Crisp, cool, sunny autumn afternoons are perfect for leisurely Nebraska day trips, and Glacial Till Cider House and Tasting Room is a relaxing spot to meet friends for shopping, a drink, or a bite to eat. Nestled cozily on historic Main Street in Ashland, Nebraska, customers can sample ciders while perusing Chef Alison Hill’s stunning seasonal food menu, highlighting the bounty of fresh vegetables and herbs harvested from the winery garden.
Owned and operated by the Murman family, the business began with a few grape vines planted on an idyllic spot of land near Palmyra, Nebraska in 2003. After early success with wine, they encountered a wee bump in the road in 2014, when a frost made for a challenging harvest.
An open tank beckoning, the production team considered fermenting hard cider – the gluten-free drink was growing in popularity – so they ventured up the road to Kimmel Orchards, from whom they sourced fresh-pressed, raw cider. The first few batches were introduced on Fermented Fridays at the winery, as well as outdoor festivals and events.
The hard cider offerings proved immensely popular and today the fermented beverage is canned and kegged for sale throughout the region. Myriad flavors, both static and seasonal, are offered in flights or by the glass, and customers often sample a mix of both wines and ciders. Fall brings the crazy-popular Caramel Apple cider, and the team has been experimenting with drier, hopped ciders using Cascade hops. The Gold Standard Cider Club offers four cider 6-packs per quarter to its members, including access to limited release “club only” flavors.
The Ashland tasting room expanded in 2019 to better accommodate both public and private events, retaining beautiful stained-glass windows and exposed brick, while adding a gorgeous rooftop patio and reclaimed wood tables.
Craig Murman, responsible for both the cider can label design and the mouth-watering photos seen on social media, is eager to welcome visitors, “We are ideally located for friends from Omaha and Lincoln to meet in the middle. The vibe here is lively, and we love to see the smiling faces and excitement when guests try new flavors.”
