Long Drop Vanilla Honey

July 25, 2016July 22, 2016 cidersays Longdrop, review cider, cider review, cider tasting, hard cider, honey, Idaho, Long Drop, Longdrop, vanilla, Vanilla Honey

Review of Long Drop’s Vanilla Honey cider, from near Boise Idaho. I tried this cider awhile back (see here), and thought I’d give it a full review. I’ve also tried their Tanager Pear Cider, Derby Canyon, Semi-Sweet, and Electric Cherry.

Cider: Vanilla Honey
Cidery: Long Drop Cider Co.
Cidery Location: Eagle ID
ABV: 6.0%
How Supplied: four pack of 12oz cans
Style: American craft cider with Madagascar Vanilla beans and Idaho honey

Availability: throughout Idaho, and in Seattle WA & Portland OR

Cider Description: none given, but it has Madagascar Vanilla beans and local Idaho honey

Apple Varieties: Fuji, Gala, Golden Delicious, Red Delicious, Granny Smith

Cidery Description: We do cider right. We start with the best apples in the world – 100% Northwest grown fruit. We ferment the fruit with only the most carefully selected yeast strains preserved since prohibition, each designed to retain classic apple flavors and aromas. And then we skillfully blend our handcrafted ciders together into unique offerings. No high fructose corn syrup. No phony flavors, or colors. Just the best apples from on high, the ones that make the long drop.

Price: $2.50 / single can
Where Bought: Full Throttle Bottles in Seattle WA
Where Drank: home
How Found: This is the first time I’ve seen single cans since trying it at the Schilling Cider House (see here).

First Impression: Hazy dark straw yellow hue. Nearly still. Smells mild, of apple juice and honeycomb.

Tasting Notes: Semi-sweet. Medium bodied. Low tartness and acidity. No bitterness, sourness, funk, or tannins. Notes of honeycrisp & green apples, honeycomb, honey, and hints of vanilla. Quick finish. Moderate to high apple flavor. High sessionability. Low complexity. Moderate flavor intensity.

My Opinion: I’m a big fan of honey, and especially enjoyed the honeycomb flavor of this cider. Its easy to drink, tasty, and not too sweet.

Most Similar to: Finnriver Honey Meadow; it also has the awesome honeycomb notes.

Closing Notes: I’m usually not a fan of sessionable cider, but I find this one keeps my interest. Its my favorite from them so far.

Have you tried Longdrop Vanilla Honey? What did you think?

Rocquette XC Exceptional Cider

July 21, 2016July 21, 2016 cidersays review, Rocquette Channel Islands, cider, cider review, cider tasting, English Cider, Exceptional Cider, hard cider, Rocquette, UK cider

Review of Rocquette’s XC Exceptional Cider, from the Channel Islands in the UK. Its the first time I’ve tried their cider, although I’m a fan of English cider.

Cider: XC Exceptional Cider
Cidery: Rocquette
Cidery Location: Guernsey, Channel Islands, UK
ABV: 4.5%
How Supplied: clear glass 11.2oz bottles
Style: English cider made from cider apple varieties

Availability: Mostly in the UK, but at least some U.S.A. availability (through Half Pint Ciders).

Cider Description: XC – Exceptional Rocquette Cider has been crafted from specially selected apples to produce a lighter, more refreshing drink.

Apple Varieties: Dabinett, Michelin, Tom Putt, Angela, Helene, Amanda, Three Counties, Bramleys, Red Falstaff, and 10% community gathered apples in Guernsey.

Cidery Description: Nestled in the Fauxquets Valley in the heart of Guernsey countryside and with distant views of the English Channel, the Meller family farm has become established as the home of Rocquette Cider.

To produce a quality, local cider has always been our dream. From planting the seed to creating a finished packaged product, which competes on an international stage, we are committed to continuing the long established cider heritage of Guernsey.

We are proud of our sustainable approach to cider making and passionate about our brands. We hope that you become immersed in this as you explore our site.

Price: $4 / single bottle
Where Bought: Schilling Cider House in Seattle WA
Where Drank: home
How Found: Browsing

First Impression: Deep caramel amber hue (lovely!). Nearly still. Smells rich, of bittersweet apples, caramel, and tannins.

Tasting Notes: Semi-dry to semi-sweet. Medium bodied. Low tartness and acidity. Low to moderate bitterness and tannins. No sourness or funk. Notes of bittersweet apples, caramel, brown sugar, coffee, apple pomace, and orange. Moderate apple flavor, sessionability, flavor intensity, and complexity. Moderate to long finish.

My Opinion: I really enjoyed this cider; the flavor was unique. However, its not one of my favorite English ciders (which so far is Aspall Imperial, black label).

Most Similar to: Other English ciders from bittersweet apples. It also reminds me some of Locust Bittersweet Reserve, which on draft had some similar coffee and orange notes (although more body, sweetness, and unfiltered qualities).

Closing Notes: This is a unique English cider, with some impressive color and flavor. I haven’t seen it sold anywhere else, and I haven’t seen any other varieties from them, but if I do, I’ll give them a try.

Have you tried Rocquette? What did you think?

Tieton Cider Works Frost Ice Cider

July 20, 2016July 17, 2016 cidersays review, Tieton cider, cider review, cider tasting, Frost, hard cider, ice cider, Tieton

Review of Frost ice cider from Tieton Cider Works. I’ve tried several ice ciders before (see here), and have tried most of Tieton’s lineup (see here).

Cider: Frost (ice cider)
Cidery: Tieton Cider Works
Cidery Location: Yakima WA
ABV: 11%
How Supplied: 375ml tall clear glass bottles, corked
Style: American craft ice cider made from dessert apples (see here for a description of the ice cider process)

Availability: AZ, CA, CO, FL, HI, ID, IL, MI, MT, NM, NJ, OH, OR, TX, UT, WA, WY, and B.C. Canada. Also, online sales to OR and WA.

Cider Description: Our autumn harvest blend of Jonagold, Pinova and Winter Banana apples produces a pale straw cider that is expressive and floral with a pleasing sweetness.

Enjoy this cider at room temperature as an aperitif, as a cocktail base or the perfect finish to any meal. Our friends at Simple and Crisp asked Sharon to come up with a recipe for their product. Apple Crisps from Simple and Crisp topped with Tieton Farm & Creamery Bianca cheese and drizzled with honey. This recipe works as an appetizer or a dessert, which is why we love it.

Cidery Description: We are continually asked: how did you get into the cider business? The answer is easy: we were in the apple growing business. Period. If we had not been a farming family, cider would not have held an interest.

The fruit that is used in Tieton Cider Works cider comes from Craig and Sharon Campbell’s Harmony Orchards. This land has been in our family since the 1920’s when our grandfather planted his first trees in Tieton, Washington. We take our stewardship of the land seriously and have been farming organically for the last 25 years…

A love of land, food and drink has inspired us to make cider with the fruit we are growing at our ranch, Harmony Orchards. We know the ciders we make are an expression of the harvest and reflective of the fruit and the place that it is grown. We are thrilled to be involved in re:interpreting the tradition of cider making.

Price: $25
Where Bought: Schilling Cider House in Seattle WA
Where Drank: home
How Found: Browsing. I love ice cider, and hadn’t tried this one.

First Impression: Dark straw yellow / light amber hue. Completely still (no carbonation). Smells rather mild for ice cider, of sweet apple juice, honey, and apricots.

Tasting Notes: Semi-sweet. Medium bodied. Low tartness. Moderate acidity. Low tannins. A hint of bitterness. No sourness or funk. Notes of honey, apricot, mango, and caramelized sugar. Moderate length boozy finish. High apple flavor. Low sessionability. Moderate complexity. Moderate flavor intensity. (Note that against the bottle’s advice, I drank it cold, as that is what I prefer.)

My Opinion: I enjoyed this, but I like Eden’s ice ciders much better, with their greater complexity (especially their barrel aged Northern Spy). For $5 extra per bottle I think its worth it.

Most Similar to: This is quite different from the other ice ciders I’ve tried, as it isn’t as full bodied, sweet, or complex. Also, it was more fruity than rich (most other ice ciders I’ve tried had notes of caramel, brown sugar, and vanilla). Its probably closest to Pomme De Coeur ice cider.

