Far West Cider Orchard Blend No. 1

Review of Far West Cider’s Orchard Blend No. 1. I’ve previously sampled a different vintage of this cider (see here), plus Far West’s San Joaquin Sparkler. I got this bottle through Press Then Press, a new online cider store focusing on small batch ciders. I got a sneak peak, but they are ~~planning to launch late Aug / early Sept 2019~~ having a soft launch Aug 19 and an official launch Sept 9 2019; sign up for e-mails to be first in the know.

>>This is a review of a sample bottle provided to Cider Says by Press Then Press. 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: Orchard Blend No. 1
Cidery: Far West Cider Co.
Cidery Location: Richmond CA
ABV: 6.5%
How Supplied: 750ml bottles
Style: American craft cider from dessert apples

Availability: only through Press Then Press (which ships to 43/50 states), unless you happen to be at a specific store in California

Distributor Description: Don’t taste the same, taste the difference! Press Then Press – Farm to you small batch cider. We focus on small batch and hard to find cider. Please visit our curated online store! We are a mom and pop who wanted more fine cider available to everyone (over 21), so we started this up. Press Then Press will email you when a fine cider is available for purchase. If you want it, visit our site and purchase it! Pick up your cider in Seattle, or we ship to you. Sign up with your email to be included on future available ciders. You will hear about it first! 1)Press the fruit then 2) Press the order button

Cider Description: This cider uses a combination of GoldRush, Cripps Pink and Granny Smith apples grown on Chinchiolo Family Farms. It is fermented with Champagne yeast at very low temperatures and aged to develop more complexity than your typical cider. Fruit-forward, sparkling, and just barely semi-sweet with great acid balance

Cidery Description: Californian ciders from a 4th generation family farm in San Joaquin County.

Price: $15
Where Bought: n/a
Where Drank: home
How Found: originally browsing when in a bottle shop in San Francisco CA, now through Press Then Press

First Impression: Light straw yellow hue. Low carbonation. Smells mild, tart.

Tasting Notes: On the drier side of semi-dry. Light to medium bodied. Moderate tartness. Moderate to high acidity. Hints of bitterness and tannins. No sourness or funk. Notes of green apple, lemon, pineapple, and honey. Moderate length tart finish. Low to moderate apple flavor, complexity, and overall flavor intensity. High sessionability.

My Opinion: I liked it. Tasty and easy to drink. This perceives a bit drier (less sweet) than the last vintage I tried, possibly because it is more tart & acidic than that version. Overall I’d expect this to have wide appeal.

Most Similar to: Seattle Cider Semi-Sweet and Scandinavian Green Apple Craft Cider

Closing Notes: I look forward to trying the other ciders in Press Then Press‘ introductory lineup. Their website is well laid out and informative, making the order process easy, and providing access to unique ciders which otherwise wouldn’t be available to most folks.

Have you tried Far West Cider? What did you think?

Westons Caple Rd Blend No. 3

August 14, 2019August 14, 2019 cidersays review, Westons Caple Rd, Caple Road, cider, cider review, cider tasting, hard cider, tasting notes, Westons, Westons Caple Rd, Westons cider

Review of Westons Caple Rd Blend No. 3 cider. It is my first time trying anything from this cidery.

Cider: Blend No. 3
Cidery: Westons Caple Rd
Cidery Location: Ledbury, Herefordshire, England
ABV: 5.3%
How Supplied: four pack of 500ml cans
Style: English cider, craft per their website, although per the ingredient list, they add water & sugar, presumably to obtain their desired sweetness and ABV levels (note in the U.S. it would instead be more common to backsweeten with unfermented juice)

Availability: semi wide release

Cider Description: The UK’s first canned cider produced with genuine craft credentials. Slowly fermented fresh pressed English apple juice – no concentrate. Small batch production. Matured for up to 18 months in both oak and stainless steel vats. Produced by an independent cider maker. An uncompromising and challenging cider, with taste and flavour at its heart. Matured in both oak and steel for a refined, full-bodied flavour. Full bodied dark straw / amber sparkling cider. Oaky, smoky, with subtle notes of leather…Fresh English apple juice. A first for canned cider. Unique authentic provenance. Genuine, true cider.

Cidery Description: Being the fifth generation of the Weston family line, Guy inherited a fine cider making heritage, which he uses to create contemporary and pioneering ciders. Try as he might, Guy can’t help but go against the grain, determined to challenge cider-lovers palates. — Great ciders are in my blood, Caple Rd is no different. I demand the finest yeast and fresh bittersweet English apple juice to craft ciders I am proud of. My patience for a slow fermentation and up to 18 months maturation, is challenged with the anticipation to taste the complex, full-bodied cider I have crafted and nurtured.

Price: $9.49 / four cans
Where Bought: Total Wine
Where Drank: home
How Found: browsing; I was excited to see a new-to-me English cider available

First Impression: Light gold hue. Moderate carbonation. Smells musty, of rich sweet apple.

Tasting Notes: Semi-dry. Light bodied. Low to moderate tartness. Moderate acidity. Hints of tannins, bitterness, and funk. No sourness. Notes of juicy apple, lemon, caramel, and leather. Moderate length tart finish. Moderate apple flavor and flavor intensity. High sessionability. Low to moderate complexity.

My Opinion: Great! I liked the flavor profile. It is more fitting for warm weather than most other English ciders, being more fruity than rich. It still has plenty of characteristic English cider flavor, and more complexity than I expected for a canned cider. From the taste I’d believe this was craft, and in a much higher price range than under $2.50 / pint.

Most Similar to: a higher quality version of Crispin Browns Lane, one of the fruitier Aspall varieties, or Sheppy’s Somerset Draught if it was more fruity (as its one of the least rich English ciders I’ve tried)

Closing Notes: I hope this will continue to be available. Seems like all my favorite English ciders are no longer sold locally.

Have you tried Caple Rd? What did you think?

Stone Circle Farmhouse Semi-Dry

August 12, 2019September 7, 2019 cidersays review, Stone Circle cider, cider review, cider tasting, farmhouse cider, farmhouse style, hard cider, Press Then Press, Stone Circle, tasting notes

Review of Stone Circle Cider’s Farmhouse Semi-Dry. It is my first time trying anything from this cidery. I was introduced through Press Then Press, a new online cider store focusing on small batch ciders. I got a sneak peak, but they are ~~planning to launch late Aug / early Sept 2019~~ having a soft launch Aug 19 and an official launch Sept 9 2019; sign up for e-mails to be first in the know.

Cider: Farmhouse Semi-Dry
Cidery: Stone Circle Cider
Cidery Location: Estacada, OR
ABV: 6.5%
How Supplied: 500ml bottles
Style: American craft farmhouse style semi-dry cider from heirloom & bittersweet cider apples

Availability: probably only though Press Then Press (which ships to 43/50 states), unless you live near Portland Oregon

Cider Description: With all of the rich apple character of our Farmhouse Dry, this cider features just a splash of sweetness to enhance the fruit flavor. Made with real cider apples pressed in the fall, this cider is slow fermented all winter, yielding a smooth mostly dry cider that is as drinkable as they come.

