Arsenal Cider House: History in the Making

It’s said that to truly know where you’re going, you must first know where you’ve been. Remembering history in its purest, unadulterated form is key to preserving the future for generations to come. In these busy times, it’s often hard to sit back and enjoy the finer things that life has to offer. For those of us who want a bit of old-worldly nostalgia mixed with our vices, Bill and Michelle Larkin of Pittsburgh’s historic Lawrenceville have just the ticket.

Arsenal Cider House is a Civil War thematic winery offering specialized small batch, hand crafted libations including hard apple cider, “cider style” wines and mead. To the untrained eye, it may appear like an ordinary house, but upon entering, visitors can expect to be taken back in Bill’s time-machine to the mid 1860s, fit with historical photos, antique tools, equipment and classic swing-top bottling.

“Our mission is to bring high quality, small batch, artisan crafted adult beverages in a historic and nostalgic atmosphere.” Bill Larkin, Owner

The wines and ciders at Arsenal are a great mix for all personalities and tastes. Bill has truly mastered his craft and his passion shines through his innovative and masterful creations. We strongly recommend sampling all he has to offer before making a selection. Each brought something different to the conversation and was more complex and better than the last. The hardest part was narrowing my selection down to buy a to-go bottle.

“No nation is drunken where wine is cheap; and none sober, where the dearness of wine substitutes ardent spirits as the common beverage. It is, in truth, the only antidote to the bane of whiskey.” – Thomas Jefferson

*Click on the thumbnail images below to view them full sized.