HELDERBERG MEADWORKS

Established 2011

HELDERBERG MEADWORKS began in 2012 producing a single mead with a mission: to bring truly handcrafted mead to the people. That mead was called Heritage and the people welcomed it with open arms. It quickly became clear that Helderberg could spread their creative wings and introduce more varieties to the market. Apple Mead was born!

While creating the local sourced cyser, Helderberg was creating an amazing hard cider as part of the process. So with the same passion and vigor, mead maker Peter Voelker set forth perfecting his hard cider craft by applying the knowledge and experience he gained while developing Helderberg Meadworks’ many varieties of mead.

Over the past couple of years, Helderberg’s hard cider was introduced on a limited basis while Peter was building the new tasting room where his ciders are now exclusively available. Helderberg’s philosophy of using all-natural ingredients as much as possible extends to their ciders which are handcrafted to suit the maker’s personal tastes. This natural approach brings out the best fresh-apple flavors possible, resulting in ciders that stand out remarkably well in the crowded marketplace.

Helderberg’s Classic Semi-Dry hard cider is distinct. It is aged for a minimum of six months using an aging process that provides micro-oxidation similar to that of a neutral cask. This allows the cider to develop its natural profile slowly. Each harvest is unique, therefore the cider is not blended from year to year. Much like the view from the tasting room, there are slight variations that are embraced each year to create a hard cider that is a truly a celebration of the apples!

MEET THE CIDER/MEAD MAKER

Peter Voelker

Peter Voelker is an Engineer with a creative flair. His love for creating something personal and unique, combined with a passion for history, drove him to begin experimenting with and studying about mead. He was born in New York City and has lived his life in the Hudson Valley and Capital regions. He got his start making homebrew beer as soon as he graduated college, then quickly branched out into other fermented beverages. He began making mead over 20 years ago and has been perfecting it ever since.

Having discovered through genealogical research that he is a descendant of the first King of Norway, Harald Fairhair, Peter developed a traditional mead that he would feel honored to raise in a toast with his ancestor. In honor of that link, the label for Heritage was designed to include the “Swords in Mountain” monument of three bronze swords standing 30 feet tall. That monument was erected in Stavanger, Norway, to commemorate King Harald’s historic final battle of Hafrsfjord.

Peter manages every aspect of the business. With a dedicated staff of 20 and growing (including a Troy Manager and an Event Planner), he continues to focus on keeping up with demand—all while maintaining his fulltime job and raising two active young boys.