From Farm to City: Bauman’s Cider Brings Craft to Portland’s Central Eastside
There's something quietly revolutionary about a cidery that can trace its roots to an orchard in Woodburn and its future to a bustling block in Portland's Central Eastside. Bauman's Cider has done exactly that — and the move is already changing everything.
A New Home, A Perfect Fit
Owner and head cidermaker Christine Walter had a simple problem: she'd run out of room. After eight years of producing cider on the farm in Woodburn, Bauman's needed more space. What she found in Portland, though, was more than just square footage.
"The production space here was everything we needed," Christine says. "It was incredibly perfect and all the infrastructure was here." The facility came equipped with floor drains, CO2 tanks, a keg washer — the bones of a working production operation. Bauman's pulled out the old brew house, moved three fermenters from the farm, and opened their doors on April 6th.
In 2023, the cidery produced around 160,000 gallons — putting them in the upper mid-tier for the state of Oregon. With the new facility, Christine expects that number to climb to roughly 160% of their previous output.
City Life Suits Them
For a team that was largely driving from Portland to Woodburn every single day, the move has been a revelation. "Before we took over here, out of nine employees, seven of us lived in Portland and drove to the farm every day," Christine notes. Now, those seven work steps from home, and the two team members who live near the farm continue to work there.
The practical perks of city life haven't been lost on Christine either. "I've got to go to the bank, the plumber and the hardware store. I'll be back in 20 minutes," she laughs. "No wonder they have cities, right?"
Rooted in Community
Bauman's has wasted no time becoming part of the neighborhood fabric. Business Manager Meridith Burchel has been struck by the spirit of collaboration she's encountered since arriving. She's particularly praised the work of Central Eastside Together, describing them as compassionate, action-oriented, and genuinely dedicated to problem-solving. "It always feels like a community effort," she says. "People really want to make it work together, which is beautiful."
The cidery has also applied for a Prosper Portland development grant to build out their patio space, and they've already started carrying cold brew from beloved neighbor Push Pull Coffee.
Oregon’s Cider Country
Bauman's has landed in fertile territory. Oregon leads the nation in per capita cider consumption — a fact Christine finds both thrilling and fitting. "Part of what makes Oregon so great — and Portland so great — is that we're averse to macros in general," she says.
That independent spirit aligns with Bauman's core philosophy: honoring the connection between the farm and the glass. "The dignity in shortening the distance between what's growing in the trees and in the fields to being in a glass or on a plate — that feels like the right thing for the health of a community."
Their cider is distributed across Oregon, Washington, and Idaho, appearing in grocery stores as well as specialty outlets — making it accessible to curious newcomers and seasoned cider enthusiasts alike.
What to Drink
So where do you start? The team has their own strong opinions.
Christine's all-time favorite is the McIntosh — a single varietal made from McIntosh apples sourced from Montana's Bitterroot Valley. "It is so aromatic and juicy and wonderful," she says, adding that it's a great entry point for people who don't typically drink cider.
Meridith is partial to the Golden Russet and the Early Bird, a high-acid single varietal Gravenstein that she describes as "really nice."
Bauman’s taproom head chef Daniel Green is drawn to the Peak Light Orchard Reserve — a nod to the beautiful apple-quince blends coming out of Sauvie Island.
A Growing Destination
Since opening in 2024, Bauman's has already outgrown its "everyone knows everyone" phase. Visitors are coming from Hood River, Bend, and beyond — drawn by word of mouth and a growing wave of press. Christine seems genuinely delighted by the shift.
"I know almost nobody now," she says, "and I think that's so exciting."
Bauman's Cider is located in Portland's Central Eastside. Their cider is available on tap, in their tasting room, and in stores across Oregon, Washington, and Idaho.
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