Cidery Description: We own a 36 acre farm, just outside of Estacada, Oregon. It’s a beautiful property that offers lovely views of the Willamette Valley and Coastal Range Mountains. The farm had been exclusively Christmas trees, but we began the transition to heirloom variety cider apples in the winter of 2015. We’ve continued to transition more and more space into cider apples every year since.

Price: ~ $9.00
Where Bought: n/a
Where Drank: home
How Found: through Press Then Press

First Impression: Hazy orange hue. Very little carbonation. Smells funky, of rich rustic apple with some orange.

Tasting Notes: On the drier side of semi-dry. Light bodied. Moderate to high tartness. Moderate acidity. Low sourness, tannins, and funk. Hints of bitterness. Notes of cider apple juice & pomace, orange, must, leather, and a hint of floral. Long lightly sour finish, at the back of the palette. Moderate flavor intensity, complexity, sessionability, and apple flavor.

My Opinion: I loved the profile of this cider, with the big cider apple flavor, but unfortunately I’m super sensitive to sourness, so due to its presence, I wasn’t personally a fan. Everyone has different tastes – good thing there are more cider options than ever. I’d suggest this selection to fans of farmhouse-style / rustic ciders, who like a bit of sourness & funk. However, overall the levels of both were low, so some may not even notice. Sourness & funk often occur together, and typically result from wild yeast fermentation, which uses natural yeast in the juice which was on the skin of the apples from the environment, which is typical for a farmhouse-style cider, same with haziness.

I liked that the bottle was clearly labeled ‘farmhouse’, and their website discusses their methods, as I’ve had some surprise bottles I’ve bought that have had even more sourness, but neither the bottle or their website had noted the style. To be honest I wouldn’t have bought this cider myself due to the style, but I’m glad I got to try it, and I think my personal opinions in a review are more of an afterthought than a focus.

Side Note: This is an excellent price point for the type of cider, and I liked seeing it available in smaller bottles, as it reduces the price point further, making it an easier buying decision than a $15+ bottle. This appears to be a current trend, with more heritage cideries using 500 ml instead of 750 ml bottles like they used to do. I think this helps them be more competitive with smaller modern cideries, making their ciders closer in price to them (and in this case, actually about equivalent).

Most Similar to: This reminded me a lot of some Normandy France ciders I’ve tried, with rich bittersweet cider apple flavor and some sourness & funk, as well as U.S. ciders of a similar rustic style, like Runcible Old Hoot.

Have you tried Stone Circle cider? What did you think?

Greenwood Lingonberry

August 8, 2019August 17, 2019 cidersays Greenwood, review berry cider, cider, cider review, cider tasting, Greenwood cider, hard cider, lingonberry, lingonberry cider, Press Then Press, tasting notes

Review of Greenwood Cider’s Lingonberry. It is my first time trying this, but I’ve had their Huckleberry, Sweet Orange Cinnamon, Cedar Cider, Lavender Blackberry, Cherry, Red River Wolf Crab, Blush, and Peach varieties. I got this through Press Then Press, a new online cider store focusing on small batch ciders. I got a sneak peak, but they are ~~planning to launch late Aug / early Sept 2019~~ having a soft launch Aug 19 and an official launch Sept 9 2019; sign up for e-mails to be first in the know.

Cider: Lingonberry
Cidery: Greenwood Cider
Cidery Location: Seattle WA
ABV: 7.8%
How Supplied: 500ml bottles
Style: American craft cider with lingonberries

Availability: only though Press Then Press (which ships to 43/50 states), unless you happen to be at a specific store in Western Washington

Cider Description: A Scandinavian staple, the lingonberry can also be found in parts of the Pacific Northwest in wild and domesticated forms. A relative of blueberries and cranberries, these small bright-red berries add tartness and a little color. Skål!

Cidery Description: Andy and Ryan Short (yep, brothers) and Marshall Petryni of Greenwood Cider make their cider in Seattle! They got their start with apples leftover from a CSA that didn’t get picked up. A few fermenting sessions later, they were selling their ciders & Greenwood Cider was born. Nowadays the fruit supply they work with is more consistent, and it shows up in the two ciders we are featuring. Something I really enjoy about these guys is their sense of humor and style. And that sometimes you need a cider with breakfast.

Price: ~ $10.50
Where Bought: n/a
Where Drank: home
How Found: through Press Then Press

First Impression: Pink-red hue. Low carbonation. Smells of tart berry.

Tasting Notes: Dry to semi-dry. Light bodied. Moderate to high tartness and acidity. Hints of bitterness and tannins. No sourness or funk. Notes of berry, lemon, green apple, and floral. Quick finish. Low to moderate flavor intensity and complexity. Moderate sessionability. Low apple flavor.

My Opinion: I liked it, although it was drier and the flavor was milder than I prefer. My husband was a bigger fan, as this is his kind of cider.

Most Similar to: other drier tart berry or currant ciders, like others Greenwood has made, or Swift Marrionberry

Have you tried Greenwood cider? What did you think?

Applegarden Farm Cider

August 5, 2019August 17, 2019 cidersays Applegarden, review Applegarden, Applegarden Farm, Applegarden Farm cider, cider, cider review, cider tasting, hard cider, Heritage Cider, orchard based cider, Press Then Press

Review of Applegarden Farm’s flagship cider. It is my first time trying anything from this cidery. I was introduced through Press Then Press, a new online cider store focusing on small batch ciders. I got a sneak peak, but they are ~~planning to launch late Aug / early Sept 2019~~ having a soft launch Aug 19 and an official launch Sept 9 2019; sign up for e-mails to be first in the know.

Cider: Hard Cider
Cidery: Applegarden Farm
Cidery Location: Tomales CA
ABV: 7.0%
How Supplied: 500ml bottles
Style: American craft heritage cider from estate-grown heirloom apples

Availability: only though Press Then Press (which ships to 43/50 states), unless you happen to be at a specific store in one of a few cities in Northern California

Cider Description: We decided on a “farmstead cider” which would contain only the apples grown on our farm…We developed our flavor profile to complement the many artisan cheese makers and oyster farmers in our own local area: it’s fairly dry with only a hint of apple “notes,” with a very slight bit of carbonation. It’s an honest and unpretentious beverage, designed for casual or picnic events with an alcohol content of 7%.

Cidery Description: What a sweet story! Jan & Louis Lee retired and started making cider. They grow the fruit on their land in Tomales, CA in Marin County. The apples and their farm are certified organic.

Price: ~ $12
Where Bought: n/a
Where Drank: home
How Found: through Press Then Press

First Impression: Light gold hue. Nearly still (very low carbonation). Smells of dry tart cider from heirloom apples.

Tasting Notes: On the drier side of semi-dry. Light bodied. Moderate to high tartness and acidity. Low tannins. Hints of bitterness. No sourness or funk. Notes of rich tart apple juice and pomace, lemon, and hints of leather, cork, and leather. Moderate length tannic finish. Moderate apple flavor, complexity, flavor intensity, and sessionability.

My Opinion: Great! I enjoyed the rich tart tannic flavor and that it wasn’t completely dry like so many heritage ciders are. Between that and the clean flavor (no sourness or funk), it would be a great introductory heritage cider.

Have you tried Applegarden Farm cider? What did you think?

