BY WILLIAM DEAN
In short order, Ilwaco Cider Co. has made a name for itself with an impressive lineup of unique, thirst-quenching creations.
The Long Beach peninsula cidery has also become a popular place to hang out with family and friends. The owners even have an award to prove it.
In this year’s Readers’ Choice Awards, Ilwaco Cider captured first place in the Best Brewpub category. That’s astounding for a fledgling business – less than a year old.
“I’m thrilled. It’s super-fantastic news,” Vinessa Karnofski, co-owner and head cider maker, exclaimed when informed of the award.
Ilwaco Cider’s grand opening in June 2024 was immediately heralded as a boost to the historic fishing town’s ongoing revitalization efforts.
Being named best brewpub is something of a surprise, however, given the stiff competition from better-known and more established North Coast breweries.
Many of the other brewpubs, including North Jetty Brewing up the road in Seaview, also offer cocktails and food. Ilwaco Cider has neither.
“It’s just such positive reinforcement for what we’re doing,” Karnofski said of the Readers’ Choice results. “So powerfully uplifting. … We’ve received our mandate to keep going.”
People come to the family-friendly cidery in downtown Ilwaco for its mellow vibe. And, of course, inventive hard ciders, made with all-natural ingredients with an emphasis on locally grown fruits.
Top sellers include Springrider Cran, featuring peninsula cranberries; Fisherman’s Flannel, with ginger, fig and cinnamon in the mix; and Sister Berry, a blend of elderberry, cranberry and spruce tips.
Karnofski and her husband Jarrod, both of whom have roots in the area and are eager to contribute to its renaissance, created a large taproom with brewing tanks visible in the back. They strive to keep the space lively and welcoming.
Live, no-cover music is a staple on weekends, along with other events, ranging from farmers’ markets to bingo. Every Tuesday is “Family Night,” with movies and games. Wednesday is “Vinyl Night,” with people bringing in their favorite albums to spin.
By all measures, it’s been an amazing blastoff.
Ilwaco was poised to install its brewing system when the only cidery on the North Coast, Fortune & Glory in Astoria, abruptly closed in January 2024, citing rising costs.
The development could have put a chill in the Karnofskis’ plans. Were they being overly optimistic? Were the profit margins tighter than they thought?
Instead, Fortune & Glory’s exit lit a fire, convincing the couple to seize the chance to fill a regional void.
The strategy worked. Well ahead of schedule, Ilwaco is distributing its cider in cans and kegs throughout the peninsula and North Coast, reaching as far south as Tillamook.
Vinessa Karnofski is eyeing her first brewhouse expansion to keep up with surging demand.
Later this year, the trained chef hopes to add a small kitchen and offer a menu featuring her own recipes. There will also be a push to add outdoor seating to better serve flocks of summer visitors.
That’s if she can somehow find the time.
“We’ve only just begun,” she said, drawing a deep breath. “There’s so much more we want to do.”
Ilwaco Cider Co. is located at 116 Spruce St. E. Visit ilwacociderco.com for more information.