Closing Notes: I’m glad I got a chance to try this. I think it is a nice summery ice cider, as it wasn’t as rich or complex, and was lighter bodied and fruity.

Have you tried Tieton Frost? What did you think?

Eve’s Cidery Beckhorn Hollow

July 19, 2016July 16, 2016 cidersays Eve's Cidery, review Beckhorn Hollow, cider, cider review, cider tasting, Eve's, Eve's Cidery, hard cider, New York

Review of Eve’s Cidery Beckhorn Hollow. Its the first time I’ve tried their cider. I was surprised to see it in the store as I didn’t even know they distributed out here (I’ve heard of them online). We don’t get too many East Coast ciders here in the Pacific Northwest (at least compared to WA & OR ciders).

Cider: Beckhorn Hollow
Cidery: Eve’s Cidery
Cidery Location: Van Etten, New York
ABV: 8.5%
How Supplied: 750 ml corked & caged champagne bottle
Style: Craft cider made from heirloom apple varieties, methode champenoise style (naturally sparkling)

Availability: Mostly in New York, but also in some other states such as Pennsylvania, Washington DC, Massachusetts, and Delaware (and now, Washington). They also have an online store (check for shipping availability for states besides New York). 310 cases of this vintage of this cider were produced in 2014.

Cider Description: This extra dry cider is a blend of American cider apples and English heirloom varieties, with a focus on Golden Russet. The aroma starts off with sour dried apricots and a warm field and moves into something darker like green oak leaves and forest duff. The mouth feel is light and airy, dominated by bubbles and is followed by a burst of juicy acidity which brings out bright fruit in spite of the bone dryness. The finish is long and mouthwatering, reminiscent of limes.

On the nose, sweet aromas of bartlett pear, cream and raw honey. The mid palate is bright and bubbly with succulent fruit flavors of peaches and sour orange. A tart and juicy finish ends in dry lemon pith. Residual Sugar 0.0%, Alc/Vol 8.9%, Titratable Acidity 9.7g/l, pH 3.5

Apple Varieties: A blend of aromatic, sharp and heirloom apples: Golden Russet, Wealthy, Wixson, Cox Orange Pippin, Northern Spy, Manchurian Crab, Spigold, Idared.

Cidery Description: Eve’s Cidery is a small family run orchard and cidery located in Van Etten, in the Finger Lakes region of New York State. We grow apples and other tree fruits and ferment artisanal ciders. We believe in nature, art, good food and hard work. These beliefs influence the way we farm, make cider and sell our product. We hope you can taste some of it in the bottle.

All of our sparkling ciders are made using the Champagne Method. We harvest and press our apples as they mature from early September through November. We blend at the press based on harvest dates and pH for a healthy fermentation. After the primary fermentation in the fall, the ciders are racked and left to mature in stainless steel over the winter. In the early spring, we blend to find dynamism and synergy. The cider is then bottled with a liqueur de tirage, yeast and sugar, to initiate a secondary fermentation. In the cool cider barn, the secondary fermentation proceeds slowly, taking nearly 4 months to complete. The slow secondary fermentation is what creates tiny, persistent bubbles of unrivaled elegance which lift aromas out of the glass and impart a lively, creamy mouthfeel. After a period of rest we disgorge, eject the yeast, every bottle by hand and top it up with a dosage of cider.

Price: $19
Where Bought: Schilling Cider House in Seattle WA
Where Drank: home
How Found: Browsing. I’ve been wanting to try cider from Eve’s and even considered ordering them online, but this is the first time I’ve seen them in the Seattle area, so it was an easy choice to pick it up. This is the only Eve’s variety they had in the store.

First Impression: Medium straw yellow hue. Moderate carbonation. Smells mild, acidic, creamy, of citrus, earth, and green apples.

Tasting Notes: Completely dry. Medium bodied with a creamy and frothy texture. Moderate tartness. High acidity. Low to moderate tannins. Low bitterness. No sourness or funk. Notes of sharp crabapple bite, citrus (orange), peach, potato starch, honey, mineral, white grape, and yeast. Moderate length finish. Low apple flavor. Low sessionability. Moderate to high complexity. Low flavor intensity.

My Opinion: This is a very well made cider. However, its not really my favorite type of cider (dry and sharp). I knew that going into it, and mostly just wanted to give it a try. I imagine this would be a great wine lovers cider. My husband really liked it.

Most Similar to: Snowdrift Semi Dry, Liberty Ciderworks New World Style, and Wandering Aengus Wickson, which are all dry and sharp.

Closing Notes: I’m glad I got a chance to try this cider. I’m curious if I’ll be able to find any other varieties from them locally; maybe something slightly sweeter and with bittersweet instead of bittersharp apple varieties (their Darling Creek sounds to my liking).

Have you tried anything from Eve’s Cidery? What did you think?

Schilling Cider House Visit 18 Tasting Notes

July 15, 2016July 9, 2016 cidersays Locust, One Tree, Portland Cider, review, Schilling, Tieton, Wandering Aengus cider, cider review, hard cider, Locust, One Tree, Portland Cider, Schilling Cider House, tasting notes, Tieton, Wandering Aengus

Tasting notes from my eighteenth visit to the Schilling Cider House in the Fremont neighborhood of Seattle WA. Check out my past posts with tasting notes here.

I was there last Thursday, for the One Tree Crisp Apple cider release party, and enjoyed a flight of four ciders, plus One Tree’s new cider.

Portland Cider Company (Portland OR) Pineapple (5.7% ABV): This draft-only pineapple cider poured foamy but settled down after awhile. This may be their “Maui Cruiser” variety, which also has coconut blossom nectar, as I couldn’t find any evidence that they have a strictly Pineapple cider. Smells of fresh pineapples. Semi-dry. Light bodied. Low to moderate tartness. Low acidity. The flavor is purely pineapple, with low flavor intensity. I felt this cider smelled much better than it tasted…it left me wanting more flavor. The pineapple aroma was so strong (especially in comparison to the cider’s flavor) that it makes me curious if it was added.

Wandering Aengus (Salem OR) Barrel Aged Wickson (8.0% ABV): This is a barrel aged draft-only version of their single varietal Wickson crab apple cider, which is available in bottles (which I tried previously and found overly harsh). Smells mild, with hints of crab apples and oak. Dry. Low flavor intensity. The barrel aging seemed to mellow the cider’s intensity compared to the original version. Light bodied. Moderate tartness and acidity. Low bitterness and tannins. Alcohol-forward with crab apple sharpness, oak, and honey notes. This is best drank cold as it becomes more harsh as it warms up. I found this more drinkable than the original version, but I still didn’t care for it.

Tieton (Yakima WA) Bourbon Peach (6.5% ABV): A draft-only bourbon barrel aged peach cider. Hazy lemonade hue. Smells of bourbon, peaches, and pineapple. Semi-sweet to semi-dry. Hints of boozy bourbon (but not overpowering) and peach & pineapple notes. Yum! Medium bodied. Moderate tartness and acidity. Moderate flavor intensity. Low apple flavor. Medium to high sessionability. I’m a fan of bourbon barrel aged ciders, but often they tend towards being overly boozy, harsh, dry, etc…this one was tasty and easy to drink.

Locust (Woodinville WA) Sweet Aged Apple (6.9% ABV): This is a barrel aged cider made from dessert apple varieties which is available on draft and in bottles. I’ve tried this previously (when it was called Aged Washington Dessert Apple; see here), but had heard they significantly changed the recipe, so I wanted to give it another try. Last time it was quite hazy and unfiltered looking, but this time there was no haziness. Smells mild and apple-forward. Semi-sweet (less sweet than the previous recipe). Less flavorful than the previous recipe, but much more sessionable. Mild tartness and acidity. Caramel, vanilla, and honey notes. Medium bodied. Moderate to high apple flavor. Moderate flavor intensity. I’m not sure which recipe I preferred, as there are pros & cons of each, but I enjoyed both versions.

