2 Towns Hop and Stalk

June 5, 2017June 16, 2017 cidersays 2 Towns, review 2 Towns, cider, cider review, cider tasting, hard cider, Hop and Stalk, hopped cider, rhubarb cider, tasting notes

Review of 2 Towns’ Imperial Hop and Stalk, a seasonal release with Citra hops and rhubarb. I sampled this last year (see here), and I’ve tried most of their line-up (see here).

>>This is a review of a sample bottle provided to Cider Says by 2 Towns. 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: Hop and Stalk
Cidery: 2 Towns
Cidery Location: Corvallis OR
ABV: 8.2%
How Supplied: 500ml bottles and kegs
Style: American Imperial (high ABV) craft cider made from dessert apples, with Citra hops and rhubarb

Availability: Seasonably (May-Aug) in AK, CA, HI, ID, IL (Chicago), MN, NV, OR, and WA.

Cider Description: Fresh and citrusy, Hop & Stalk packs a Northwest punch. Fresh-pressed apples and rhubarb are dry-hopped with Citra hops, creating a cider erupting with fresh aromatics and a tart, biting backbone.

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 (runs $7.99)
Where Bought: n/a
Where Drank: home
How Found: n/a

First Impression: Hazy lemonade medium straw yellow. Low carbonation. Smells very aromatic, primarily of citrus, with some hops and strawberry-rhubarb.

Tasting Notes: On the sweeter side of semi-dry. Medium bodied. Low to moderate tartness. Moderate acidity. Low bitterness and tannins. No sourness or funk. Notes of citrus (lemon, lime, and orange), hops, floral, rhubarb, and strawberry. Long finish with some baked apple. Low apple flavor. Moderate sessionability, flavor intensity, and complexity. Moderate to strong hoppiness.

My Opinion: I enjoyed it, but I liked last year’s batch better, as it seemed a tad more balanced (more fruity / less hoppy).

Most Similar to: Hopped ciders with lots of citrus notes and some fruitiness. Portland Cider Hop’Rageous also uses Citra hops, so you get more citrus & floral than bitter hops. Tod Creek Mala-Hop also had a lot of citrus notes, but used Chinook, Sterling and Centennial, not Citra hops. This is the most citrusy hopped cider I’ve tried though, and the only one with another fruit addition.

Closing Notes: Another winner from 2 Towns!

Have you tried 2 Towns Hop and Stalk? What did you think?

2 Towns Prickle Me Pink ^2

June 5, 2017June 2, 2017 cidersays 2 Towns, review 2 Towns, cactus fruit, cider, cider review, cider tasting, hard cider, oregon, Prickle Me Pink, tasting notes, watermelon

Review of 2 Towns Prickly Me Pink ^2 , a new iteration of the previous limited release (which I reviewed here in 2015), with prickly pear cactus fruit, and this time, watermelon. I’ve also previously tried most of their line-up (see here).

Cider: Prickle Me Pink ^2
Cidery: 2 Towns
Cidery Location: Corvallis OR
ABV: 5.7%
How Supplied: 500ml bottles
Style: American craft cider from dessert apples with prickly pear cactus fruit and watermelon

Availability: Seasonably (May-Aug) in AK, CA, HI, ID, IL (Chicago), MN, NV, OR, and WA.

Cider Description: Exuberant & quenching, Prickle Me Pink ^2 is pink and multiplied by pink. Glowing with a naturally derived color, this taste bud oasis is crafted with Northwest apples, prickly pear cactus fruit, and now watermelon.

Dave Takush, the head cider maker said, “If you’re wondering what to pair it with, we’d suggest a watergun fight set to the tunes of Wham..”

Price: n/a (runs $7.99)
Where Bought: n/a
Where Drank: home
How Found: I first tried this at Cider Summit Seattle 2015.

First Impression: Bright pink hue. Nearly still. Smells moderate fruity.

Tasting Notes: Semi-dry to dry. Light to medium bodied. Mild tartness. Mild to moderate acidity. Hints of bitterness and tannins. No sourness and funk. Notes of cactus fruit, watermelon, strawberry, and kiwi. Low to moderate flavor intensity and complexity. No apple flavor. High sessionability. Quick finish.

My Opinion: Yum! I really enjoyed this, especially how fruity and flavorful it was for the dryness. It was too easy to drink. I had imaged this higher carbonated, but at the same time, I don’t think it would work as well as I think it would.

Most Similar to: Nothing much. I’ve not had any other ciders with cactus fruit except 2 Towns’ first release of this cider. I’ve had a handful of other ciders with watermelon though; namely, Pear UP’s Watermelon Perry.

Closing Notes: I’m surprised they went so dry with this; however, it worked. I think this was even tastier than the last release. The watermelon was a great addition, and also helped so the cider wasn’t quite so fluorescent pink (and likely reduced the ingredient cost too).

Have you tried 2 Towns Prickle Me Pink? What did you think?

2 Towns Flight of the Kiwi

March 1, 2017February 24, 2017 cidersays 2 Towns 2 Towns, cider, cider review, cider tasting, flight of the kiwi, hard cider, kiwi, oregon, tasting notes

Review of 2 Towns’ Flight of the Kiwi, their newest special release cider, made with all NW ingredients – dessert apples, kiwi berries, and gooseberries, fermented with Sauvignon Blanc yeast, then oak aged. See the press release here. It is my first time trying this cider, although I’ve tried most of their lineup (see here).

Cider: Flight of the Kiwi
Cidery: 2 Towns
Cidery Location: Corvallis OR
ABV: 5.8%
How Supplied: 500ml bottles
Style: American craft cider from dessert apples, with kiwi berries & gooseberries, oak aged

Availability: limited release, primarily in CA, OR, and WA

Cider Description: Corvallis, Oregon’s 2 Towns Ciderhouse has a new uniquely fruited hard cider out called “Flight of the Kiwi,” an oak-aged cider made with NW kiwi fruit, fresh-pressed apples, and some gooseberries for good measure. This tropical-flavored cider has a sessionable 5.8% ABV. Two pounds of hardy kiwi berries, small cousins of the better-known kiwifruit, go into every gallon of this cider, which is fermented cold with Sauvignon Blanc yeast and is named after New Zealand’s curious flightless bird….Flight of the Kiwi has the backbone to stand up to flavorful and hearty fare—try pairing it with chipotle pork or bacon grilled cheese sandwiches.

Price: n/a
Where Bought: n/a
Where Drank: home
How Found: cidery press release

First Impression: Medium straw yellow hue. Still (no carbonation). Smells mild, of kiwi and white grape.

Tasting Notes: On the sweeter side of semi-dry. Medium bodied. Low tartness. Moderate acidity. Hints of bitterness and tannins. No sourness or funk. Notes of kiwi, white grape, mango, pineapple, mineral, lemon, and oak. Quick finish length. Low apple flavor. High sessionability. Low flavor intensity. Moderate complexity. Low oak influence.

My Opinion: This was a subtle wine-like cider, which I usually don’t go for. However, I really liked the flavor and complexity of this one, plus it was very easy to drink and food-friendly.

Most Similar to: Moa Brewing Kiwifruit cider, which is the only other cider with kiwi added which I’ve tried; it also had a lot of wine-like subtlety, but was carbonated.

Closing Notes: This was another winner from 2 Towns!

Have you tried 2 Towns Flight of the Kiwi? What did you think?

2 Towns Return of the Mack

December 5, 2016December 3, 2016 cidersays 2 Towns, review 2 Towns, cider, cider review, cider tasting, Corvallis, hard cider, oregon, Return of the Mac, Return of the Mack, tasting notes

Review of 2 Towns Return of the Mack, a limited release unfiltered oak aged cider made with McIntosh apples. I previously tried an earlier release of this on draft (see here). I’ve also tried many other ciders from 2 Towns (see here).

Cider: Return of the Mack
Cidery: 2 Towns
Cidery Location: Corvallis Oregon
ABV: 8.4%
How Supplied: 500ml bottles (and kegs)
Style: American craft unfiltered cider with McIntosh apples, aged 12 months in oak foeders

Availability: Limited release, but 2 Towns ciders are generally available in AK, CA, HI, ID, OR, WA, and Minneapolis MN & Chicago IL.

Cider Description: Rich and complex, Return of the Mack is a specialty cider aged for 12 months in 1800 liter oak foeders and finished with McIntosh apples. So good. Yes, I cried, yes, I cried.

From Dave Takush, head cider maker for 2 Towns Ciderhouse: Return of the Mack is super rich, exceptionally juicy and has a big oak tannin backbone. It makes a great pairing with dark and stormy nights, and 90s slow jams.

Price: n/a (retails for $7.99)
Where Bought: n/a
Where Drank: home
How Found: It showed up at my door (I’m spoiled!).

