Sometimes you find a place you never planned on visiting.
That was the case for us with Ironbound Cider. We picked up a four-pack of their hard cider at Bottle King, and after trying it, my wife and I decided we had to see where it was made. A few days later, we found ourselves driving out to Ironbound Farm in Asbury, New Jersey.
What we discovered was much more than just a cider house.
Ironbound Farm is a working farm, restaurant, winery, and cider mill all rolled into one. It made for a really enjoyable afternoon and gave us a chance to learn a little more about how everything comes together.
A Visit to Ironbound Farm in Hunterdon County
Ironbound Farm is located in Asbury, New Jersey, in Hunterdon County. The property covers 108 acres, with about 30 to 40 acres dedicated to apple orchards used in their cider production.
The farm does much more than make hard cider. They also grow fruits and vegetables, raise livestock, and produce wine.
Before we even made it to the tasting room, we stopped for lunch at the farmhouse restaurant.
A Farm-to-Table Lunch
The menu features a variety of dishes made with ingredients produced right on the farm.
There’s just something different about enjoying a meal when you know many of the ingredients came from the property you’re sitting on. It really adds to the experience.
While we were there, we had the chance to talk with Gunnar, the food manager at Ironbound. He explained how the farm focuses on sustainable farming practices and uses many of its own resources to keep things running.
The chickens roam freely, while the goats and lambs help fertilize the orchards. Ironbound also raises pigs, chickens, goats, and lambs on the property.
It was interesting hearing how everything works together. You can tell there’s a lot of thought behind how the farm operates.
Learning About the Cider
Now for the reason we originally made the trip—the cider.
Our waitress, Michelle, shared a little background about Ironbound’s cider program. She explained that their cider maker originally worked in the wine industry and was previously a winemaker at Unionville Vineyards.
We also learned that while the wine grapes are sourced from vineyards on the West Coast, the apples used in the ciders are either grown on Ironbound’s own orchards or purchased from other orchards around New Jersey.
One thing I found especially interesting was Ironbound’s commitment to preserving New Jersey’s apple history. One of the apples they use is the Harrison apple, a historic variety that played an important role in cider making here in the Garden State many years ago.
The Wine Flight
One surprise during our visit was learning that Ironbound also makes wine.
Our wine flight included an Albariño, a Cape May Cuvée, and a Red Blend.
The Cape May Cuvée ended up being our favorite.
It’s a blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon that’s infused with Cape May beach plums. It was refreshing and dry, with nice berry and strawberry notes that made it really easy to enjoy.
The Cider Flight
Next came the cider flight.
We chose four different ciders to sample:
- Original
- Devil’s Harvest
- Highlands Farmhouse
- Black Tea Lemon
The biggest surprise was the Black Tea Lemon cider. It honestly tasted like a refreshing glass of iced tea with a little apple mixed in. It was completely different from what we expected.
Even with that surprise, Devil’s Harvest was our favorite of the flight. It had a crisp apple flavor with a nice balance that made us want another pour.
More Than Just a Cider Tasting
One thing we really liked about Ironbound is that there’s more to do than simply order a flight.
You can enjoy lunch, spend some time outside, listen to live music on select days, and take in the scenery around the farm. It doesn’t feel rushed, which makes it easy to relax and spend a few hours there.
If you’re looking for a different kind of day trip in New Jersey, this is definitely worth considering.
Final Thoughts
What started with a four-pack from Bottle King turned into one of our favorite local day trips.
Good food, good cider, a few glasses of wine, and the chance to learn more about the farm made for a really enjoyable visit.
If you’re a fan of hard cider or you’re simply looking for somewhere different to spend an afternoon, I’d recommend adding Ironbound Farm to your list. I think you’ll leave with a greater appreciation for everything that goes into making their ciders—and you might even find a new favorite along the way.
Have you been to Ironbound Farm? I’d love to hear what you tried. Leave a comment below, and if you enjoy discovering New Jersey wineries, cider mills, breweries, and other local spots, be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss the next adventure.
