Review of Oregon Mead & Cider Company’s Free Press Hopped Cider.  It is my first time trying this cider, although I tried their Dry variety the night before.

Cider:  Free Press Hopped Cider
Cidery:  Oregon Mead & Cider Company
Cidery Location:  Portland Oregon
ABV:  6.5%
How Supplied:  500ml bottles
Style:  American craft cider, with hops

 

Availability:  Georgia, Illinois, Minnesota, Oregon, Washington, and Wisconsin

Cider Description:  Hard Cider Made Easy. Our ciders were born from the bounty of the Northwest and the pioneering spirit of our grandparents. A perfect balance of dry and tart, our ciders are made by the people, for the people. Press on.

Cidery Description:  Oregon Mead & Cider Co. creates award-winning, dry, sparkling meads and ciders from premium Northwest ingredients. All of our beverages are gluten-free, unfiltered, and completely dry. Oh, and we never use sulfites. Ever.

They have a tasting room in Portland (see here).

Price:  $6.99
Where Bought:  The Cave in Kirkland WA
Where Drank:  home
How Found:  Browsing.  It was my first time seeing anything from this brand, although I had heard of them.

First Impression:  Light amber hue.  Moderate carbonation with a large amount of foam.  Smells apple-forward, of hops with a hint of peach.

Tasting Notes:  Semi-dry.  Light bodied with a frothy texture.  Low tartness.  Moderate acidity.  Moderate bitterness.  Low tannins.  No sourness or bitterness.  Notes of hops, lemon, grapefruit, yeast, and a hint of floral & honey.  Moderate length finish.  Low to moderate flavor intensity and complexity.  Low apple flavor.  Moderate sessionability.

My Opinion:  I liked the level of carbonation, the frothy texture, and the flavor profile.  However, the bitterness was a bit much for me.  Like the Dry, it seemed a bit beer-like.

Most Similar to:  Double Mountain Jumpin Jack Heirloom Cider and Oregon Mead & Cider Company’s Free Press Dry Cider

Closing Notes:  I liked this much better than their Dry cider, which I though had a strange flavor profile.

Have you tried Oregon Mead & Cider Company’s Free Press Hopped Cider?  What did you think?