First Impression: Hazy dark pumpkin straw yellow. Still (no carbonation). Smells like tart unfiltered apple juice.

Tasting Notes: On the drier side of semi-sweet. Medium bodied. Low to moderate tartness. Moderate acidity. Hints of bitterness and tannins. No sourness or funk. Smooth with a well-hidden ABV. Notes of unfiltered apple juice, lemon, orange, honey, and a hint of floral. Quick to moderate length finish. Moderate to high apple flavor. High sessionability. Moderate flavor intensity. Low complexity. Low oak influence (I expect it smoothed the flavor out more than adding any significant overt oak flavor).

My Opinion: I enjoyed Return of the Mack, but it is more of a basic easy drinking cider which I would expect to find in a multi pack, vs. a single bottle specialty release.

Most Similar to: I’d call this a sweeter, more boozy, and slightly more complex version of 2 Towns Out Cider.

Closing Notes: 2 Towns makes some great stuff. My favorites are Traditions Bourbon Barrel 2012, Bad Apple, Hop & Stalk, Traditions Cidre Bouche 2015, and Pommeau 2015.

Have you tried 2 Towns Return of the Mack? What did you think?

2 Towns Traditions Riverwood New World Brut – 2015 Vintage

November 28, 2016November 28, 2016 cidersays 2 Towns 2 Towns, barrel aged, cider, cider review, cider tasting, hard cider, Riverwood, tasting notes

Review of 2 Towns Traditions Riverwood New World Brut, 2015 vintage, a champagne-style cider. This is one of two ciders which were released to start off their new Traditions line. Their Traditions line will replace their separate Traditions brand and focus on barrel aged vintage cider from heirloom apples. The other is Cidre Bouche. Two others will soon be released, Afton Field and La Mûre. This is the third vintage of Riverwood. I’ve tried the two previous vintages, Traditions brand 2013 vintage and 2 Towns brand 2014 vintage. I’ve also tried many other ciders from 2 Towns (see here).

Cider: Traditions Riverwood New World Brut, 2015 Vintage
Cidery: 2 Towns
Cidery Location: Corvallis Oregon
ABV: 6.3%
How Supplied: 375ml bottles
Style: American craft champagne-style cider from heirloom apples, barrel aged

Availability: Limited (only 240 cases of 12 bottles), although 2 Towns ciders are generally available in AK, CA, HI, ID, OR, WA, and Minneapolis MN & Chicago IL.

Cider Description: Willamette Valley grown Jonagold apples. Oregon grown bittersharp cider apples. Finished in chardonnay barrels. Inspired by sparkling brut champagnes of the past, Riverwood is a contemporary take on a classic. Slow fermentation at cold temperatures allows the intense passionfruit-like aroma of freshly picked and pressed Jonagold and Porter’s Perfection apples to flourish. Dry, bright, and floral, this New World cider brings the brut style out of the past and into the present. Pairs well with lobster mushroom risotto, butternut squash ravioli in sage brown butter, asparagus with lemon aioli and Moroccan chicken with dates and braised greens.

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

First Impression: Dark straw yellow hue. Moderate carbonation. Smells mildly floral and of high acidity.

Tasting Notes: Semi-dry. Medium bodied. Moderate tartness. High acidity. Hints of bitterness and tannins. No sourness or funk. Subtle notes of floral, lemon, grapefruit, and mineral. Moderate length finish. Low apple flavor. Moderate sessionability. Low flavor intensity. Low to moderate complexity. Low oak influence.

My Opinion: This was well made, but not really a style I enjoy, with its subtle wine-like flavor and high acidity. However, its very food-friendly and a great champagne alternative.

Most Similar to: Cockrell Jonastar, Alpenfire Dungeness, and Seattle Cider Washington Heirloom.

Closing Notes: I liked last year’s vintage better, as it seemed more apple forward, more intensely flavored, sweeter, and less acidic.

Have you tried 2 Towns Traditions Riverwood? What did you think?

2 Towns Traditions Cidre Bouche – 2015 Vintage

November 25, 2016November 28, 2016 cidersays 2 Towns, review 2 Towns, cider, cider review, cidre, cidre bouche, French, hard cider, keeved, tasting notes, Traditions

Review of 2 Towns Traditions Cidre Bouche, a French-style keeved cider. This is one of two ciders which they released to start off their new Traditions line. Their Traditions line will replace their separate Traditions brand and focus on barrel aged vintage cider from heirloom apples. The other is Riverwood, which I’ll be reviewing next. Two others will soon be released, Afton Field and La Mûre. Its my first time trying this cider, although I’ve tried many other ciders from 2 Towns (see here).

Keeving is a special labor intensive process of fermenting the cider slowly, starving it of natural nutrients. It results in an apple-forward, naturally sweet, lower ABV, and higher carbonation cider. This is typical for French cidre, but is very rare in the U.S.

Cider: Traditions Cidre Bouche
Cidery: 2 Towns
Cidery Location: Corvallis Oregon
ABV: 6.5%
How Supplied: 375ml bottles
Style: American craft French keeved style cider from heirloom apples, oak aged

Availability: Limited (only 240 cases of 12 bottles), although 2 Towns ciders are generally available in AK, CA, HI, ID, OR, WA, and Minneapolis MN & Chicago IL.

Cider Description: Oregon grown bittersweet heirloom apples. Old world keeving method. Aged in French oak casks….Inspired by the bittersweet ciders of France, Cidre Bouché is made with an Old World process called keeving. We start with 100% traditional cider apple varieties like Kingston Black, Michelin, Reine des Pommes, Dabinett and Muscat de Lense, and then let the fruit ‘sweat’ and intensify in aroma. Next, the apples are crushed and left to soak on the skins before the juice is fermented slowly over the course of a year, and aged in French oak casks. When finished, this keeved cider is rich, thick and brimming with overripe bittersweet apple character. Pairs well with classic French fare— think savory crepes, pork terrine, camembert and blue cheese.

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

First Impression: Hazy medium orange amber hue. Still (no carbonation). Smells slightly funky and apple forward.

Tasting Notes: Semi-dry to semi-sweet. Medium bodied. Low to moderate tartness. Moderate to high acid. Low funk and tannins. Hints of sourness and bitterness. Notes of unfiltered apple juice, apple pomace, honey, orange, grapefruit, and butterscotch. Moderate length finish. Moderate to high apple flavor. Moderate sessionability. Moderate flavor intensity. Moderate complexity.

My Opinion: I really enjoyed it, and thought it paired well with Thanksgiving dinner. It got a bit funkier as it warmed up, so I preferred it cold. I’m a fan of these sorts of bold and rich ciders, and of (not too funky or sour) French cidre.

Most Similar to: French cidre. It definitely seemed true to the style, in between Normandy and Brittany French cidre as it was a bit funky (as Normandy cidre can tend to be), but not overly so. However, it was a bit higher acidity and more fruity though (although the grapefruit I picked up might have been more from the high acidity than anything else), which was a nice twist.

Closing Notes: I look forward to trying the other ciders in their new Traditions line. I think they made a great choice to release them in smaller 375ml bottles, as it will reduce the price point and increase the number of bottles available. I also think the switch to keep these under their 2 Towns brand but in a separate category was a smart move.

Have you tried 2 Towns Traditions Cidre Bouche? What did you think?

2 Towns Nice & Naughty Imperial Spiced Cider

September 26, 2016September 25, 2016 cidersays 2 Towns, review 2 Towns, cider, cider review, cider tasting, hard cider, imperial, Nice & Naughty, spiced cider, tasting notes

Review of 2 Towns’ Nice & Naughty Imperial Spiced Cider, their winter seasonal high ABV cider with cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. I’ve tried this before (see here), and even tried the bourbon barrel aged version (see here), but only on draft. I’ve previously tried most of their lineup; see here.

Cider: Nice & Naughty
Cidery: 2 Towns
Cidery Location: Corvallis OR
ABV: 10.5%
How Supplied: 500ml bottles
Style: American craft apple honey wine with spices

Availability: Thru the end of 2016 in AK, CA, HI, ID, OR, WA, and Minneapolis MN & Chicago IL.

Cider Description: Festive and warming, Nice & Naughty is crammed full of whole cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, and a touch of honey to celebrate the season. Made with Cinnamon, Nutmeg & Clove.

Price: n/a (retails for ~$8)
Where Bought: n/a
Where Drank: home
How Found: n/a

First Impression: Light to medium straw yellow hue. Low carbonation. Smells sweet, of baked apples and cinnamon.

Tasting Notes: On the sweeter side of semi-dry. Medium bodied. Moderate tartness. Moderate to high acidity. Low bitterness and tannins. No sourness or funk. Notes of baked apples, juicy apples, cinnamon, nutmeg, hints of cloves, honey, and citrus. Long warming slightly boozy finish. Low to moderate sessionability. Moderate apple flavor. Moderate flavor intensity / spice intensity. Low to moderate complexity.

