Overview Cider Summit Chicago is a winter afternoon of cider, mead and fruit-spirit tasting at Navy Pier, and the 2026 edition poured more than 125 selections from over 40 producers. Every ticket comes with a souvenir tasting glass and a set of tasting tokens. It is strictly 21 and over. Founder Alan Shapiro started Cider Summit in Seattle in 2010 and brought it to Chicago in 2013; the series has also run in Seattle and Portland, and the 2026 Chicago festival was its 12th. On site In 2026 the festival went back to its original Chicago room, Lakeview Terrace at Navy Pier. General admission ran from 2 to 6 p.m. with last call at 5:45; VIP ticket holders came in at 1 p.m. with 16 tokens to general admission's 12. A pre-opening tasting at noon, capped at 72 people, ran four curated pairings from Molly's Cupcakes, Northman Cider and Eris Cider. Food sampling and food sales run on the floor, and designated-driver tickets are sold at the door only. Audience People come to taste rather than settle in with a pint: a ticket buys a fixed number of tokens, so guests move from producer to producer with one glass. At the first Chicago Summit the cidermakers were on hand to talk guests through what they poured. No babies, no toddlers. Track record The first Chicago Summit, on February 9, 2013, poured over 60 ciders from the United States, England, Scotland, France, Spain and New Zealand, and a ticket bought a glass and 10 drink tickets. Proceeds that year went to the Great Lakes Cider and Perry Association, WBEZ public radio and Heartland Alliance. By 2026 the list ran past 125 selections and took in mead and fruit spirits alongside cider. Brand presence The festival builds sponsorships and vendor spots to order, from sponsor levels to sampling tables on the floor. In 2026 Postmates gave every ticket buyer a $20 coupon, and Molly's Cupcakes built the pre-opening pairing hour with Northman and Eris. Food pairings at the first Chicago edition came from Fortune Gourmet.