One Tree Hard Cider (Spokane WA) Crisp Apple (6.8% ABV): This is their new flagship cider, sold in four packs of 16oz cans and on draft. Hazy. Semi-sweet to semi-dry. Medium bodied. Unfiltered baked apple flavor with honey notes. Moderate tartness and acidity. High sessionability. Strong apple flavor. I enjoyed this. I found it very similar to 2 Towns Out Cider, but slightly sweeter and slightly more flavorful. Much less sweet than any of the other ciders I’ve tried from them.

The Tieton Bourbon Peach cider was my favorite, and my favorite cider from Tieton so far.

Stay tuned for more Schilling Cider House tasting notes here at Cider Says! Have you had any good draft cider / cider flights recently?

Aspall Grand Cru

July 14, 2016July 8, 2016 cidersays Aspall, review aspall, cider, cider review, cider tasting, cyder, England, English Cider, English Cyder, Grand Cru, hard cider, Suffolk

Review of Aspall’s Grand Cru cider, from England. I’ve also tried a number of their other varieties.

Cider: Grand Cru
Cidery: Aspall
Cidery Location: Suffolk England
ABV: 6.8%
How Supplied: 500ml tall black bottle
Style: English cider made from sweet, sharp, and bittersweet apple varieties

Availability: Semi wide release (through Artisanal Imports)

Cider Description: Rich, golden colour. Traditional bittersweet cyder-apple aroma with orchard fruit and floral notes. Palate initially slightly sweet, then mouth- filling and full bodied. Complex array of fruit flavours balanced by gorgeous soft tannins, producing a bone dry finish. Very long aftertaste, a true sign of a classic cyder of the highest quality. An ideal partner for highly flavoured meat dishes, especially duck confit and exotic food from Asia and North African with a hint of sweetness.

Apple Varieties: 40% Sweet (Discovery, Worcester Pearmain, & Chivers Deligh), 25% Sharp (Bramley Seedling, Grenadier, & Lord Darby), and 35% Bittersweet (Tremlett’s Bitter, Yarlington Mill, Medaille d’Or, & Kingston)

Cidery Description: The Chevalliers have been making cyder at Aspall for eight generations, since 1728 when Clement Chevallier fermented his first batch of Normandy style Suffolk cyder. They still produce cyder using only the fresh juice of whole Suffolk apples and the philosophy championed by their founding ancestor, Clement. Still owned and managed by the Chevallier family, Aspall is the oldest direct lineage cyder maker in the United Kingdom. There are no hidden partners or parent companies enabling Aspall to focus on making the best possible product without compromise. Truly family owned.

Price: $7.00
Where Bought: Special Brews in Lynnwood WA
Where Drank: home
How Found: Browsing. I’m a big fan of Aspall, and hadn’t tried this one.

First Impression: Pale amber hue. Low carbonation with some foam upon pouring. Smells of apple juice, yeast, and honey.

Tasting Notes: Semi-dry to semi-sweet. Moderate carbonation. Medium bodied. Moderate tartness and acidity. Mild tannins and bitterness. No sourness or funk. Rich flavor. Notes of granny smith apple skin, apple juice, yeast, honey, floral, stone fruit, mineral, and pineapple. Long strong finish. Moderate apple flavor. Moderate sessionability. Moderate to strong flavor intensity. Moderate to high complexity.

My Opinion: Yum! Aspall hasn’t disappointed me yet. I love the richness and tannins, and the extra sweetness, tartness, and flavor notes add some uniqueness.

Most Similar to: This seems like a combination of English, French, and American cider…it has the tannins of an English cider, some yeastiness & additional carbonation of a French cider, and the sweetness & tartness of an American cider. Its flavor is unique and I can’t really name any similar ciders.

Closing Notes: This cider is quite enjoyable and an exceptional value too. I look forward to continuing to try every Aspall variety I can find. My favorite remains the Imperial (black label), although it seems they have may have replaced it with the blue label version.

Have you tried Aspall Grand Cru? What did you think?

Blackfin Splash Semi Sweet Cider

July 13, 2016July 8, 2016 cidersays Blackfin, review Blackfin, cider, cider review, cider tasting, hard cider, oregon, Splash

Review of Blackfin’s Splash Semi Sweet cider. They are a relative new cidery, since November 2015 (see this article), and made at the Blue Mountain facility in Milton-Freewater Oregon. I’ve previously tried their Pacific Peach cider (see here).

Cider: Splash
Cidery: Blackfin Hard Cider
Cidery Location: Milton-Freewater OR
ABV: 5.7%
How Supplied: four or six pack of 12oz cans (or kegs); they are currently switching from 4 to 6 packs
Style: American craft cider made from dessert apples

Availability: OR and WA

Cider Description: Fresh pressed apple blend fermented to perfection and back sweetened with fresh more cider from the orchard just before packaging.

Cidery Description: At Blackfin Hard Cider we create top quality craft beverages from the freshest local ingredients. Our apples are handpicked and fresh pressed within sight of the orchards from which they came. Our ciders are created to deliver the best possible quality and value at an affordable price. Proudly produced in the state of Oregon, we celebrate all the adventure and beauty of our beloved Northwest in each and every can.

Price: ~$2.50 / single can (runs ~ $8 / four pack)
Where Bought: Total Wine
Where Drank: home
How Found: Browsing. I had tried their Pacific Peach cider but not this one, the only other cider from Blackfin available in the Seattle area at this time. In Oregon they also have Tidebreak Crisp Apple and Northwest Berry.

First Impression: Pale straw yellow hue. Low carbonation. Smells very mild, of tart apples, honey, citrus, and floral.

Tasting Notes: Semi-dry. Light to medium bodied. Moderate tartness and acidity. Hints to mild bitterness and tannins. No sourness or funk. Notes of apple pomace, honey, citrus (lemon), and floral. Moderate finish length. Low apple flavor. Moderate to high sessionability. Low complexity. Low flavor intensity.

My Opinion: I found this to be an average cider…I found the flavor on the boring / bland side (almost watered down tasting) and quite tart.

Closing Notes: I’m glad I tried this, but this type of cider isn’t really my thing. Its ideal for someone wanting a tart easy to drink cider. I preferred their Peach cider, as although it was also more tart than I prefer, it was more flavorful.

Have you tried Blackfin Splash? What did you think?

Portland Cider Company Strawperry

July 12, 2016July 9, 2016 cidersays Portland Cider, review cider, cider review, cider tasting, hard cider, oregon, perry, portland, Straw-Perry, Strawberry, Strawperry

Review of Portland Cider Company’s Strawperry, a perry (made from 100% pears, no apples) with strawberries. This is a summer seasonal for them (2nd year). I’ve previously tried a number of their ciders; see here.

>>This is a review of a sample provided to Cider Says by the Portland Cider Company. Although I will take care to treat it the same as any other review, there is always the potential for bias as I received it for free. The only consideration I knowingly made was pushing this up in my cider review cue. I love free stuff, especially cider! Want your cider or cider-related product reviewed here? Contact me.<<

Cider: Strawperry
Cidery: Portland Cider Company
Cidery Location: Portland OR
ABV: 5.4%
How Supplied: draft only
Style: American craft perry (made from 100% pears) with fresh strawberries

Availability: Summer seasonal, limited release, draft only. In general, their ciders are available in Oregon, Washington, California, and Colorado (see here), but this draft-only cider likely has less availability then their bottled varieties.

I have been able to determine it is currently on tap at least at the following places: Schilling Cider House in Seattle WA, Portland Cider House (Hawthorne Portland OR), Portland Cider Company Taproom (Clackamas Portland OR), Liberty Tapworks (Dalles OR), Oly Taproom (Olympia WA), and The Growlerie (Beaverton OR).

Cider Description: With a base of our award-winning 100% pear juice Perry, we have blended NW strawberries to create a delicate, delightful cider for the summer.

Cidery Description: Drink it, it’s good! Portland Cider Company was started in the fall of 2012 by an Oregonian and a family of British expats with the mission of bringing handcrafted cider in the English tradition to the northwest. We don’t use concentrates, flavorings, colorings, or anything you wouldn’t want in your cider. We just use the finest Northwest grown fruit. Always gluten free.

Price: n/a
Where Bought: n/a
Where Drank: home
How Found: n/a

First Impression: Light pink-orange hue. Low carbonation. Smells mild, fruity and tart.

Tasting Notes: Semi-sweet. Medium bodied. Low tartness and acidity. No bitterness, sourness, funk, or tannins. Notes of strawberry, kiwi, and honey. Quick finish. Low pear flavor. High sessionability. Low to moderate flavor intensity.

My Opinion: This is a great summer cider…fruity and sessionable (low ABV and easy to drink).

Most Similar to: I’ve had two strawberry ciders, from Bull Run (Strawberry Fields) and Cider Brothers (William Tell Dry Hard Apple Cider with Strawberry). I find this similar to the Bull Run Strawberry Fields, except Strawberry Fields had a more intense flavor, and Strawperry is more complex. I also find Strawperry similar to Atlas Dragonfruit, which also had strawberry & kiwi notes (but also a weird bitterness).

Random Side Note: This cider holds the record as my most unique sample so far…I received it in a recycled swing-top bottle (its draft only so they didn’t have a typical capped & labeled bottle) and picked it up locally.

Closing Notes: I’m glad I got a chance to try Strawperry–its a unique summer sipper. I think this is one of my favorite Portland Cider Company ciders so far, along with their London Dry Gin.

Have you tried Portland Cider Strawperry? What did you think?

Angry Orchard Walden Hollow

July 11, 2016July 9, 2016 cidersays Angry Orchard, review Angry Orchard, cider, cider review, cider tasting, Ciderhouse Collection, hard cider, New York, Walden Hollow, wild fermented

Review of Angry Orchard’s newest Ciderhouse Collection selection, Walden Hollow, named for their cidery headquarters and orchard in Walden New York. It is made exclusively from apples grown in New York state, including some from Angry Orchard’s own 60 acre orchard. I’ve previously tried a number of ciders from them; see here.

>>This is a review of a sample bottle provided to Cider Says by Angry Orchard. Although I will take care to treat it the same as any other review, there is always the potential for bias as I received it for free. The only consideration I knowingly made was pushing this up in my cider review cue. I love free stuff, especially cider! Want your cider or cider-related product reviewed here? Contact me.<<

Cider: Walden Hollow
Cidery: Angry Orchard
Cidery Location: Cincinnati OH
ABV: 8.0%
How Supplied: 750ml corked bottles
Style: American commercial cider made from New York state dessert & heirloom apple varieties, wild yeast fermentation

Availability: year round, wide release, limited availability, with plans to release a new batch each Spring

Cider Description: Walden Hollow is an annual vintage cider made with our cider maker’s choice of heirloom New York state apples varieties, including apples from the Angry Orchard in Walden, NY. The 2016 edition is a mildly tannic, off dry cider with intense apple aroma and notes of butterscotch and almond. The cider makers wanted to capture the essence of wild fermentation, but without the funkiness or sour qualities sometimes associated with the process.

With Walden Hollow, Angry Orchard’s cider makers fermented the cider with wild yeast to evoke earthy, farmhouse qualities that complement the cider’s clean finish. This cider has a bright aroma of fresh peeled apple skins, a rich full body, medium sweetness in taste with tartness characteristic of New York State.

Their Ciderhouse Collection also includes Iceman, The Muse, and Strawman.

Apple Varieties: Rome, Jonathan, Macintosh, Rhode Island Greening, Golden Russet, Newtown Pippin, and Northern Spy

Interestingly enough the press release they sent only mentioned the heirloom apple varieties (“apple varieties include…”), but their website also listed the dessert apple varieties.

Price: n/a (retails for $14.99-$17.99)
Where Bought: n/a
Where Drank: home
How Found: n/a

First Impression: Bright medium straw yellow. Still (no carbonation). Smells sour, of citrus, honey, and floral.

Tasting Notes: Dry to semi-dry. Light to medium bodied. Mild sourness, funk, bitterness, and tannins. Moderate to high tartness and acidity. Mouth-puckering sourness and tartness, but the sourness is only at the front of the palate, not the back like a true sour cider (farmhouse-style or Sidra). Notes of lemon, grapefruit, honey, vinegar, hay, floral, and mineral. Moderate length finish. Low to moderate apple flavor. Low sessionability.

My Opinion: I don’t really appreciate this style of cider (sourness and funk isn’t my cup of tea), but those who like this style will probably enjoy it.

Most Similar to: This seems to be a less intense (less sour) version of traditional farmhouse-style cider (like from Millstone Cellars) or Spanish Sidra.

Closing Notes: I’m glad I got to try this cider. Angry Orchard really branched out with it…I’m curious how it will be received by their typical customers.

Have you tried Angry Orchard Walden Hollow? What did you think?

Incline Explorer Hopped Cider

July 7, 2016July 7, 2016 cidersays Incline, review Auburn, cider, cider review, cider tasting, Explorer, hard cider, hopped cider, Incline, washington

Review of Incline Cider Company’s The Explorer – Hopped Cider. Its the first time I’ve tried their cider, and this was the first cider this company released (January 2016).

Cider: The Explorer – Hopped Cider
Cidery: Incline Cider Company
Cidery Location: Auburn WA
ABV: 6.5%
How Supplied: six packs of 12oz cans
Style: American craft hopped cider made from dessert apples

Availability: Year round in Washington and Oregon

Cider Description: On the drier end of the scale while remaining very smooth and well balanced. The Explorer Hopped Cider is produced from our blend of Yakima apples. A hearty dose of hops is added in to create a extremely balanced, complex, and refreshing cider. NO added sugar, no concentrates, nothing funky.
Cheers!

Cidery Description: On a mission to share craft cider with the nation. Incline Cider Company was established by dreamers turned cider adventurers. Founded through a long time passion with the industry and for quality craft cider, Incline was born. Our mission is to produce craft cider of the highest quality and share it with the world.

We stay true to “craft”. This means no apple concentrates and no artificial additives. To put it simply – we let the apples, yeast, and our expertise do the talking. GMO and Gluten Free. Family owned and operated..

Price: ~$2 for a single can
Where Bought: Whole Foods
Where Drank: home
How Found: Browsing, although I had read about this cider online and seen full six packs in other stores

First Impression: Pale straw yellow hue. Low carbonation. Smells of hops, citrus, floral, and honey.

Tasting Notes: Semi-dry. Light bodied. Hop-forward (moderate). Moderate tartness and acidity. Low bitterness. No tannins, sourness, or funk. Notes of hops, citrus, floral, and honey. Moderate finish length. Low apple flavor. High sessionability. Low flavor intensity.

My Opinion: I found this easy to drink, but its not something I’d buy again, as I prefer a higher flavor intensity and less overt hoppiness (ie. citrus & floral notes vs. actual hop flavor). I liked that the bitterness didn’t linger, which I’ve found some some hoppier ciders.

Most Similar to: Other moderately hopped ciders, such as Portland Cider Hop’Rageous and Tod Creek Mala-Hop.

Closing Notes: I’m glad I got to try this. I can no longer say that I don’t enjoy hopped ciders, although they aren’t my first choice. I think Incline did well staying middle of the road as far as hoppiness to appeal to both cider and beer drinkers. I’m curious what they will come out with next. Their website lists The Scout Hopped Marionberry Cider, but I haven’t seen it yet.

Have you tried Incline Explorer? What did you think?

Gabbie’s Premium Cider Semi Dry

July 6, 2016July 2, 2016 cidersays Gabbie's, review British Columbia, Canada, cider, cider review, cider tasting, Gabbie's, hard cider, Semi-Dry

Review of Gabbie’s Premium Cider Semi Dry. I picked this up in Victoria B.C., a stop on our Alaska cruise. Its the first time I’ve tried their cider.

Cider: Semi Dry
Cidery: Gabbie’s Premium Cider, from Ravenskill Orchards
Cidery Location: Gabriola Island, British Columbia, Canada
ABV: 6.5%
How Supplied: 750ml bottle
Style: Canadian craft cider from apples from B.C. Canada, including cider apple varieties

Availability: only in British Columbia, Canada (Gulf Islands, Victoria, and Vancouver Island); see here

Cider Description: Diverse, Semi-dry and Delicious! Golden in the glass, this semi dry cider opens up with a supple rustic apple fragrance. The acidity creates the perfect balance between sweet and salty.

Cidery Description: Nearly 100 years ago, B.C.’s Gulf Island farmers concocted exceptional hard cider. Legend has it, those makers then journeyed out to sea to share their libations with the mainland. To those Cider Makers, we salute you. Today we join you.

Gabbie’s Premium Ciders are perfected by Ravenskill Orchards at our unique island location. Amongst 1,000 heritage trees, 25 varieties of apples, grow fresh, crisp, sun-kissed and gently-breezed by the salty sea air. We are a family of farmers, sea lovers and makers crafting the best small batch premium cider the Gulf Island have enjoyed since prohibition. A distinct taste and cider experience.

Our premium hard ciders are handcrafted in a traditional “old-world” style using “new world” techniques. A perfect blend of distinctive flavour and colourfully named apples varieties such as Yarlington Mill, Newton Pippin, Kingston Black & Porter’s Perfection.

Price: $20 CAN (~$15 USD)
Where Bought: The Strath in Victoria B.C. Canada
Where Drank: home
How Found: Browsing

First Impression: Moderate straw yellow. Low carbonation. Smells of tart apples, citrus, and honey.

Tasting Notes: Semi-dry. Light bodied. Moderate to high tartness. Moderate acidity. Low bitterness. Low tannins. Slight richness. No sourness or funk. Notes of apple pomace, tart apple varieties like granny smith and crabapples, citrus (lemon), honey, and floral. Moderate length finish. Moderate apple flavor. Moderate sessionability. Moderate complexity.

My Opinion: I enjoyed this cider. However, I found it a bit tart for my liking. I liked the tannins and complexity, but it left me wanting more. I’m curious as to the apple blend; they mention cider apple varieties, but not that those are the only apple varieties used.

Most Similar to: Liberty Ciderworks New World Style and Raven’s Moon Apple Cider

Closing Notes: Gabbie’s Semi Dry is well suited for lovers of tart ciders, and would pair well with food. I’m glad I got to try it. They also offer a “Real Dry” variety of cider (which won Gold in the Traditional Dry category of the 2016 PNW Cider Awards).

Have you tried Gabbie’s cider? What did you think?

Moonlight Meadery Last Apple Cyser

July 5, 2016July 2, 2016 cidersays Moonlight Meadery, review cider, cider review, cider tasting, cyser, hard cider, Last Apple, Londonderry, mead, Moonlight Meadery, New Hampshire

Review of Moonlight Meadery’s Last Apple, a cyser (made from apples and honey). I tried this previously on tap (see here), and have also previously tried some ciders, meads, and cysers from Moonlight Meadery (see here).

Cider: Last Apple
Cidery: Moonlight Meadery
Cidery Location: Londonderry New Hampshire
ABV: 16.0%
How Supplied: 375ml bottles (and kegs)
Style: American craft cyser (made from apple juice and honey), barrel aged

Availability: AL, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KY, MD, ME, MI, MO, NC, NE, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OK, PA, SC, TX, VA, WA, and WA D.C. in the USA (see here), plus Australia, China, Japan, and through their online shop (shipped to 36/50 states)

Cider Description: We took the very last New Hampshire apples that were available to us and had them fresh pressed into apple cider. We then blended it with True Source Honey and let it ferment and age in freshly emptied Jim Beam barrels for over 6 months. The end result is nothing short of heavenly. It is unlike any of the other honey apple meads that we make, that’s why we felt it deserved its own unique label design. Take your time with this precious liquid and allow its complexities to dance along your palate.

Cidery Description: We are a world class meadery and cidery from Londonderry, New Hampshire that specializes in meads, the world’s oldest alcoholic beverage made from honey, as well as hard ciders. The diversity of our offerings often leave people speechless, while the flavors have them asking for it from their local retailers. Stop by and try the oldest fermented beverage to find out why “History never tasted so good”™.

Price: $26.99
Where Bought: The Cave in Kirkland WA
Where Drank: home
How Found: Browsing. I tried this previously at the Schilling Cider House in Seattle WA and remembered loving it, and didn’t even know bottles were available (I picked this up awhile back and haven’t seen it since), so I decided to jump on it, despite the high price tag.

First Impression: Light to medium amber hue. Still (no carbonation). Smells boozy, of honey and caramel.

Tasting Notes: Semi-sweet. Full bodied. Low tartness and acidity. Hints of bitterness and tannins. No sourness or funk. Notes of honey, sweet ripe apples, caramel, oak, and coffee. Long warming finish. Low apple influence. Low barrel influence. Moderate to high honey influence. Very low sessionability. Moderate complexity.

My Opinion: I enjoyed this, but I think the batch I tried awhile back which was kegged was far superior; it didn’t have the coffee notes, had more oak flavor, was sweeter & fuller bodied, and was more complex. In this price range, I think I’d prefer an ice cider from Eden (see here). This reinforces how much I like cider bars, especially for high end ciders, as a sample can be had for $2-$5, vs. spending a good deal on an entire bottle.

Most Similar to: This is more mead than cider, both in flavor and its high ABV. It has more honey notes and a higher ABV than most cysers, such as the ones I’ve tried from Finnriver (Cyser Cider), Eaglemount (Cyser), and Sea Cider (Birds and the Bees). Its even higher ABV than the meads I’ve tried, such as Skyriver Solas (see here) and Superstition Honey Highway (see here), yet is smooth and easy to drink.

Closing Notes: I look forward to continuing to try more ciders, meads, and cysers from Moonlight Meadery; they offer quite a large selection.

Have you tried Moonlight Meadery Last Apple? What did you think?

Pacific Northwest Cider Awards Festival 2016 Tasting Notes

July 1, 2016September 23, 2016 cidersays Apple Outlaw, Carlton, Longdrop, Phillippi, review, Spire Mountain, Wandering Aengus, Wards cider, cider awards, cider festival, cider review, cider tasting, hard cider, Pacific Northwest, tasting notes

The third-annual Pacific Northwest Cider Awards Festival took place on Saturday June 25th 2016. Its a chance for the public to try some of the ciders which were judged on the day prior. It took place outside The Woods in Seattle WA, which hosts both Seattle Cider and the Two Beers Brewing company. I attended the event with some cider friends. Here is a list of the 2016 winners.

Wandering Aengus (Salem OR) Bittersweet (5.2% ABV): This is a draft-only one-off release using only bittersweet cider apple varieties from Poverty Lane Orchards (Farnum Hill) in New Hampshire, wild yeast fermented. Semi-sweet to semi-dry. Medium bodied. Low carbonation. Lovely rich bittersweet apple flavor with notes of caramel and honey. Mild bitterness, tannins, acidity, and tartness. Long finish length. I wouldn’t have guessed at all that this was wild fermented, as it lacked any sourness or funk, although they mentioned it was a very long fermentation. This is the first cider I’ve truly enjoyed from this cidery (see here for previous reviews)…they tend to be too bitter for my liking. This won Silver in the Wild Ferment category.

Phillippi Fruit (Wenatchee WA) Snow Dance (16% ABV): This is a Pommeau-inspired apple brandy fortified cider, and the first time I’ve tried anything from Phillippi (they aren’t even distributed to Seattle WA yet). Semi-sweet. Full bodied. Rich and boozy with notes of honey and caramel. I really enjoyed it. This would be nice served ice cold after dinner, but was a bit much just after noon! I’m a big fan of Pommeau, ice cider, mead, etc.

Longdrop Cider (Eagle ID) Electric Cherry (6.0% ABV): I previously tried a few of their ciders at a tasting event at the Schilling Cider House (see here). Semi-dry to semi-sweet. Moderate to high tartness. Light bodied. Moderate cherry flavor intensity. The tartness was a bit overpowering for me, but fans of tart cherry would like this. The flavor was true and non-medicinal, which can be tough to pull off with a cherry cider.

Apple Outlaw (Applegate OR) Thompson Creek (9.0% ABV): I’ve previously tried a few of their ciders (see here). This is a new keg-only rye whiskey barrel aged cider, the first in their Heritage line. Awesome whiskey and oak scent. Semi-dry. Light bodied. Mild bitterness, tannins, acidity, and tartness. Overall the flavor was a bit harsh. I think I would have liked it with more sweetness or less ABV.

