Essential Laboratory Testing of Cider & Perry
Practical, Hands-On Laboratory Training for Cider and Perry Producers
Build the analytical skills, laboratory confidence, and technical judgment required to test cider accurately and make better production decisions.
WSU Mount Vernon NWREC
16650 State Route 536
Mount Vernon, WA 98273
Build Practical Laboratory Confidence
Laboratory testing is not simply about generating numbers.
Essential Laboratory Testing of Cider & Perry is an advanced three-day course providing intensive, hands-on training in the essential laboratory methods used throughout cider and perry production.
Participants will perform core chemical analyses, strengthen their laboratory technique, and learn how calibration, standardization, accuracy, precision, and data reliability affect the quality of analytical results.
Through applied instruction and supervised laboratory practice, participants will connect analytical methods directly to real cider and perry production decisions.
Perform, Evaluate, and Apply Laboratory Testing
The majority of the course is spent in a practical laboratory setting, where participants perform analyses and strengthen their technique through guided and supervised practice.
The emphasis is not only on understanding analytical methods, but on performing them correctly, evaluating the reliability of the results, and using those results to make better production decisions.
What This Course Will Help You Do
Build Practical Laboratory Skills
Develop confidence performing routine analyses used to evaluate cider and perry throughout production.
Improve Measurement Accuracy
Learn how calibration, standardization, sample preparation, and proper technique influence the reliability of analytical results.
Interpret Results With Confidence
Understand how analytical data informs fermentation, stability, acid balance, sulfur dioxide management, and product quality.
Strengthen Quality Control
Recognize unreliable results, determine when testing should be repeated, and support more consistent production decisions.
Core Laboratory Methods
The course also introduces extended and instrumental methods, including alcohol, residual sugar, volatile acidity, automated analysis, and microbial testing.
How You Will Learn
Instructor-Led Training
Complete a minimum of 18 hours of advanced instruction focused on practical cider and perry laboratory methods.
Hands-On Laboratory Exercises
Perform core chemical analyses through guided practice, demonstrations, and supervised independent laboratory work.
Calibration and Sample Preparation
Practice calibration, standardization, reagent preparation, pipetting, and appropriate sample-handling techniques.
Advanced Method Demonstrations
Observe demonstrations of extended, instrumental, and microbiological analytical methods.
Data Interpretation
Record results accurately and discuss how analytical information supports quality control and production decisions.
Apply Analytical Results to Production
Reliable testing allows producers to move beyond assumptions and make decisions based on measurable information.
Participants will learn how to combine multiple analytical results to evaluate cider quality, identify potential concerns, and determine when additional testing or corrective action may be necessary.
Who This Course Is For
Foundational Production Knowledge Required
Participants must meet the legal minimum drinking age in their jurisdiction and possess a basic understanding of cider production.
Familiarity with specific gravity, pH, titratable acidity, and sulfur dioxide is required.
The Foundation Certificate in Cider & Perry Production is highly recommended but is not required when the necessary knowledge can be demonstrated.
Course Format
Assessment
Participants will independently complete core analytical methods and demonstrate proper technique, accuracy, and data recording.
Instructor assessment will consider laboratory technique, safe working practices, participation, and interpretation of analytical data throughout the course.
To pass, participants must demonstrate: