Berlin Heights Cider Mill – Dec. 2, 1971

Although it seems like we're well into the Christmas season, technically it’s still fall. So I’ll just squeeze in this story about a cider mill from the pages of the December 2, 1971 Journal.

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.

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.

Some of the buildings near the intersection of Mason and Berlin Roads today

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UPDATE

Here’s a recent view of what I now understand was the Hast cider mill, located on the southwest corner of the intersection of Mason and Berlin Roads (see comments).