Wards (Kelowna B.C. Canada) Original Hard Cider (5.5% ABV): I’ve actually never tried anything from this cidery, although I’ve seen them. Semi-sweet. Light bodied. Moderate carbonation. Low to moderate tartness and acidity. Low flavor intensity and simple apple juice flavor. I found this to be average.

Wards (Kelowna B.C. Canada) Festive Apple Cider (5.5% ABV): This ended up being cherry. I had assumed it would be spiced (although its not really the season for that…). I didn’t enjoy this semi-sweet cider at all…the cherry flavor seemed medicinal. Someone else said it tasted like a Shirley Temple.

Carlton (McMinnville OR) Citizen Cider (6.75% ABV): I’ve tried a few ciders from them (see here). This is their flagship cider, but I actually hadn’t tried it yet. It is made from traditional English cider apple varieties. Semi-dry. Medium bodied. Mild to moderate tannins and bitterness. I liked the flavor, and I’m probably being over critical, but I found it a tad bitter and not quite rich enough. This won Bronze in the Traditional Sweet category.

Spire Mountain (Olympia WA) Crisp and Dry (5.0% ABV): I’ve tried a few ciders from them (see here). This is their newest release. Semi-dry to semi-sweet. Moderate carbonation. Medium bodied. Apple-forward. Notes of mineral and honey. Quick finish. We discussed this cider and decided that it may taste sweeter than it actually is as its tangy and fuller bodied. However, its likely not anywhere near truly try, just dry for their cider lineup. I found it to be average.

My favorite of the afternoon was the Wandering Aengus Bittersweet. Overall the event was a bit disappointing, as they listed quite a few ciders online (and even in the handout they gave us) which they didn’t end up having. I imagine cideries had said they would drop off kegs/bottles/cans and didn’t end up doing so, or changed what they brought. These were about the only ciders I hadn’t tried before, and many of those were more commercial than I usually enjoy.

Admission was $25 + tax at the door for 8 cider tokens and a tasting glass. A few ciders were 2 tokens instead of 1, and most were 4oz pours. The venue was also a bit lacking in shade and seating. Apparently they previously had this be an indoor-outdoor event, but this year switched to outdoor only. The cider booths were under tents, they had a few standing tables, one food cart, kegs of water, and a few port-a-potties. Its always fun to try new ciders and hang out with folks with a common interest though.

Common Cider Company Hibiscus Saison

June 30, 2016June 26, 2016 cidersays Common Cider Co, review california, cider, Common, Common Cider, Drytown, hard cider, Hibiscus, saison

Review of Common Cider Company’s Hibiscus Saison cider. My husband picked this up for me in Northern California, and its the first cider I’ve tried from them.

Cider: Hibiscus Saison
Cidery: Common Cider Company
Cidery Location: Drytown CA
ABV: 6.5%
How Supplied: four pack of slim 12oz cans
Style: American craft cider from dessert apples with hibiscus flower extract

Availability: Northern CA and Las Vegas NV, per their Locator page

Cider Description: Hibiscus Saison pours a rosy red color with a bubbly head. The aroma is light & floral with hints of sweet apples and hibiscus.

It won Silver in the “Specialty Cider and Perry” category at GLINTCAP 2016.

Cidery Description: We don’t brew ciders, we craft moments. If it has anything to do with bringing people together, sparking conversation, bolstering friendships, and creating memories, it has everything to do with our approach to cider.

Just ask Fran. As founder of Common Cider, Fran Toves was inspired into the cider realm by a simple desire: to utilize her foodies’ passion for flavor experimentation and her love of shared times to create something rare and delicious. Her dream was a portfolio of ciders painstakingly designed to pair beautifully with food while moving people to find common ground and celebrate the simple act of being human. In 2012, Fran shared her dream with the world at homebrew competition in Reno, NV. And the response, three ciders placing in the top 10, was all the validation she needed to go all in. Thus Common Cider was born.

In Fran’s world, flavor is everything. Surprising flavor, adventurous flavor, flavor as gift to one’s family and friends. And it’s in the “layering of flavors,” as Fran likes to call it, where her artistry fully expressed. Only the juiciest, fresh-pressed, locally sourced apples. Only the choicest, natural fruit extracts and botanicals – local and organic wherever possible. Flavor profiles that lean more towards wine than beer. Light, crisp, a sweetness hinted but never overstated.

These are ciders that taste like poems, enjoy them in the spirit of togetherness. Common ciders are naturally low in sugar, gluten-free, and feature slightly lower-than-typical alcohol levels (6.5%).

See this article for more information.

Price: ~ $10 / 4 pack
Where Bought: a grocery store outside of Sacramento CA
Where Drank: home
How Found: I looked online for ciders available in Northern California and made my husband a list.

First Impression: Medium red orange hue. Nearly still (no carbonation). Smells mild – fruity, floral, and tart.

Tasting Notes: Semi-dry. Light to medium bodied. Moderate tartness and acidity. No bitterness, sourness, funk, or tannins. Moderate length finish. Notes of pomegranate, strawberry, floral, honey, cranberry, and cherry. Low apple flavor. Moderate sessionability. Moderate flavor intensity.

My Opinion: Nice. However, it wasn’t what I expected…way more fruity than floral. The cidermaker said the use of Belgian Saison yeast helps retain more flavor in the cider, and I agree–the flavor was more intense than typically found with a semi-dry cider.

Most Similar to: Elemental Oxygen (Pomegranate) cider, which was also fruity and tart. I’ve had a few floral infused ciders, but this cider didn’t really line up with those.

Closing Notes: I’m glad I got to try it. This is a nice summer cider.

Have you tried Common Cider? What did you think?

d’s Wicked Chanilla (Cherry Vanilla)

June 29, 2016June 26, 2016 cidersays D's Wicked, review Chanilla, cherry vanilla creme, cider, cider review, cider tasting, d's, D's Wicked, hard cider, Kennewick, washington

Review of Chanilla (Cherry Vanilla) cider from d’s Wicked, their newest release. I’ve previously only tried their Baked Apple cider (see here).

Cider: Chanilla
Cidery: d’s Wicked Cider Co.
Cidery Location: Kennewick WA
ABV: 6.9%
How Supplied: 22oz bottle
Style: American craft cider from dessert apples with cherries & Madagascar vanilla beans

Availability: WA, OR, and HI; see here

Cider Description: d’s Wicked Cider Chanilla is a hand crafted hard apple cider made with the freshest Pacific Northwest grown apples. We’ve infused fresh cherry and Madagascar vanilla bean to create this cidergasmic new flavor. This cider has expressive notes of pie cherries and cream soda with a lush marshmallow finish.

Cidery Description: We started brewing cider because we love great ciders! Try the wicked delicious flavors that inspired us…you deserve it! Wicked good ciders…wicked good times!!

Using the very best apples from Washington State, we let the unique character of each apple variety guide our crafting, resulting in our sinfully delicious varietals. d’s ciders are crisp with the freshness of just picked apples, not too sweet, not too tart, just playful layers of flavor that are just plain WICKED GOOD. d’s ciders are naturally gluten free, rough filtered to maintain the richest apple flavor, contain no colorants, and use natural ingredients.

They have a tasting room in Kennewick WA.

Price: $8
Where Bought: Special Brews in Lynnwood WA
Where Drank: home
How Found: Browsing, although I had heard about it online

First Impression: Cranberry red with slight brown & orange hue. Moderate to high turbity. Moderate carbonation upon pouring, medium size bubbles. Smells of granny smith apples, cherries, and a slight sourness.

Tasting Notes: Sweet. Moderate to full bodied. Creamy texture. Moderate carbonation. Moderate tartness and acidity. No bitterness, funk, or tannins. Hints of sourness. Notes of cherry, vanilla, marshmallow cream, cranberry, pomegranate, and green apple. Low apple flavor. Moderate to full flavor intensity. Moderate sessionability.

My Opinion: Quite sweet and rich…a bit much for me. Definitely more suited to sip on with dessert than with dinner.