My Opinion: Tasty. I liked it better closer to room than fridge temperature, oddly enough (considering the high ABV). The level of spice is nice…not overwhelming. I also liked that it wasn’t overly sweet. It is however a bit on the acidic side.

Most Similar to: AEppelTreow Sparrow Spiced and Elemental Seasonal Spiced Apple, both which had similar levels of sweetness and flavor profiles, but not as high of an ABV. Reverend Nat’s Winter Abbey Spice has a higher ABV, but had an odd sourness.

Closing Notes: If you are looking for a unique spiced cider, one with a bit more kick but not too much sweetness, this is a nice choice.

Have you tried 2 Towns Nice & Naughty? What did you think?

2 Towns Cellar Series La Mûre

June 13, 2016June 11, 2016 cidersays 2 Towns, review 2 Towns, Blackberry, cider, cider review, Corvallis, hard cider, La Mûre, lambic, oregon, sour cider

Review of 2 Towns’ newest Cellar Series cider, La Mûre, a sour blackberry cider aged in Pinot Noir red wine barrels for over a year. It is inspired by Belgian-style sour lambic beer. I’ve tried most of their cider line-up; see my past reviews here.

Cider: La Mûre
Cidery: 2 Towns
Cidery Location: Corvallis OR
ABV: 6.9%
How Supplied: 750ml bottle
Style: American craft sour Belgian lambic beer inspired cider with blackberries, aged in Pinot Noir barrels

Availability: Limited release of 70 cases, mostly in the 2 Towns tap room and a few select accounts in Oregon. In general 2 Towns ciders are available in AK, CA, HI, ID, IL (Chicago), MN, NV, OR, and WA.

Cider Description: La Mûre is made with 100 percent fresh-pressed Northwest apples and whole, Oregon-grown blackberries…Inspired by the Flemish beers of Belgium, La Mûre is 6.9% ABV, bone dry, and holds complex fruit character. La Mûre is aged in local Pinot Noir barrels with lactobacillus for over a year, resulting in a strong backbone, light oak flavors and a wild lactic tang. “This cider is for the more adventurous cider drinker who dabbles in wild ales, sour beers and farmhouse or Asturian-style ciders,” said Dave Takush, head cider maker at 2 Towns Ciderhouse. “La Mûre is French for blackberry. We named this cider after the berry to pay homage to the Flemish ciders of Belgium, and echo wild lambic beers like framboise and cassis.”

Price: unknown (probably ~$20)
Where Bought: n/a
Where Drank: home, with a group
How Found: n/a

First Impression: Red wine hue. Still. Slight turbidity and sediment. Smells of blackberries, red wine, oak, sourness, and funk.

Tasting Notes: Dry. Light to medium bodied. A balance of moderate tartness, acidity, and sourness. However, the sourness is more at the front of the palate than a typical sour cider where the sourness hits further back. Hints of funk and bitterness. Tannic blackberry flavor. Moderate to high red wine influence. Low to moderate oak influence. Moderate length finish. Moderate flavor intensity. No apple flavor. Very low sessionability.

My Opinion: I’m not a sour cider fan, so no surprise, I wasn’t a fan of this cider. And thats ok…not everyone likes every cider. I knew going into it that I needed some backup, so I had three cider friends over. They are all sour cider lovers, especially berry sour ciders, and loved this one. We opened a lot of ciders and this was one of the few that actually got finished.

Most Similar to: Finnriver Barrel Berry Sour from Port Townsend WA (although less sour) and WildCraft berry ciders from Eugene OR (all their ciders have a slight sourness although most aren’t advertised as sours).

Closing Notes: If you love sour & farmhouse-style cider, Belgian-style lambic beer, etc, and can find this special release, give it a try. 2 Towns really branched out with this one, making something that won’t be a crowd pleaser, but will be truly appreciated by those who enjoy these types of uniquely crafted ciders.

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

FlavorActiV Cider Sensory Kit Series One

May 31, 2016May 29, 2016 cidersays 2 Towns, cider education, FlavorActiv, review 2 Towns, cider, cider education, cider sensory kit, FlavorActiv, hard cider, OutCider, review, sensory analysis

This is a unique review…not of a cider, but of FlavorActiV’s Cider Sensory Kit Series One. Kits like this are used in cider sensory analysis classes (such as at CiderCon – see this great post at Along Came a Cider, or for cider certification courses such as USACM CCP or NACM), at cideries for cidermaker education, for judge preparation at a cider competition, etc. It enables the taster to identify the scent and flavor of specific individual compounds (typically faults) which may occur in cider. I heard about it through CiderGuide, and was intrigued enough to contact the company.

About: This kit was developed specifically for the cider industry in conjunction with one of their global beer/cider customers. They are currently developing a Series Two kit, and are interested to get industry feedback on it. They will also soon launch an open cider taster proficiency scheme (see here for more information) so that cider producers can regularly train and test themselves. FlavorActiV offers over 125 flavor standards, including kits for beer, wine, and coffee. Here is info on the individual cider flavor standards they sell in addition to this kit of 10 standards.

>>This is a review of a sample kit provided to Cider Says by FlavorActiV. 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 review cue. I love free stuff, especially cider! Want your cider or cider-related product reviewed here? Contact me.<<

Samples included: Sour, Musty, Earthy, Barnyard, Phenolic, Acetaldehyde (Acetal), Sulphitic, Indole, Metallic, Mercaptan

Cost: 120 pounds ($170 USD), with free worldwide shipping. Note that one kit makes approximately 1.2 liters (40.6 oz) of each sample, and a 100 ml (3.4 oz) sample is recommended for each taster, so one kit is recommended for 12 tasters (and can probably be used for even more with smaller sample sizes).

How to order: Through their website or by e-mailing cider@flavoractiv.com. For more information, to provide feedback, or to purchase, their e-mail is cider@flavoractiv.com. I received this within a few days even though it traveled from the UK to Seattle WA USA.

Packaging: Bubble mailer, with the samples in capsules individually packaged in a booklet, padded with cardboard so they couldn’t be crushed.

In the box:

10 capsules in a booklet, labeled by type, with descriptions
Instructions
Flavour Wheel of tastes and odors
Handout of the 20 year history of FlavorActiV Flavor Standards
Brochure on their technical taste panel training and management products

Instructions:

Empty the powder in each capsule into 200 ml (6.8 oz) of cider, then swirl the container to release the flavor.
Top off the container with 1 liter (33.8 oz) of cider to reach the recommended tasting concentration.
Pour a 100ml (3.4 oz) sample for each taster.
(Therefore as-directed, you would need 12 liters of cider to mix the powder into, but it would be for 12 people.)

Supplies I used:

three 12oz cans of cider
1/4 cup (50ml) measuring cup (x2)
11 tasting glasses which held at least 4oz (one for each sample plus a control)
butter knife to stir with
index cards
pencil

My experience:

I purchased 2 Towns OutCider, which I consider to be fairly neutral, and is cost effective as it comes in a multi pack (plus I like it). Oddly enough I didn’t have any suitable cider in the house as the only ciders I had more than 1 bottle/can of were flavored.
To use less cider, I ratioed down the powder to make a smaller sample size, as it was just me.
I ended up emptying out each capsule onto an index card, taking a pinch of the powder and putting it into a glass (estimating 1/12), then adding 100ml of cider.
- It worked out fairly well, and I could add cider or add powder to change the ratio if needed. I ended up only adding more powder, not cider.
Of the 10 capsules, one was difficult to open so I cut it open and one had a bit of powder left in it (slight bit of moisture). Overall they were fairly easy to use.
I used all the tasting glasses I had in the house. I think small clear plastic disposable cups would be ideal, especially for a group, as ideally you want to prepare all the samples at once, instead of one by one. The instructions call for a pitcher to mix it in, but the way I did it, I didn’t need one. I found the powder easily dissolved, so I didn’t really need to add a bit of cider, stir, then add more, like they recommended.
The recommended 100ml was a good sample size when doing it individually as it was enough to stir. For a group when mixing it in a pitcher, an even smaller sample size could probably be used. I only had a couple sips of most of them as the only flavor I actually enjoyed was sour (this is a learning exercise, not a pleasant tasting experience).

