already!”