Wassailing Weekend

Wassail, the traditional cider-based holiday drink, will be the center of the Mill's Tasting Room during the Holidays.

The Earliest reports of wassail date back to the 1300s.  The drink, steeped in tradition and legend, is Old English.  Originating from the words “Waes hael,” meaning “good health,” sharing a pot of holiday wassail was a community event.  Before savoring the wassail, neighbors shouted “Waes hael,” then gulped the drink and shouted again, “Drink hael” before passing the bowl to the next eager participant.

Carolers carried bowls of hot wassail from house to house during the holidays to wish good health and much luck to friends in the coming year.  After indulging, neighbors would refill the bowl from their own simmering pot of wassail.  The carolers then continued on the paths to give cheer and good tidings to other villagers.

It is this celebration of friends and community that inspired the owners of the Fly Creek Cider Mill to host an annual wassail event.  “I think wassailing weekends is another great use for our award-winning cider, bringing back traditions from the past during a hectic holiday season,” states Mill owner, Bill Michaels.

At the Fly Creek Cider Mill visitors can learn how to prepare wassail using award-winning Fly Creek Cider Mill Cider many different ways.  Spices are available to ensure that your wassail will be the toast of the party.  By-the-glass drinks featuring wassail will on the tasting room menu. 

The Mill's 2023 season runs through December 17.