The samples:

Control (2 Towns OutCider): Semi-sweet to semi-dry. Slightly cloudy as it is less filtered than most ciders. Smells mild, of only apples. Low to moderate tartness & acidity. No bitterness, sourness, funk, or tannins. I think this was a fairly good choice for a neutral cider (their Bright Cider would have probably been even better, but I like Out Cider much more). As a bonus I have 3 cans of cider left.
Sour: Scent unchanged. Flavor change was citric acid tartness, not a true “sourness” like sour beer.
Musty: Scent impacted. Flavor was muted and the musty effect lingered on the palate. Tasted like an antique shop.
Earthy: Scent greatly impacted, and it smelled exactly like fresh dirt. Flavor wasn’t as impacted as smell. This was a negative type of earthiness, not the pleasant type which I’ve found in some ciders with significant tannins.
Barnyard: Scent moderately impacted; it smelled of dirt plus “wild”. Taste slightly impacted, mostly in the finish.
Phenolic: Scent slightly impacted. I didn’t taste anything, so I added more powder. Then I got some citrus scent and a slightly herbal & floral flavor. Overall I found it very mild, even when I tripled the amount of powder.
Acetaldehyde (Acetal): Scent impacted, smelling of chemicals like paint. Flavor impacted, and it overall just tasted “off”. Really difficult to describe.
Sulphitic: Scent not impacted. Slight sulfur flavor and flatness. I added more powder and it became more of a chemical flavor.
Indole: Scent and flavor not impacted, so I added more powder. I only smelled and tasted a bit of floral. Overall very mild.
Metallic: Scent not impacted. I didn’t taste anything either, so I added more powder. Then I picked up a flatness and dulling of the flavor. Overall very mild.
Mercaptan: Scent very strongly impacted, of sulphur. Disgusting strong sulphur sewer type flavor.

My comments:

This is great for a large group/class, but the kit isn’t sized for one person. I would have needed 12 liters of cider to make as directed. However, it was definitely doable to scale it down without too much effort. The powder to cider ratio doesn’t need to be exact, and it can be adjusted with more powder or cider if necessary.
- In fact, I liked having extra powder left as there were a few samples I couldn’t detect, so I was able to keep adding powder until I tasted them.
- I think the only easier way to do it would be to have the samples as drops, but I’m not sure if that is a stable way to store them.
Some other samples I would have liked to see, which I assume may be included in Series 2 (and some of which they currently offer individually):
- Diacetyl, a buttery off-flavor formed by yeast; its something I’ve thought I’ve tasted a couple times, but wasn’t sure about
- True sour, like sour beer, often from wild fermentation…very different from tart
- Acetic, a vinegar-like flavor often found in Spanish cider
Sensory analysis such as this is really helpful to help you detect certain scents and flavors in cider, much more than just a description of that scent/flavor. Everyone experiences these differently too (for example, with a few samples I barely detected anything)

In closing: I’m glad I got the opportunity to test out this kit. I haven’t yet attended a cider sensory course, so this was a great introduction! It was educational, easy to use, well-packaged, and a good value when using it for a group. I look forward to seeing what else they come out with (such as the Series Two kit).

I should note that other companies make flavor standards which I haven’t tried/compared to FlavorActiV. However, the only other company I found online which seemed to have samples geared specifically for cider was Aroxa.

2 Towns Imperial Hop and Stalk

May 24, 2016May 23, 2016 cidersays 2 Towns, review 2 Towns, cider, Corvallis, hard cider, Hop and Stalk, hopped cider, hops, oregon, rhubarb

Review of 2 Towns’ Imperial Hop and Stalk, a seasonal release with Citra hops and Crimson Red rhubarb. I’ve tried most of their line-up; see my reviews here.

Cider: Hop and Stalk
Cidery: 2 Towns
Cidery Location: Corvallis OR
ABV: 8.0%
How Supplied: 500ml bottles and kegs
Style: American Imperial (high ABV) craft cider made from dessert apples, with Citra hops and Crimson Red rhubarb

Availability: Seasonably (May-Aug) in AK, CA, HI, ID, IL (Chicago), MN, NV, OR, and WA.

Cider Description: An outrageous amount of Citra hops, locally grown Crimson Red rhubarb, and fresh-pressed NW apples create a trenchant hard cider with huge floral, citrus & passion fruit notes. The outspoken dry-hopped character of this cider is best when fresh, so make sure to exercise your Stalk Hoptions before they expire!

Price: n/a (runs $7-$9)
Where Bought: n/a
Where Drank: home
How Found: n/a

First Impression: Medium straw yellow. Low to moderate carbonation upon pouring. Smells primarily of citrus, with some hops and strawberry-rhubarb.

Tasting Notes: Semi-dry. Medium bodied. Low carbonation. Moderate tartness and acidity. Hints of bitterness. No sourness, tannins, or funk. Moderate length finish. Moderate hoppiness, although with less bitterness and lingering flavor than many hopped ciders. Notes of citrus (lots!), hops, strawberry, rhubarb, passion fruit, honey, and floral. Low apple flavor. Moderate to strong overall flavor intensity. Moderate sessionability.

My Opinion: I wasn’t expecting to like this cider as I wouldn’t call myself a fan of hops or rhubarb. However, I really enjoyed it–I loved the complexity and uniqueness.

Closing Notes: Another winner from 2 Towns!

Have you tried 2 Towns Hop and Stalk? What did you think?

2 Towns Ciderhouse Sun’s Out Saison

April 4, 2016April 3, 2016 cidersays 2 Towns, review 2 Towns, cider, cider review, cider tasting, Corvallis, hard cider, oregon, peach, saison, Sun's Out Saison

Review of Sun’s Out Saison from 2 Towns, their newest limited release cider with peaches and fermented with Saison beer yeast. I’ve tried a number of ciders from 2 Towns; see here.

Cider: Sun’s Out Saison
Cidery: 2 Towns Ciderhouse
Cidery Location: Corvallis OR
ABV: 5.8%
How Supplied: 500ml bottles and kegs
Style: American craft cider made from dessert apples with peaches added, fermented with Saison beer yeast

Availability: Limited release starting in late March 2016, in AK, CA, HI, ID, IL (Chicago), MN, NV, OR, and WA.

Cider Description: Sun’s Out Saison is made with tart, fresh-pressed Northwest apples fermented on peaches with an authentic French saison yeast. Roll up your sleeves, or better yet, rip ‘em off to get ready for this unfiltered, dry, slightly spicy and phenolic cider, with lots of big, clean, fresh-peach aromatics. Savor liquid sunshine from Oregon’s leading craft cider producer.

Made with over 46 pounds of peaches per barrel (a barrel is 238 bottles of 500ml if my math is right).

Price: $7.59
Where Bought: Chuck’s Hop Shop in Seattle WA (my first time there)
Where Drank: home
How Found: Browsing. I had seen it mentioned online, but didn’t know it was in stores here yet (and didn’t see it at the other 3 bottle shops I went that week).

First Impression: Hazy light straw yellow lemonade hue. Low carbonation and foam upon pouring. Smells of citrus, peach, green apple, a hint of sour, and yeast.

Tasting Notes: Semi-dry. Light bodied. Low carbonation. Moderate acidity. Mild tartness. A hint of sourness. No tannins, bitterness, or funk. Notes of citrus, peach, green apple, tropical fruit, honey, and yeast. Moderate length finish. Low apple influence. Moderate to high sessionability. Moderate flavor intensity.

My Opinion: Yum! This is a perfect spring and summer cider, as it is light and refreshing. However, I didn’t really pick up “slightly spicy” in it, although there is definitely some bite and tartness. I think I picked up a slight amount of “phenolic” flavor, which I read is described as an herbal flavour primarily produced during the malo-lactic fermentation in ‘bittersweet’ ciders.

Most Similar to: 2 Towns Cidre Moscato and Attila Scourge of God based on being light & fruity, plus other peach ciders I’ve had from Blue Mountain (Peach), Blackfin (Pacific Peach), Finnriver (Country Peach), and Fox Tail (Fuzzy Haven).

Closing Notes: Another tasty cider from 2 Towns. This isn’t my favorite style of cider (I usually prefer something richer), but I quite enjoyed it. Sun’s Out Saison also suited the warm temperatures we’ve been having in Seattle to start out Spring.

Have you tried 2 Towns Sun’s Out Saison? What did you think?

Traditions Ciderworks Bourbon Barrel – 2012 Vintage

April 1, 2016March 28, 2016 cidersays 2 Towns, review, Traditions 2 Towns, barrel aged, Bourbon Barrel, cider, cider review, cider tasting, hard cider, Traditions

Review of Bourbon Barrel (2012 Vintage) from Traditions Ciderworks (a 2 Towns brand, which they have now absorbed into their regular line). I bought a bottle of this after loving it at Cider Summit Seattle 2015 (tasting notes here). I’ve tried a number of ciders from Traditions Ciderworks (see here) and 2 Towns (see here).

Cider: Bourbon Barrel, 2012 Vintage
Cidery: Traditions Ciderworks (2 Towns)
Cidery Location: Corvallis OR
ABV: 6.9%
How Supplied: 750ml champagne bottles, corked & caged
Style: American Bourbon barrel aged cider made from French & English cider apple varieties

Availability: Very limited, plus I think it was released a couple years ago. In general however, ciders from 2 Towns are available in OR, WA, AK, HI, CA, ID, NV, MN, and Chicago IL.