Preview of Washington Cider Week 2019

August 2, 2019August 2, 2019 cidersays 2 Towns, Bad Granny, Bauman's, Dragon's Head, Finnriver, Herb's, Liberty, Nashi Orchards, Pear UP, review, Snowdrift, Tieton cider, cider review, cider tasting, hard cider, Northwest Cider, NW Cider, tasting notes, wa cider week, Washington Cider Week

I was recently invited to a preview of Washington Cider Week for media and industry folks. The 9th annual Washington Cider Week is September 5th-15th 2019, and will include numerous cider events, with Cider Summit Seattle being a highlight (see my posts here). The preview event was hosted by the NW Cider Association, and held in the orchard at Dragon’s Head Cider on Vashon Island in WA.

It was a sweet invite-only event, and I enjoyed the excuse to take a half day off work and taste cider with my husband from about a dozen cideries, and chat with cidery reps. New for this year they had a panel discussion, hosted by Erin James (of CiderCraft and Sip NW magazines), featuring Emily Ritchie (the Director of NW Cider) and folks from PCC, Zeek’s pizza, and Teku Tavern, who shared about the role of cider in their businesses.

Erin James shared some interesting facts, like that cider grew 10 fold in 10 years (faster than craft beer did), 6-8% of beer sales in WA are cider (vs. 1-3% in most other states), and 1/3 of NW cideries are orchard-based (like Dragon’s Head).

NW Cider also showed off their new interactive map of NW cideries, categorized the list of tasting options by United States Association of Cidermakers cider styles, and shared about the Certified Cider Professional program.

They had some nice swag too – a bottle tote bag, brochures, keychain bottle opener, and a bottle stopper (as the NW Cider association is pushing the idea of bars & restaurants offering cider from bottle pours, not just kegs, especially as many of the smaller heritage cideries don’t keg their ciders).

Now, on to the cider!

2 Towns (Corvallis OR) Suns Out Saison (5.6%): Their 2nd fruit seasonal release of the year, from dessert apples and peaches, fermented with Saison beer yeast, a re-release of the 2016 version (see my review here). Semi-dry with notes of peach, citrus, yeast, and earth. I learned their 3rd fruit seasonal will be Cosmic Currant, made with black currant and cranberry. I was also told to be on the lookout for Marissimo later this year, a limited release marionberry barrel aged Pommeau. A tasty summery cider with flavor but not to much sweetness.

Snowdrift (Wenatchee WA) Forefathers (7.5%): A new draft-only release, from a combination of apples including both cider and dessert apple varieties. On the sweeter side of semi-dry, with notes of citrus, floral, and honey, and a hint of tannins. Approachable.

Pear UP (Wenatchee WA) Grapefruit: A new canned release, a grapefruit perry (from 100% pears, no apples). The grapefruit was stronger on the nose than the flavor. Very refreshing, almost like a grapefruit soda, but only mid-level sweetness, and nearly still. I wouldn’t have guessed it was perry.

Tieton (Yakima WA) Single Varietal Harrison: A new release, bottled & kegged, a single varietal from Harrison bittersharp cider apples. On the sweeter side of semi-dry, with notes of citrus & honey. I really enjoyed it, as its more approachable than a lot of other heritage ciders, being sweeter. I was surprised with the lack of sharpness and/or bitterness. Awesome.

Finnriver (Port Townsend WA) Fire Barrel: A whiskey barrel aged cider from cider apples. I’ve tried this before (see here), but I think this is a newer vintage. Semi-dry to semi-sweet. Super rich, with notes of smoke, oak, and orange. I really enjoyed it, but prefer the original vintages (see here).

Finnriver (Port Townsend WA) Golden Russet: Made from ‘russeted’ cider apples, primarily Golden Russet. Dry to semi-dry, acidic, with notes of citrus and earth. A bit nuanced for my tastes.

Bad Granny (Wenatchee WA) Reserve: A new release using cider apples, and for the first time for them, methode champenoise, a traditional labor intensive method to make a naturally sparkling cider. Dry to semi-dry. Light fluffy texture with lots of bubbles. Notes of sharp apple and citrus with hints of bitterness and tannins. Also a bit nuanced for my tastes.

Bad Granny (Wenatchee WA) Honey Crisp: A flagship offering, but per my notes I actually haven’t tried it. On the sweeter side of semi-dry, apple-forward, with a bit of honey flavor. Nice.

Herb’s (Bellingham WA) Blue Note: Made from heirloom apples and blueberries, co-fermented (vs. being added in a secondary fermentation). Fully dry. Very light blueberry flavor.

Herb’s (Bellingham WA) Traditional Bittersharp: Made from bittersharp & bittersweet cider apples. Dry. Sharp and rich.

Herb’s (Bellingham WA) Crescendo: Made from Cox Orange Pippin apples. Dry. Lots of orange with a hint of floral notes.

I was impressed with all 3 selections from Herb’s as they had some awesome flavor profiles, but I wish they had a bit more sweetness.

Nashi (Vashon WA) Idyllacres Bittersweet Cider: Made from English & French bittersweet cider apples. On the sweeter side of dry. Tannic and complex. Notes of apple pomace, orange, caramel, and leather. Quite lovely.

Nashi (Vashon WA) Chojuro Asian Pear Perry: Unique scent, of spice / black pepper. However, the flavor profile was lemon and floral, with only a hint of pear. Semi dry. Perplexing.

You can tell what order I tasted these in, as I forgot to get photos of the last few…

Bauman’s (Portland OR) Dry: Made from a variety of apples, including dessert and cider. Dry, with notes of citrus & floral, and hints of bitterness & tannins. A bit nuanced for my tastes.

Bauman’s (Portland OR) Orange Blossom: Made with oranges and a hint of pineapple. On the sweeter side of semi-dry, tannic, with notes of orange. Great.

Bauman’s (Portland OR) Loganberry: Made with loganberries. On the drier side of semi-sweet. Berry forward with mild tartness and hints of tannins. I enjoyed the unexpected complexity.

Liberty (Spokane WA) Lafayette: Made using French bittersweet cider apples and keeved, which creates a naturally sweet apple-forward flavorful cider. On the sweeter side of semi-dry. Rich and tannic, with notes of bittersweet cider apple pomace and orange. Awesome.

Dragon’s Head (Vashon WA) Heritage Rosé: Made from Redfield and Mountain Rose red-fleshed apples. Amazing fruity scent. Semi-dry, with notes of strawberry and rhubarb. Tasty, with more complexity than flavored rosé ciders.

Dragon’s Head (Vashon WA) Heritage: Made from English and French cider apple varieties (previously named ‘Traditional’). Dry to semi-dry. Earthy, with sharp citrus heirloom apple flavor. A bit nuanced for my tastes; I seem to remember the Traditional being sweeter.

Stay tuned for more posts on Washington Cider Week 2019 (especially Cider Summit Seattle) at Cider Says.

For those in WA, check out the WA cider week event calendar for Sept 5-15.

Also, for cider industry folks in the NW, save the date for the first-annual NW Cider Symposium, which has been announced for March 10th 2020 in Tacoma WA.

Ciderboys British Dry

July 29, 2019July 27, 2019 cidersays Ciderboys, review British Dry, cider, cider review, cider tasting, Ciderboys, english style cider, hard cider, tasting notes

Review of Ciderboys British Dry. I could have sworn I’d tried something from them previously that I picked up traveling (as Ciderboys isn’t distributed near me), but per my list, this appears to be my first time trying anything from them. I picked it up on a work trip along with a few others.

