Bill Larkin made cider at home as a hobby. He would bring samples to friends and family for parties and get-togethers.

“They would tell him how good the cider tasted and asked if they could buy some,” said his wife, Michelle Larkin. “Bill asked me, ‘why don’t we make it and sell it?’ I wasn’t sure. I was pregnant with twins. He told me I would be able to stay at home with the twins.”

They went for it.

She left her full-time job as teacher and he left his accounting position. They opened Arsenal Cider House in their house in Lawrenceville in 2010. The name came from living close to the Allegheny Arsenal in Lawrenceville, a manufacturing center during the Civil War.

“It was a leap of faith,” said Michelle Larkin. “We said a lot of prayers.”

They’ve needed those prayers opening another location, in the midst of a pandemic. The Arsenal Cider Tap House opened in Dormont on Feb. 12. It joins one at Soergel Orchards Franklin Park, where they buy most of the apples for the cider, and a seasonal store at Trax Farms in Finleyville. Also, they opened a location in Cleveland — right before the pandemic hit, in January 2020.

JoAnne Klimovich Harrop | Tribune-Review Arsenal Cider Tap House opened Feb. 12 in Dormont.  

They make 40 ciders throughout the year.

As described on its website, Arsenal Cider House and Wine Cellar is a U.S. Civil War thematic winery specializing in small-batch, hand-crafted hard apple cider, “cider style” fruit/grape wines, and mead.

It was the first cidery in Western Pennsylvania and also the first to sell wine in “beer kegs” and growlers in the state.

Before the pandemic, they sold through 500 bars and restaurants. They created ready-made drinks which they sell through beer distributors. Cider can also be ordered online.

“We are super excited to be in Dormont,” Michelle Larkin said. “We have had people pop their head in the door and tell us ‘welcome to the neighborhood.’ ”

The Dormont location is open for takeout cider and growlers, which are $20-$25. Customers get a discount on refills. There are 15 choices on tap as well as in bottles. They make a dry cider, which is less sweet. It is gluten-free and has 8.5% alcohol.

JoAnne Klimovich Harrop | Tribune-Review Selections at Arsenal Cider Tap House which opened Feb. 12 in Dormont.  

Owners want to open indoors in mid-March and serve sandwiches, salads and appetizers.

The plan is to have entertainment and utilize the rooftop deck.

Arsenal Cider House was named Grand National Champion for winning two gold medals and two silver in the 2020 U.S. Open Cider & Beverage Championships.

All the stores play off a Civil War theme with a twist, said Michelle Larkin. The taps are in the shape of rifles.

“You get a history lesson when you are here,” she said. “(Abraham) Lincoln was president so that’s why you see his portrait.”

Bill Larkin is a Bloomfield native and Michelle Larkin is from Polish Hill. They live in Wilkins with their three children.

The Dormont spot is located in a former First Commonwealth Bank, which they bought in February 2020. Bill Larkin said that, in contrast to the other Arsenal locations, it will sell other Pennsylvania products along with their cider.

“We took a risk with this, but it’s all going to work out, we believe,” Bill Larkin said. “In the next few months more people will be inoculated and ready to go out and do things.”

Arsenal Cider Tap House is located at 2905 West Liberty Ave.

Hours are 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, noon to 9 p.m. Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday.

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