By Rachel Zarrell

For some people, it can’t be fall without a steaming cup of apple cider. That’s where the 1369 Coffee House, located in Central and Inman squares, comes in.

The apple cider at the 1369 Coffee House, a neighborhood cafe that has been around for 15 years, is not an average fall brew. On websites where users critique restaurants like CitySearch and Yelp, locals have called it the best cider in the city. And Josh Gerber, general manager at the Central Square location, said he agrees.

“We have phenomenal apple cider,” Gerber said. “It’s Massachusetts grown, and we serve it in a lot of different ways.”

Those include mulled cider, which steeps various spices like cinnamon and ginger into a tea, and caramel apple cider, which is a cider filled with caramel syrup, Gerber said.

Dezie Okpoebo, a sophomore business administration major, said apple cider never fails to remind her of the autumn season.

“I think it’s a nice sweet treat for the fall,” she said. “The caramel one sounds good.”

The cider at the 1369 Coffee House, Gerber said, is pulpy, opaque and extremely flavorful, and each cup is steamed on the spot. However, Gerber warns to be wary of coffee shops that may be selling cider knock-offs.

“There are a lot of places … that serve apple juice and call it apple cider,” he said.

Gerber said what makes the 1369 Coffee House cider different is that it’s bought from a company that uses only locally grown apples.

“It’s a very thick, rich juice,” he said.

Katie Kilian, a sophomore history major, agreed that apple cider is a staple for students trying to cope with harsh weather conditions.

“It tastes good when it’s cold outside,” she said.

Beside the steaming cider, Gerber said the 1369 Coffee House also prides itself on their welcoming, hometown atmosphere.

“We are here for our community and our neighbors,” he said. “We focus a lot on