Cider: British Dry
Cidery: Ciderboys
Cidery Location: Stevens Point, Wisconsin
ABV: 5.0%
How Supplied: six pack of 12oz bottles
Style: American British-style cider

Availability: their website says year-round in AL, AR, AZ, CA, CT, FL, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, MA, ME, MI, MN, MO, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SD, TN, VA, WA, and WI (but their locator says not within 75 miles of me in Western WA, so maybe Eastern WA?)

Cider Description: Like a dry sense of humor, our English-style dry cider has a refined bite. Not sweet, but bittersweet in the best meaning of the word. Ripe apple aromas teeter on the edge with a crisp sharp zing. Blow the doors off with Ciderboys British Dry.

Cidery Description: Two very refreshing guys. One idea. Create unique hard ciders blending unexpected fresh fruit flavors with the crisp taste of apple.

Price: ~ $2 / single bottle (runs ~ $8.99 / six pack)
Where Bought: Total Wine (which was an awesome choice, as I mostly picked up singles of multipacks, which are the easiest to pack and allowed me to pick up more bottles)
Where Drank: home
How Found: browsing

First Impression: Light amber hue. Low carbonation with foam. Smells of apple juice.

Tasting Notes: On the sweeter side of semi-dry. Light to medium bodied. Low tartness. Moderate acidity. Hints of bitterness and tannins. No sourness or funk. Notes of both bittersweet and dessert apples, orange, and rich caramel. Moderate length finish. High apple flavor and sessionability. Moderate flavor intensity. Low to moderate complexity.

My Opinion: Great! I’d guess 50% bittersweet cider apples and 50% dessert apples, so no, it doesn’t taste exactly like English cider, but its far better than most U.S. made ciders advertised as English-style, most of which don’t use any cider apples. I’d say this is a more apple-forward English style which remains clean (no sourness or funk).

Most Similar to: mixing an apple-forward U.S. made cider with an English cider

Closing Notes: I wish they sold this near me, as its a really nice offering which I could see drinking often, especially with the price point being less than imported English cider, which is becoming more and more difficult to find in my area.

Have you tried English-style cider? What did you think?

Cider Summit Seattle 2019 Preview

July 23, 2019August 8, 2019 cidersays Cider Summit, event cider, cider event, cider summit, cider summit seattle, cider tasting, cider tasting event, hard cider, seattle

The epic 10th annual Cider Summit is returning to Seattle Washington in 2019 on Friday September 6th (3-8pm) and Saturday September 7th (noon-5pm), except this time moving (from the South Lake Union Discovery Center Lawn) to Lake Union park at the MOHAI. Check out my previous posts on Cider Summit from 2015 thru 2018 here, with a preview, event review, and cider tasting notes from each year.

See here for the full event info and here for the lists of cideries and ciders. Last year over 50 cideries (or distributors) poured over 200 ciders, cysers, meads, fruit wines, Pommeaux, apple brandies, cider whiskies, and cider cocktails. So, there are plenty of options for all tastes, and even folks like me who have tried most local selections will have multiple new ciders to try. They of course skew towards the NW, but there are cideries from all over the country and world represented too, such as France and Spain.

Regular tickets are sold in advance online ($30 or $35 + fees), or at the door ($45), and includes a tasting glass + 16 drink tickets. VIP tickets are sold in advance online only ($40 or $45 + fees), and get you in an hour early on Friday (2pm instead of 3pm), and include a tasting glass + 20 drink tickets. Additional drink tickets are sold at the event, ~ $2 / 2oz. Designated driver tickets are available at the door for $5.

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This outdoor event is 21+ but dog friendly. They usually have covered seating, stand up tables, cold water on tap, live music, a merchandise shop, bottle shop, food for sale, and a dog lounge. Another special feature is the Fruit Cider Challenge; many cideries bring a special fruity cider, and attendees vote for their favorite. Most booths have folks from the cidery (sometimes even the cidermaker) pouring ciders, either from a keg or bottle/can. They may also still be accepting volunteers to help run the event (includes free admission after your shift and 50% off wearables).

The event has in & out privileges (if you keep your wristband and glass), so you can leave to grab food, or even return the next day. On Friday it usually doesn’t get too busy until closer to 5pm, but it is pretty busy from then on. However, Cider Summit events are so well laid out and organized, there tend to be fewer & shorter lines and less crowds than smaller events.

Cider Summit Seattle is part of Washington Cider Week (Sept 5-15). Stay tuned for more posts here at Cider Says on Cider Summit and Washington Cider Week 2019 events.

Strongbow Variety Pack – Original Dry, Rosé Apple, & Pear Secco

July 15, 2019July 15, 2019 cidersays review, Strongbow cider, cider review, cider tasting, hard cider, pear cider, Rosé cider, Strongbow, tasting notes

Review of a Strongbow variety pack with four of each of Original Dry, Rosé Apple, and Pear Secco, in 8.5 oz cans. I’ve previously tried the Original Dry, but not since it was re-released in the U.S., and I’ve not tried the other two.

Ciders: Original Dry, Rosé Apple, & Pear Secco
Cidery: Strongbow
Cidery Location: Belgium
ABV: 4.5% or 5.0%
How Supplied: 12 pack of 8.5oz cans
Style: imported commercial cider from primarily dessert apples (Rosé also has some red-fleshed apple juice and Pear also has some pear juice)

Availability: wide release

Original Dry: Distinctive golden color and less sweet with a crisp apple flavor for a balanced, dry finish.
Rosé Apple: A clear, light-coral pink appearance and sparkling rosé-wine-like effervescence with apple notes. Light and refreshing taste with a pleasant tartness balanced by fruity notes of red-fleshed apple and pear.
Pear Secco: A mildly sweet pear-apple cider with a light dry finish.

Cidery Description: Strongbow is the #1 import cider in the US. With 50% conversion to usage, shoppers who buy once, buy again. Exclusively available in this 100 Cal variety pack, we think Dry Pear is a great addition to the award-winning line up of flavors in the 100 Cal Slim Cans. It’s a one-two punch; a popular, refreshing new flavor in a package that’s on-trend. To find all Strongbow flavors near you, please visit our product locator at http://www.Strongbow.com. Strongbow recommends enjoying its hard ciders served over ice, for a crisp, refreshing taste.

Price: $11.99 / 12 pack of 8.5oz cans
Where Bought: Target
Where Drank: home
How Found: browsing; it was my first time spotting the re-released Original Dry in the U.S., so I was going to get a 4 pack of that, but then I saw the variety pack which also included 2 others which I haven’t tried

Original Dry: Moderate gold hue. Light carbonation. Smells very mildly of apple juice. Semi-dry. Light bodied. Low tartness and acidity. No bitterness, sourness, or funk. Notes of apple juice and pomace, orange, and lemon. Moderate finish with a hint of tannins. Moderate apple flavor. High sessionability. Low complexity. Low to moderate flavor intensity. Similar to Crispin Browns Lane and Blackthorn, but I prefer this.

