Review of Red Tank’s Roughneck.  Its my second time trying it (I previously tried it on draft; see here), and I’ve also tried their Happy Cider, Yukon Cornelius, Sour Cherry, Tropical, and Pear Bear.

Cider:  Roughneck
Cidery:  Red Tank
Cidery Location:  Bend Oregon
ABV:  6.5%
How Supplied:  four pack of 16oz cans (and draft)
Style:  American craft cider from dessert apples

  

Availability:  Year round in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and Northern California

Cider Description:  A powerfully complex cider blending all elements into each storied sip. Hints of yeast, earthy sour notes and an almost dry profile keep you wanting more.Our Roughneck Cider is for the hard working people of the NW who know that you can’t have the “sweet” without the “dry”. This is serious cider for a good time.

Cidery Description:  Born from years of industry experience, Red Tank Cider creates real North West hard cider. We make cider because we have a serious, uncontrollable passion for it. We won’t stop. It’s not supposed to be easy. That’s why it tastes so good. We practice sustainable techniques in our cider house. We use only apples, yeast and natural sulfites to make our cider. We do not put in any chemical additives and present our craft in its natural form.

They have a tasting room in Bend Oregon.

Price:  ~$2.50 / single can
Where Bought:  Special Brews in Lynnwood WA
Where Drank:  home
How Found:  Browsing.

First Impression:  Medium straw yellow hue.  Nearly still (very low carbonation).  Smells like acidic apple juice.

Tasting Notes:  Semi-dry.  Light bodied.  Moderate tartness.  High acidity.  Hints of bitterness and tannins.  No sourness or funk.  Notes of apple juice, green apple, and a hint of floral.  Moderate length finish.  Moderate apple flavor.  High sessionability.  Low to moderate flavor intensity.  Low complexity.

My Opinion:  This is a typical flagship apple-forward semi-dry cider.  I thought it was rather average.

Most Similar to:  2 Towns Bright Cider, Seattle Cider Semi-Sweet, Rambling Route Yakima Cider, Portland Cider Kinda Dry, and Zeffer Crisp Apple.

Closing Notes:   I think I prefer their Happy Cider; it seemed more flavorful and complex (also, slightly sweeter).

Have you tried Red Tank Roughneck?  What did you think?