Most Similar to: Cherry vanilla creme soda. The alcohol remains well hidden under all the sugar in this beverage, the flavor is quite a good match, and even the carbonation is almost as high as soda. Chanilla seems more like hard soda than cider. It reminds me a bit of Elemental’s NW Atomic Root Beer (see here), which is a cider-based hard root beer (although that one is less sweet than its soda counterpart).

Closing Notes: Although this was too sweet and rich for me, I liked the creamy flavor; I’m curious how they pulled that off. I imagine this will be a great seller, as sweet cider is popular and hard soda is a current trend.

Have you tried d’s Wicked Chanilla? What did you think?

Rhinegeist Cidergeist Dry Hopped

June 28, 2016June 27, 2016 cidersays Cidergeist, review cider, cider review, cider tasting, Cidergeist, Cincinnati, Dry Hopped, hard cider, hopped cider, Ohio, Rhinegeist

Review of Cidergeist Dry Hopped, a dry hopped cider made by Rhinegeist, a brewery in Cincinnati Ohio. They released two ciders for the first time in Fall 2015, Semi Dry and Dry Hopped. They sent me samples of both.

>>This is a review of a sample can provided to Cider Says by Rhinegeist. Although I will take care to treat it the same as any other review, there is always the potential for bias as I received it for free. The only consideration I knowingly made was pushing this up in my cider review cue. I love free stuff, especially cider! Want your cider or cider-related product reviewed here? Contact me.<<

Cider: Dry Hopped
Cidery: Rhinegeist Cidergeist
Cidery Location: Cincinnati Ohio
ABV: 6.2%
How Supplied: 6 pack of 12oz cans (and kegs)
Style: American commercial cider made from dessert apple juice concentrate, with hops

Availability: year round in areas including Ohio, Kentucky, and Massachusetts

Cider Description: Dry hopped with Centennial hops from the Pacific Northwest for citrus aromatics, this fine dry cider builds layers of delight upon the essence of the apples.

Cidery Description: Countless days and nights were spent studying the art of making cider, drinking the best we could find across the country and testing a variety of juices, yeasts and techniques in fermentation—the result is Cidergeist. Semi Dry and Dry Hopped will be sure to blow your buds with the bright snap of delicious apples.

Cidergeist gives us the opportunity to play in a lighter and drier zone than beer is able to achieve, introducing a flavor profile more akin to white wine and refreshing in a uniquely fruity way. Fermented with juices from the Pacific Northwest, these Cidergeist Hard Ciders sparkle to deliver a blend of acidity and apple-ness with bountiful aromatics that strike the right balance of refreshingly dry with just a shy suggestion of sweetness.

Price: n/a (retails around $10 / 6 pack)
Where Bought: n/a
Where Drank: home
How Found: Rhinegeist contacted me

First Impression: Light orange amber hue. Nearly still (no carbonation). Smells strongly of Citra hops.

Tasting Notes: Completely dry (3 grams sugar / 12oz). Mild tartness and acidity. Moderate bitterness. Hints of tannins. No sourness or funk. Strong hoppiness with milder notes of citrus (orange) and floral. Low apple flavor. Low sessionability.

My Opinion: Wow! This is quite a hoppy cider. I’m not a fan of beer, so unfortunately I wasn’t a fan. My husband thought this was quite similar to IPA beer. There have been a few hopped ciders I enjoyed, but they were much more mild, such as 2 Towns Hop and Stalk, Tod Creek Mala-Hop, and Portland Cider Hop’Rageous. I think I would have enjoyed this with more sweetness and less hops.

Most Similar to: Reverend Nat’s Hopland #5 / Envy, which was also heavily hopped.

Closing Notes: Fans of heavily hopped beers such as IPA would probably enjoy this cider.

Have you tried Cidergeist? What did you think?

Rhinegeist Cidergeist Semi Dry

June 27, 2016June 27, 2016 cidersays review cider, cider review, cider tasting, Cidergeist, Cincinnati, hard cider, Ohio, Rhinegeist, Semi-Dry

Review of Cidergeist Semi Dry, a cider made by Rhinegeist, a brewery in Cincinnati Ohio. They released two ciders for the first time in Fall 2015, Semi Dry and Dry Hopped. They sent me samples of both.

Cider: Semi Dry
Cidery: Rhinegeist Cidergeist
Cidery Location: Cincinnati Ohio
ABV: 6.2%
How Supplied: 6 pack of 12oz cans (and kegs)
Style: American commercial cider made from dessert apple juice concentrate

Availability: year round in areas including Ohio, Kentucky, and Massachusetts

Cider Description: Cider fermented to amplify the fragrance and essence of the apples whilst achieving a delightful, lip-smacking dryness.

Price: n/a (retails around $10 / 6 pack)
Where Bought: n/a
Where Drank: home
How Found: Rhinegeist contacted me

First Impression: Light amber orange with foam. Low carbonation upon pouring. Smells of beer yeast and rich & sweet apple juice.

Tasting Notes: Semi-dry. Low to moderate carbonation. Mild tartness. Moderate acidity. Hints of bitterness and tannins. No sourness or funk. Medium bodied. Moderate length finish. This cider is apple-forward, quite yeasty, foamy, and beer-like. Notes of apple juice and pomace, caramel, and a slight must. Moderate to high apple flavor. Moderate to high sessionability.

My Opinion: I enjoyed this cider. It exceeded my expectations considering its made by a brewery from concentrate. I find it superior in taste to many commercial ciders and its easy to drink.

Most Similar to: French cidre such as Celt and Reverend Nat’s Revival, although Cidergeist Semi Dry is not quite as clean and less complex.

Closing Notes: I look forward to drinking the other two cans; too bad its not available here in Washington. Next up is my review of the Dry Hopped.

Have you tried Cidergeist? What did you think?

NV Cider Watermelon Hard Pear Cider (Perry)

June 24, 2016June 18, 2016 cidersays NV Cider, review cider, hard cider, Neigel Vintners, nv cider, pear cider, perry, washington, watermelon, Wenatchee

Review of NV Cider’s Watermelon Hard Pear Cider. Its actually a perry as no apples were used, but I imagine they called it a pear cider as a lot of folks don’t know what perry is. I’ve tried a few varieties from them before; see here.

Cider: Watermelon Hard Pear Cider
Cidery: NV Cider (Neigel Vintners)
Cidery Location: East Wenatchee WA
ABV: 5.3%
How Supplied: 500ml green Aluminum bottle
Style: American craft perry with watermelon extract

Availability: WA and OR; see here.

Cider Description: This is a perry made using native pear varieties from East Wenatchee, with watermelon extract. Note that they refer to it as a pear cider, but that is typically reserved for beverages made from both apples and pears, often fermented apple juice with pear juice added afterwards.

Cidery Description: Neigel Vintners is a family affair. Our cider company is run on our family property. Some of the first pears we press each year come off of remnants of the first pears planted by the family. Over 100 years old, these trees have had their heart-wood rot out and survived. There are several places a person can reach through the center of the tree with a hand. These trees have been a staple of the property for generations.

Price: $5
Where Bought: Special Brews in Lynnwood WA
Where Drank: home
How Found: Browsing

First Impression: Pale straw yellow with hints of pink. Low carbonation. Smells of fresh sweet watermelon, pear, and white grape. The watermelon scent is quite strong at first but quickly dissipates.

Tasting Notes: Semi-sweet. Medium bodied. Low carbonation. Low tartness but it has some bite. Moderate acidity. No bitterness, sourness, funk, or tannins. Notes of pear, watermelon, white grape, strawberry, and rhubarb. Quick finish. Low pear flavor. High sessionability. Low flavor intensity/fruitiness.

My Opinion: This was tasty, but it left me wanting more watermelon flavor. Right after opening it had an awesome strong watermelon scent, but that diminished. I know that watermelon juice isn’t very flavorful, but I think this would have been a great cider to leave fairly unfiltered, which likely would have made it easier to get the watermelon flavor.

Most Similar to: NV Cider’s Cherry Perry, which was also a fruity perry (see my tasting notes here). That one had a nice unfiltered aspect to it though, which I think helped add to the complexity. I like watermelon more than cherry, but I think the Cherry was pulled off better. The Cherry Perry was also sweeter, so I think that helped make it seem more flavorful.

