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The New Face of Ragged and Right Cider Project

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Whatever you do and whatever you make, according to Ragged and Right’s head cider maker Jacob Mitchell, it’s all about “finding the perfect balance”.

Starting in 2017 as an offshoot of Farmstrong Brewing, Ragged and Right Cider project (RRCP) started as a passion project. Eventually, the increased demands of beer expansion reduced the brand to limited flavors exclusively available inside the Mount Vernon taproom. Three months ago Farmstrong Brewing hired on Jacob Mitchell to not only assist in the brewery but to also take over, reimagine, and revitalize the Ragged and Right Cider Project.

Jacob Mitchell, Ragged and Right’s Head Cider Maker

Jacob’s passion for hard cider started at home, crafting small batches and sharing his varietals with family and friends. He later honed his skill at the Peter Mitchell Cider School at OSU and continued refining over his time at Eaglemount Cidery in Port Townsend. He then transitioned to Elemental in Woodinville as their head cider maker before finding his new home in the Skagit Valley to continue his nearly decade-long career in the industry.

“I love this area”, Jacob beams, “watching all the fertile farmland transition from nothing to a massive bounty every year is incredible.” When he and his girlfriend aren’t renovating their Airstream you can find them hiking their favorite ranges or fishing for Steelhead in the Skagit. His love of the valley went hand in hand with Farmstrong and Ragged and Right Cider Project’s dedication to sourcing locally whenever possible. Jacob was especially pleased to find that RRCP’s juice was not only from WA apples but was also fresh-pressed at Cedardale Orchards down the road.

“I love avoiding concentrate if I can. Fresh pressing retains so much more of the color, flavor, and tannins”. Jacob is also adamant about not adding sugar and back sweetening with only the highest quality flavors. His first creation for Ragged and Right was a mix of sweet tango apples and blackberry, cleverly named Blackberry Tango, that is already a smash hit at Farmstrong and select taprooms in the region.

Jacob’s First Creation: Blackberry Tango

Jacob is very excited to continue experimenting and already has plans for an apricot, bow hill blueberry, bourbon peach, and countless others. The thing he looks forward to the most is securing and experimenting with new and interesting apple varietal combinations, looking for the perfect blend that’s perfectly tangy, sweet, and acidic.

As Jacob continues his quest, we know that his addition to Ragged and Right was the perfect balance the project needed.

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Farmstrong Brewing Now Using 100% Skagit Valley Malt

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News Release

Three years ago, Farmstrong Brewing opened its doors in Mount Vernon, WA. Within that time we’ve seen amazing growth, both in the industry we love and the place we call home. The Skagit Valley is home to not only some of the country’s most fertile farmland but also to an incredible community. Our focus has always remained on showcasing our county’s bounty and using as many local ingredients as possible. For years we’ve strived to create “truly local” beer, and while most of our creations could hold that title, we were unable to bring our two flagships under that banner…until now.

As of March 1st, 2019, all our beer is now made from local grain. We’ve spent the last year working hand-in-hand with local farmers and maltsters to transfer the entirety of our recipes to 100% Skagit Valley Malt. Every glass of Farmstrong beer now comes from grain that was grown, malted and brewed within a 10-mile radius. This “estate brewing” aspect allows us to do something incredibly unique in the beer industry: showcase the terroir of our land. Crafting award-winning beer while remaining agriculturally-independent is no longer a dream, but a reality.

Head brewer Thane Tupper has spent months reworking our recipes over to Skagit Valley Malting. Using expertise gained from years brewing at Mac & Jack’s, Elysian, and most recently, Pfriem, Thane has made sure to keep our classics tasting identical to what our fans have come to expect.

“It’s been a lot of work but it was worth it,” says Thane. “As a brewer, I’m excited for new challenges and this one was very important to me and the rest of the team.”

When Thane joined the team back in 2017, Farmstrong already had a growing reputation in the industry with two Washington staples under their belt: Cold Beer Pilsner and La Raza Ambar. These two beers were their best-selling by a large margin but were also the only ones not utilizing local malts. When we canned and released Valley Gold it was Farmstrong’s first canned beer to brandish the “Grown Here. Malted Here. Brewed Here” slogan, and at that time a decision was made to ensure that that mantra encapsulated all of our beer.

So, the next time you taste a Farmstrong beer, know that it’s the freshest, most “truly local” beer we can brew. We’re proud of that, and we hope you are, too.

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Skagit Valley Malting Showcase – 2018

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Have you experienced the Fresh Hop Festival? The Skagit Valley Malting Showcase takes beer tasting to the next level! The goal of this event is to showcase the grains that are growing here in the Skagit Valley as well as the amazing things going on with Skagit Valley Malting right here in our backyard.

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