Atlas Blackberry

Review of Atlas Hard Blackberry Cider. This cider appears to be made from fermented apple juice, then blackberry, elderberry, & black currant juices are added after fermentation.

Cider: Hard Blackberry Cider
Cidery:  Atlas Cider Co.
Cidery Location:  Bend OR
ABV:  6.2%
How Supplied: 22oz clear glass bottle

Availability: Year-round in OR, WA, & ID.

Cider Description: Oregon has a state flag, song, flower, and this my friends is our nomination for a state cider. A deep hue of purple fills the glass as we took zero short-cuts with this fine blend of blackberries and elderberries. The tartness of the blackberries is rounded out by the complex characteristics of the elderberries. Filled with tannins this cider leaves a delightful fry and rich finish. Cheers to NW berries.

Cidery Description: ATLAS Cider Co. produces authentic hard cider fermented from 100% fresh pressed fruit from our region. Partnering with Northwest farmers to source our fruit has been a priority of ours from the beginning. Our ciders start with a base of NW varieties that are pressed to achieve a balance of sweetness, tartness, and dryness. We forge our ciders in the heart of the NW in Bend, OR. Fermented from 100% fresh pressed fruit. All fruit from our local OR/WA region. No use of anything artificial or colorings. Balanced with just a touch of sweetness. Naturally Gluten free. 22oz bottles and kegs available.

Price: $5.50 (usually runs $7 though)
Where Bought: My husband picked this up for me at Albertsons. Actually, he brought home all three Atlas varieties they had! Apple, Apricot, and Blackberry. I did a review of the flagship Apple variety awhile back. Atlas also makes a fourth variety, Pomegranate-Cherry.
Where Drank: home
How Found: It showed up in the fridge lol.

First Impression: Deep berry purple red. Foam rim. Little carbonation. Strong berry-grape scent.

Opinion: Semi-sweet. Fairly tart, especially to finish. Dan at Atlas told me the majority of the apples used in their ciders are granny smith, which I find quite interesting (they say it gives their ciders “a nice flavorful punch that are lacking in many”). I pick up the berry notes (blackberries & elderberries), but the black currant tastes more like grape to me. I found this cider to be quite simple and juice-like. Thin bodied and quick finishing. I think I would have liked more carbonation and acidity. It was however refreshing and flavorful.

Most Similar to: Other berry-forward ciders. Finnriver Lavender Black Currant is a favorite of mine.

Closing Notes: I look forward to trying their Apricot variety I already have at home; apparently it is their driest offering. I enjoyed the Apple better than the Blackberry. I think its awesome that Atlas uses only 100% Northwest juice and no artificial ingredients, and can still be sold at a very reasonable price point. Plus they are family owned and operated (I give them major kudos on that one especially as family is tough enough to get along with at home sometimes!). They have a huge almost cult-like following, especially on Facebook. Overall Atlas Blackberry a solid berry cider but I’m not truly impressed. However, I’ve discovered I’m not a huge fruity cider fan…I tend to like a richer bold flavor, unique, barrel aged, etc.

Check out their Vimeo site. It currently includes three videos, including a behind the scenes look at the details to operating a cider company.

Have you tried Atlas Blackberry? What did you think?

J.K.’s Scrumpy Farmhouse Summer

September 10, 2015November 28, 2015 cidersays J.K.'s Scrumpy, review cider, cider review, farmhouse cider, Farmhouse Summer, hard cider, hard cider review, J.K.'s Scrumpy, scrumpy cider

Review of Farmhouse Summer from J.K.’s Scrumpy. This is their summer seasonal offering, and like all their cider, is organic, unfiltered, preservative/sulfite free, and made only from fresh pressed juice.

Cider: Farmhouse Summer
Cidery: J.K.’s Scrumpy
Cidery Location: Flushing MI (Almar Orchard)
ABV: 4.5%
How Supplied: 22oz bottle

Availability: Summer seasonal, semi wide release, found in approximately 35/50 states, and in parts of Canada

Cider Description: The Koan family invites you to try their seasonal offering: Grandfather’s Summer Cider. Served to toiling farm hands for a job well done in the Michigan summer, this refreshing beverage with a zest of orange, the richness of plump raisins, and a hint of coriander, aims to quench your thirst. Discover our cider, our farm, our history. -Jim Koan, independent American Farmer.

Additional Information from J.K.’s Scrumpy: They grow 50 varieties of apples on 500 acres on their farm. In the 1970s there were 36 orchards in their area, and now, only 2! Approximately 16 of those varieties go into Farmhouse Summer, including Harrison, Spy, and Cortland. The cider is fermented for 6-16 months, then blended for consistency. Therefore no two batches are ever alike (as they say, just how Mother Nature intended).

They sent me these links:

Good Fruit article, Jim Koan a Man of Principle

NBC News article, Pigs Replace Pesticides in Battle Against Beetles

Growing Produce article, Michigan Organic Apple Grower Finds Success In Working With Mother Nature

Thanks to Sabrina from J.K.’s Scrumpy for the extra info!

Cidery Description: This Original Hard-Cider has been made on our family-owned farm in Flushing, Michigan for well over a hundred years. It was first pressed back in the 1850’s. Not much as changed in the process since then. We use the same apples from the same orchards as my great-great grandfather did before the time of the Civil War. We are proud of that. It gives us a sense of history. The cider has played an important role in the ongoing history of our farm. The sale of cider actually saved our farm during the Great Depression. And, during the Prohibition people came from far and wide for our “Special Farm Cider.” We grow vegetables and fruits here at Almar, but our cider has kept us in business when times have gotten tough. Regretfully, it seems that history has a habit of repeating itself…These past few years, many of our nation’s orchards have closed their barn doors and orchard gateways as the influx of apple juice made from cheap concentrates arrive in the USA from China and South America. Some call it a “sign of the times,” and others seem to appreciate the “bargain” at the grocery store. All I can say is that our Orchard Gate Gold is the real thing. It’s not a “made using” or “contains” product. IT IS REAL CIDER. Pure, natural and uniquely flavorful. We grow, harvest, and press the apples right here on the farm. It is time-consuming, labor-intensive and worth every bit of what it takes to make it. Our cider is not only natural, it is truly organic. It always has been. It’s simply a fact of what we do – and how we do it. We use no insecticides in the farm orchards. Rather, I do what my grandfather did. I have a large flock of guinea fowl that wander about and eat the bugs. Fallen apples that have hit the ground are always a food source for pests, so I let my Berkshire pigs wander the orchard and eat the fallen apples. In a fast-paced, instant gratification society all this may seem a little old fashioned, or not “cost-effective.” But, we have a cider that is not like any other, and the idea of playing around with what makes that happen… well, it just ain’t part of the plan.

Price: $3.99 (on sale from $6.99)
Where Bought: Total Wine
Where Drank: home
How Found: I had seen this variety, but had been hesitant to try it due to the orange, coriander, and raisins, which just sounded weird. However, discussion at the Hard Cider Appreciation Society on Facebook indicated these flavors weren’t too prominent, so when I saw it on sale I thought I’d give it a try.

First Impression: Hazy light amber. Still. Smells like sweet ripe apples, pear, citrus, and cinnamon.

Opinion: Very sweet. Orange, citrus, and honey notes. However, I didn’t taste any of the pear or spice I smelled. Apparently coriander can taste like citrus (I looked that up as its not something I’m familiar with; I also learned coriander is the seeds of the cilantro plant). No significant acidity, tartness, or bitterness. Medium bodied. Syrupy taste and texture. Quick finish, but I got an annoying lingering aftertaste/feeling at the back of my throat with this cider, almost minty? It wasn’t as prominent for my husband, but he noticed it once I mentioned it.

Some notes about this style of cider:

Apparently the high degree of sweetness in their ciders is from arrested fermentation. Allowing the cider to completely ferment makes a drier cider (as the yeast has fermented most/all of the sugar to alcohol). This is why cidermakers often back sweeten their ciders with unfermented juice (plus that is a way to bring the ABV down to a target level). By arresting the fermentation process they retain more sweetness.
Scrumpy usually refers to cider made from “scrumped” apples (which is either defined as those stolen from the ground or those which are old & shriveled up) in the West Country of England, which can be a potent and rough style of cider. I’ve had one true Scrumpy cider, Serious Scrump from 2 Towns, and it wasn’t for me. However, currently this term is instead used to indicate that a cider is a craft / artisan product.
Almost all commercial ciders use sulfites (sulphur dioxide) as a preservative. Avoiding their use is more difficult as sulfites are used to kill the natural yeast on the apples. The use of sulfites makes a more standardized product and reduces the risk of spoilage. Pasteurization can instead be used. Some folks are sensitive to sulfites, so its good to see that folks have the option of cider without them (although a small amount can be naturally occurring from the fermentation process).

Most Similar to: Other ciders from J.K.’s Scrumpy, which have a unique sweet farmhouse (unfiltered) taste.

Closing Notes: I really support all their practices at J.K.’s Scrumpy / Almar Orchards (organic, no preservatives, etc), but I didn’t care for this cider. Its amazing how low they can keep their price point while maintaining all those practices. However, I really like their Northern Neighbor cider, which is made from Michigan and Canadian Saskatoon apples. I’ve also tried their flagship Orchard Gate Gold, but not their Winterruption (winter seasonal) or Pair Perry. They will have Pair Perry at Cider Summit Seattle, so I look forward to trying that one! J.K.’s Scrumpy ciders are great for folks who like a sweet cider but want a craft product (affordable and semi widely available too).

Have you tried J.K.’s Scrumpy Farmhouse Summer? What did you think?

Crabbie’s Cloudy Alcoholic Lemonade (not cider, I know)

September 9, 2015September 9, 2015 cidersays Crabbie's, not cider, review Alcopop, Cloudy Alcoholic Lemonade, Cloudy Lemonade, Crabbie's, lemonade, malt beverage

Review of Crabbie’s Cloudy Alcoholic Lemonade, part of their new Crabbie’s Fruits line, branching out from the alcoholic ginger beer they are known for. This definitely isn’t cider, but instead a sweetened malt beverage with natural lemon flavor, and could likely be classified as an “alcopop”. It however looked really interesting, so I gave it a try.

Beverage: Cloudy Alcoholic Lemonade
Maker:  Crabbie’s (Halewood International Ltd)
Location:   Huyton, United Kingdom
ABV:  4.8%
How Supplied: four pack of green 11.2oz bottles

Availability: appears to be wide release

Description: Crabbie’s continues to pioneer refreshment with the addition of a Cloudy Alcoholic Lemonade to their world famous range. Only premium ingredients and selected squeezed natural lemons are used to give the Cloudy Alcoholic Lemon it’s delicious flavor – with added zest. Best enjoyed chilled from the bottle or over ice for a refreshing summer drink.

Price: ~$9 for a four pack (I bought a single bottle for ~$2.50)
Where Bought: Special Brews in Lynnwood WA (I’ve also seen it at Total Wine and Full Throttle Bottles in Seattle WA)
Where Drank: home
How Found: browsing. They do a very smart thing at Special Brews, in that they sell you alcohol while you are already drinking alcohol (it’s a combination beer/cider bar & bottle shop); I end up buying much more this way!

First Impression: Looks and smells like lightly carbonated lemonade.

Opinion: Semi-sweet. Tastes like real fresh squeezed lemonade with a bit of fizz and an alcoholic kick. Only mild tartness. Quite flavorful and awesome! I really wasn’t expecting much, but I was pleasantly surprised. The alcohol is well hidden. I’ve never tried Mike’s Hard Lemonade, but I’m guessing this is less sweet and of a higher quality. Definitely an easy drinking beverage for a hot summer day. Its also not so sweet that I’d limit myself to one.

Closing Notes: Very tasty! I’d recommend this if you enjoy lemonade and want to try something different. I’ll have to pick up a full four pack of it.

Have you tried Crabbie’s Cloudy Alcoholic Lemonade? What did you think?

Fox Tail Fuzzy Haven

September 7, 2015September 6, 2015 cidersays Fox Tail, review cider, cider review, Fox Tail, Fuzzy Haven, hard cider, hard cider review, Hood River, lynnwood, peach cider, Round the Table

Review of Fox Tail’s Fuzzy Haven cider, a dry peach cider I tried on tap. This is the first time I’ve tried a cider from Fox Tail, although I’ve seen their flagship Sir Issac variety in bottles (at Full Throttle Bottles in Seattle). I believe that is currently their only bottled cider, although they have expansion plans, and they offer a number of varieties on tap.

Cider: Fuzzy Haven
Cidery: Fox Tail
Cidery Location: Hood River OR
ABV: 5.5%
How Supplied: on tap

Availability: regional, only North & Central OR and Western WA

Cider Description: Named for everyone’s favorite peach variety the Red Haven. It has great notes and flavor of peach mixed with apples. (Dry to Semi-Dry)
[Fox Tail’s website says 6.2% ABV, but this was listed as 5.5% ABV on the menu board. I imagine it may vary batch to batch, and I’m more likely to believe the menu board as listing what the keg said.]

Cidery Description: Fox-Tail Cider comes with a long history of family farming in Oregon. It all started in the late 1800’s with a German immigrant who planted apple trees to export apples back to Europe. August Paasch created the Paasch packing label for domestic and export. He continued farming with his sons into the 20th century. Every fall August would crush up a few barrels of raw squeezed apple cider and let it naturally ferment. He was always a big hit when he’d bring the barrels back out for the New Years Eve party that following winter. Five generations later, his Great Great Grandsons still work the land. Growing not only apples, but pears, cherries, peaches and more. In 2009 Bob and long time friend Justin Cardwell began doing test batches of hard cider. Foreseeing that in the next few years there would be a reemergence of the cider industry. (Cider was America’s drink of choice before prohibition.) In 2013, Fox-Tail opened its doors next to Smiley’s Red Barn in the heart of the fruit growing area of the valley. Now distributing throughout the Pacific Northwest, Fox-Tail Cider has only begun to tell its tale.

They have a taproom open seasonally with 10 hard cider selections (5 of theirs and 5 others),plus non-alcoholic cider.

Price: $5.50 / pint on tap
Where Drank: ‘Round the Table Gamer Pub in Lynnwood WA. I heard about them on Facebook and visited just for the cider, as they have three on tap and a few bottle selections as well. Their other cider tap selections that day were Finnriver Habanero and Tieton Cider Works Dry Apple. They even had a mead (Kurt’s Apple Pie from Moonlight Meadery). It wasn’t really the type of scene my husband and I like on a Friday night though…lots of teenagers, and everyone was very into the games they were playing, but apparently their typical scene is more family-like. It wasn’t so much a place to hang out and just have a drink (no bar, and it was library type tables & chairs to accommodate game play).

However, I wasn’t really expecting a bar type atmosphere (for that sort of vibe in the same area, my vote is definitely Special Brews, which has a larger tap list but less cider, and a huge bottle selection). I imagine ‘Round the Table is a really good family place though, which is what they cater to (vs. a 21+ bar). They sell all types of games, have a selection of games which you can test play for free, and a community puzzle. The prices were reasonable, they had a small food selection (toaster oven type stuff), and about a dozen varieties of Full Tilt ice cream. There were also specialty sodas, including on tap. They even do growler fills (32oz). Check out this article about their opening last year. The co-owner even got in touch with me and mentioned they really want to do a cider event, so I look forward to coming back for anything cider-related!

First Impression: Yellow hue. Light foam ring. No visible bubbles/carbonation. Mild apple-peach slightly earthy scent.

Opinion: Dry to semi-dry. Hints of peach and citrus, but I found Fuzzy Haven to be a very mild flavored cider. Crisp tasting and fairly easy to drink. Moderate acidity. Mild bitterness, Mild to moderate tartness. Light bodied. Very little carbonation. Quick finishing. Slightly earthy but not funky. I looked it up before ordering a pint, so I was expecting it to be dry, but I’d thought there would be more peach flavor.

Most Similar to: Other mild fruity ciders. I’ve tasted this most often with cherry (of which I’ve had at least 8 types), but I’ve also had one peach cider, which I found to be mild, from Blue Mountain.

Closing Notes: I’d recommend Fox Tail Fuzzy Haven for someone who likes drier fruity but mild ciders. Although it was a very solid cider, I didn’t especially enjoy it…I usually go for ciders which are more boldly flavored. However, I’d be interested to try other varieties from them.

Have you tried any ciders from Fox Tail? What did you think?

Finnriver Honey Meadow

September 4, 2015August 22, 2015 cidersays Finnriver, review chamomile, Chimacum, cider, cider review, Finnriver, hard cider, hard cider review, honey, Honey Meadow, lemon balm

Review of Honey Meadow from Finnriver, their Spring seasonal botanical release. I’ve tried a number of other Finnriver ciders (Oak & Apple, Habanero, Black Currant, Lavender Black Currant, & Fire Barrel), but this is the first full Finnriver review at Cider Says! Finnriver has gorgeous bottles, an awesomely informative website, and of course, tasty ciders! They also make fruit wine (brandy and port-style). Here is a great illustrated Finnriver product guide.

Cider: Honey Meadow
Cidery: Finnriver
Cidery Location: Chimacum WA
ABV: 6.5%
How Supplied: 500ml bottle

Availability: Spring time in WA, OR, CA, AZ, NV, TX, IL, CO, and Alberta & BC Canada (detailed info here). They also have an online store (which can ship to WA, OR, CA, AK, CO, MN, FL, & WA D.C.)

Cider Description: Finnriver’s ‘Elijah K. Swan’ Infused Botanical Hard Ciders are named after the good folks who sold us the farm (Lige & Kay Christian) and who first planted apple trees here, as well as for the trumpeter swans that overwinter in the valley. This cider is a tribute to our neighbors and to those big white birds who remind us that earth is still wild. Each season the ‘Elijah K. Swan’ release seeks to capture the wild and garden-grown taste of life on the Olympic Peninsula.

The Honey Meadow cider is our SPRING release, featuring Finnriver’s bright base of fermented organic apples, backsweetened with Olympic Peninsula honey and infused with local lemon balm and chamomile. With thanks to Denise at Mountain Spirit Herbal Company and Tinker Cavallero, local gardener extraordinaire, for finding us just the right herbs for this blend. Drinking this might make you feel like a happy honeybee after a great green day among the blossoms…

Cidery Description: At Finnriver we gather and ferment the flavors of the land to offer you farmcrafted hard ciders and spirited fruit wines. We are inspired by the allure of the fruit, the ancient history of the craft of fermentation and the lively traditions we now seek to revive. Our mission is to inspire a deeper connection to the land that sustains us….Some of these ciders are small-batch, seasonal and labor-intensive. Others are produced with contemporary methods and more readily available year-round…Finnriver grows over twenty varieties of traditional and heirloom apples in our organic orchard, to feature in our traditional and specialty ciders. (they have a tasting room open seven days a week, noon to 5pm)

Price: $7.99 (on sale from $9.99)
Where Bought: Total Wine
Where Drank: home
How Found: Browsing, but I had heard of this cider before.

First Impression: Honey yellow hue. Medium carbonation upon pouring, and tiny bubbles remain. Smells of ripe apples, honey, and chamomile.

Opinion: Semi-sweet. Tastes of the honey and chamomile it smells like. I think I pick up the lemon balm more with the moderate tartness (I wouldn’t have identified it without the description). Carbonated mouthfeel and medium bodied. Mild sourness and bitterness. Mild earthy funk, and a flavor that makes me think of honeycomb? Very unique and semi-complex. I like the herbal qualities and don’t think it is overdone at all (which I was afraid of, but was unfounded). Great for spring & summer time! I picked this cider up a couple weeks ago and knew I wanted to drink it before the seasons changed (where has the summer gone?).

Most Similar to: Woodchuck Out on a Limb Oopsy Daisy, which although it is a significantly sweeter and commercially-made cider, has some similar honey & chamomile flavors. i think the Finnriver cider is much better done, with a more complex crafted balanced flavor. I’ve had one other honey cider as well, Angry Orchard Summer Honey, but wasn’t a fan (tasted syrupy to me).

Closing Notes: Tasty! This makes me want to try more of their seasonal botanical line, as I liked both Honey Meadow and Lavender Black Currant. I also really want to try some of Finnriver’s special releases (Artisan Sparkling, Apple Blueberry, Golden Russet, and Apple Abbey), but don’t remember seeing any of them near me. Maybe now that I start looking I will though.

Have you tried Finnriver Honey Meadow? What did you think?

Red Tank Happy Cider

September 3, 2015August 22, 2015 cidersays Red Tank, review atlas, Bend, cider, cider review, Happy Cider, hard cider, hard cider review, Red Tank

Review of Red Tank Happy Cider. This is currently Red Tank’s only cider available outside of kegs. However, they have numerous varieties available on tap, and plan to have their Roughneck Cider available in cans in November. What vibrant packaging!

Cider: Happy Cider
Cidery: Red Tank
Cidery Location: Bend OR
ABV: 5.5%
How Supplied: 16oz cans (four pack, although I bought this one individually)

There is a lack of information on the can, although unfortunately that is quite common. Actually, I couldn’t even find much information online on this cider. So, I e-mailed the cidery.

Availability: Limited to OR and WA (ID and Northern CA soon)

Information from Drew Wilson at Red Tank Cider Company:

Cider Description: An authentic, powerful apple profile with a crisp, clean acid background. Balanced with just enough sweetness to bring it all together. We wanted a cider that made us Happy, so we made one. We’re not making any health claims, it’s just really good. Made only from 100% fresh-pressed NW apples.
Happy Cider is currently our only packaged product because we thought it a very approachable cider. It is fruit forward and clean. Fresh pressed apple juice and yeast are our only ingredients in Happy Cider. Our juice is made up of a blend of table apple juice (Red and Golden Delicious, Granny Smith, etc.)

Cidery Description: Northwest craft cider. 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.

Red Tank Cider is the first cider company in Bend Oregon. We started this company with knowledge and sweat. We have not taken out any loans or taken on any investors in our effort to bring the people cider. From the people for the people. We currently produce around 700 barrels a year with our eye on expanding that to over 2,000 within the next 18 months.

Additional Notes: Bend OR has two cideries, Red Tank and Atlas. Red Tank has a tasting room open Friday 4-6pm and by appointment. Atlas has a tasting room open Wed-Sat 11am-11pm and Sun-Tues 11am-7:30pm. I reviewed Atlas’ flagship cider awhile back. Atlas has an especially large following online for their size.

Price: $3.79 / can (runs about $14 for a full four pack)
Where Bought: Total Wine
Where Drank: home
How Found: Browsing. I’d seen this variety for awhile but skipped buying it due to the price. However, I saw some talk online that it was good, and I was curious.

First Impression: Medium amber. Moderate carbonation upon pouring. Sweet cooked apple scent.

Opinion: Between semi-dry and semi-sweet. Clean, smooth, crisp, and refreshing. Moderate tartness, bitterness, and acidity levels. This cider seemed to go almost flat quite quickly. Medium length finish with some lingering bitterness (although I’ll admit I’m sensitive to bitterness). Some caramel and vanilla notes. However, I found the flavor overall to be quite mild, almost watered down tasting. Also, it was on the boring side for my tastes. I tend to like bold & unique ciders though, and this is more of a plain flagship type cider. Additionally, it seemed to have a lot of apple “juice” flavor for not being made from concentrate. Overall I think its commendable that Red Tank is making a cider with 100% fresh pressed local juice without additives and without too much sweetness. It just didn’t wow me, especially for the cost.

Most Similar to: Other local flagship ciders I’ve tried. The one that especially comes to mind is from HUB, which I have also reviewed here, probably due to the sweetness level and the lingering bitterness. Another one is 2 Towns Bright Cider.

Closing Notes: Although it didn’t impress me, Happy Cider is however a solid choice and I’d be very interested to try some of their other ciders in the future.

Have you tried Red Tank Happy Cider? What did you think?

Dan Armor Cuvée Spéciale Cidre Brut

September 1, 2015August 23, 2015 cidersays Dan Armor, review cider, cider review, Cidre Brut, Cuvee Speciale, Dan Armor, French, hard cider, hard cider review, imported, Trader Joe's

Review of Dan Armor Cuvée Spéciale Cidre Brut, a budget-friendly imported French cider from Trader Joe’s.

Cider: Cuvée Spéciale Cidre Brut
Cidery: Dan Armor
Cidery Location: Brittany France
ABV: 5.0%
How Supplied: 750ml glass bottle

Availability: wide release at Trader Joe’s (since Dec 2014)

Cider Description: What Trader Joe’s Vintage Ale is to beer, Dan•Armor Cuvée Spéciale Cidre Brut is to hard cider. Hard cider has been around for centuries, and is currently enjoying a huge upswing in popularity. With all the options available, we found ourselves drawn to the cork-finished ciders made in the Brittany region of France, where a co-op of apple growers has been producing small-batch, hand-crafted cider since 1953. Their apples are grown in Brittany, and the cider definitely has a “local flavor” that makes it unlike any of the other ciders we offer. Dan•Armor is made with two ingredients – fresh-pressed apple juice and brewing yeast. The cider is bottle fermented (like sparkling wine), which allows the live yeast to develop into fine bubbles – small amounts of CO₂ are added to create uniform bubbles throughout each batch. It’s dry and crisp (thus the Brut designation), with forward notes of apples, and strong, persistent bubbles. It’s incredibly drinkable and not at all sweet, a refreshing take on a centuries-old classic.

Price: $4.99
Where Bought: Trader Joe’s
Where Drank: home
How Found: browsing

First Impression: Lovely deep golden orange hue. Highly carbonated. Significant head upon pouring which quickly dissipated. Ripe cooked apple, vanilla, caramel, and brown sugar scent.

Opinion: Between semi-dry & semi-sweet, which was sweeter than I was expecting, but good. Effervescent mouthfeel. The ripe cooked apple, vanilla, caramel, & brown sugar notes continue to the flavor. Crisp & smooth, and very refreshing, Light-bodied. Very flavorful and a bit unique, but not bold. Slight earthiness, but no funk. I’m curious what apple varieties they use, but couldn’t find detailed information. Almost no detectable bitterness, acidity, or tartness. This cider was a crowd pleaser, and the other three tasters I had all agreed it was good. It quickly disappeared! Easy to drink, so its probably good it was only 5% ABV.

Most Similar to: Other French ciders, although this is a bit sweeter than typical I believe. French cider seems very similar to English cider.

Closing Notes: Very tasty! This is an awesome deal for $5 as well. I’ll be picking up more for sure.

Have you tried Dan Armor Cuvée Spéciale Cidre Brut? What did you think?

Grizzly Ciderworks The Ridge

August 31, 2015December 20, 2015 cidersays Grizzly Ciderworks, review cider, cider review, Diamond Knot, Grizzly Ciderworks, hard cider, hard cider review, seattle, The Ridge

Review of The Ridge from Grizzly Ciderworks, their flagship cider. Grizzly Ciderworks is interesting in that their ciders are very beer-inspired, and many have hops. The Ridge however does not include hops.

Cider: The Ridge
Cidery: Grizzly Ciderworks
Cidery Location: Seattle WA
ABV: 6.7%
How Supplied: 22oz bottles and kegs

Availability: at least WA, OR, & ID

Cider Description: The Ridge is Grizzly’s flagship. Crafted with a special blend of Northwest apples and dry fermented to perfection, The Ridge is rewardlingly tasty. Simple and refreshing, The Ridge is a cider standard for any occasion.

Cidery Description: Grizzly Ciderworks was started by Corey Haugen and Andy Petek (in 2013). With backgrounds in marketing, sales, and beverage distribution, these friends created a great fusion of passion and innovation. What started as a hobby in an apartment quickly grew to a garage, then a small warehouse…and then a big warehouse. The rest is history. After a year of test market draft-only sales in the Puget Sound, Grizzly is now launching retail packages and broadening distribution throughout the Northwest. With a Founder’s Series of four ciders and a rotating Seasonal Series, Grizzly will be available in 22 oz bottles, 1/6 barrel and 1/2 barrel kegs. In addition to Corey and Andy, the Grizzly family is made up of enthusiastic team members who love everything cider. The company is dedicated to fostering a fun and collaborative atmosphere everywhere from the cidery to your local store or restaurant.

Price: $5.79 / pint on tap
(retails $7 or $8 / 22oz bottle)

Where Drank: Diamond Knot Brewpub in Mountlake Terrace WA

How Found: I called Diamond Knot Brewpub ahead of time to ask their cider selection, as I could only figure out online that they had one tap designated for cider, and didn’t want to be disappointed as I’m a bit picky about my cider! They only said “Grizzly Cider”, but Untappd was able to tell me it was The Ridge (someone had checked in the night before). Even the tap list and menu at Diamond Knot Brewpub only said Grizzly Ciderworks, not the variety. However, I am definite it was The Ridge from the description and its lack of hops or other flavors.

First Impression: Light amber hue. Light carbonation with a light foam ring. Dry woody apple scent.

Opinion: Dry to semi dry. Clean, crisp, and refreshing. I love the woody earthiness, which is unique for a plain flagship cider. Moderate bitterness, moderate acidity, and mild tartness. I was surprised how much I liked this cider considering the dryness and moderate bitterness, which usually put me off a cider, but I think the oaky aspects helped balance that. This cider tastes barrel aged to me, but it isn’t. It paired well with my fish & chips (actually tater tots…my favorite aspect of my meal at the Diamond Knot Brewpub).

Most Similar to: The Ridge has some similar characteristics to Schilling Oak Aged, although The Ridge is more dry, more bitter, and less oaky. I like the two ciders pretty equivalently.

Closing Notes: Very solid cider. I’d try other ciders from Grizzly Ciderworks, but most of their varieties don’t really appeal to me…hopped, ginger, spiced, orange peel & coriander, etc. I’ll keep an eye on them though! Currently Grizzly Ciderworks offers four “Founder’s Series” and two “Seasonal Series” ciders. Here is a great article about their entry into the Seattle cider market in 2013.

Have you tried anything from Grizzly Ciderworks? What did you think?

Seattle Cider Semi-Sweet

August 28, 2015August 21, 2015 cidersays review, Seattle Cider brix, cider, cider review, happy hour, hard cider, hard cider review, Hop Jacks, keg, seattle, Seattle Cider, Seattle Cider Semi-Sweet, Semi-Sweet

Review of Seattle Cider’s Semi-Sweet variety, their most popular flagship / year round variety (which also includes Dry, and recently, Citrus). I’ve had this a few times, but this is the first time since starting Cider Says. Seattle Cider also offers some seasonal, limited release, and harvest series ciders in 22 oz bottles.

Cider: Semi-Sweet
Cidery: Seattle Cider Company
Cidery Location: Seattle WA (duh!)
ABV: 6.5%
Brix: 2.6
How Supplied: 16oz cans (four pack), kegs

Availability: Year round, in WA, OR, CA, HI, TX, MN, WI, & IL

Cider Description: A light, crisp cider with just a touch of sweetness. Honey in color with notes of bergamot orange, lemon, and apple, this refreshing cider reveals hints of citrus and cinnamon on the palate. Made from Granny Smith, Fuji, Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, and Gala apples from Eastern Washington.

White wine yeast and pure cane sugar added for fermentation. Filtered for clarification before tank aging for at least two weeks. Fermented dry. Some cane sugar is added to back sweeten.

Cidery Description: Seattle Cider Company is Seattle’s first cidery since Prohibition, bringing true craft cider back to Seattle and across the country. Bridging the gap between wine and beer with flavorful, small-batch cider, Seattle Cider’s initial offerings – Dry and Semi-Sweet – break the mold of overly sweet cider, bringing the natural flavors of Washington apples to the forefront.

My pint came from this keg:
(visible through the window at the restaurant)

Where Drank: Hop Jacks, a bar/restaurant (“neighborhood gathering place”) in Lynnwood WA
Price: $4.25 / pint (Happy Hour)
How Found: I’ve known about Seattle Cider pretty much since they started up in 2013. They built a very quick following, and seems to be the most commonly found craft cider on tap around here, plus can be located almost everywhere that sells bottled/canned cider. Seattle Cider is currently the only cider on tap at Hop Jacks (they also offer bottles of Angry Orchard).

First Impression: Medium amber, and actually has some head to it, even after the trip from the bar to our table. I don’t pick up any distinctive smell besides mild apple. Interestingly enough there are several reviewers who say this cider smells bad? I’ve definitely smelled worse ciders….

Opinion: More semi-dry than semi-sweet to me. Crisp apple flavor. I don’t really pick up any other notes, such as the citrus or cinnamon they mention. A bit tart & bitter on the finish, but quick. Uncomplicated but refreshing. I also find it better on tap than canned. I like it better when very cold. There is little carbonation in the mouth. I had this cider with fish & chips, which is a great combination as this is a simple cider which isn’t sweet and won’t compete with the meal.

Most Similar to: Anthem’s original cider, which is slightly more tart & complex

Closing Notes: This is a very basic cider which is definitely drinkable (and easy to drink), but not something I’d typically buy when given a large selection. Its better than Angry Orchard though, and a good deal at $4.25 / pint Happy Hour prices.

Their Ciders: I’ve tried a few other selections from Seattle Cider and haven’t really been impressed with any of them, plus they generally tend to be a bit drier than I prefer. They have a Berry cider for example which I barely picked up any berry flavor and was pretty dry for a fruity cider, 1.8 compared to 2.6 Brix for this one. I like that they publish Brix, if only to compare the sweetness levels of their varieties to each other.

Have you tried Seattle Cider? What did you think?

Sheppy’s Oak Matured Somerset Cider Vintage Reserve 2013

August 26, 2015August 21, 2015 cidersays review, Sheppy's cider, cider review, England, hard cider, hard cider review, Oak Aged, Oak Matured, Sheppy's, Somerset, UK, Vintage Reserve

Review of Sheppy’s Oak Matured Somerset Cider Vintage Reserve 2013. I had been on the lookout for a cider with a bold barrel influence, and this one matches that description!

Cider: Oak Matured Somerset Cider, Vintage Reserve 2013
Cidery: Sheppy’s
Cidery Location: Somerset, Taunton, UK
ABV: 6.9%
How Supplied: 500ml brown glass bottle

Availability: Wide release in UK, but likely limited in the U.S.

Cider Description: Vintage Reserve is a fine traditional English cider from the Sheppy family cidermakers. This quality sparkling cider is crafted from apples from a single year’s harvest grown in the Sheppy orchards in Somerset, England.

Cidery Description: Farming 320 acres at Three Bridges Farm since 1917, three generations of the Sheppy family have weathered the ups and downs of farming and cidermaking by embracing change and opportunity. Craftsmen cidermakers for over 200 years. Quality is central to all our ciders, which are produced from local and home-grown apples here at Three Bridges Farm. Modern technology has been used to assist the completely traditional production of fine English cider, but never to compromise the quality which is associated with the name Sheppy’s Cider. We are proud to share with visitors from far and wide our beautiful farm and orchards, and to show you as much as possible of how and where we make our delicious ciders.

Price: $7.00 / 500ml bottle
Where Bought: Full Throttle Bottles in Georgetown neighborhood of Seattle WA
Where Drank: home
How Found: browsing, remembering a recommendation from Sarah of Cider Log

First Impression: Golden amber. Little carbonation. Distinct rick oak apple scent.

Opinion: Semi-dry. Wow, this is actually heavily oak aged! I had been on the lookout for a cider I could say that about, and found it. For me, it is a favorable heavy oak flavor. I also pick up caramel, burnt sugar, and vanilla. My only complaint is the moderate bitterness with the medium-length finish. However, once it warmed up a bit from fridge temperature, it became less bitter and the flavor smoothed out a bit.

So, I’d recommend between fridge and room temperature with this cider. At room temperature it got a bit funky. I find it odd this was described as sparkling cider when I found little carbonation, but maybe they meant not still? It was also a relatively non-descriptive description on the bottle, which didn’t do this cider justice. I like that they vintage this cider, as I’d imagine the cider crop can vary significantly year to year, which can definitely impact the flavor, so this way consumers know they may be getting a slightly different product than they had previously. This is a thick, rich, earthy, and smokey cider with a strong oak barrel flavor.

Most Similar to: English ciders, but with a more rich & heavy oak flavor. If you want something sweeter with a less intense but still bold flavor, I’d recommend Thistly Cross Whisky Cask.

Closing Notes: Yum! I started off questioning whether I liked this cider, but it really grew on me, and I was sad when the bottle was empty. For an imported craft cider this seemed to be a good deal at $7. Full Throttle Bottles is the only shop I’ve seen Sheppy’s at so far, and they had one other variety when I bought this one (Somerset Draught Cider I believe).

Have you tried Sheppy’s Oak Matured cider? What did you think?

Do you have any other recommendations for me for ciders with a heavy barrel influence?