Rosé Apple: Medium pink hue. No carbonation. Smells very mildly fruity. Semi-dry to semi-sweet. Light to medium bodied. Low to moderate tartness and acidity. No bitterness, sourness, funk, or tannins. Notes of green apple and white grape with a hint of strawberry. Quick finish. Low apple flavor and complexity. Low to moderate overall flavor intensity. High sessionability. Similar to Rosé offerings from Angry Orchard, Crispin, and Woodchuck.

Pear Secco: Medium straw yellow hue. Low carbonation. Smells very mild. Semi-dry. Light bodied. Low tartness and acidity. No bitterness, sourness, funk, or tannins. Subtle notes of canned pear, green apple, and champagne. Quick finish. Low complexity, overall flavor intensity, pear flavor, and apple flavor. High sessionability. Most similar to Woodchuck Pearsecco, which is also a commercial tasting drier sparkling pear cider (apple & pear).

My Opinion: I liked all of these. Definitely commercial tasting (ie. slightly less natural tasting, likely due to the processes used, such as adding sugar instead of back sweetening with juice), but plenty drinkable, with some flavor and not too much sweetness, and far from the worst I’ve had. I also liked getting a smaller variety pack (as its 8.5oz not 12oz cans), although ideally it would have only been 2 instead of 4 of each.

Closing Notes: Although I typically prefer craft cider, I think commercial ciders are underappreciated. It seems that most people (including myself) started their cider journey with an easily available sweeter commercial cider, and over time their tastes evolved towards drier local craft selections. However, there are still parts of the U.S. where craft cider is difficult to find. Thankfully the offerings from commercial cideries (such as Angry Orchard and Woodchuck) have improved in recent years, tending towards more complex, drier, and/or more innovative offerings, as they struggle to compete with growing regional craft cideries.

Have you tried Strongbow? What did you think?

Independent Cider Lavender Perry

July 1, 2019June 29, 2019 cidersays Independent Cider, review Independent Cider, Lavender Perry, pear cider, pear cider review, perry, perry review, tasting notes, washington

Review of Independent Cider Lavender Perry. It is my first time trying anything from this new cidery.

Vocabulary: Opinion varies, but in the U.S., most commonly, fermented pear juice is called ‘perry’, while fermented apple juice flavored with pear juice is called ‘pear cider’.

Cider: Lavender Perry
Cidery: Independent Cider
Cidery Location: Dryden WA
ABV: 5.8%
How Supplied: 500ml bottles
Style: American craft modern perry from estate-grown Anjou (common/dessert) pears

Availability: likely only in Washington

Cider Description: Floral aromatics of rose and honey followed by a clean herbaceous pallet of eucalyptus and pear…Semi Sweet…Two varieties of Lavender harvested down valley from our pear orchards were used to create our first botanical Perry. The blended buds from this mid-summer flower are dried and steeped to contribute subtle lavender notes and flavors.

Cidery Description: Independent Cider juices pears from family orchards planted in the early 1900’s. Our heirloom pears, grown in the Upper Wenatchee Valley near Leavenworth, are harvested, juiced, fermented to dryness and aged in the orchards they grew in.

Price: $7.49
Where Bought: Total Wine
Where Drank: home
How Found: browsing

First Impression: Nearly clear with a hint of purple. Low carbonation. Smells super mild, of lavender and a bit of sweetness.

Tasting Notes: On the sweeter side of dry. Light bodied. Moderate tartness. Low acidity. Hints of bitterness. No tannins, funk, or sourness. Notes of lavender and lemon with hints of canned pear. Moderate tart length finish. Low flavor intensity, complexity, and pear flavor. High sessionability.

My Opinion: I didn’t like or dislike it. I had expected more sweetness (and in turn more flavor), as pears have unfermentable sugars (sorbitol), so usually they are at least semi-dry, but this was definitely dry, and probably the driest perry I’ve ever tried. My husband really liked it, probably as he likes both drier beverages and lavender. He described it as similar to Brut champagne with lavender, while I thought it was more like a hard seltzer with lavender, as it was so mild.

Most Similar to: Seattle Cider Lavender Lemon

Closing Notes: I’d like to try their other varieties and see if any are sweeter and more flavorful, but from their website it looks like they ferment all their perries to dry, but describe some as being perceived sweeter (like this one, marked as semi-sweet). Also, its interesting they went with the name ‘Independent Cider’, as at least for now it looks like they only make perry. However, I guess a lot of folks probably don’t know what perry is.

Have you tried perry? What did you think?

Double Mountain Arkansas Black

June 24, 2019June 23, 2019 cidersays Double Mountain, review Arkansas Black, cider, cider review, cider tasting, Double Mountain, hard cider, single varietal, tasting notes

Review of Double Mountain Arkansas Black, a single varietal cider from Arkansas Black heirloom cider apples made by Double Mountain brewery. It is my first time trying this, but I have had their Jumpin Jack Heirloom Cider and Dry varieties.

Cider: Arkansas Black
Maker: Double Mountain
Location: Hood River Oregon
ABV: 6.7%
How Supplied: 500ml bottles
Style: American craft cider from Arkansas Black heirloom apples

Availability: likely only in Oregon and Washington

Cider Description: Purple and black on the tree, the Arkansas Black has been grown since the 1800’s. Now grown in the Hood River Valley, this old-world fruit is renowned for its luscious cider. Juicy red apple, raspberry, honey, and a touch of vanilla cap this delightful cider.

Cidery Description: Double Mountain Brewery and Taproom was established in 2007 in the heart of downtown Hood River, OR. Founder, Matt Swihart, opened the brewery with a clear mission: make great beer for craft beer fans. The unique location of Double Mountain provides the use of pure and clean glacial water for beers and ciders, while also take advantage of regionally grown hops. Reusable bottles allow customers to partake in a softer environmental footprint, affirming they are part of a sustainable future. Double Mountain may be found on tap and in bottles throughout the Pacific Northwest and British Columbia.

They have 2 taprooms, in Hood River and Portland Oregon.

Price: n/a (likely ~ $6.99 / bottle)
Where Bought: n/a
Where Drank: home
How Found: their rep contacted me

First Impression: Light straw yellow hue. Low to moderate carbonation. Smells tart and of honey.

Tasting Notes: Fully dry. Light bodied. Moderate tartness. High acidity. Low tannins. Hints of bitterness. No sourness or funk. Notes of honey, sharp apple, lemon, floral, and mineral. Moderate length finish. Low apple flavor. Low to moderate flavor intensity. Moderate sessionability and complexity.

My Opinion: I liked the flavor profile, but it was a bit too dry for my personal preferences. My husband was a fan though.

Most Similar to: many other dry ciders from heirloom apples

Closing Notes: Its unique to see a brewery making multiple ciders from heirloom apples, as most breweries who attempt it seem to make only 1 cider, from common dessert apples. I’d like to see them make some slightly sweeter (semi-dry) ones though, as I find a bit of sweetness brings out more flavor.

Have you tried Double Mountain Arkansas Black? What did you think?

Kupela Basque Cider

June 13, 2019June 13, 2019 cidersays Kupela, review basque, Basque cider, cider, cider review, cider tasting, French, french cider, French cidre, Kupela, tasting notes

Review of Kupela’s Basque Cider, from France. It is my first time trying anything from this cidery.