Closing Notes: I’m a huge watermelon fan, and although the flavor intensity was a bit lacking, it was an enjoyable perry. I look forward to seeing what else they come up with.

Have you tried any perries? What did you think?

Schilling Cider House Visit 17 Tasting Notes

June 23, 2016June 18, 2016 cidersays AEppelTreow, Cockrell, Finnriver, Greenwood, Honey Moon, review, Schilling cider, cider review, cider tasting, hard cider, Schilling Cider House, tasting notes

Tasting notes from my seventeenth visit to the Schilling Cider House in the Fremont neighborhood of Seattle WA. Check out my past posts with tasting notes here.

I was there on a random Tuesday afternoon and enjoyed a flight of six ciders. Even though I had just been there the week before, a good portion of the taps had turned over and there were plenty of ciders to choose from which were new to me.

Schilling (Auburn WA) Rhubarb Pear (6.0% ABV): I thought I hadn’t tried this one, but I actually had (its an apple cider with rhubarb & pear, also called Lumberjack and available in cans); see here. I’ve tried many of their ciders previously (see here). Pale peach hue. Smells sweet, fruity, and mild. Semi-dry. Medium bodied. Moderate tartness and acidity. Mildly flavored–rhubarb, strawberry, pear, and peach. Easy to drink. I think I liked it better canned, as it was higher carbonation and more tart.

Finnriver (Port Townsend WA) Pear Wood (6.9% ABV): This is a Crew Selection keg-only release, a rendition of their Pear cider (which I reviewed here). Its made from bittersweet apples with Malo-Lactic Fermentation and aged with oak staves, mixed with barrel aged cider, then backsweetened with pear juice. I’ve tried many of their ciders previously (see here). Semi-sweet to semi-dry. Medium bodied. Moderate tartness and acidity. Hints of bitterness. Notes of bittersweet apple, pear, and oak. Fairly simple.

Greenwood (Seattle WA) Cedar Cider (6.5% ABV): This is a keg-only release. I’ve tried a couple of their ciders previously (see here). Mild scent. Dry. Light bodied. Mild to moderate tartness, acidity, and bitterness. Earthy wood flavor with some bite that reminds me of crabapples. A hint of vinegar. Citrus and vanilla. Unique.

AEppelTreow (Burlington WI) Blackbird Berry-Apple (5.5% ABV): This cider is available in kegs and bottles, and is apple cider with black currant and elderberries. I’ve tried a few of their ciders previously (see here). Deep berry hue. Smells of raspberries and blackberries. Semi-sweet to semi-dry. Light to medium bodied. Moderate berry flavor, more raspberry than anything else. I didn’t really detect black currant or elderberries. Moderate tartness. Low acidity. Hints of tannins and bitterness. Not overly juice-like which I notice often happens with sweeter berry ciders. I found it to be very well-balanced and its one of my favorite berry ciders.

Honey Moon (Bellingham WA) CiderHead Bourbon Barrel (5.5% ABV): This is a keg-only release. I’ve tried a couple of their ciders previously (see here). Smells sour. Dry to semi-dry. Light bodied. Mild sourness and bitterness. Moderate tartness and acidity. Vinegar and citrus notes. Mild barrel and bourbon influence.

Cockrell (Puyallup WA) Pub Cider (6.2% ABV): This is a keg-only release. I’ve tried a couple of their ciders previously (see here). Smells sweet and rich. Semi-dry to semi-sweet. Frothy. Very mildly flavored and it kinda tasted watered down, although it was medium bodied. Apple-forward.

The AEppelTreow Blackbird Berry-Apple was oddly enough my favorite, probably as it was the most flavorful. I would have guessed that I’d prefer the Bourbon Barrel or Pub Cider based on my typical preferences, but I didn’t really like either (especially the Bourbon Barrel, as I don’t like sour ciders).

Stay tuned for more Schilling Cider House tasting notes here at Cider Says! Have you had any good draft cider / cider flights recently?

AEppelTreow Kinglet Bitter

June 22, 2016June 22, 2016 cidersays AEppelTreow, review AEppelTreow, bittersweet, cider, cider review, cider tasting, hard cider, Kinglet Bitter

Review of AEppelTreow’s Kinglet Bitter Draft Cider, part of their Songbird line of estate ciders. I’ve previously tried a few of their ciders; see here.

Cider: Kinglet Bitter Draft Cider
Cidery: AEppelTreow
Cidery Location: Burlington WI
ABV: 6.0%
How Supplied: 750ml bottles and kegs
Style: American craft cider made from English & French bittersweet apple varieties

Availability: At least in CA, DE, IA, IL, KY, LA, MA, MD, MN, NY, OR, PA, SD, WA, WI, and WA D.C.

Cider Description: Kinglet Bitter is one of our proud ‘estate’ ciders. It’s all grown at Brightonwoods, within sight of the Winery. It’s more subtle and complex than Barn Swallow – being fermented from 100% bitter English and French cider apples. It differs from an authentic European cider by being ‘immature’. Kinglet has very little post-ferment changes made by wild Lactic Acid Bacteria. Instead, we ferment it with a Sangiovese yeast that we think really brings out the tannin characters of the cider-specific cultivars. These apples are rare, and not easy to grow. When we get the question ‘Then why use them?’, we pour a glass of Kinglet.

Apple Varieties: Dabinette, Domaine, Frequin Rouge, White Jersey, Muscadet Deippe, and other English & French bittersweet cider apples.

Cidery Description: ÆppelTreow Winery & Distillery is a producer of small batch cider, perry and spirits. Cider and Perry? We use the pre-Prohibition meaning of ‘cider’, so we’re talking about fermented or ‘hard’ cider. Perry is the pear analogue to cider. We use lots of different kinds of apples and pears in our products. Some modern. Some heirloom – no longer grown for stores. We make a range of styles: sparkling, draft, still/table, and fortified/dessert. Within a style, we lean to the dry end – but also have some medium-sweet offerings.

They have a tasting room in Burlington Wisconsin and opened in 2001.

Price: $12
Where Bought: Schilling Cider House in Seattle WA
Where Drank: home
How Found: Browsing. I’ve enjoyed a few of their ciders previously and am a fan of bittersweet ciders, so especially for only $12 I wanted to try it.

First Impression: Dark straw yellow with copper hue. Still. Smells of apple juice with a slight bit of “farmhouse”.

Tasting Notes: Semi-dry. Completely still (no carbonation), and tasted a bit flat (like it previously had carbonation but sat out). Mild tartness. Moderate acidity. Moderate to strong bitterness. Mild tannins. A hint of funk. No sourness. Notes of bittersweet apples, apple juice, honey, apple pomace, caramel, and earthiness. Moderate to long bitter finish. Moderate apple flavor. Moderate sessionability.

My Opinion: This was much too bitter and harsh for my liking. Although “bitter” is in the name, many ciders made from bittersweet apples don’t have significant bitterness. I think with some aging and a bit of tweaking it would have been more to my liking. I didn’t really like the backsweetening (obvious apple juice flavor) of this cider, yet if anything, more sweetness would have helped balance the flavor. I was surprised I didn’t detect more tannins. Along Came a Cider also did a nice review of this cider (see here); it looks like Meredith found it more carbonated, more tannic, and less bitter than I did. I imagine this is a different batch as her review was awhile ago.

UPDATE: The cidery noted this bottle may not have traveled well, as it is usually lightly carbonated and more astringent than bitter. Unless a bottle is obviously bad, its always tough to know whether what we are tasting was the intended product. Hopefully I get a chance to try this one again.

Most Similar to: Ciders made from bittersweet apples, such as many English-style ciders. The flavor in particular was similar to Colorado Cider Company Ol’ Stumpy (see my review here). My favorite bittersweet ciders include those from Sea Cider (Bittersweet), Locust (Bittersweet Reserve), Finnriver (Fire Barrel), and Aspall (Imperial – Black Label).

Closing Notes: Although I didn’t care for this cider, I look forward to continuing to try more ciders from AEppelTreow . Their Appely Doux is my favorite so far–rich and bubbly (see my review here).

Have you tried any AEppelTreow ciders? What did you think?

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