Cider Description: Aged for four months in wheat and rye whiskey bourbon barrels, our Bourbon Barrel Cider is a hedonistic blend of floral, fruit, and sweet-bourbon aromas. Traditional French and English cider apples lend firm tannins and a dry, tart backing to this cider. Sweet wood and caramel notes finish off a cider made for bourbon lovers. 132 cases produced.

It was made with Dabinett & Kingston Black cider apples and aged in Buffalo Trace bourbon barrels. The only ingredients are “fresh local cider apples”, wine yeast, and sulfites. They also had a 2011 vintage of Bourbon Barrel, with 50 cases produced.

Cidery Description: Traditions Ciderworks produces handmade artisan ciders using only locally sourced Oregon farm grown apples. Inspired by the creativity and flair of Pacific Northwest craft brewers and winemakers, we use time-honored traditions & our own unique style to create exceptional, premium ciders. From the heart of Oregon, near the banks of the Willamette River, Traditions Ciderworks is dedicated to bringing artisan cider out of the past and into the present.

2 Towns has a tasting room in Corvallis Oregon. In late 2015 they absorbed their Traditions Ciderworks line, and have started producing those ciders under the 2 Towns label (starting with their Pommeau, then Riverwood Brut).

Price: $17
Where Bought: Full Throttle Bottles in Seattle WA
Where Drank: home
How Found: This was my favorite cider I tried at Cider Summit Seattle 2015. They didn’t have any in the on-site bottle shop, so I asked around, and Erika at Full Throttle Bottles was able to find a bottle for me.

First Impression: Light straw yellow hue with a slight haziness. Very low carbonation upon pouring. Smells of bourbon, oak, crisp apples, honey, and yeast.

Tasting Notes: Dry. Nearly still. Light bodied. Moderate bitterness and acidity. Mild tartness and tannins. Notes of bourbon, oak, honey, yeast, citrus, floral, and smoke. Moderate length slightly warming finish. Mild apple influence. Low sessionability. Moderate barrel influence. Strong spirit influence.

My Opinion: For whatever reason I enjoyed this much more when I tried it at Cider Summit. This time the bitterness was much stronger and it wasn’t quite as tannic or rich. The lovely strong bourbon flavor was still there however. I can’t figure out why it seems more bitter…it was the same vintage (presumably the same batch), it was one of the first ciders I tried at Cider Summit so I shouldn’t have had palate fatigue, my palate has only learned to tolerate bitterness better since then, and this cider should age well.

Most Similar to: Other ciders with a strong bourbon barrel influence include Locust Bourbon Barrel (although much higher ABV), Whitewood Whiskey Barrel Aged Kingston Black (although richer), and Moonlight Meadery How Do You Like Them Apples (although much higher ABV). I also tried the last two ciders at Cider Summit Seattle 2015.

Closing Notes: After saving this bottle for months it was a bit disappointing for it to not taste as I remembered, but still plenty enjoyable. I look forward to see what they come up with next at 2 Towns.

Have you tried Traditions Ciderworks Bourbon Barrel? What did you think?

2 Towns Pommeau – 2013 Harvest / 2015 Release

March 18, 2016March 18, 2016 cidersays 2 Towns, review 2 Towns, brandy, Calvados, cider, cider review, Corvallis, hard cider, oregon, Pommeau

Review of the 2013 harvest / 2015 release of Pommeau from 2 Towns. This is their third release (the first two were under their Traditions Ciderworks brand), discussed in this article. I’ve also tried their 2011 harvest / 2013 release of Pommeau under their Traditions Ciderworks brand, and previously reviewed a number of ciders from 2 Towns.

Pommeau is a port-style apple wine related to cider. It is made from apple brandy (a spirit from distilling apple cider) with either unfermented apple juice or lightly fermented apple cider blended in (cider in this case), then barrel aged. It is called Calvados when made in Normandy France.

Cider: Pommeau (2013 harvest / 2015 release)
Cidery: 2 Towns Ciderhouse
Cidery Location: Corvallis OR
ABV: 19%
How Supplied: 375 ml tall frosted glass bottle, wax sealed
Style: American craft Pommeau made from apple brandy and lightly fermented cider, barrel aged in French oak for 1 year

Availability: Limited release (500 cases of 12 bottles made), distributed to CA, ID, IL, MN, NV, OR, and WA.

Cider Description: Our Pommeau is made from locally grown traditional bittersweet cider apples which are hand-harvested and ‘sweated’ at cool temperatures. After the apples have sweetened, the fresh-pressed juice is lightly fermented and then aged with Clear Creek apple eau de vie. Our Pommeau is then matured in French oak barrels for one year. The result is a tremendously complex apple Pommeau that blossoms with aromas of fresh-pressed cider, dried fruit, and wood. This bottle will improve with cellaring for up to 20 years.

Cidery Description: 2 Towns Ciderhouse was founded in Corvallis, Oregon, in 2010 with the mission of bringing cider back to the people. 2 Towns Ciderhouse is a proud pioneer in the resurgence of America’s first beverage of choice. We planted our own orchard in 2012 to help revitalize old-world heirloom apples. We are committed to supporting local apple growers by insisting on using the finest fresh-pressed 100 percent Northwest apples and never take shortcuts in the cider-making process. Our process includes careful fermentation and no added sugar or essence flavorings, allowing the naturally fermented ingredients to speak for themselves. Named for two towns in our locale, Corvallis and Eugene, 2 Towns Ciderhouse has become one of the most award-winning and recognized ciders in the West.

Price: $25
Where Bought: Schilling Cider House
Where Drank: home
How Found: I had heard awhile back that 2 Towns made Pommeau, and read an article on their 2015 release in the Fall, so I started looking. At first I only found their 2013 release, but then the Schilling Cider House decided to carry the 2015 release.

First Impression: Rich amber orange hue. Still (no carbonation). Smells alcohol-forward, of rich ripe apples, oak, dried fruit, leather, brown sugar, caramel, burnt sugar, and vanilla.

Tasting Notes: Semi-sweet to semi-dry. Low acidity and tartness. A hint of tannins. No sourness, bitterness, or funk. Notes of rich ripe apples, oak, dried fruit, leather, brown sugar, caramel, burnt sugar, vanilla, tropical fruit, and peaches. Medium to full bodied. Very long warming finish. Moderate to strong apple influence. Low to moderate barrel influence. Very low sessionability.

My Opinion: Amazing! I love how flavorful this is.

Most Similar to: I’ve only had four Pommeaux (the plural of Pommeau), so I don’t have much to compare to. However, I really enjoy this 2 Towns Pommeau, as well as the Finnriver Pommeau. The Finnriver Pommeau (reviewed here) is also quite flavorful and fuller bodied.

Closing Notes: Pommeau is a unique cider related beverage to try, and I look forward to trying more. This is my favorite Pommeau so far! I plan to buy at least one more bottle to “cellar” for awhile.

Have you tried 2 Towns Pommeau? What did you think?

Traditions Ciderworks (2 Towns) Pommeau – 2011 Harvest / 2013 Release

March 17, 2016March 12, 2016 cidersays 2 Towns, review, Traditions 2 Towns, brandy, Calvados, cider, cider review, Corvallis, hard cider, oregon, Pommeau, Traditions

Review of the 2011 harvest / 2013 release of Pommeau from Traditions Ciderworks, made by 2 Towns. 2013 was their first release of Pommeau, although there have been two releases since then, in 2014 and 2015. Note that 2 Towns’ Traditions Ciderworks brand has since been absorbed into their regular 2 Towns line of ciders. I actually purchased this recently after initially not being able to find the 2015 release, and had assumed it was the 2014 release, but when asking 2 Towns some questions I discovered it was actually the 2013 release (the 2014 release was in a frosted Traditions Ciderworks bottle). I later found the 2015 release (which was labeled under 2 Towns), which I’ll review soon. I’ve previously reviewed a number of ciders from 2 Towns.

Cider: Pommeau (2011 harvest / 2013 release)
Cidery: Traditions Ciderworks (2 Towns Ciderhouse)
Cidery Location: Corvallis OR
ABV: 19%
How Supplied: 375 ml tall clear glass bottle, wax sealed
Style: American craft Pommeau made from apple brandy and lightly fermented cider, barrel aged in French oak for 1 year

Availability: Limited (100 cases of 12 bottles made, sold 2 years ago). This 2013 release is actually much more limited than their 2015 release, where 500 cases were made. In general though 2 Towns’ ciders are sold in AK, CA, HI, ID, IL, MN, NV, OR, and WA.

Wow–20 years…I wonder how they came up with that number? I believe it though.

Price: $32.25
Where Bought: Full Throttle Bottles (I’ve also seen 2 Towns Pommeau in the Seattle area at the Schilling Cider House and The Cave)
Where Drank: home
How Found: I had heard awhile back that 2 Towns made Pommeau, and read an article on their 2015 release in the Fall, so I started looking.