Square Mile The Original Hard Apple Cider

August 25, 2015August 23, 2015 cidersays review, Square Mile cider, cider review, hard apple cider, hard cider, hard cider review, portland, Square Mile, The Original, The Original Hard Apple Cider

Review of Square Mile Cider Company’s “The Original Hard Apple Cider”. I tried this a couple years ago and remember after two sips thinking I got a bad bottle (re-fermented?), and pouring it down the drain. They did have a re-fermenting recall in 2013, but apparently only 22oz bottles, not 12oz. After seeing singles on sale, I decided to give it another try. On the same day as I bought it, the checker at the store said she thought it was pretty good, as did a blog reader. Will I like it better this time around?

Cider: The Original Hard Apple Cider
Cidery: Square Mile Cider Co.
Cidery Location: Portland OR
ABV: 6.7%
How Supplied: 12oz (or 22oz) glass bottles

Availability: WA, OR, CA, HI, AK, NV, AZ, TX, MT, ID, MI, & CO

Cider Description: The Original is a classic American hard cider. Our cider is made from three apple varieties rooted in American culture – Red Delicious, Yellow Delicious and Jonagolds – picked and pressed by hand in Oregon. We chose a lager beer yeast for fermentation to create a cider that perfectly balances sweet and tart with a light, crisp apple flavor and a clean, refreshing finish. The Original is best over ice to complement the cool, crisp apple flavor.

Cidery Description: Inspired by the pioneering spirit of those who traveled the Oregon Trail in the pursuit of a dream, we offer Square Mile Hard Cider. We set out to reinvigorate an enduringly classic American beverage with a blend of apples hand-selected for the perfect balance of sweet and tart. Our hard cider pays homage to the fortitude and perseverance of the original pioneers.

Price: $1.49 for a single bottle (a six pack runs about $8)
Where Bought: Whole Foods, although I’ve also seen it at Fred Meyer & Total Wine
Where Drank: home
How Found: Browsing. And, browsing again. I gotta stop doing that, as I keep buying cider!

First Impression: Moderate carbonation. Clear yellow amber. Smells of sweet apples with a hint of honey.

Opinion: Semi dry. My nose deceived me! To me this cider has a bitter & acidic appley bite, not a sweet apple-honey flavor. I pick up a hint of pear. It is very beer-like, especially to start. I find the finish on the longer side, drawing out the bitterness. Its interesting it isn’t more sweet, as they use both pear & apple concentrates. Unfortunately I am quite sensitive to bitterness and found it overwhelming to my palate, and wasn’t able to perceive any other discernible flavors. Interestingly I wouldn’t describe this cider as very tart, although the bitterness again may have been overwhelming my palate. Everyone has different tastes, so just because I didn’t like it doesn’t mean you won’t (and it appears Square Mile has plenty of fans). Also, note that I definitely didn’t drink this over ice…although I’m not a cider traditionalist, that is something I haven’t ever felt a need to try!

Most Similar to: Kölsch beer (per my hubby). He rather liked this cider.

Recommended For: The beer fan who is interested in getting into ciders but doesn’t want to stray too far or have an overly sweet cider.

Closing Notes: Square Mile was started in 2013 by the Craft Brew Alliance (who also owns Redhook). So, unfortunately its just another cider by “Big Beer”. They also offer “Spur & Vine” (hopped cider, 12 & 22oz bottles), and over the holidays they offered “Cranberry Hard Cider” (750ml bottle special release). This reviewer liked their hopped cider even though they don’t like beer! Apparently though they have recently switched to a sweeter version for both their ciders, and started using concentrates when they didn’t before? (check out the comments on their Facebook page which unfortunately they didn’t respond to)

Have you tried Square Mile The Original Hard Apple Cider? What did you think?

Snowdrift Summer Red

August 24, 2015August 23, 2015 cidersays review, Snowdrift cider, cider review, hard cider, Nebula Red, Red, red fleshed apple, Snowdrift, Summer Red, Wenatchee, Winter Red

Review of Snowdrift Summer Red. This is the second cider I’ve tried from Snowdrift (the first was Cornice), and the first time I’ve had cider from red-fleshed apples. Although there are a few other ciders to be found from red-fleshed apples, they are pretty rare.

Variety Note: Per Snowdrift, “Summer Red” is being re-named simply to “Red”, and they are phasing out their similar Winter Red variety except for selected draft customers. Their Winter Red variety is a more intense higher alcohol version of Summer Red (9.0% ABV), and even more limited in availability. Their Red cider is one of their most popular varieties, and difficult to find. It has previously also been called “Nebula Red”.

Special Thanks: Tim Larsen, owner & cidermaker at Snowdrift, was gracious enough to answer my questions and provide extra information on this cider.

I really love their logo and bottle labels!

Cider: Summer Red
Cidery: Snowdrift
Cidery Location: East Wenatchee WA
ABV: 7.6%
Residual Sugar: 4.3%
How Supplied: 750ml brown glass bottle, champagne corked & caged (also available in kegs); I drank bottle 256 of batch 214

Availability: WA, OR, CA, NY, NJ, & MA. Soon they will offer sales directly to consumers in 22 states from their website! Here is an interesting article on direct to consumer cider sales.

Cider Description: Made entirely from red fleshed apples, from trees imported from Switzerland, only a couple generations removed from their native ancestors in the hills of Kazakhstan. All flavor components and color are natural to the apples. Red fleshed apples are an uncommon strain of apples that naturally developed the color pigments in the flesh of the apples, not just the skin. These apples are very tart & sour, giving great berry notes, particularly strawberry & cranberry. Depending on the apple variety, hints of watermelon and rhubarb can also be found. Their brilliant red flesh yields a crimson red cider with bright acidity. This cider is packed with flavors of cranberries, watermelon, rhubarb, & strawberries, finishing with soft toffee tones. Summer Red received a silver medal this year from Craft Competition.

Snowdrift’s red-fleshed apples, cross-section:

Cidery Description: Snowdrift is a farm-based cidery in sunny central Washington which grows over 35 varieties of cider apples which are blended into their ciders, available since 2009. They aim to showcase the best flavors from the special apple varieties, aging them to allow the tannins to mature into rich flavors before bottling. Tours and tastings are available.

Price: $20
Where Bought: Whole Foods
Where Drank: home
How Found: I’ve read about it online and had been on the hunt to find a bottle.

First Impression: Brilliant coral berry pinkish red. Highly carbonated with a foam head / ring. Lovely berry-apple scent. I was enjoying the scent so much I almost didn’t want to start drinking the cider! But, I was very glad I did.

Opinion: On the sweeter side of semi-dry. I pick up berry, watermelon, and cranberry notes. Moderate tartness and acidity. I was afraid it would be too tart for my liking, but the tartness worked really well with the flavor profile and was balanced with some sweetness. Refreshing, smooth, and crisp. Great summertime beverage! Easy to drink too, and since I had help drinking this one, the bottle was quickly empty. Unique and well-crafted. Although Snowdrift’s ciders are a bit spendy, you can really taste the difference and how much work goes into making a bottle of good craft cider (here is a recent Cider Journal article on that topic). My three of my companions all really enjoyed this cider too. What a treat!

Closing Notes: Awesome! I’ll have to pick up more if I can find some. Highly recommended. This is a nice profile piece on Snowdrift from Serious Eats, although a bit old (from 2011). Here is a more recent one from 2014 from TDHURST. I look forward to trying more cider varieties from Snowdrift. This one from Pepper & Rye has some lovely photos of the Snowdrift cidery & orchards from 2014, and explains the Méthode Champenoise process they use.

Have you tried any red cider varieties from Snowdrift or other cideries? What did you think?

Woodchuck Local Nectar Makes it to Washington! (Plus Inside Scoop on Upcoming Woodchuck Releases)

August 21, 2015November 28, 2015 cidersays local, review, Woodchuck cider, cider tasting, Gumption, hard cider, hard cider tasting, Hot Cha Cha Cha, Local Nectar, lynnwood, Special Brews, Woodchuck

Wednesday was tap night at Special Brews in Lynnwood WA, and this week was a special treat, with four ciders on tap from Woodchuck. Their NW representative, Jen, was even on hand. She brought plenty of giveaways (my husband got a sweet Woodchuck polo). Gumption, Fall Harvest, Pumpkin, and Hopsation were listed.

However, as the night went on, the Pumpkin came into question, as it was reported as pouring a very light color and not being very pumpkiny. After some taste testing, it was determined it was actually Local Nectar! Yes, the 100% Vermont apple Local Nectar cider which Woodchuck only sells in Vermont (they also have a Michigan version though). The keg must have got mislabeled. So, this may have been the first time that Local Nectar was sold in Washington!

I tried Local Nectar before at Ciderbration 2014, Woodchuck’s grand opening party for their new cidery, which we were lucky enough to win a free weekend trip to! They are having a repeat this year by the way, Ciderstock, happening this very weekend. Too bad I didn’t win their contest again this year… Anyway, back to Local Nectar. It is one of Woodchuck’s drier selections, pretty middle of the road as far as sweetness. Its not one of my favorites as it has some bitterness on the tail end, but it is a very nice cider, clean & refreshing. I had thought I liked it more, but after re-tasting it, I think I was thinking of their special-release Ciderbration cider. Now that stuff was awesome! Sweet and very sparkling. Otherwise, I would have got a growler, as Local Nectar in Washington is rare indeed.

Before we found out the Pumpkin was actually Local Nectar, I had ordered Gumption, their newest core cider which I recently reviewed. Its even better on tap! Of course, I also did some bottle shopping. It becomes very easy to buy cider while drinking a cider.

We also chatted with the Woodchuck rep Jen. She had some great inside scoop to share with us:

(1) Woodchuck’s next Out on a Limb release (next month) will be a spicy cider, Hot Cha Cha Cha. Woodchuck tested this variety out in April with a “Firkin” keg, per their Twitter feed. I’ve had a few spicy ciders but haven’t been a fan so far, as the heat seems to overwhelm the cider. I imagine it will be more likable though if it has more sweetness and less heat.

(2) A Washington version of Local Nectar is in work. This will be made at an unspecified cidery in Washington for Woodchuck, using 100% Washington apples. Should be interesting. I wonder if it too will only be sold in the state the apples are from (Washington), because if so, it has a lot of competition here. No release date yet.

I’ll definitely be reviewing both of those once they are out, so stay tuned! Be sure to follow Cider Says on Facebook, through Wordpress, or by e-mail (link in sidebar on right, or at the bottom of the page on mobile devices) to get blog post notifications.

Millstone Cobbler

August 20, 2015August 20, 2015 cidersays Millstone, review barrel aged, cider, cider review, Cobbler, hard cider, hard cider review, Maryland, Millstone, Millstone Cobbler, peach, wild yeast

Review of Millstone Cellar’s “Cobbler” variety. This is the first cider I’ve tried from Millstone Cellars, the first highly rustic cider, and I believe my first East Coast craft cider. Lots of firsts this time around. I love the bottle design and color with this one!

Cider: Cobbler
Cidery: Millstone Cellars
Cidery Location: Monkton MD
ABV: 8.0%
How Supplied: 750ml clear glass resealable bottle (wax covered top)

Availability: MD, VA, DC, DE, NY, WA, and soon to be CA

From Kyle Sherrer, Owner/Fermentologist at Millstone:

The Cider: The Cobbler was 8 barrels of peach wine fermented and aged in bourbon barrels using wild yeast for the fermentation and aging for 6 months. The cider was 22 barrels blended in after oak barrel aging in nuetral oak for 6 months and consisted of Goldrush and York Imperial varietals. We then bottle conditioned the cider using house made unfermented ice cider. The cider has characteristics of peach skin and a lactic soft cheese like quality as well as a hint of vanilla from the bourbon barrel. Like all of our ciders it is dry has high acid and a moderate helping of funk.

The Cidery: We are a cidery that focuses solely on rustic ciders and by that I mean we do all unfiltered, unsulfited, unpastuerized naturally dry ciders that are all wild yeast influenced. All of our ciders are fermented single varietal and then we blend varietals after aging (generally 6-8 months) for the final ciders. All of our ciders are fermented and aged in oak aging Sur Lie (on top of the lee’s) the entire time which helps round out the flavor profile and encourage a natural malolactic fermentation for all of our ciders. Lastly we source all of our ingredients within 150 miles of our cidery.

Price: $17
Where Bought: Schilling Cider House in Fremont neighborhood of Seattle WA
Where Drank: home
How Found: Browsing cider stuff on the internet, then I saw a post on Schilling’s Facebook that they carried this one, so I looked for it at the Cider House. I love the idea of a barrel aged peach cider.

First Impression: Cloudy lemonade yellow color. Significant yeast sediment, especially stuck inside the bottom of the bottle. Mild carbonation. Yeasty citrus scent.

Opinion: Dry. Overwhelmingly mouth-puckering farmhouse funky tangy sour tartness. I only detect citrus, not peach. Very very long finish (oddly enough I couldn’t eliminate the taste for hours). High tannin thick mouthfeel. Heavy bodied. I couldn’t detect any barrel influence as the other qualities were a bit overwhelming to the palate for me. I had three other taste-testers, and all four of us agreed it was unfortunately undrinkable. I don’t mind a dry & funky cider, but the mouth-puckering astringent tang was intolerable.

I hadn’t been expecting this style of cider from the description on the bottle & their website (it only mentioned cask aged cider, bourbon barrel aged rustic peach wine, & farmhouse style). However, after I purchased the bottle, from the reviews and the information the cidery gave me, I discovered this is supposed to be a funky cider style. I think I got a bit too excited about barrel aged & peach and didn’t do enough detailed research before buying this cider. Millstone utilized wild yeast fermentation, bottle conditioning, and kept the cider unfiltered, all of which appear to make very unique funky ciders. Although I wasn’t expecting a sweet cider, with a name like Cobbler and the addition of peach wine, I was expecting some significant peach flavor, but none was detectable.

Most Similar to: Nothing I’ve had! Apparently this is comparable to Basque or Austrian Spanish ciders, but the couple I’ve tried weren’t this polarizing.

Closing Notes: This cider was unfortunately a big disappointment. I just don’t think this style of cider is my cup of tea. Its probably a love it or hate it thing. However, if you enjoy a funky high acidic tart rustic cider, you may like ciders from Millstone…they are definitely unique! It seems that plenty of folks do enjoy their ciders (see UNTAPPD and RateBeer), just not me.

Have you tried Millstone Cobbler? What did you think?

2 Towns Cider Master Reserve Batch No. 01, Barrel Select Blend

August 18, 2015August 18, 2015 cidersays 2 Towns, review 2 Towns, barrel aged, Barrel Select Blend, Batch No. 01, cider, Cider Master Reserve, cider review, hard cider, hard cider review

Review of Cider Master Reserve Barrel Select Blend Batch No. 01 from 2 Towns. Special thanks to Dave Takush (head cidermaker & co-owner) and Aaron Sarnoff (co-owner) to answering my e-mail and providing some great additional information about this rare cider!

Cider: Cider Master Reserve Batch No. 01, Barrel Select Blend
Cidery: 2 Towns
Cidery Location: Corvallis OR
ABV: 6.9%
How Supplied: 750ml glass bottle

Availability: special release (May 2015), probably only found in WA & OR. However, 2 Towns cider is general is available in OR, WA, CA, AK, HI, NV (limited), ID, IL (Chicago), & MN (Minneapolis).

Cider Master Reserve Description: Inspired by the rich history of cidermaking, our Cider Master Reserve Series holds nothing back. We utilize rare heirloom cider fruit from the Pacific Northwest to create ciders that pioneer beyond the modern palate. You are holding in your hand the ultimate culmination of science, culture, and history,. Enjoy the result.

Barrel Select Blend Description: Batch No. 01 of the Cider Master Reserve series is a traditional English-style cider made from a blend of our finest locally-sourced heirloom cider apples. Aging in a variety of select vintage casks lends a depth of uncommon character to this bold, dry cider.

Locally Sourced Apple Varieties: Ashmead’s Kernal, Bramley’s Seedling, Chisel Jersey, & Newtown Pippen apples

Barrel Blend: rum (35%), bourbon (27%), white bordeaux (20%), & brandy (18%)

Ingredients: Fresh-pressed NW heirloom apples, sulfites

Additional Information from 2 Towns: This is No. 1 in a forthcoming series of Cider Master Reserve batches, focusing on specific ingredients, orchards, and styles that pioneer beyond the modern palate. This barrel blend was meant to be a high-acid, food friendly, dry cider, that has subtle hints of sugar cane, oak, and floral/fruit notes from the rum, white bordeaux (chardonnay), and brandy barrels respectively. The ciders in the series are meant to be elegant, complex and not ‘oak bombs’ or overly sweet modern style ciders. The majority of the acidity comes from Bramley’s Seedling, an old-world English apple used for baking and cider back in the UK. All the apples were sourced locally from small heirloom apple orchards in the Willamette Valley and Hood River.

Cidery Description: 2 Towns was founded in 2010 by partners Lee Larsen and Aaron Sarnoff. Dave Takush joined us shortly thereafter. All three of us grew up together in the Corvallis, OR area. We’ve had explosive growth since our inception at which point we had intended to produce and distribute cider to the Corvallis, OR and Eugene, OR areas only (incidentally, the 2 Towns of our namesake). It became readily apparent that our initial vision needed to grow as we hit our maximum capacity in our first production space (a converted 1,000 sq ft garage) in roughly 2 months. We’ve since built 2 new production facilities with a total of 25,000 sq ft of production space and our team has grown to over 30 people to help us to distribute to 9 states and counting.

Over this time, we’ve kept to our original goal of bringing craft hard cider back to the people. We feel that a craft cider is made with fresh-pressed fruit and contain no artificial flavorings. Our fruit is all sourced in Oregon & Washington and all of our ciders are also free from added sugars other than those present in the juice and in some cases local honey. We feel that cider doesn’t need to be sweet to express the natural flavors of the fruits we ferment.

2 Towns Ciderhouse planted an orchard in 2011 with all traditional cider apple varieties such as Kingston Black, Dabinett, Jersey Brown Snout, and many others. 2 Towns has also contracted with several growers in the Willamette Valley and beyond to grow additional traditional cider fruit.

Price: $16.25
Where Bought: Full Throttle Bottles in Georgetown area of Seattle WA
Where Drank: home
How Found: I believe I saw a press release at NW Cider and a review at Cider Journal. So, I was happy to get a newsletter from Full Throttle Bottles that said they had some in stock! I hurried over to get my hands on it. I am a huge sucker for both barrel aged and special release ciders.

First Impression: Pale yellow, moderate carbonation, dry apple-champagne scent.

Opinion: Dry. This is a very crisp, refreshing, and pleasantly acidic champagne-like cider. Effervescent mouthfeel and light body. No significant bitterness or tartness. I usually avoid dry ciders, but due to the lack of bitterness, this cider was very drinkable for me. I think between the lack of bitterness and the flavor & body, I perceived this cider as slightly sweeter than it is. It was even smoother when it warmed up a bit. So, I would recommend trying this cider somewhere between fridge and room temperature. However, I found there was little discernible barrel influence. I picked up some notes of citrus, pear, and possibly vanilla.

I wouldn’t describe this cider as complex or bold. However, it was very tasty! The bottle was quickly emptied, as I had houseguests to share it with, and it was very well-received. We opened it before dinner and unfortunately there was none left to actually accompany the meal. I look forward to whatever 2 Towns comes up with next! It appears they are tasting Reserve Batch No. 02 at their Harvest Party in October, so it shouldn’t be too long of a wait.

Most Similar to: Ace Blackjack 21, another special release cider. It is a Gravenstein single varietal, Oak Chardonnay barrel aged. I also found it to be very champagne-like. However, I liked the 2 Towns cider much better.

Closing Notes: Try 2 Towns’ Cider Master Reserve Barrel Select Blend if you can find some! This is a very well-composed cider, great for summer, or as a champagne alternative (although not fully sparkling).

Have you tried 2 Towns Cider Master Reserve Batch No. 1 ‘Barrel Select Blend’? What did you think?

Smith & Forge Hard Cider

August 16, 2015August 14, 2015 cidersays review, Smith & Forge cider, cider review, hard cider, hard cider review, Memphis, MillerCoors, Smith & Forge, Uncharted Hard Cider Company

Review of Smith & Forge Hard Cider. I haven’t got around to trying this one, so why not? I don’t discriminate when it comes to cider. If I like it, I drink it / buy it again.

Cider: Smith & Forge Hard Cider
Cidery: Uncharted Hard Cider Co.
Cidery Location: Memphis TN
ABV: 6.0%
How Supplied: 12oz can (or 16oz can)

Availability: wide release

Cider Description: Presenting Smith & Forge Hard Cider, a sturdy drink for the hardy gent. Launching nationally this month (March 2014), Smith & Forge is a hard cider fermented in the tradition of days gone by. With a rich amber color, 6% alcohol by volume (ABV), a distinct, not-too-sweet taste and a fantastically crisp finish, Smith & Forge is built to refresh.

Cidery Description: Smith & Forge is a MillerCoors product…nuff said

Price: ~$2 for a single can (a six pack runs about $7-8)
Where Bought: Total Wine (although its available almost everywhere)
Where Drank: home
How Found: I’ve seen it advertised and someone said they thought it was similar to Woodchuck, so I thought I may as well try one for research purposes…

First Impression: Deep bronze amber (is this actually real? coloring isn’t listed though…). Almost no carbonation. Sugary fake apple smell.

Opinion: Very sweet. This has a syrupy sweet apple taste. I actually like sweeter ciders, but I think because of the lack of carbonation, it made it seem even sweeter. Its an alcoholic apple juice type of cider. I don’t detect any tartness. There is the slightest amount of bitterness in the finish. Hints of a caramel flavor. I wouldn’t even describe it as a smooth & crisp cider, as it is too syrupy & fake tasting for my liking. Overall this is a very simple cider without much depth. I think with a lot more carbonation and a bit less sugar it wouldn’t be too horrible. I’m still curious about the color, as even barrel aged cider doesn’t often get that deep of an amber, and it looks like the color of the Woodchuck ciders which (unfortunately) add coloring.

Closing Notes: I think people in their early 20s who want a “cider” which tastes like apple juice but has alcohol will like this. Besides that, it doesn’t have much going for it. MillerCoors is definitely marketing this stuff like crazy! Their marketing it to men is an interesting strategy. Sadly, this is another cider by “Big Beer”, and further, one that tries to hide that fact. Of the commercial ciders I’ve tried, I find Woodchuck to have the best tasting ciders in general.

Have you tried Smith & Forge? What did you think?

Argus Fermantables Ciderkin

August 14, 2015August 3, 2015 cidersays Argus, review Argus, Argus Cider, Argus Fermentables, Austin, cider, cider review, Ciderkin, hard cider, hard cider review, sparkling cider

Review of Ciderkin from Argus Fermentables, a traditional dry sparking cider. This is the first cider I’ve tried from Texas! The Fermentables line is a newer branch from Argus, offering cider in six packs instead of 750ml bottles, and currently includes Ciderkin and Ginger Perry (link). Ciderkin was released Match 2015. Their traditional cider line is released by vintage and includes a number of sparking options, and they even have a sparkling Tepache (fermented pineapple juice with spices).

Cider: Ciderkin
Cidery: Argus Cidery, Argus Fermentables line
Cidery Location: Austin TX
ABV: 4.5%
How Supplied: 12oz glass bottle (six pack)
Availability: year round, semi-limited release (mostly TX?)

Cider Description: Based on nostalgic profiles of ciders everyone first experienced, Argus Ferementables Ciderkin delivers a straightforward apple palate, yet finishes dry and tannic. Traditional Ciderkin is made from reconstituted apple pomace that is pressed and fermented wild to produce a low ABV-dry cider style. Expounding on that tradition, we have employed a yeast blend that finishes dry, yet still preserves a prominent stone fruit nose and apple palate.

Tasting Notes: Apple, Cherry, Caramel, and Citric Nose. Round apple palate with dry, tannic quick finish. No candy-liger, and exceptional with food.

Cidery Description: Argus Cidery is the first cidery in Texas, founded in 2010. They specialize in sparkling and still European-style Basque-influenced ciders and currently use only Texas-grown apples. The Argus Fermentables brand expands the cidery’s reach by featuring ciders that are not necessarily European in style and by sourcing apples from outside the region.

Price: $2.50 for a single 12oz bottle (priced individually; one source said $10 for a six pack though)
Where Bought: Full Throttle Bottles in Georgetown neighborhood of Seattle WA
Where Drank: home
How Found: Browsing. The unique neck-less bottle drew me in, the the low cost and cidery location (Texas of all places) convinced me to give this cider a try.

First Impression: Definitely sparkling (I even waited a minute to take this photo). Pretty champagne-like color. Smells dry, of apples & pears?, earthy, of citrus, and acidic.

Opinion: Dry, but of an easier to drink variety that doesn’t immediately turn me off to the cider like many drier ciders do. This is a clean & crisp tasting smooth cider which is light & citrusy. It has a quick finish but some lingering (pleasant) aftertaste. There is a bit of acidity, bitterness, and astringent drying tannins at the end, but not overly so. This cider has a bit of an earthy funk. I even pick up a hint of vanilla. There is only a slight tartness. The sparking mouthfeel was enjoyable (I’m typically a big fan of sparkling ciders). I don’t however notice cherry or caramel as Argus’ tasting notes specified, but I admit my palate isn’t refined. I would describe Ciderkin as unique but not bold. I nibbled on some crackers while enjoying this cider before dinner, which worked well. Ciderkin is a refreshing cider for summer.

Interesting Fact: As discussed a bit in Argus’ description of this cider, Ciderkin is a traditional term to describe cidermaking by fermenting reconstituted apple pomace (pulp remaining after crushing apples). As the pulp is diluted, the alcohol content is significantly reduced.

Closing Notes: This is a great introduction to drier ciders, and fairly unique. Give it a try if you can find some! From what I’ve found online, it appears very lucky that I was able to find this in my area as I can’t find much of anything about it being released outside of TX.

Have you tried Argus Fermentables Ciderkin, or anything else Argus Cidery produces? What did you think?

Schilling Oak Aged

August 12, 2015August 12, 2015 cidersays review, Schilling can, cider, cider house, cider review, Finnriver, hard cider, hard cider review, Oak & Apple, Oak Aged, Schilling

Review of Schilling Oak Aged. This is my favorite Schilling Cider out of the seven I’ve tried. Interestingly enough this cider is not oak barrel aged, but instead uses American oak chips in the fermentation and racking process to impart the oak flavor. I’ve seen this done with other alcoholic beverages (such as whiskey) to be able to more quickly release a product, as barrel aging can be time consuming. Chips can also cost significantly less. Some traditionalists may call this “cheating” though. Here is a cool barrels vs. chips blog post from ALEHEADS from the beer world.

(and yes of course the can I chose to drink/photograph out of the four has the dent…)

Cider: Oak Aged
Cidery: Schilling Cider Co.
Cidery Location: Auburn WA (with Cider House in Fremont area of Seattle WA, and a brand new tasting room which opened July 31 2015 at the cidery in Auburn WA)
ABV: 6.5%
How Supplied: 12oz can
Availability: Year round, semi-wide release (probably more so in the PNW)

Cider Description: Pours a hazy straw gold color with aromas of apples, cinnamon, vanilla, and oak with some smokiness. Flavors of apple, cinnamon, vanilla and oak with a nice spice finish. Fermented and finished on 100% NW oak this cider has a scotch taste complemented by a very smooth and lingering finish.

Cidery Description: Craft cider company founded in 2012 in Seattle WA. They use only local apples. Their current line up includes Hopped, Ginger, & Oak Aged in four packs of 12oz cans, Gold & Dry in four packs of 16 oz cans, and Spiced, Chai, Chaider, & Grapefruit special releases in 22oz bottles (Grapefruit is also now in four packs of 16 oz cans). Their Cider House also has a large number of cider offerings only available there, such as Berry & Sriracha Lime. Note that they cite product protection, convenience, and environmental reasons for using cans for their regular lineup.

