By BRENNA COHOON bcohoon@iowainformation.com
Rows of folding chairs and blankets fill the lawn in front of Deal’s Orchard. Live music permeates the air as guests leave their seats to order their favorite hard cider flavors.
Following the event’s success last summer, Deal’s Orchard hosted another Ciders at Sunset last Friday night. The community was invited to attend this free evening of entertainment.
Jake Doty, a singer and guitarist from Boone, made a return to the orchard after performing at last year’s event. There were also opportunities to purchase food from a Tacon Madre food truck and snacks and beverages from a Deal’s Orchard stand.
One of the event’s highlights was the unveiling of Deal’s Orchard’s newest cider flavor: honey lemon. Benji Deal, a fourth-generation member of the orchard, is considered the family’s cider-maker. He shared that the Deal family was excited to incorporate more local elements into their cider.
“We have lemon cider that we did for the first time last year, and then we thought we would try adding some honey to it,” Deal said. “We have honey that we sell here in our store that is harvested in central Iowa and some of it from our own orchard here.”
John Brooks and Marcia Brooks of Jefferson were two guests at Friday’s event. John Brooks went to last year’s Ciders at Sunset, but this was Marcia’s first time in attendance.
The couple ordered flights, enjoying some of their favorite hard cider flavors while also trying the honey lemon cider. They both agreed that this was one of the best flavors.
“I’m going back to get more,” John Brooks said.
Aside from the ciders, the Brooks also appreciated the relaxed environment surrounding this night at the orchard.
“We like it here,” Marcia Brooks said. “We love it, really, and it’s just the atmosphere of it all.”
Aside from the new honey lemon flavor, Deal’s Orchard also sold original, blackberry, watermelon, peach, cherry, lemon and cranberry hard ciders. Their blackberry and peach hard cider slushes were other popular drink options.
The Deal family promoted the event through social media postings and word of mouth. According to Benji Deal, they were “blown away” by how many people attended last summer’s Ciders at Sunset.
“It’s just fun to see people come out, and I think people in this part of Iowa are looking for more events like this that are kind of out there,” Deal said. “They can kind of get out in more of a rural area and enjoy music and sit down and have a drink.”
Doty, Friday night’s musician, sang a variety of song covers, ranging from classic rock to country and beyond. He also interacted with his audience between songs.
“He does a great job. We love having him out,” Deal said. “He does a great job interacting with the crowd.”
Deal’s Orchard has announced that the next Ciders at Sunset is slated to take place July 28.
“It’s just a beautiful night, and I look forward to next month doing this again,” said Kimberly Garcia of Jefferson. “I mean, honestly, why wouldn’t you?”