First Impression: Rich amber hue. Still (no carbonation). Smells alcohol-forward, of rich apples, oak, spice, oranges, caramel, and burnt sugar.

Tasting Notes: Semi-dry to dry. Low acidity and tartness. A hint of bitterness and tannins. No sourness or funk. Notes of rich apples, oak, spice, oranges, caramel, burnt sugar, vanilla, and leather. Medium bodied. Long warming finish. Moderate apple influence. Low to moderate barrel influence. Very low sessionability.

My Opinion: This is nice, but on the verge of being a bit much for me. I’m ashamed to admit I enjoyed it with a couple ice cubes; otherwise it seemed a bit too boozy, as it doesn’t have much sweetness (and it was room temperature to start as I didn’t want to rearrange my fridge shelves for the few weeks I kept it open). I much prefer 2 Towns’ newer 2013 harvest / 2015 release, which I’ll review soon. I actually e-mailed them about it as the two releases were so different. They confirmed there were some significant variations in sweetness and tannins due to growing seasons, apple blends, etc. This 2011 harvest release was drier and had a slightly higher percentage of bittersweet apples than the later releases. Going forward they plan to have their Pommeau more similar to the 2013 harvest release–sweeter, richer, and more full bodied.

Most Similar to: I’ve only had four Pommeaux (the plural of Pommeau), so I don’t have much to compare to. However, this was drier, lighter bodied, and less complex than both the Finnriver Pommeau (review here) and the 2 Towns 2013 harvest / 2015 release Pommeau (review soon). I think it was more on par as far as sweetness and consistency with Tieton Wind, but I tried that quite awhile ago (before what I even knew what Pommeau was probably!).

Closing Notes: Pommeau is a unique cider related beverage to try, and I look forward to trying more. However, the newer 2 Towns Pommeau release is more to my liking than this one. In fact, I’m planning to buy at least one more bottle to “cellar” for awhile.

Have you tried Traditions Ciderworks (2 Towns) Pommeau? What did you think?

Schilling Cider House Visit 10 Tasting Notes

February 5, 2016February 5, 2016 cidersays 2 Towns, review, Schilling 2 Towns, cider, cider review, cider tasting, hard cider, Schilling, tap night, tap takeover, tasting notes

Tasting notes from my tenth visit to the Schilling Cider House in the Fremont neighborhood of Seattle WA. Check out my past posts here. I was there for another 2 Towns tap takeover event (reminiscent of the previous one I attended during WA Cider Week), although this one was specifically to release Riverwood Brut (this year’s version of the cider, switching from their Traditions to 2 Towns label) and The Dark Currant (their new oak barrel aged black currant cider).

They also now have three non-alcoholic taps, which that day had coldbrew coffee on Nitro, Schilling non-alcoholic cider, and ginger beer. I was surprised the prices were still $4 or $7 a pint though (not that much less then the alcohol), although they can also be included in a flat price flight of six tasters. I’m curious to see how well they sell. As a casual observer I don’t see much need, except maybe for a designated driver (and even then, why not stock some sodas? I guess it is Fremont…), as its 21+. If anything I wish they sold some snacks there, but I imagine even to sell chips or something they would have to change their license. There is plenty of take out in the area to bring with though.

The following 2 Towns ciders were on tap: Riverwood Brut, Serious Scrump, The Dark Currant, Made Marion, Ginja Ninja, Bad Apple, and Rhubarbarian

They passed out samples of at least these ciders: The BrightCider, Out Cider, Ginja Ninja, Bad Apple, Serious Scrump, Made Marion, and Pommeau (which has got to be a record number!)

I got there after work, around 4pm, well before the event started at 6pm, and started with a flight of six ciders (pretty much all those on tap I hadn’t had before).

2 Towns Riverwood Brut, 6.9% ABV, Corvallis OR: I liked this better than I remembered liking last year’s version (it seems more flavorful this time around vs. at Cider Summit). I’m curious now that its under their 2 Towns label what the bottle size and pricing will be, as previously it ran $19 for 750ml, which seems a bit steep for what it is (but it doesn’t appear like its out in bottles yet). Its inspired by Brut champagne and made from Jonagold apples. Semi-dry. Low acidity, tartness, and tannins. Floral qualities with hints of herbs and honey, but overall rather simple in flavor. I noticed more apple flavor than is typical for a drier cider. Light bodied. I think if bottled it would have been more sparkling than it ended up being on tap (I noticed only very light carbonation). Longer warming finish.

2 Towns Serious Scrump, 11.0%, Corvallis OR: This is described as a dry English Imperial ice cider (which is rare as ice ciders are typically very sweet), a high ABV cider made using juice which has been frozen & thawed (increasing residual sugar and flavor). I had this one before and remembered not really caring for it. However, I’m a huge imperial cider fan (such as their Bad Apple), so I wanted to give it another go. Also available in bottles. Semi-dry. Low to moderate bitterness. Slight barrel influence (woody). Well-hidden ABV. Moderate acidity and tartness. Medium bodied. Moderate finish length. I’m still not a fan, mostly due to the bitterness.

Seattle Cider Gose (pronounced goes-a), 6.5%, Seattle WA: This is styled after a unique type of beer which has herbal, tart, and salty characteristics. I previously had Seattle Cider’s Plum Gose, which was this same cider but with plums (and was therefore more fruity), which they made in response to folks mixing Gose with PNW Berry at their tap house. Seattle Cider used sea salt, coriander, and Chardonnay yeast in this tap-only release. Dry. High acidity. Salty flavor with slight vinegar and citrus notes. Light bodied. Overall not bad, but not something I cared for. Nathan from Cider Chronicles thought it was pretty gross lol.

Locust Cider Thai Ginger, 6.0% ABV, Woodinville WA: Made from Granny Smith and Gala apples with real Galangal Thai ginger root. Also available in bottles. Ginger-spice scent. Sweet. Ginger was only present in the finish, at the back of the throat, and remained on the mild side (more present in the scent than flavor). Medium bodied. I’m not a ginger fan, but as the ginger was kept mild and it was sweet, I didn’t mind it.

2 Towns Rhubarbarian, 5.0% ABV, Corvallis OR: This is described as a dry English-style cider with fresh-pressed Northwest rhubarb (also available in bottles). Semi-dry. I didn’t pick up any rhubarb flavor with this, only the slightest tart fruitiness, and overall thought it was bland. Light bodied. Quick finish.

Bull Run Bramble Berry, 6.7% ABV, Forest Grove OR: Described as a dry cider with marionberries, blackberries, and boysenberries. Also available in bottles. Cranberry hue. Dry. Low tartness. Low acidity. I also found the flavor bland with this one. Light bodied. Quick finish.

I also had a small sample of Finnriver Solstice Saffron (6.5% ABV, Port Townsend WA), which they put on tap while I was there. This is part of their Seasonal Botanical line, made with saffron, anise, and fennel seeds. Also sold in bottles. Smelled herbal (I don’t think I would have been able to pick those out in particular). Semi-dry. Moderate acidity and tartness. Weird herbal type flavor. It was ok…I just didn’t appreciate the flavor profile (like Seattle Cider Gose). The folks sitting around me were fans though.

Of those, my favorite was the 2 Towns Riverwood Brut, but I didn’t even find that too impressive. It seemed to be a big hit among the other customers though. While I was there, a large group even ordered a flight of all 32 ciders–how fun!

While I was finishing the flight, they started in on the 2 Towns samples. They served them in clear plastic shot glasses which were pretty cute.

I’ve had Bad Apple and Made Marion before and reviewed Serious Scrump above. I had sampled The BrightCider and OutCider before, but pre blog.

The BrightCider, 6.0% ABV: This is their flagship cider (which replaced InCider awhile back), made from apples including Jonagold, Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, and Rome Beauty. Also available in bottles and cans. I found it to be on the drier side of semi-dry (although its marketed as semi-sweet). Pretty average and low on flavor. Definitely sessionable.

OutCider, 5.0% ABV: This is an ulfiltered cider. Also available in bottles and cans. Semi-sweet. I found this to have more flavor than BrightCider, and I liked it better than I remembered. It still though doesn’t have as much unfiltered apple juice taste as for example Downeast, but for canned sessionable craft cider, this is a pretty good choice.

Ginja Ninja, 6.0% ABV: Their ginger cider. Also available in bottles and cans. Semi-dry. I found it to have a moderate amount of ginger. I’m still not a ginger fan, but I’d no longer say I hate it (ie. its growing on me a bit).