>>This is a review of a sample bottle provided to Cider Says by Beauchamp Imports / French Cider Inc. 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: Basque Cider
Cidery: Kupela
Cidery Location: Anglet, France
ABV: 4.0%
How Supplied: 330ml bottles
Style: French (Basque region), Demi-Sec (medium dry)

Cider Description: From the Basque region, this distinctive cider is tasty, tangy, smooth yet expressive. Cellar master, Agustin Etxeberria has created this modernized version of traditional Basque cider – making it light, but dry and slightly tangy, with subtle effervescence. The fleeting hint of sweetness, is balanced immediately by the acidic cider apple flavors. 100% natural and 100% refreshing. Fermented in the bottle, try this is a real alternative to beer.

Cidery Description: Located in the Basque region of northern Spain, Kupela cider is produced using traditional Basque methods. Kupela pays tribute to the Basque sailors who embarked on lengthy sea voyages with cider in barrels (“Kupela” in Basque), rich in vitamin C to fight scurvy. Its acidity, its lightness and its fruitiness match perfectly with the gastronomy acclaimed by modern Epicureans.

Price: n/a (retails for $5.99)
Where Bought: n/a
Where Drank: home
How Found: it showed up

First Impression: Medium straw yellow hue. Low carbonation. Smells fruity.

Tasting Notes: Semi-sweet to semi-dry. Light to medium bodied. Low to moderate tartness. Moderate acidity. Hints of tannins. No bitterness, sourness, or funk. Notes of green apple & pomace, pineapple, lemon, honey, and mineral. Moderate length finish. Moderate to high complexity. Moderate apple flavor and flavor intensity. High sessionability.

My Opinion: I really enjoyed it. Not at all what I was expecting from a French or Basque cider, but in a good way. I’m not typically a fan of Spanish Basque cider due to the sourness, but it was absent. This may be the first French Basque cider I’ve tried though. It would be a fun cider to bring to a party, as its qualities remain crowd-friendly (not sour, bitter, or funky, and mid-level sweetness), plus it has some nice complexity.

Most Similar to: not any French or Basque Spanish cider I’ve tried, but an Italian cider, Bertilinos, except even more complex

Closing Notes: Although ‘Basque’ cider is more commonly associated with Spain, the Basque region spans both Spain (Northern) and France (Southwestern).

Have you tried Basque French cider? What did you think?

Herout Micro-Cuvée No. 1 Cidre

June 10, 2019June 10, 2019 cidersays Herout, review barrel aged, cider, cider review, cider tasting, cidre, french cider, French cidre, Herout, tasting notes

Review of Maison Herout Micro-Cuvée No. 1 Sparkling Cidre aged in Calvados barrels. I previously tried a similar Calvados barrel aged cider from Herout, Coup de Foudre Cidre Biologique, plus I’ve had their Brut, Extra-Brut, D-Day Commemorative Brut, and Pommeau.

Calvados = French apple brandy
Cuvée = a French wine term for vat/tank

Cider: Micro-Cuvee No. 1 Sparkling Cidre aged in Calvados barrels
Cidery: Maison Herout AOC
Cidery Location: Cotentin Peninsula, Normandy, France
ABV: 6.5%
How Supplied: 750ml corked & caged bottles
Style: French cidre, from cider apples, Calvados barrel aged

Availability: In Washington, through Beauchamp Imports, plus online at their French Cider Inc. website (at the time of this review, they are able to ship to WA, OR, ID, CA, NV, NM, AK, ND, NH, & DC). They also offer a number of other selections from Herout, plus ciders and Pommeaux from many other makers.

Cider Description: Dense and complex, the Micro-Cuvée No. 1 Cidre is fermented for at least three months in an oak barrel that was previously used to age AOC Calvados. This gentle barrel fermentation gives this cider a very fine, fruity taste that is amplified by slightly tannic Calvados flavors on the finish. Higher alcohol content due to aging in Calvados barrels.

Cidery Description: Since the 1940s, Hérout cidre has been produced by the Hérout family on the Cotentin Peninsula on the Northwest coast of Normandy France, in Auvers, where apples thrive in its lush and oceanic climate. They are the newest cidre AOC in France, since May 2016. The cidermaker Marie-Agnes Herout was awarded the highest civilian honor in France for her 16 years of work getting the AOC recognized – Le Croix de Chevalier, Legion d’Honneur (Knights Cross for the Legion of Honneur). See here for more information on the cider and here for more information on the cidery.

Price: n/a (retails for $29)
Where Bought: n/a
Where Drank: home
How Found: it showed up

First Impression: Light gold hue. Low carbonation. Smells of musty rich apple.

Tasting Notes: On the sweeter side of semi-dry. Light to medium bodied. Low tartness. Low to moderate acidity. Low funk and tannins. Hints of bitterness. No sourness. Notes of rich apple, must, orange, honey, leather, and earth/cork. Long tannic slightly bitter finish. High apple flavor, complexity, and sessionability. Moderate overall flavor intensity.

My Opinion: Awesome! I really enjoyed it, especially the flavor profile and complexity.

Most Similar to: Herout Coup de Foudre Cidre Biologique except more complexity and less bitterness

Closing Notes: French Cider Inc has an awesome cider selection!

Have you tried French cider? What did you think?

Herout Maison D-Day Commemorative Brut

June 5, 2019June 5, 2019 cidersays French Cider Inc., Herout, review cider, cider review, cider tasting, cidre, french cider, French cidre, hard cider, Herout, tasting notes

Review of Herout 2017 Maison D-Day Commemorative Brut Cidre 75th Anniversary Limited Edition, a dry sparkling French cidre. It is my first time trying this, but I have previously had their Brut, Extra Brut, Coup de Foudre Cidre Biologique, and Pommeau.

Cider: Maison D-Day Commemorative Brut Cidre, 75th Anniversary Limited Edition, 2017
Cidery: Herout AOC
Cidery Location: Cotentin Peninsula, Normandy, France
ABV: 5.0%
How Supplied: 750ml corked & caged bottle
Style: French cidre, from cider apples, sparkling, brut (dry)

Cider Description: This year marks the 75th anniversary of the Allied landings at Normandy. Located only 13 miles from Utah Beach, Maison Hérout is uniquely positioned to pay its respects to the Americans who fought so bravely to help liberate Europe. Limited availability and only available on the website. Authentic and full-bodied. The 75th Anniversary D-Day Commemorative Brut Cidre is distinguished by its golden color with orange undertones – and its very fine bubbles. On the mouth, the subtle acidity on the first taste is quickly balanced out by a refreshing finish. Subtle aromas of butter and dried herbs.

Price: n/a (retails for $25)
Where Bought: n/a
Where Drank: home
How Found: it showed up

First Impression: Hazy light pumpkin hue. Moderate carbonation. Smells of musty funky apple.

Tasting Notes: Semi-dry. Light to medium bodied. Moderate tartness, acidity, and funk. Low tannins. Hints of bitterness. No sourness. Notes of rich bittersweet apple juice and pomace, butterscotch, must/earth, and lemon. Moderate tannic finish length. Moderate apple flavor, complexity, and flavor intensity. High sessionability.

My Opinion: Awesome! I enjoyed this funky find – it reminded me some of English cider, except sparkling.

