Fall is here. The leaves are changing, the air is crisp and apple cider is once again being offered at the Eagles’ Nest. 

The Nest began offering apple cider last fall. Manager Doug Reynolds was searching for cider to make the Caramel Apple Spice drink offered in the Eagles’ Nest Cafe. 

His distributor mentioned that he had 20 ounce bottles available and Reynolds decided to give them a try. 

Reynolds was surprised to find that the cider was such a hit.

“ I brought one case in. It disappeared,” said Reynolds. “Started bringing in two cases. Disappeared. 

Started bringing in 5 cases and those disappeared. Disappearing as in selling, I couldn’t even get it to keep it on the shelf.”

Colin Suffecool, a junior, said the apple cider has given him more drink options in the fall. 

“[I buy cider from the Nest] probably three or four times in fall,” said Suffecool. “It’s really good apple cider and it is a nice option if you don’t want soda or water.”

    Though Suffecool cited the value of a swipe as a deterrent in how much cider he purchases, many students don’t hesitate to spend the money or swipes to get it. 

Junior Haley Dorne has even come to the Nest specifically to stock up on cider.

“This is less money from my pocket [than buying cider from the store],” said Dorne. “It is nice to be able to buy cider with a swipe I already paid for. 

And I don’t want to carry around a big gallon of apple cider. The bottles are more convenient.”

According to Reynolds, the season for fresh-from-the-farm apple cider lasts from late September to early December or late November depending on the growing season. 

Despite the time constraints, Reynolds has been trying to meet the demand for cider among students this year. 

Each week he orders between eight and 10 24-bottle cases. Unfortunately, because of the statewide demand for cider he has been receiving less than he orders.

“I’m not receiving as much as I order because [my supplier] can’t get it in as fast as it is going out,” said Reynolds.

Since cider season began at the Nest, Reynolds has ordered what he guesses to be 12 cases. 

    For those without a calculator, that’s almost 300 bottles of cider that have been sold so far. 

According to Reynolds, the nest sells as much as a case and a half a day. 

“We put [a case] up yesterday and it was gone by the afternoon,” said Reynolds. 

The demand has been so high that the cider has started to be rationed to keep cider available between the semiweekly deliveries.    Reynolds explained that if they put a case out in the morning he waits until the next day to restock no matter how quickly the cider sells out. 

The cider comes from the Ohio Fruit Growers program, which according to their site is a grower owned marketing cooperative that supplies large and small markets with over 20 varieties of apples and apple products from all over Ohio. 

With cider season almost half over and the huge demand around the state and around campus, the Nest’s supply is not guaranteed to outlast the demand.