Review of Sietsema’s Traditional Dry Hard Cider, from Michigan.  Its the first time I’ve tried their cider.

Cider:  Traditional Dry Hard Cider
Cidery:  Sietsema
Cidery Location:  Ada Michigan
ABV:  8.5%
How Supplied:  750ml bottles (and cans)
Style:  American farmhouse-style craft cider made from heirloom apples, fermented with champagne yeast

 

Availability:  Only in Michigan

Cider Description:  Our take on the traditional American cider. We use champagne yeast to give our Yellow Label a carbonated kick, resulting in a full-bodied beverage that is dry, tart and just a little sweet.

Cidery Description:  Before founding Sietsema Orchard & Cider Mill on the ourskirts of Grand Rapids Michigan, Jerry Sietsema Sr. was in real estate. The year was 1934, and the Country and the state of Michigan was in the middle of the Great Depression. Jerry Sietsema Sr., decided to go out on a limb and start his own family farm and orchard where once was the countryside of Grand Rapids Michigan. He purchased some land at Knapp and the East Beltline. The land and homestead once owned by a minister and his wife, which where part of the Underground Rail Road. He knew the land would be great for planting an orchard on. It was located far enough out of town, and high enough elevation to help prevent the apple blossoms from freezing in the late spring.

Jerry Sietsema Sr. operated his orchard and family farm from the Grand Rapids location from 1934 to 1995. After that time Sietsema Orchards moved to 8540 2 Mile Road in Ada Michigan, where it resides today. Although the farm was fully operational and proving to be a success, the goods produced were sold on mainly a wholesale level to a Grand Rapids area packing house. Beginning in, 2010, we decided to expand our business and our dream. This is where the 3rd, 4th, and 5th generation of Sietsema Orchards & Cider Mill hope to thrive and grow. We are committed to providing quality produce, and by opening our doors to the public, providing a family farm experience that we hope you enjoy here in West Michigan.

Price:  n/a (tetails for &12.99; a friend brought this to a cider tasting dinner)
Where Bought:  n/a (she got it from a trade from Michigan)
Where Drank:  home
How Found:  n/a

First Impression:  Hazy light straw yellow.  Low carbonation with foam.  Smells sour, of citrus.

Tasting Notes:  Dry.  Light bodied with a frothy texture.  Low tartness.  High acidity.  Moderate sourness.  Mild funk.  No bitterness or tannins.  Notes of lemon, grapefruit, and yeast.  Moderate length finish.  Low apple flavor, sessionability, flavor intensity, and complexity.

My Opinion:  I didn’t really care for this, as I don’t like sourness and funk.  My friends who enjoy this style of cider better than I do thought it was average, a bit too mild.

Most Similar to:  Farmhouse-style cider, or lighter version of Spanish Sidra.  This had a similar profile to Angry Orchard Walden Hollow and Millstone Cellars Farmgate Dry.

Closing Notes:   It was nice to try this cider, but I’m glad it wasn’t something I bought. It would pair very well with food as its so mild.

Have you tried Sietsema Traditional Dry Hard Cider?  What did you think?