Most Similar to: this was funkier than any other typical French cider I can remember trying (it nearly rivaled the Bordelet mini-keg I tried that I think was an off batch), which I personally loved, but the sweetness, carbonation level, flavor profile, etc, are all characteristically French (see a list of my French cider reviews here)

Closing Notes: This is my favorite of the three Herout ciders I’ve tried, although I think I liked their Pommeau even better (I’ll have to double check when I open the bottle of Pommeau I have at home).

Have you tried Herout cidre? What did you think?

Woodchuck Sangria

June 3, 2019June 1, 2019 cidersays review, Woodchuck cider, cider review, cider tasting, hard cider, sangria, Sangria cider, tasting notes, Woodchuck

Review of Woodchuck’s Sangria cider. It is my first time trying this, although I have had most of their line-up (see here).

>>This is a review of a sample can provided to Cider Says by Woodchuck. 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: Sangria
Cidery: Woodchuck
Cidery Location: Middlebury VT
ABV: 5.5%
How Supplied: 12oz cans
Style: American commercial cider from dessert apples, with natural fruit flavors and grape skin extract for color

Availability: semi wide release by July 2019

Cider Description: A semi-sweet cider with notes of red wine, citrus and berry to give a full-bodied taste inspired by Sangria.

Cidery Description: Vermont Cider Company is a leading hard cider maker in the United States, with a state of the art cidery located in Middlebury, Vermont. Vermont Cider Company crafts a variety of ciders fora variety of consumers. There’s ultra-craft Vermont Cider Co., iconic Woodchuck, fruit-forward Wyder’s as well as the classic Magners Irish Cider and Blackthorn, rounding out our import offerings. Vermont Cider Company reinvigorated American hard cider in 1991, with the launch of Woodchuck, and stays focused on the category today through our commitment to crafting innovative and refreshing hard ciders.

Price: n/a (runs ~ $9.99 / six pack)
Where Bought: n/a
Where Drank: home
How Found: it showed up

First Impression: Deep red hue. No carbonation. Smells of red grape.

Tasting Notes: Semi-sweet to semi-dry. Medium bodied. Low tartness. Moderate acidity. No bitterness, sourness, tannins, or funk. Notes of red grape and green apple, with hints of lemon, pineapple, and red wine. Moderate length finish. Very high sessionability. Low to moderate flavor intensity and complexity. Low apple flavor.

My Opinion: I liked it. Super easy to drink and fruity, although rather grapey.

Most Similar to: Portland Cider Sangria plus Portland Cider Concord Grape

Closing Notes: This would be a great cider to bring to a bbq or similar summer event.

Have you tried Woodchuck Sangria? What did you think?

2 Towns Afton Field

May 30, 2019May 29, 2019 cidersays 2 Towns, review 2 Towns, Afton Field, cider, cider review, cider tasting, farmhouse cider, hard cider, oregon cider, tasting notes, Traditions

Review of 2 Towns Afton Field, part of their Traditions line. I previously at least tried this on tap (see here), plus I’ve had most of their cider lineup (see here).

Cider: Afton Field, 2017
Cidery: 2 Towns Ciderhouse
Cidery Location: Corvallis OR
ABV: 6.9%
How Supplied: 375ml bottles (and kegs)
Style: American craft heritage farmhouse-style dry cider, barrel aged 1 year, bottle conditioned (soured) with Brettanomyces yeast

Availability: limited release, yearly in April [in Oregon, Washington, California, Alaska, Idaho, Hawaii, Chicago, and parts of Minnesota & Montana (see their cider finder)]

Cider Description: Inspired by farmhouse ciders of the pioneer West, Afton Field is a testament to the tenacity of these settlers and their enduring orchards. Fresh-pressed, hand-picked Wickson crab, Newtown Pippin and other pioneer apple varieties are fermented, aged in oak barrels, and bottle conditioned with wild Brettanomyces yeast. Bone dry, unfiltered and uncompromising, this farmhouse cider is wild at heart and at home on the rustic table.

Cidery Description: At 2 Towns Ciderhouse we believe that the long history of cidermaking demands respect and deserves to be done right. Starting with the highest quality whole ingredients from local farms, we take no shortcuts in crafting our ciders. We never add any sugar, concentrates or artificial flavors, and instead use slow, cold fermentation methods to allow the fruit to speak for itself. As a family-owned company, we are committed to the growth of our team and enrichment of our communities. We take pride in producing true Northwest craft cider.

Price: n/a (retails for ~ $10)
Where Bought: n/a
Where Drank: home
How Found: it showed up

First Impression: Slightly hazy light straw yellow hue. No carbonation. Smells of musty sharp apple.

Tasting Notes: Dry. Light bodied. High tartness. Moderate to high acidity. Moderate funk. Low sourness and tannins. Hints of bitterness. Notes of sharp crab apple, lemon, must, straw, mineral, and a hint of herbs. Moderate length finish. Moderate apple flavor and sessionability. Low to moderate flavor intensity. Moderate to high complexity.

My Opinion: This isn’t a style that personally appeals to me. I’d recommend this for fans of bone dry farmhouse-style (sour, rustic) ciders and/or beers.

Most Similar to: other bone dry farmhouse-style ciders, such as Alpenfire Pirate’s Plank, Gitche Gumee Ciderworks Entropy, Number 12 Sparkling Dry, Runcible Cider Light of the Moon, Angry Orchard Walden Hollow, and Sietsema Traditional Dry

Closing Notes: I think moving their ‘Traditions’ line from a separate brand of large ~$20 bottles to smaller ~$10 bottles under the 2 Towns brand (but differentiated by bottle type/size and label format) a couple years ago was a very smart move, as they are an easier sell.

Have you tried 2 Towns Afton Field? What did you think?

2 Towns Camp Clementine

May 28, 2019May 25, 2019 cidersays 2 Towns, review 2 Towns, Camp Clementine, cider, cider review, cider tasting, clementine, hard cider, passionfruit, tasting notes

Review of 2 Towns Camp Clementine. It is my first time trying this, although I have had most of their line-up (see here).

Cider: Camp Clementine
Cidery: 2 Towns Ciderhouse
Cidery Location: Corvallis OR
ABV: 5.5%
How Supplied: 500ml bottles (and kegs)
Style: American craft cider from dessert apples, with clementines and passionfruit

Availability: seasonal (released April 2019), in Oregon, Washington, California, Alaska, Idaho, Hawaii, Chicago Illinois, and parts of Minnesota & Montana – see their cider finder

Cider Description: Juicy & Bright, Camp Clementine is an easy drinking summer cider packed with California clementines and yellow Maracuyá passion fruit. Sit back, relax and uncap some fond camp memories, or better yet, get out there and make some new ones!

Price: n/a (retails for ~ $6.99 / bottle)
Where Bought: n/a
Where Drank: home
How Found: it showed up

First Impression: No carbonation. Light yellow hue. Smells of citrus and passionfruit.

Tasting Notes: Semi-dry. Light bodied. Moderate to high tartness. Moderate acidity. No bitterness, sourness, funk, or tannins. Notes of passionfruit, citrus, and green apple. Long tart finish. Low apple flavor and complexity. Low to moderate flavor. High sessionability.

My Opinion: I liked it, but would have preferred a bit less tartness.

Most Similar to: 2 Towns Passion Statement, plus citrus

Closing Notes: I actually noticed more passionfruit than clementine flavor, despite the cider’s name.

