Review of Argus’ Apple Bomb, part of their ‘Fermentables’ line.  It is my first time trying this cider, but I have had their Ciderkin, Ginger Perry, and Perennial 2013.

Cider:  Apple Bomb
Cidery:  Argus Cidery
Cidery Location:  Austin TX
ABV:  6.2%
How Supplied:  multipack of 12oz cans (and draft)
Style:  American craft cider

  

Availability:  this is a newish year round release, in over 20/50 states; see here

Cider Description:  Apple Bomb is a demi-sec, or slightly sweet, full bodied cider that delivers a blast of fruit and finishes big with a tannic, fruity pucker. This is not a subtle cider, but a fresh apple explosion derived from a collection of fermentation techniques and patience. Cans and draft offerings available.

Cidery Description:  Argus Cidery was founded in 2010 in Austin, Texas, simply because the dry, effervescent ciders we liked to drink weren’t available to us. We set out to create ciders that would [hopefully] make one rethink how an American hard cider should taste. Our roots began working only with Texas apples, utilizing a medium that was often overlooked and never before used in cider available for public consumption within our great state. Those small release, large format-only days afforded us the time to figure out how to work with fruit we love and yield ciders and other fruit fermentables that are distinctly dry, bright, and, at the end of the day, excite us.

Price:  $2.83 / single can
Where Bought:  Special Brews in Lynnwood WA
Where Drank:  home
How Found:  My husband put this in my Christmas stocking!

First Impression:  Moderate yellow hue.  Moderate to high carbonation with some foam.  Smells mild, of yeast and a hint of sulfur.

Tasting Notes:  On the sweeter side of dry.  Light bodied.  Moderate tartness.  High acidity.  Low bitterness, tannins, sour, and funk.  Notes of sharp apple (crabapple?), lemon, grapefruit, mineral, yeast, and must.  Long slightly bitter finish.  Low apple flavor, sessionability, and flavor intensity.  Moderate complexity.

My Opinion:  I didn’t care for this one at all, and neither did my husband.  However, it was in line with the rest of their lineup (especially Perennial).  It was interesting that they called this demi-sec / sweet.  Maybe in relation to their very dry lineup?  To me it was on the dry end of the spectrum.  It was also way more complex than I’d expect for a canned cider, as they are typically of the more easy drinking variety.

Most Similar to:  This was like a more complex & sour/funky/bitter version of their Ciderkin.

Closing Notes:  After four of their ciders, I think I can conclude that Argus’ ciders aren’t for me.  There is nothing wrong with that, as each cider won’t be for everybody.  I would recommend their ciders for folks of truly dry, sparkling, subtle, unique ciders.  Their Ciderkin (at least when I tried it 2-3 years ago) was the most easy to drink and my favorite so far.  However, I like ciders a bit sweeter and more flavorful.  Argus has really expanded distribution since I first heard of them in 2015.

Have you tried Argus Apple Bomb?  What did you think?