Alchemy Is Brewing Sorcery-Inspired Ciders Out Its Gothic Cidery

There’s a new player in the local cider scene. Alchemy Cider has opened in the Buckman neighborhood, bringing a dark magic, metal-inspired aesthetic to the former Brewery 26 space. The taproom, which seats up to 50, is dark and moody, decorated with pointed arches, vintage church pews, sconces, and hooded figures—though for sunny days, there’s also a patio. 

“I’ve been playing in heavy metal bands and punk bands since I was 15, so certainly musically and artistically, I’ve always leaned into darker undertones,” says Alchemy owner Kirk Evans. “A lot of cider brands tend to have a bubbly personality—and this is definitely the opposite end of that spectrum.”

Alchemy Cider currently offers a lineup of five flagship ciders, including a strawberry hibiscus yuzu number, a blackberry lemon verbena brew, a tropical pineapple-passionfruit-key lime cider, and dry and semi-dry offerings. A peach and green cardamom cider is set to be launched soon.

The bar offers around 30 taps, including small-batch Alchemy ciders that might feature a single variety of heirloom apples, or utilize unusual techniques like spontaneous fermentation. There are also guest ciders from the likes of Portland-based Stray Cider, Bauman’s Cider, and Sauvie Island’s Peak Light. There are currently seven beers on offer from the likes of Pfriem, Grand Fir, and Living Haus, and wine from a couple local wineries including Maloof and Timothy Malone. Canned cocktails from Portland’s Straightaway Cocktails are also on offer, though a few local distiller collaborations are in the works.

Alchemy is the latest addition to a thriving cider scene in Portland which has seen the opening of other cider taprooms in the past few years, including fellow Portland-based cidery Bauman’s on Oak, Seattle-based Schilling Cider on SE Division, and Salem-based La Familia Cider on SE Hawthorne.

Bobby Naughton, a former lead cidermaker at Seattle Cider Company, is the main man behind the apple alchemy. He met Evans while the two worked at Bauman’s Cider—Naughton as production manager and Evans in marketing—in nearby Southeast Portland. Evans has worked in many aspects of the beverage industry, including brewing, branding, and cidermaking at 19 Acres in Sherwood. 

Alchemy’s space spans 2,800 square feet, with the capacity to produce up to 490 barrels per month. Evans hopes to launch Alchemy’s flagship ciders in cans in local stores like Market of Choice and New Seasons by the beginning of 2026. For now, his attention is on his newly opened cidery, which currently offers freshly grilled sausages from Southeast Portland’s Edelweiss with plans to host a to-be-announced food cart. Down the line, Evans also hopes to host events like comedy nights and live music.

Alchemy Cider, 818 SE Ankeny, instagram.com/alchemycider