It’s about the ‘Little Red Cider Mill’ of Berlin Heights and includes some interesting history. As the article notes, “The quaint group of farm buildings, home and mill nestling in a hollow on Mason and Berlin Roads, was built in 1818 by P. B. Hine, one of the area’s original settlers. Purchased by Adam W. Hast in 1896, the mill has been in operation by the Hast Family ever since.
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| Portion of an 1874 Berlin Township Map showing the Hine properties |
“A native of Germany, Hast lived briefly along the lake before settling in Berlin Heights. He raised nine children, all of whom helped during cider making time. One of Adam’s sons, Fred, stayed on. His son, Fred Jr., and nephew, Harold, now run the mill and carry on the tradition of making good “old fashion” cider.”
The article noted that the cider was pure apple juice, with no sodium benzoate or preservatives. It also points out that the main business at that location was dairy farming, with the cider mill operation taking place in the fall.
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| Some of the buildings near the intersection of Mason and Berlin Roads today |
5 comments:
I grew up in Berlin Heights and fondly remember going to Hast's for fresh cider every Fall. I can still remember the delicious, complex taste of it. Nothing you can buy today even comes close...it all tastes like little more than one-dimensional apple juice with all the flavor pasteurized out of it. :(
Ahhh, cider in gallon glass jugs from Speigelberg Orchards, sold by "the Farmer",who sold fruits and vegetables from his old pickup truck.
Nothing like it.
Rex Lee's (near vermilion rd & 113 intersection) use to sell apple cider that wasn't pasteurized. Agree - the taste was much more complex... and changed depending on the apples used.
Dan your picture in this blog missed the mill by about 500ft. It was on the South West side of Berlin Rd and Mason Rd. You can see it on Google maps.. Bill N
Thanks, Bill!
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