In the heart of downtown Geneva, where the winter chill can dip well below freezing, there is a space that radiates a different kind of warmth. Lake Drum Brewing isn't just a cidery, a brewery, or a winery; it’s a community anchor. For this month’s Member Spotlight, we sat down with Jenna Pultinas to talk about the "living" nature of cider, the power of an open door, and why Lake Drum is "back and better than ever" for 2026.

While many tasting rooms find their homes in rolling rural orchards, Lake Drum thrives in the urban hum of downtown Geneva. This location is central to Jenna’s mission of inclusivity. "We see a different group of people coming in all the time," Jenna says. "Being downtown, we want to bring people in who might not have had access to cider before."

That commitment to the community even shows up in the glass. Jenna admits that while her "maker’s pride" might lean toward bone-dry fermentations, she’s happy to offer approachable, sweeter ciders and non-alcoholic options. Why? Because it makes people feel comfortable. It ensures there is something for everyone who walks through the door.

Jenna wears many hats; maker of wine and cider, but her heart belongs to the apple. When asked if her brewing background influences her cider making, she offered a refreshing perspective: "I have a very distinct boundary. With beer, you have a chance every time to tweak a recipe with something already dead, like grains. But I love working with a fruit that’s alive. You pick it, and you have one shot at fermenting it."

That "one-shot" philosophy is paying off. 2026 marks a massive milestone for Lake Drum: their first full crop harvest from their own orchard, which they’ve been planting in stages over the last decade. While they still source from neighboring farms to meet demand, the ability to yield their own fruit brings their "farm-to-glass" story full circle.

Looking ahead 5 to 10 years, Jenna’s goals are as innovative as her ciders. She’s currently exploring turning Lake Drum into a cooperatively owned entity. "We see a need to help the community build up their own individual brands through ours," she explains. By sharing the platform and even parts of the brand ownership, Lake Drum aims to become a true community-driven engine.

Beyond ownership, keep an eye out for Lake Drum at your next local race! Jenna is noticing a huge surge in interest from active, athletic audiences and students. Whether it’s sporting events or post-race tastings, she’s excited to prove that cider has a place in every lifestyle.

For those looking to enter the "cider-verse," Jenna’s advice is simple: Initiate, "even if you have no experience, you never know until you start asking. Take that one step; apply for the job, write the article, attend the meeting, or taste with a group. Just do one thing to start."

Jenna is just as energized as we are about Governor Hochul’s push to make New York the Nation’s Hard Cider Capital. "It’s awesome to hear," she shared. "Through all the chaos, the NYCA has maintained this goal and mission."

We are so grateful to have Jenna and the Lake Drum Brewing team in the swing of things and plugged into the NYCA community. Their dedication to local ingredients, community ownership, and the "living" craft of cider is exactly what makes New York the State of Cider.