Rarely do alcohol related entrepreneurial endeavors begin with pregnancy, but that's sort of the case with
Arsenal Cider House and Wine Cellar. After six years of making beer, wine, and cider as a hobby, Bill Larkin learned that he and his wife Michelle were having twins. "We were trying to figure out a good way to keep her home from work, and that's what we came up with," laughs Mr. Larkin.
It took two years of renovating the first floor of their house on 39th Street, investing in the proper equipment, and getting permits to turn what was once Bill's hobby into a full-fledged hard cider retail space and tasting room, which opened June 19th. Arsenal Cider House and Wine Cellar is named after the old Allegheny Arsenal across the street from their home and business, and the Civil War theme is making its way into the Larkin's branding, as their bottles will soon come artfully decorated with war related imagery.
Currently, the Larkin's have several fermenting tanks in their basement, where they make their cider, fruit wines, and wine coolers. The beverages, which are certainly unique to Pittsburgh's craft alcohol scene, can be purchased in growlers during their business hours, when guests can sample different concoctions in the tasting room. "Right now, a new customer can come in and buy a growler, then they can keep the growler and come back in for refills at a lower price," explains Mr. Larkin.
There's something very cozy about the renovated tasting room, with its barrels and antique-looking pine furniture, that somehow go hand in hand with cider. In the future, the Larkins would like Arsenal Cider House and Wine Cellar to sponsor charitable events and have wine tastings, but as a parent of three children, "I'm just trying to figure out what I'm going to do tomorrow," jokes Mr. Larkin.
Arsenal Cider House and Wine Cellar is located at 300 39th Street. They are open from Wednesday through Saturday, from noon to eight p.m., and Sundays from noon to four p.m.
Sign up to receive Pop City each week.
Source: Bill Larkin, Arsenal Cider House and Wine Cellar,
Writer:
John FarleyPhotograph copyright John Farley