Price: $6.50 / 4 cans
Where Bought: Total Wine (I’ve also seen it at Fred Meyer, Whole Foods, Full Throttle Bottles, Special Brews, Schilling Cider House, etc)
Where Drank: home
How Found: Browsing awhile back. I’ve had this cider a few times.

First Impression: Pale champagne hue. Very light carbonation. Mild apple, oak, smoke, & vanilla scents.

Opinion: Semi dry. This is a nice mild oaked cider. I can’t really tell that it is with wood chips and not barrel aged, but I don’t have too refined of a palate. Oddly enough I pick up very little spice in this (which is good as its not something I enjoy), in contrast to most folks who notice cinnamon & cloves. I do however pick up the vanilla and some mild smokiness. Like most ciders, it starts sweeter and finishes a bit drier. It is a quick finishing cider, and I pick up a bit of acidity at the end. The flavor really reminds me of champagne / sparkling cider, but less bubbly of course. I think more carbonation and oakiness would be nice in this cider, as its on the mellow side. However, it makes for easy drinking.

Most Similar to: Finnriver Oak & Apple, which I tried at the Schilling Cider House after being surprised they didn’t have their own Shilling Oak Aged on tap. I give a slight edge to Finnriver over Schilling after tasting Schilling again (in my Schilling Cider House tasting notes I had thought the opposite). There is however quite a cost difference between the two cider brands, with the Finnriver typically costing much more (although it appears Finnriver Oak & Apple isn’t currently available in bottles?). Interestingly enough the Finnriver Oak & Apple is barrel aged. I can’t however pinpoint why I have this preference without tasting them side by side.

Interesting Fact: Founder Colin Schilling is the great-great grandson of August Schilling, founder of Schilling Spice Company (now McCormick). (Source)

Closing Notes: This is a solid and enjoyable cider. The affordability is a nice bonus.

Have you tried Schilling Oak Aged? What did you think?

Blackthorn Cider

August 9, 2015August 2, 2015 cidersays Blackthorn, review Blackthorn, cider, cider review, hard cider, hard cider review

Review of Blackthorn “Dry English Cider”, the U.S. import version.

Cider: Blackthorn
Cidery: Gaymer Cider Company, a subsidiary of C&C Group Plc (who also owns Magners)
Cidery Location: Shepton Mallet (Mendip District, Somerset England)
ABV: 6.0%
How Supplied: 16.9 oz can
Availability: year round, wide release, four packs of 16.9 oz cans

Cider Description: Blackthorn is a dry, yet sweet apple cider with bushels of flavor to quench your thirst on even the hottest days.

Cidery Description: One of the country’s best-known and most loved ciders, Blackthorn is firmly rooted in the rugged hills of Somerset – a county which inspires a spirit of courage and determination, with its distinctive clean, crisp taste, Blackthorn Cider is founded on a passion to never settle for ordinary. Grab life by the thorn.

Price: $5 / 16.9 oz can at a restaurant (retail is $9 for 4 cans)
Where Drank: Stellar Pizza in Georgetown area of Seattle WA (they also had Schilling Ginger cans available), which is an awesome pizza joint by the way
How Found: I’ve seen it while browsing Total Wine (they often place it next to the cinnamon whiskey), and seen some reviews online. However, this time it was only a choice between two ciders, which was easy as I don’t like ginger.

First Impression: Medium orange amber. Slight carbonation. Seemingly fake English “apple” scent.

Opinion: Between semi-dry and semi-sweet. Slightly rich syrupy taste with only a slight bitterness. Interestingly enough the ingredients are “cider, glucose-fructose syrup, citric acid, ascorbic acid, colour, contains sulphites”. So, like most commercial products, this isn’t “real” cider. Not very complex of a flavor. I find it interesting they import so many of these “fake” ciders. It was easy to drink and went well with pizza though. I easily finished the entire can even though it was the middle of the workday!

Most Similar to: Crispin Browns Lane, which I reviewed recently. Interestingly enough both ciders are at exactly the same price point in my area. I much prefer the Crispin Browns Lane though, which seemed more flavorful and “real” (although it also has added ingredients, sucrose, ascorbic acid, & sulphites).

Closing Notes: This is a fairly solid commercial cider that I would choose over Angry Orchard, Strongbow, etc, if it was offered while I was out. I probably wouldn’t however choose to buy this, in contrast to Crispin Browns Lane.

Have you tried Blackthorn? What did you think?

Eaglemount Quince

August 6, 2015August 2, 2015 cidersays Eaglemount, review cider, cider review, eaglemount, hard cider, hard cider review, port townsend, Quince

Review of Eaglemount Wine & Cider’s Quince cider. Note that this is apparently the only commercially-produced Quince cider (although it has been used in low quantities in cider blends). From the description below it doesn’t appear to be a single varietal, but pretty close. Here is a cool NY Times article on Eaglemount’s Quince, focusing on the apples, In Praise of the Misunderstood Quince.

(sorry for the wrinkled label…I guess my fridge is a bit humid!)

Cider: Quince
Cidery: Eaglemount Wine & Cider
Cidery Location: Port Townsend WA (note they are currently moving the tasting room)
ABV: 8.0%
How Supplied: 750 ml clear glass bottle with a handy flip-top to reseal after popping the metal cap

Availability: Very limited release. Distributed in Seattle WA & Portland OR, a Port Townsend WA area Farmer’s Market, Eaglemount’s tasting room in Port Townsend WA, and Eaglemount’s online store. They also offer a cider club!

Cider Description: A one of a kind cider made with Certified Organic Quince and heirloom variety apples. This unique complex cider has notes of pineapple, grapefruit, honey, and more. The Quince were grown in Washington’s San Juan Islands. Enjoy this delightful cider with roasted pear salad, light entrees, or as a chilled afternoon cordial by itself or mixed with your favorite spirits. Our Quince Cider was featured in the New York Times April 2012 in an article on quince. Won Best Specialty Cider in SIP Magazine in 2013.

(Quince apples, a photo from Eaglemount’s Facebook page)

Cidery Description: We started our winery in 2006 here on the Olympic Peninsula in northwest Washington State. We own one of the original homesteads in the area and started making wine and then hard cider from the wonderful heirloom apples from our homestead orchard in 1996. Some of the varieties include: Gravenstein, Winter Banana, Jonathan, Roxbury Russet and more. We also have a cider orchard with French and English varieties of cider apples.

They have six cider varieties (Quince, Rhubarb, Ginger, Homestead Semi-Sweet, Homestead Dry, & Boot Brawl), one mead variety (Apple), one Cyser (mead-style cider), and five wine varieties listed on their website (online store), but it appears they have more (at least at their tasting room) from the reviews I’ve read.

Additional Info from Trudy Davis, the vintner at Eaglemount, in Response to My Request: Our winery is located on an 1883 Homestead that has the original apple trees. These were the foundation for our first ciders. All of our apples come from a 20 mile radius here on the Olympic Peninsula. The quince come from a certified organic orchard in the San Juan Islands. Quince is a hard to describe flavor; honeysuckle, tropical fruit, and grapefruit are some descriptors.

Price: $20.50
Where Bought: Full Throttle Bottles in Georgetown area of Seattle WA (I’ve also seen Eaglemount ciders at Special Brews, but not Quince)
Where Drank: home
How Found: Browsing, and I’ve read some reviews. I’ve had my eye on Eaglemount and was deciding what variety would be best for me to try. This definitely fit the bill!

First Impression: Carbonated upon pouring. Fairly clear yellow amber. Distinctive scent, which I assume is the Quince apples, with a tropical flair.

Opinion: Semi-dry, but due to the “sweet” flavors, it comes across a bit sweeter than I think it actually is. Carbonated mouthfeel. Very distinctive complex flavor which I agree is difficult to describe. I definitely pick up tropical aspects, some vanilla & honey, and a touch of an herbal/floral quality. It has only a slight tartness, and no bitterness, which can be difficult to accomplish with a drier cider. This is a very well crafted cider–mighty fine! It drinks more like 5% than 8% ABV; very smooth. There are also some wine-like qualities to this cider, but not enough to discourage me, which often occurs with wine-like ciders.

Most Similar to: Reverend Nat’s Revival, which also has some tropical aspects to it. Eaglemount by comparison is slightly less sweet and has a more distinctively complex flavor.

Closing Notes: Epic cider–highly recommended! I really enjoy complex ciders like this. Eaglemount Quince is definitely a treat, worth the higher price tag. I look forward to trying more of their ciders. This variety definitely stuck out for me when choosing one, and from what I read, it seems very well received (most posts about Eaglemount seem to mention Quince). I think I’ve mostly seen their Root Brawl (hopped cider) and Cyser (mead-style cider) around me.

Fun Fact: Finnriver and Alpenfire are in the same Port Townsend area as Eaglemount; see this cider route map. Roadtrip anyone?

Postscript: I wish more craft cideries offered their product in smaller bottles. For folks like me without someone to share the cider with most of the time (my hubby is more into spirits, beer, & wine), a 750ml bottle of a relatively high ABV cider is a bit much for one sitting. Also, a smaller bottle would lower the price point. 500ml is a more manageable size. I made a big dent in emptying the bottle, but had plenty left to drink a second night. The flip top closure worked fairly well, especially at re-carbonation, and there was very little change in the cider’s flavor (as I’ve had happen before, it mellowed out just a bit).

Have you tried Eaglemount Quince? What did you think?

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