Review of Snow Capped JalaPEARno, a perry (from only pears, no apples) infused with jalapenos.  It is my first time trying this, but I’ve had their Gold Rush, Colorado Peach, Sour Cherry, Plum Lemongrass, and 6130′ Dry.

<This is a review of a sample can provided to Cider Says by Snow Capped.  Although I will take care to treat it the same as any other review, there is always the potential for bias as I received this for free.  The only consideration I knowingly made was pushing this up in my cider review que, considering it is a new release and the info may be helpful for folks deciding to purchase it.  I love free stuff, especially cider!  Want your cider or cider-related product reviewed here?  Contact me.>

Cider:  JalaPEARno
Cidery:  Snow Capped
Cidery Location:  Austin CO
ABV:  6.9%
How Supplied:  12oz cans (and kegs)
Style:  American craft canned perry (only pears, no apples) infused with jalapenos

Availability:  in Colorado (check out their cider finder), plus online sales

Cider Description:  Golden hue, with a fresh fruit nose, balanced by a notable Jalapeño infusion and pear sweetness. soft smooth finish.

Cidery Description:  We craft our ciders using stone fruit, heritage and cider specific apples grown in our 6,130 ft. elevation Colorado orchards.  At the core of our ciders is a long history in fruit growing.  For over a century and five generations our family has respected and developed the land entrusted to us. Today we are one of the largest apple producers in Colorado Growing fruit is both a passion and a privilege.  Through generations we have succeeded in a high elevation environment, this is one of the most labor intensive, riskiest and extreme environments to grow apples, with fewer successful outcomes.

Price:  ~ $10.49 / four cans
Where Bought:  N/A
Where Drank:  home
How Found:  it showed up

First Impression:  Hazy lemonade-like hue.  Low visible carbonation.  Spicy scent.

Tasting Notes:  Semi-dry.  Light bodied.  Moderate tartness & acidity.  Hints of bitterness.  No sourness, funk, or tannins.  Moderate level of spiciness for me (low to average tolerance), but very low for my husband (super high tolerance).  Notes of jalapeno (both spice & flavor) with a bit of pear.  Moderate overall flavor intensity.  Low pear flavor, sessionability, and complexity.

My Opinion:  I wasn’t a fan, but I’ve never liked any spicy drink, so it wasn’t anything specific to this cider.  My husband however was a fan, and was happy I didn’t like it, as it meant more for him.  He actually liked that it had the flavor from the jalapenos, not just the heat.  Also, I asked him, and he said its something he’d drink a full can/pint of once in awhile, ie. more than a novelty, but not an everyday type of cider either.

Most Similar to:  Nothing much.  I think I’ve only had 1 cider with jalapeno, but it also had lime and cilantro, so it was a different flavor profile.  I’ve also had spicy ciders with sriracha and chili peppers and such too.

Closing Notes:  This was my last sample from Snow Capped.  My favorite was definitely the Gold Rush.

Have you tried Snow Capped Cider?  What did you think?