Henry Hotspur’s Hard Pressed for Cider

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Review of Henry Hotspur’s Hard Pressed for Cider, only available at Trader Joe’s.

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Cider:  Henry Hotspur’s Hard Pressed for Cider
Cidery:  Hard Pressed Cider Company, which according to some Googling may be part of Gordon Biersch Brewing
Cidery Location:  San Jose CA
ABV:  5.8%
How Supplied:  22oz (650ml) bottle

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Availability:  wide release, year round, only at Trader Joe’s

Cider Description:  Made from fresh pressed apples from the Pacific Northwest, Hard Pressed Cider company has a refreshing take on cider. Fresh pressed apple juice is fermented with brewing yeast and the resulting cider is slightly sweetened by adding back unfermented apple juice. That’s it. The finished cider is clean, crisp and delightfully enjoyable.

Cidery Description:  None found.  Have any information on them?  Contact me so I can add it.

Price:  $2.49
Where Bought:  Trader Joe’s
Where Drank:  home
How Found:  Browsing.  I had tried this awhile back and decided to revisit it.

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First Impression:  Light straw yellow.  Light carbonation.  Foam ring.  Light clean apple scent, slightly yeasty.

Opinion:  On the sweeter side of semi-dry.  Low acidity and tartness.  No bitterness.  Slight generic apple juice flavor.  Its definitely an easy drinking & refreshing cider variety.  Not too many identifiable flavor notes.  It could use more flavor (its a bit on the watery side).  However, I’ve definitely paid much more for cider I liked much less.  I commend them for not using any concentrates or additives, which is unheard of at this price point.  This cider per ounce would be equal to an $8.18 price point for a six pack of 12oz bottles, which is quite in line with commercial ciders.

Most Similar to:  Other light easy drinking flagship ciders.

Closing Notes:  This is a solid cider selection, especially for the cost.  I’d consider getting it again.  I’ve particularly been looking for an easy drinking affordable craft cider which is to my liking, as I can’t always drink the good stuff.  However, I think in this case I’d spend a bit more and get the Dan Armor Cuvée Spéciale Cidre Brut ($4.99 for a 750ml, French import) from Trader Joe’s, which I find truly impressive.  Its literally on my list of top ciders, along with a lot of ciders in the $10-$20 / bottle range.  If I didn’t like variety / trying new ciders, I’d pick up a case of that and call it done.

Have you tried Henry Hotspur’s Hard Pressed for Cider?  What did you think?

6 thoughts on “Henry Hotspur’s Hard Pressed for Cider”

  1. We really like Henry Hotspurs Hard Cider. We only would like to see it bottled in the 22oz size instead of the six pack that Trader Joes is carrying. They say that you have stopped the production of the bigger size.

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    • Sorry to hear they don’t make it in the size you like; I too have only spotted it in six packs lately at TJs. Note I am in no way associated with the cidery, I just review ciders here. I’d contact TJs or the cider manufacturer to give your comment.

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