Pommeau, 19% ABV: What a surprise! Who would have thought they would be pouring some of their Pommeau? Their Pommeau is cider with apple brandy, barrel aged. This was the first year it was released under their 2 Towns instead of Traditions brand, and was from the 2013 harvest. Here is a nice writeup from New School Beer on the release. Rich apple, vanilla, and caramel scent. Semi-sweet. Still. Low acidity, tartness, and tannins. Very oakey, which I love. Complex, as it also had apricot, smoke, caramel, brown sugar, vanilla, and honey notes. Full bodied. Long boozy warming finish.

I had recently bought a bottle of last year’s Traditions Pommeau at Full Throttle Bottles, after striking out on finding this year’s version. Now I’m looking forward to trying it even more so I can compare. Schilling hadn’t planned on carrying it as apparently high end ice ciders and Pommeau and such don’t sell as well, but I think Sarah (the cider house manager and Cider Log writer) fell in love with it, as now they are. So, I may have to get a bottle of this year’s version. By the way, I think 2 Towns’ Pommeau is a great value–last year’s was under $30 for 375ml. This initially seems expensive, but its 19% ABV, made from cider apples, and barrel aged for 2 years. Additionally, due to the style and high ABV, it can likely remain open for weeks or months without significant flavor changes, like brandy. A cider friend had a bottle of Finnriver Pommeau open for a year or so that still tasted great.

Sarah shared samples of two bottles of cider she opened. I only got a photo of one though.

Viuda de Angelon Sidra de Pera, 5.2% ABV, Asturias Spain: This is a new addition for the cider house, a Spanish pear Sidra which retails for $4 for a 12oz bottle, which is a great entry level price and bottle size. However, even though everyone described this more as pear cider and not being very Sidra-like (typically known to be sour and astringent), I still picked up a mild sourness. It was sweeter that I was expecting, semi-dry to semi-sweet. Mild tartness and sourness. Moderate acidity. Fruity with pear and tropical notes. Medium bodied. Moderate carbonation (more than most ciders). It was ok for me, but everyone else loved it.

Etienne Dupont Cidre Triple, (I didn’t see the bottle, but ABV listed online is anywhere between 8.5% and 11%), Victot-Pontfol France: Apparently this cider gets its name from triple fermentation (from natural sugar, then from added sugar, then in the bottle to create a mousse-like fexture). I was curious if I’d like this any more than the Cidre Bouche I sampled awhile back. Nope! This style just isn’t my thing, but I’ll try anything once. The Triple was even more funky (moderate to severe) but less sour (mild) than the Bouche. I’m sure there were tannins and bitterness, but the funk was overpowering for my palate. Very dry. Earthy with citrus notes. Medium boded. Long finish.

The 2 Towns Pommeau was definitely the winner of the evening, followed by their Riverwood Brut.

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

2 Towns Dark Currant

January 19, 2016January 17, 2016 cidersays 2 Towns, review 2 Towns, barrel aged, Black Currant, cider, Corvallis, Dark Currant, hard cider, oak, oregon

Review of 2 Towns’ newest limited release (late Dec 2015), Dark Currant, a cider with black currant juice added and was aged in new oak barrels.

Cider: Dark Currant
Cidery: 2 Towns
Cidery Location: Corvallis OR
ABV: 6.0%
How Supplied: 500ml bottle (and kegs)
Style: American black currant cider, oak barrel aged

Availability: Limited release which is available in OR, WA, AK, HI, CA, ID, NV, MN, and Chicago IL.

Cider Description: Harvested from NW farms, local black currants are fermented during the cold winter, on Oregon-grown white oak. A strong oak profile backs the complex berry aromas. You can’t fight the currant.

The black currants were harvested from Queener Farm in Scio, Oregon and Kalapooia Haven Farm in Brownsville, Oregon in late summer, then this cider was lightly aged in new oak barrels until its release in December.

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: $7.50
Where Bought: Full Throttle Bottles
Where Drank: home
How Found: I read online about the release and had been on the lookout (2 Towns is one of the brands I try just about everything from). I was at Full Throttle Bottles to pick up some 2 Towns Pommeau, and figured I might as well get it.

First Impression: Cranberry pink hue. Low carbonation with tiny bubbles at the edges of the glass. Smells like raspberries, black currant, citrus, and oak.

Tasting Notes: Semi-dry. Moderate acidity. Moderate tartness. No bitterness, sourness, or funk. A hint of tannins. Raspberry, blackberry, and black currant notes with hints of lemon and oak. Light to medium bodied. Low apple influence. Low barrel influence. Moderate to long finish. Moderate sessionability.

My Opinion: I’m not usually a huge fruity cider fan, but I really enjoyed this…probably as the black currant didn’t completely overpower the apple, and it wasn’t overly sweet, tart, or juice-like. I enjoyed the oak influence, but it left me wanting more oak flavor (but I say that about most barrel aged ciders).

Most Similar to: Other black currant ciders. I’ve had Finnriver Black Currant. As far as craft black currant ciders, I’ve read Doc’s Draft and Slyboro make them. In comparison to Finnriver Black Currant, 2 Towns Dark Currant is less fruity, rich, and tart. However, the flavor added from the oak barrel aging was nice. I slightly prefer Dark Currant. This fruity barrel aged cider also reminded me of Alpenfire Apocalypso, which is a rum barrel aged blackberry cider (similar to their Calypso, which is a regular release, although this was a keg-only release).

Closing Notes: This was quite tasty, and a great mix of summer (berry) and winter (oak) type flavors. I think 2 Towns ciders are unique and at a great price point.

Have you tried 2 Towns Dark Currant? What did you think?

2 Towns The Bad Apple

November 20, 2015November 9, 2015 cidersays 2 Towns, review 2 Towns, Bad Apple, barrel aged, cider, cider review, hard cider, hard cider review, honey, imperial, oregon

Review of The Bad Apple from 2 Towns. I’ve had this cider before, and many other 2 Towns varieties. Isn’t their bottle styling awesome? Really eye-catching.

Cider: The Bad Apple
Cidery: 2 Towns
Cidery Location: Corvallis OR
ABV: 10.5%
How Supplied: 500ml bottle (or kegs)

Availability: Year-round, at least in OR, WA, CA, AK, HI, NV (limited), ID, IL (Chicago), & MN (Minneapolis)

Cider Description: Big & bold, The Bad Apple is an imperial style cider, fermented with local meadowfoam honey and aged on Oregon White Oak. Complex notes of apples and wood make the Bad Apple a NW favorite. Sometimes…it’s good to be Bad!

Price: $7.50
Where Bought: Special Brews in Lynnwood WA
Where Drank: home
How Found: Initially, browsing. I’ve had this cider at least once before and was in the mood to have another bottle.

First Impression: Yellow/orange tinted straw gold hue. Moderate carbonation upon pouring with a light foam ring and tiny bubbles. Smells like rich apples, honey, booze (whisky?), yeast, and oak.

Opinion: Semi-dry. Quite apple-forward, with rich apple, honey, vanilla, and oak notes. The perceived barrel influence remains mild. Moderate acidity and tartness. I almost pick up some citrus with the tartness. Mild bitterness and astringency. No sourness or funk. Medium bodied. Low to moderate carbonation. Longer finish with lingering tartness and acidity. Well-hidden ABV, which mostly presents as warmth. Complex but simple at the same time. I enjoyed this fridge cold, which surprised me as usually with this style of cider I like it closer to room temperature than fridge temperature…when it warmed up the tartness seemed more present.

Most Similar to: This kinda reminds me of Moonlight Meadery ‘How Do You Like Them Little Apples’ cider for some reason…probably as that one tasted like it was higher ABV (but wasn’t), and had honey and oak notes (but it was sweeter and more full bodied). By the way, I find this cider very different from the other 2 Towns Imperial-Style cider I’ve tried, Serious Scrump, which is an 11% ABV English-Style cider available seasonally, which I found to be quite dry and bitter and not to my liking.

Closing Notes: Awesome! This is actually my favorite cider from their regular line so far (and I’ve tried at least 10 ciders from 2 Towns). I think its a great value. I also think 2 Towns is a really cool cidery in general…really down to earth and fun-loving. Their tag line is “Damn Fine Cider” lol. I hope to visit them someday in Corvallis OR. I’ve actually met co-founder Aaron Sarnroff-Wood (at Cider Summit Seattle 2015 and a Schilling Cider House 2 Towns tasting event) and communicated with him by e-mail about their Cider Master Reserve Batch No 01, and he is super helpful. I highly recommend this cider if you enjoy higher-ABV ciders and want something unique.

Have you tried any ciders from 2 Towns? What did you think?

2 Towns Cidre Moscato

November 6, 2015October 31, 2015 cidersays 2 Towns, review 2 Towns, cider, cider review, cider tasting, Corvallis, hard cider, hard cider review, Moscato, oregon

Review of Cidre Moscato from 2 Towns, made using Muscat grapes. I had this awhile back and couldn’t remember if I liked it before, so was curious to try it again when I stumbled upon a bottle in the walk-in cooler of a local grocery store. This was a special release quite awhile ago, so I was surprised to find it. I’ve had at least 10 selections from 2 Towns.