Have you tried 2 Towns Camp Clementine? What did you think?

Incline White Peach

May 6, 2019May 5, 2019 cidersays Incline, review cider, cider review, cider tasting, hard cider, Incline, Incline cider, peach cider, tasting notes, white peach

Review of Incline Cider’s White Peach cider. It is my first time trying this, but I have had their The Explorer Hopped Cider, Lemongrass Lure, The Scout Hopped Marionberry, and Compass Rosé.

Cider: White Peach
Cidery: Incline Cider
Cidery Location: Auburn WA
ABV: 6.9%
How Supplied: 19,2oz cans
Style: American craft cider from dessert apples, with white peaches

Availability: mostly Washington & Oregon, plus Nevada, Idaho, Utah, & Alaska (see here)

Cider Description: Our white peach cider is juicy, bright, crisp and refreshing because we use fresh peach juice and organic white peach extract. We hope you enjoy!

Cidery Description: Utilizing only 100% fresh pressed apples as the base for ciders that stand in a category of their own.

Price: $4.49 / 1 can
Where Bought: Total Wine
Where Drank: home
How Found: browsing

First Impression: Light gold hue. Low carbonation. Smells of sweet peach.

Tasting Notes: Semi-dry. Light bodied. Moderate tartness. Moderate to high acidity. Hints of bitterness and tannins. No sourness or funk. Notes of peach, green apple, lemon, and apricot. Quick finish. Low to moderate flavor intensity. Low apple flavor and complexity. High sessionability.

My Opinion: I liked it. However, I would have liked a touch more sweetness and flavor, which probably would cut the tartness & acidity too. It smelled more of peach than it tasted oddly enough. Same with the level of sweetness (smelled sweeter than it tasted).

Most Similar to: Blackfin Peach (however, my favorite peach cider remains Lonetree Apple Peach, which of course isn’t available locally)

Closing Notes: Offering these larger cans only sold individually is a new idea. I liked it, as I like to try new ciders, but not commit to them, so I’ll go to places like Total Wine which sell singles of multipacks. This one doesn’t appear to be sold in a multipack even in other stores. Due to this, the price ends up being a bit higher per ounce than most local craft canned multipack ciders.

Have you tried Incline Peach? What did you think?

Avid Watermelon Rhubarb

April 29, 2019April 26, 2019 cidersays Avid (prev. Atlas), review atlas, Avid, cider, cider review, cider tasting, hard cider, tasting notes, Watermelon Rhubarb

Review of Avid (previously Atlas) Cider’s Watermelon Rhubarb. It is my first time trying this, but I’ve previously had their Hard Apple Cider, Hard Blackberry Cider, Pom-Cherry, Hard Apricot Cider, Cinnamon Pear, Session Cider, Dragonfruit, and Pineapple Mango.

Cider: Watermelon Rhubarb
Cidery: Avid Cider
Cidery Location: Bend, Oregon
ABV: 6.0%
How Supplied: 22oz bottles
Style: American craft cider from dessert apples, with watermelon & rhubarb, and beet juice for color

Availability: seasonal, special release, probably only in the Northwest

Cider Description: The simple and natural flavors of fresh pressed watermelon and the fleshy stalks of Michigan grown Rhubarb complement each other in this clean, crisp and refreshing cider.

Cidery Description: Inspired by the landscape, culture, and the abundance of fruit in the North West, AVID Cider Company, a family run business, is dedicated to creating hard cider using sustainably sourced and local ingredients. AVID Cider Co. was founded as a result of the dissatisfaction with the lack of variety and excessively dry or cloyingly sweet ciders available in the market place in 2013. We saw the opportunity to create hard cider that better balances the elements of a flavor profile, and satiates our thirst for a cider that is “just right.”

They have a cider house in Portland Oregon.

Price: $7.49
Where Bought: Total Wine
Where Drank: home
How Found: browsing – I’m a fan of watermelon (although admittedly not of rhubarb), so I wanted to give it a try

First Impression: Medium red hue. No carbonation. General fruity scent.

Tasting Notes: Semi-dry to semi-sweet. Light to medium bodied. Low tartness and acidity. Hints of bitterness. No sourness, funk, or tannins. Notes of watermelon, strawberry, and rhubarb. Moderate length finish. Low apple flavor and complexity. Moderate flavor intensity. High sessionability.

My Opinion: I liked it. Fruity, but not too tart or sweet.

Most Similar to: Fresh Cut Watermelon or Locust Watermelon, but with rhubarb added

Closing Notes: I would have been a bigger fan of this without the bitterness of the rhubarb.

Have you tried Avid Watermelon Rhubarb? What did you think?

Whiskey Barrel Cider Co. Triple Play

April 22, 2019April 21, 2019 cidersays review, Whiskey Barrel Cider Co. cider, cider review, cider tasting, hard cider, Pullman, tasting notes, Triple Play, WA cider, washington, Whiskey Barrel Cider Company

Review of Whiskey Barrel Cider Company’s Triple Play. It is my first time trying this, but I previously had their Dam Fine Cider.

Cider: Triple Play
Cidery: Whiskey Barrel Cider Company
Cidery Location: Pullman WA
ABV: 5.1%
How Supplied: 16oz cans
Style: American craft cider from dessert apples

Availability: likely only in Washington

Cider Description: Triple Play began as our summer seasonal but quickly became so popular that we decided to keep it around all year long. Made from Gala, Red and Golden Delicious apples, Triple Play is our sweetest cider. Enjoy it as you remember the long hot days of summer!

Cidery Description: Former engineer Trent Maier developed the recipe for Whiskey Barrel Cider and approached his friend and fellow engineer, Brian Augdahl, about the idea of building a space to create the recipe using local, Washington grown apples. The operation began with one delicious cider and has since developed into the creation of several signature ciders with the taste of Washington apples in every sip.

Price: probably $2-4 / 1 can
Where Bought: I think either Total Wine in Northgate, or The Cave in Kirkland
Where Drank: home
How Found: browsing

First Impression: Medium amber hue. Very low carbonation. A bit of foam. Smells simply of sweet apple juice.

Tasting Notes: On the drier side of semi-sweet. Light to medium bodied. Low tartness and acidity. No bitterness, sourness, funk, or tannins. Notes of just apple juice, although less sweet / a bit watered down. Quick finish. High sessionability and apple flavor. Moderate flavor intensity. Very low complexity.

My Opinion: I enjoyed it. Super easy to drink and all around likable, although fairly simple. It tastes what I imagine folks who have not tried cider would expect all ciders to taste like, of alcoholic apple juice, although this is less sweet than straight apple juice. From the color and flavor, I’m guessing they made a high ABV dry cider, then back-sweetened with a fair bit of apple juice.

Most Similar to: A less sweet and higher quality version of some popular commercial ciders, like Angry Orchard Crisp Apple and Woodchuck Amber.

Side Note: After first trying their cider, I learned that their name came about as their first cider was whiskey barrel aged, but they have since scaled up production, and last I heard, none of their current cider line-up is whiskey barrel aged.

Closing Notes: Hopefully I find more ciders from them soon. I can see why this would be popular, as it is super apple forward and on the sweeter end, but less sweet (and higher quality and more local) than most commercial options.

Have you tried Whiskey Barrel Cider Co. Triple Play? What did you think?

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