Review of Flatbed Cider’s Pear Cider.  They are a new cidery (launched in January) which currently offers Crisp Apple and Pear Cider varieties.

 

Cider:  Pear Cider
Cidery:  Flatbed Cider (owned by Ste. Michelle Wine Estates)
Cidery Location:  Milton-Freewater OR (made by Blue Mountain)
ABV:  6.5%
How Supplied:  six pack of 12oz bottles
Style:  American craft cider
Ingredients:  hard apple cider, pear juice concentrate, apple juice concentrate, sulfites

  

Availability:  OR and WA

Cider Description:  A whole lot of passion goes into crafting Flatbed Pear Cider. Northwest-grown pears deliver a burst of crisp, sparkling refreshment with a clean finish. Naturally sweeter than its Crisp Apple cousin (but not too sweet), Flatbed Pear Cider is the perfect choice for taming spicy foods and classing up a donut.

(the pear juice concentrate addition is from Bartlett pears)

Cidery Description:  The Northwest stokes our passion to create exceptional ciders. And, since the best apples in America, arguably the world, come from the Northwest, it makes sense that it carries our local stamp. Flatbed Ciders are made with local apples picked at their peak and pressed into a mixture that’s equal parts crisp and refreshing. A cider that’s truly Northwest of normal. No artificial ingredients, no sugar added, no shenanigans. Flannel up and enjoy!

Price:  $9.99-$10.99 (although I bought a single bottles for $2)
Where Bought:  Total Wine
Where Drank:  home
How Found:  I read about Flatbed Cider online and have already seen them at a number stores, but waited until I could buy a single bottle of each variety.

First Impression:  Dark straw yellow.  Low carbonation, medium bubbles.  Smells like apple, pear, tropical fruit, and champagne yeast.

Tasting Notes:  Semi-sweet.  Low acidity and tartness.  No bitterness, sourness, funk, or tannins.  Medium bodied.  Notes of apple, pear, citrus, tropical fruit, and honey.  Quick finish.  Moderate apple flavor and full flavored in general.  High sessionability.

My Opinion:  I thought this was pretty average.  Its a bit sweet and the flavor is kinda on the pear juice and syrupy side.

Most Similar to:  Other semi-sweet pear ciders (apple cider with pear juice or pear juice concentrate added) such as Crispin Pacific Pear, Spire Mountain Sparkling Pear, and Woodchuck Pear.

Closing Notes:   I liked Flatbed’s Crisp Apple variety better.  This was a bit more ordinary and commercial tasting.

Have you tried Flatbed Cider?  What did you think?