Along with hopes and dreams, some of Colorado’s pioneers carried apple seeds.

There was Arthur Gypsum of Greeley, credited with an apple orchard in the early 1870s that helped the northern Front Range become known as “the fruit basket of the West.” The state was said to be one of America’s top apple producers, thanks also to William Pabor. He’s thought to be one of the first to plant apple trees in the Grand Valley, going on to establish the town of Fruita.

Today, that valley’s reputation is for peaches and grapes at the heart of an admirable wine industry. As for apples, they went by the wayside amid Colorado’s harsh climate and economic trends that shifted elsewhere.

Now the apple is back in a big, bold way.

This century has seen cider enter Colorado’s boozy mainstream.

Yes, craft beer and wine still rule. But increasingly drinkers have turned to some two dozen cideries that have sprouted around every corner of the state — pouring cool, crisp, sweet and fragrant concoctions honoring that storied fruit.

Here’s a look at some favorite makers:

• Big B’s Delicious Orchards: ”Play and explore” is the motto of Big B’s, which traces its western Colorado roots to 1973, long before the hard cider craze. The beverage is now the big draw at the 30 acres in Hotchkiss. Families eat at the cafe, pick fruit from the trees, dance to live music and crash at the campground.

• Colorado Cider Co.: It’s one of the most important names in the state industry, rising in 2011 in Denver to widely whet Colorado’s cider appetite. The company has overseen thousands of acres on the Western Slope where a bunch of apple varieties have grown — growing like the ambitions behind blends found in Lakewood and Fort Collins taprooms. Those taprooms operate in partnership with Locust Cider.

• Fenceline Cider: ”Fenceline” refers to the apples that historically grew wild along the fences of rural America thanks to birds that dropped seeds — including here along the rural outskirts of Mancos. Fenceline has created cider from those wild apples, said to be “truly one-of-a-kind, ripe with the tannins and acidity we seek.” They are enjoyed at the Mancos River-side taproom.

• Haykin Family Cider: The Aurora tasting room is bright and airy, not so unlike the bubbly ciders here that have been likened to sparkling wine. But make no mistake with grapes; Haykin is serious about bringing the best out of apples. That explains the awards that have racked up since the venue’s 2018 start.

• Stem Ciders: While brewery hopping is common in Denver’s RiNo neighborhood, friends are wise to take a detour to Stem’s corner. They are especially wise to venture to the Lafayette restaurant called Acreage. It’s the gorgeous representation of Stem’s success with ciders that have played with coffee, pear, hibiscus and more — all enjoyed with a mountain view from Acreage’s scenic hilltop.

• St. Vrain Cidery: The Longmont taproom claims to be Colorado’s largest committed to ciders, boasting 36 varieties from state crafters. What started in 2015 with a conversation about the lack of cider options around town turned into an ultimate celebration of the drink. It’s a proud place of tried-and-true concepts and experiments on the verge.

• Talbott’s Cider Co.: A farming family doesn’t survive six generations without adapting to the times. The sixth generation, of course, has added cider to the vast array of products raised here in Palisade. The menu recently showed a green chili-inspired cider. And, yes, of course there’s a Palisade peach cider.

• Wild Cider: Where the apple once reigned in northern Colorado, it is now the star of a “cider garden.” Firestone patrons gather in this land-and-sky space for truly wild takes on cider. Seasonal varieties have mixed in orange cranberry, mango, spiced apple pie and lemon basil.