Cider: Cidre Moscato
Cidery: 2 Towns
Cidery Location: Corvallis OR
ABV: 6.9%
How Supplied: 500ml glass bottle

Availability: Probably limited at this point as it was a special release in 2014 I think. 2 Towns ciders however are sold in OR, WA, CA, AK, HI, NV (limited), ID, IL (Chicago), & MN (Minneapolis).

Cider Description: Out of the rich soils of the NW grow lush and zesty muscat grapes. Full of vibrant aroma, this blend of Muscat and hard cider will make you wave your pinky in the air like you just don’t care.

Price: $7 on sale from $9
Where Bought: QFC grocery store
Where Drank: home
How Found: Browsing the walk-in fridge. I also found the first bottle awhile back the same way.

First Impression: Light carbonation, a few small bubbles. Straw yellow, no haze. Very light tropical and white grape scent.

Opinion: Semi-dry. Fruity, refreshing, and light. The tropical and white grape notes continued into the flavor. Higher acidity. Low to moderate tartness. No bitterness. Light astringency. It has some sweet flavor notes without being sweet. The flavor profile on this cider is pretty mild. Very unique. Moderately complex too.

Most Similar to: Attila Scourge of God (review here), although that didn’t have the additional fruitiness. Moa Kiwifruit was also on the drier side and had a light tropical kiwi flavor. Most tropically ciders I’ve had were a bit sweeter, such as Reverend Nat’s Revival (review here) and Woodinville Ciderworks Tropical (review here).

Closing Notes: Tasty! This would especially be a great summer cider. I was surprised I enjoyed it so much as usually I go for bolder ciders.

Have you tried 2 Towns Cidre Muscato? What did you think?

Schilling Cider House – Washington Cider Week – 2 Towns Tap Night

September 30, 2015August 10, 2017 cidersays 2 Towns, Aspall, Cider Summit, Dupont, E.Z. Orchards, Finnriver, local, Moonlight Meadery, review, Schilling, Washington Cider Week 2 Towns, cider, cider review, cider tasting, hard cider, Schilling Cider House, Washington Cider Week

The last Washington Cider Week event I attended was the 2 Towns Tap Night at the Schilling Cider House in the Fremont neighborhood from Seattle (Thurs Sept 17, 2015). I honestly would have rather gone to the Barrel Aged event they had the night before, but that didn’t work for my schedule. I’m a fan of 2 Towns, and got to meet up with some great cider folks, so I was very happy nonetheless.

You can’t beat their 32 cider tap selection! Plus they have a huge bottle selection, all chilled, and you can see every bottle and look at the label and such. It was only my second time there, but I’ve already gone back for a third visit the following week. Sarah from Cider Log is the manager at the Schilling Cider House now, I finally got to meet Mick from Click Distributing (we’ve chatted on Facebook quite a bit), and I also met some folks from some other distributors as well.

I got there quite awhile before the event started. It was officially 6-9pm (when the 2 Towns guys were there), but they had the 2 Towns selections on tap much earlier. I picked up a tasty Caprese sandwich from across the street. I sat at the cider house bar for a few minutes to figure out what I wanted to start with. Then Mick found me and I went over to the cool kids table with the distributor dudes.

I started with a flight of 4 ciders. I should have just gone for the full 6, as I think it ends up being cheaper, but I was holding out to try some 2 Towns stuff later. Also, although I didn’t yet know it, I would also be trying some bottled cider!

Schilling Barrel #2: A 21% ABV concoction which was barrel aged. I’m a little unclear as to how it was made (I heard once it was fortified with brandy and another time it was distilled cider). However, its not really cider at this ABV, more like apple brandy, apple jack, Pommeau, apple spirits, whatever you want to call it. Definitely booze-forward, but I found it easily drinkable on its own when it was cold (and I usually don’t do straight alcohol). I loved the honey and almost floral notes. Semi-sweet to sweet. Highly recommended! They still had some of this on tap as of Sept 25 by the way.

Moonlight Meadery The Last Apple: A 16% ABV cyser (when apple juice is blended with honey, then fermented). It was then barrel aged in Jim Beam barrels for 6 months. I’ve had both meads and ciders from Moonlight, and now a cyser. On the sweet & syrupy side, but very flavorful. Well hidden ABV. I loved the honey flavor which was bold but not overdone. All around complex and tasty! This was also still on tap as of Sept 25.

Aspall John Barrington: A 8.4% cider from Aspall in the UK. I didn’t know anything about this cider going into it, but put it on my flight card as I’ve been impressed by Aspall so far. The scent was quite dry, but it came across as semi-sweet to me in taste (although Schilling had it listed as dry per their taste test). Almost still (very low carbonation). Very smooth and rich flavor. Acidic and slightly tart. Lovely tropical notes. I liked this one.

Finnriver Barrel Berry Sour: A 6.5% sour blueberry-apple cider which was barrel aged. Although I’m not a fan of sour cider (about the only sour thing I like is candy), I decided to give it a try as it was barrel aged, and I’m a sucker for barrel aged! Definitely sour, and I thought more so than their Country Peach I tried at Cider Summit which was described as a sour (but didn’t have sour in the name). Semi-dry. For me the sour overwhelmed the flavor so much I couldn’t pick up the barrel influence or any other flavors I’m not a fan, but glad I tried it. Apparently lots of folks like sour ciders, beer, etc…I’m just not one of them.

Next, I got to partake in samples of two bottled ciders that some of the guys bought, Poire Domfront from Domaine Pacory and Roman Beauty from E.Z. Orchards. The Schilling Cider House doesn’t charge an extra fee beyond the bottle price to drink any of their bottled ciders on the premises, but I don’t see why you would want to with 32 ciders on tap?

Domaine Pacory Poire Domfront: A 5% ABV French perry made primarily with “plant de blanc” pears. Rich sweet scent. Fizzy / high carbonation. Mick thought it was hilarious the first comment out of my mouth upon tasting it was “that’s fizzy!”. I really do love a highly carbonated cider though, and we don’t get it too often here. Semi-sweet. Very light bodied. I wouldn’t have guessed this was perry at all, as it really tasted similar to French ciders I’ve enjoyed. Easy drinking and very tasty. There was the slightest bit of funk when it warmed up a bit.

E.Z. Orchards Roman Beauty: A 4% ABV cider from Oregon. Made primarily from Roman Beauty apples, bottle conditioned, and cold spontaneous fermentation. Clean & crisp scent. This one was also easy drinking and very tasty. I didn’t mind at all that there was still cider left in the bottle after the guys left, and I continued to sample it.

Next, since it was 2 Towns time, I got a small pour of their Made Marion on Nitro. I had tried or wasn’t interested in their other selections on tap:
Bad Apple, high ABV imperial style cider – awesome
Hop & Stalk, Sitra hops & rhubarb – didn’t care to try as I’m not a fan of either of its namesakes
Prickle Me Pink, pink from cactus fruit – quite good
Outcider, their unfiltered variety – average

2 Towns Made Marion: A 6% ABV marionberry cider. I’m pretty sure I had this one awhile back, but 2 Towns makes a number of berry ciders, so I’m not 100%. This one had lots of foam due to the Nitro tap. Deep berry color and a tart berry scent. Very smooth. Semi-sweet. I also picked up some boysenberry flavor in addition to the marionberry for whatever reason. Mild tartness. I found this a bit predictable, although I haven’t ever been too amazed by a berry cider; often they are quite juice-like.

They came around with samples of some 2 Towns ciders, which was quite nice. Aaron Sarnoff, a co-founder and cider guru at 2 Towns whom I met at Cider Summit, was there with another co-worker. It wasn’t very crowded (probably due to the rain), so Aaron chat with us all at the cool kids table for awhile. I got a sweet 2 Towns pint glass! My husband has been enjoying drinking his beer from it lol. I’m not a huge fan of cider in a pint glass (its a bit too large for starters), but its a great collectible.

On my way out I picked up a bottle of Cider Riot! 1763 (made from cider apples). Earlier in the afternoon I had stopped at Full Throttle Bottles and got Traditions Ciderworks Bourbon Barrel 2012 (my favorite from Cider Summit…I’m very happy Erika from Full Throttle got some for me) and Carlton Cyderworks Slake (whiskey barrel aged). I haven’t tried any ciders from Cider Riot or Carlton Cyderworks, and these seemed like good starting points as I love barrel aged cider! Three bottles of cider added to my collection that I definitely didn’t need. Its very tough to not buy cider that sounds amazing though.

This concludes the Washington Cider Week festivities. However, stay tuned for more trip reports. I have posts in work for another trip I made to the Schilling Cider House, and to mix it up a bit, Aesir Meadery in Everett WA.

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.

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?

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