Daniel James
applesaboveall.bsky.social
Daniel James
@applesaboveall.bsky.social
Pommelier and apple nerd. He/Him
PA, USA
Read my Blog: https://applesaboveall.bearblog.dev/
Reposted by Daniel James
Meet Diane Flynt, the first lady of Virginia cider. It's been a while since we published a cider story, we hope you enjoy it!

www.pelliclemag.com/home/2025/10...
Apple Tree Woman — Diane Flynt and Foggy Ridge Orchards in Dugspur, Virginia — Pellicle
“Before there is cider, there are apples,” is a common refrain during my time spent in the far southern marches of Virginia with Diane Flynt, founder of Foggy Ridge Orchards and a pioneer of the cider...
www.pelliclemag.com
October 29, 2025 at 1:04 PM
We're moving up to the Southern Tier of NY in a few weeks!

The main thing I'll miss about being in PA is knowing I was in the same area as @chuckwendig.bsky.social

But the NY apples and cider, they are a'calling!
September 27, 2025 at 11:40 PM
Reposted by Daniel James
I wrote my own Charlie Kirk obituary, and about valuing truth over manners: www.thenation.com/article/poli...
Charlie Kirk’s Legacy Deserves No Mourning
The white Christian nationalist provocateur wasn't a promoter of civil discourse. He preached hate, bigotry, and division
www.thenation.com
September 12, 2025 at 8:42 PM
Reposted by Daniel James
Let’s make one thing clear from the start: Charlie Kirk was the victim of a shooting in a country where he, along with other right-wing extremist influencers, have been inciting violence for years. — Kirk is neither a martyr nor a hero, he is a cause.
September 10, 2025 at 7:40 PM
Looks like we might be moving up to the Ithaca NY area. If anyone in my network here has either a recommendation for a realtor, or would have any cider-related work possibilities I would love the assist!
July 29, 2025 at 4:49 PM
I just saw a Wired article about how the tarrifs are going to increase the cost of apple juice (and other products that use apple concentrate) and I'm honestly not mad about that. Supporting domestic Orchards instead of foreign ones is the kind of thing tarrifs should support. (1/?)
May 6, 2025 at 11:48 AM
This afternoon I'm going to go check out the Bucks County Book Festival with my wife. It doesn't appear that @chuckwendig.bsky.social is one of the featured authors which seems to be a most glaring omission, him being a Buck County based author and all. I am rather disappointed.
May 3, 2025 at 12:34 PM
I just hit publish on my first blog post. I'm starting off with my thoughts on what should be the standards for the information on the labels for ciders etc.

Check it out here: applesaboveall.bearblog.dev/all-about-la...

Feel free to drop any questions or comments here!

Wassail!
All about labels
After being in the hospitality/retail sales sphere for nearly a decade and a half now, I've come to appreciate a good label. While I love well designed brand...
applesaboveall.bearblog.dev
April 28, 2025 at 6:46 PM
Reposted by Daniel James
Yep, don't use generative AI, and especially not to feed your nascent narcissism. By: www.lorenzodalessandro.com
April 13, 2025 at 4:10 AM
I decided to create a blog so I could post some longer form articles as well as having another place for my in depth cider reviews other than Instagram. Stay tuned for my first article!
March 29, 2025 at 6:59 PM
It's a critterful morning here. Our cat earned his rent by catching a mouse that decided to check out our apartment. And then as I was taking the dog and the trash out, one of the resident skunks was hanging out nearby.

Nature is neat! #Neature
March 16, 2025 at 8:30 AM
If I lived in Philly and didn't really have to drive, I'm sure it would be lovely. But having to drive in, it's absolutely chaos incarnate.
March 14, 2025 at 2:57 PM
I was just looking for some tactical rpg's that I bought for android years ago. It looks like the publisher pulled all their mobile games sometime the end of last year so they are completely delisted. The joys of digital "ownership." Sigh.
March 12, 2025 at 9:23 PM
Because why not, I decided to see if there were any other cocktails using red wine that I had the ingredients for. I found the "Red Moon Over Manhattan," a modified Manhattan with red wine and bourbon. I modified it even further by using the luxardo maraschino cherry juice instead of simple syrup.
March 11, 2025 at 1:26 AM
I had some wine open from dinner last night so I took the opportunity to make myself a "New York Whiskey Sour" cocktail (aka, a whiskey sour with a red wine float). I haven't made many mixed drinks since we moved so it was a nice change of pace!
March 11, 2025 at 12:39 AM
After getting distracted and forgetting about it, I finally listened to the MuteMath Distance EP. Good little collection, can't wait for Paul's full album to come out.
March 10, 2025 at 4:26 PM
Reposted by Daniel James
As we roll up to our 5th(!) year of running Burum Collective we are thrilled to say our inboxes are open again for commissions! This year we’ve chosen cider as our theme, specifically:

The Future of Cider

Read more on the theme, how to pitch, rates, and more
www.burumcollective.com/pitching-2025
March 7, 2025 at 1:46 PM
I used to hold more of a generous "a rising tide lifts all boats" perspective, but I'm starting to believe that the craft/aspirational producers need a stronger stand against bulk cider, particularly in regards to ingredient and production transparency since that only hurts macro producers.

(2/2)
March 7, 2025 at 4:00 PM
The longer I'm in the alcohol industry and particularly the more I learn about wine, I become more critical towards the cider industry. I think the North American industry in particular needs learn more from the mistakes of the wine industry if it is going to keep growing.

(1/2)
March 7, 2025 at 3:58 PM
Enjoying my first time at an airport lounge as I wait for my flight out of Chicago.

Pretty cool experience, actually!

I can see why us plebs aren't usually allowed 🙃.

Thanks travel credit card!
February 8, 2025 at 4:17 PM
Congrats to all my fellow Pommeliers! ❤️🍎
February 7, 2025 at 6:23 PM
Obligatory Chicago Bean photo.

#cidercon2025
February 7, 2025 at 2:12 AM
Had a great time at the #cidercon2025 Cidershare tonight. I was initially going to go to the Stormalong party tonight as well but between not sleeping well last night and the jetlag I'm happily curled up in my hostel bunk reading until I'm ready to sleep and prepare myself for tomorrow.

Wassail!
February 6, 2025 at 2:33 AM
Hellooooo Chicago!
February 5, 2025 at 9:09 PM
Enjoying my cup of tea and time with the fam before I hop on my flight to Chicago.

Here's hoping the FAA are actually on top of things again...
February 5, 2025 at 2:44 PM