Review of Rambling Route Yakima Cider, made by Tieton Cider Works.  This is their lower end canned cider (vs. their bottled ciders).

Cider:  Yakima Cider
Cidery:  Rambling Route (Tieton Cider Works)
Cidery Location:  Yakima WA
ABV:  6.9%
How Supplied:  16oz tallboy can (four pack)

 

Availability:  Semi-wide (19/50 states), year round

Cider Description:  The apple’s journey to America was parallel to man’s. The boat landed and the exploration began: in this vast new land the choices for thriving were endless. Some were happy to live on the coast where they landed, spreading out and staying diverse. Others were content to live amongst a few or be a solo tree in a town square. A few made it halfway across the land and settled in. The fearless joined the westward migration on horses and wagons, traveling thousands of miles looking for the perfect dirt, long sunny days and ample water. When it reached the land that would be called Washington, the apple knew. It was home at the end of a Rambling Route.

For those that appreciate the bold, crisp flavor of biting into a Washington grown apple, your quest for the perfect apple cider ends with Rambling Route. We grow and press only fresh apples from our family farm and carefully blend under the roof of our own cidery located in the heart of the Yakima Valley. Expect pineapple aromas and mineral qualities on the nose, snappy and racy acid levels on the palate, coupled by a deep full-bodied finish. No additives, no concentrates, or preservatives – ever!

Additional Info from Rambling Route:  We use a variety of bitter sharp and bitter sweets apples in our Ciders.  Along with some dessert varietals.  We launched our can division on April 1st which is the Rambling Route brand.  We will be launching Rambling Route in early 2016 with kegs.

Price:  ~$2.50 for a single can (runs $8-9 for a four pack in my area)
Where Bought:  Total Wine
Where Drank:  home
How Found:  Browsing.  Since then, I’ve seen it promoted quite a bit.

First Impression:  Mild dry acidic crisp apple scent.  Little carbonation upon pouring, but tiny bubbles.  Light straw gold hue.

Opinion:  On the drier side of semi-dry.  Moderate to high acidity.  Mild tartness, bitterness, and astringency.  Citrus notes.  I noticed the slightest bit of tannic cider apple taste, but it left me wanting more.  Rather bland and watered down tasting.  Light bodied.  Longer finish with an odd almost soapy aftertaste (which I read can be a sign of stressed yeast).  I liked that it wasn’t too bitter, which I’ve often found with drier ciders.  I don’t agree with their description that it is bold or full-bodied.  It is however a crisp and easy drinking cider.  Well balanced, but I found it boring and unimpressive.

Most Similar to:  Other drier light bodied PNW flagship ciders such as HUB Hard Cider, Red Tank Happy Cider, 2 Towns Bright Cider, Seattle Cider Semi-Sweet, and Anthem Cider.

Closing Notes:   I commend Tieton for making an affordable craft cider (relatively small batch, made from fresh pressed juice, nothing artificial added, etc), and one that isn’t too sweet either.  However, it just isn’t to my liking.  I think if it was higher carbonation and had a richer flavor, they would be on to something I’d enjoy.  I’m still in search for an everyday drinking craft cider which is affordable (which usually means it comes in a multi-pack).  The cider folks I’ve talked to seem to either love or hate this cider.  I’m sorta ambivalent.

Have you tried Rambling Route Yakima Cider?  What did you think?