Cider Tasting with Food Pairing, Balestrand

5.0 (5 reviews)
Learn all there is to know about cider on a guided walk through a centuries-old orchard, followed by a tasting with food pairing.

Overview

Immerse yourself in the world of cider with a guided 90-minute tasting in an organic orchard on the Sognefjord, Norway's oldest fruit-growing region. Upon meeting your host, you'll take a guided walk around the fruit farm, learning about apple cultivation and cider-making traditions that date to the 1100s, before sitting down to a tasting flight. You'll sample five distinct ciders accompanied by locally produced bites, gaining an appreciation for the diverse flavors of sweet, acidic, and bitter apples. This experience is suited to foodies and anyone looking for a unique outing; cider, after all, is the "wine" of Norway.

Highlights

  • Discover Norway's history of cider production at a centuries-old farm
  • Stroll through an organic orchard featuring over 1,000 apple gene varieties
  • Learn the history of fruit growing in the region and how weather impacts production and quality
  • Sip five distinct ciders paired with small, creative dishes
  • Look over the Sognefjord from your idyllic setting in a glass house amid apple trees

Know before you go

Duration
1.5 hours
Recommended for
4 years old & up
Group
Small group
Food & Drink
Lunch Included. Five different ciders (or nonalcoholic juice) paired with five small dishes (including chocolate)

What you'll do

Once you arrive at Ciderhuset, you'll be met with a friendly host who will give you a brief tour of the fruit farm, active since 1922 when the orchard was planted. As you explore, you'll learn about the history of apple growing and cider production in the region—the oldest fruit-growing area in the country—from its origins in the 12th century to modern-day practices. 

Next, you'll step into the cider house itself, where the tasting begins. You'll sample five different ciders, each paired with a locally produced small dish, including homemade chocolate. The tasting experience is designed to introduce you to a wide range of apple varieties, including sweet dessert apples, acidic cooking apples, and bitter cider apples. You'll explore the full spectrum of flavors from light and refreshing "veranda" cider to tannin-rich ciders that pair well with savory dishes.

If you prefer nonalcoholic options, the tasting is also available with juice. After the cider session, bid farewell to your host and enjoy the scenic walk back down to Balestrand.

Start times

  • Daily
    12:30 pm

What's included

  • Tasting flight of five ciders
  • Five small dishes to go with each of the ciders
  • Nonalcoholic alternative available 

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Traveler reviews

5 total ratings, 5 with reviews
5.0
Feature ratings
Quality of Experience
5.0
Food
5.0
Guides, Drivers and Staff
5.0
Transport
5.0
Alex
Alex M.
Denver, CO | Reviewed on Sep 25, 2024
I'm a kimkim staff member and I was on a work trip when I experienced the Cider Tasting & Lunch. This was a 12/10 experience - 6 Stars without a doubt. This was an incredible experience. You walk 15-minutes from the town center. There are over 1,000 genes of apples sitting on the orchard, and we were taught plenty.
7,500 different kinds of apples in the world.
In Norway, the term difference between alcoholic and non-alcoholic cider is simply saying cider or juice, unlike the U.S.
The...
Read more

I'm a kimkim staff member and I was on a work trip when I experienced the Cider Tasting & Lunch. This was a 12/10 experience - 6 Stars without a doubt. This was an incredible experience. You walk 15-minutes from the town center. There are over 1,000 genes of apples sitting on the orchard, and we were taught plenty.
7,500 different kinds of apples in the world.
In Norway, the term difference between alcoholic and non-alcoholic cider is simply saying cider or juice, unlike the U.S.
The ciders produced onsite had 4.7-16% alcohol. I was able to sample ciders on each end of that spectrum.
Fun fact; heavy rain seasons may produce great amounts of product that year but they are actually not good, they cause water weight to hurt the trees and generally exhaust them, so the following 2 seasons after a heavy rain will only provide minimal amounts of product.
The food pairings for lunch with each cider were perfectly crafted.

Tips for future travelers

Do not miss this trip. Ask all the questions you want - this is a phenomenal experience.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
M
Mary S.
the Netherlands | Reviewed on Jun 25, 2024
Fabulous experience. Very interesting introduction to apple growing and cider making by the owner followed by a cider tasting and wonderful lunch. Would highly recommend Read more

Fabulous experience. Very interesting introduction to apple growing and cider making by the owner followed by a cider tasting and wonderful lunch. Would highly recommend

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
ROSA
ROSA S.
| Reviewed on Jun 20, 2024
Really enjoyed this activity - Great hosts Read more

Really enjoyed this activity - Great hosts

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
ruben
ruben k.
Ireland | Reviewed on Jun 19, 2024
The cider and the food were lovely, and interesting talk re history of cider making in Norway Read more

The cider and the food were lovely, and interesting talk re history of cider making in Norway

Quality of Experience
Food
Minda
Minda H.
Maple Grove, MN | Reviewed on May 21, 2024
Much to love in this experience. We learned historical and cultural context for apples. The ciders were tasty and food pairings were a delight. Enjoyed every aspect of the experience including the walk back to our hotel. Read more

Much to love in this experience. We learned historical and cultural context for apples. The ciders were tasty and food pairings were a delight. Enjoyed every aspect of the experience including the walk back to our hotel.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport

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