Review of Possmann’s Frankfurter Applewine. Its the second time I’ve had German cider; the first was Possmann’s Pure Cider.
Cider: Frankfurter Applewine
Cidery: Possmann
Cidery Location: Frankfurt Germany
ABV: 5.5%
How Supplied: 1 liter twist top bottles
Style: commercial German Applewine (Apfelwein)
Availability: wide release (see here)
Cider Description: Possmanns flagship product that has made the company the most recognized apple wine producer in Germany. The Frankfurter Apple Wine is a crisp, clear wine with the distinct harmony of a tart wine with the fruit flavor of the apple. Fully fermented with 5.5% alcohol by volume, the apple wine contains no additives. It is extremely low on sugar, (recommended for diabetics), as well as very low on calories. With the natural fruit acids, the wine is very soothing and enhances digestion.
Cidery Description: For over 125 years, the Possmann family has made traditional German apple wine and apple juice in the manner first handed down by Phillipp Possmann in 1881. Today, Possmann holds true to a spirit of Old World craftsmanship and a dedication to quality.
Price: $12.50
Where Bought: Full Throttle Bottles in Seattle WA
Where Drank: home
How Found: Browsing
First Impression: Light amber. Still (no carbonation). Smells of apple juice, yeast, and must.
Tasting Notes: Semi-dry. Light to medium bodied. Flat tasting. Low tartness. Moderate acidity. Low bitterness. Hints of tannins and funk. No sourness. Notes of apple juice, yeast, honey, orange, and must. Low complexity. Low to moderate flavor complexity. Moderate apple flavor. High sessionability.
My Opinion: I thought this was average. Easy to drink, but not impressive. I think some carbonation would have helped, but in general, I just like more flavor. I did however like it better than their Pure Cider, which I found to have fake overly appley flavor. This cider appears to be more natural than the Pure Cider.
Most Similar to: Commercial light English cider (except with less tannins) and French cider (due to the yeast-forward flavor, except with less richness).
Closing Notes: I’d be curious to get my hands on some higher quality / craft German Apfelwein, but I don’t remember seeing anything else locally.
Have you tried German Applewine? What did you think?
Cider Says 
I’m on the hunt for apfelwein here in Seattle and came across your post. I’m excited to know that it can be found!
Thought I should mention that in Germany, they drink it mixed with a bit of sparkling mineral water to add some fizz. Or, and I never tried this, mixed with lemonade for tartness.
Looks like I will be heading to Full Throttle soon!
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HI! Thanks for reading. Just a heads up – as far as I know, Full Throttle Bottles is closed for renovations (they are remodeling and adding a draft setup). However, I’ve seen a handful of apfelwein choices (although not this particular one) semi recently at each of Capitol Cider (in Capitol Hill) and the Schilling Cider House (in Fremont).
Capitol Cider is mostly a (gluten free) restaurant and bar with a large bottle list, but you can go up to the bar if you want to just get bottles (its 25% off the listed prices to take them to-go). Schilling Cider House is a bar (no food, but you can bring it in) with 32 ciders on tap and hundreds of bottled selections in fridge cases so you can browse and have them pre-chilled (plus there is no markup to buy and drink a bottle there).
My other favorite local places to buy cider are Total Wine, Whole Foods, and Special Brews (in Lynnwood/Everett). Its very cool to have a local reader – let me know what you find!
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Thanks for the heads up on the closure. I love both Capitol Cider (especially as a celiac) and Schilling, although I don’t make it to either that often. I’ve never heard of Special Brews, I’ll definitely check it out when I’m up north.
I have to throw in a recommendation for my favorite bottle shop, Beer Junction in West Seattle. They have an ever-expanding selection of bottled ciders and a few on tap. I’m glad I found your blog. Keep up the good work!
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