Review of Branch and Bramble from Stem Ciders, their dry raspberry cider.  I’ve previously tried their Le Chene, Malice, Remedy, and Blood Orange Cyser.  My husband brought this and 4 of their other ciders (plus even some Pommeau!) back from Colorado for me.

Cider:  Branch and Bramble
Cidery:  Stem Ciders
Cidery Location:  Denver Colorado
ABV:  6.7%
How Supplied:  four pack of 12oz cans
Style:  American craft dry cider made from dessert apples, with raspberries

Availability:  Only in Colorado, year round, at these retailers.

Cider Description:  Intense raspberry aromas and ruby hues.  Tartness from the raspberries and apples meld in this dry, refreshing cider.  A light tannin structure from the raspberries lingers on the palate.

Cidery Description:  At Stem Ciders, we are committed to creating ciders of the highest quality that honor the purity and complexity that is inherent to the apple. We can’t wait to introduce you to your perfect cider match. We are dedicated to reviving the cider tradition, which goes far beyond what you enjoy in your glass. We hold our growers in the highest regard, and by fostering relationships with them we reward their hard work and promote the regrowth of heirloom apple cultivation. We love our home-base in Denver, and embrace the Colorado lifestyle that makes us lug a bottle to share up a mountain to enjoy a drink with a view. Most importantly, we love nothing more than seeing that smile on your face when you have your first sip of one of our crisp, refreshing ciders.

Price:  $10 / four pack
Where Bought:  Stem Ciders tasting room in Denver
Where Drank:  home
How Found:  I read about Stem Ciders online.  Last time my husband was in Colorado, he picked me up a bunch of ciders, including Stem Le Chene.  I keep hearing about their Banjo special release cider, but I’m 0/3 as far as finding it (apparently its only available about 1 month a year; its currently still barrel aging).  This time around I thought I’d make it easier on my husband and give him a shopping list all from the same cidery, so he could just stop by the tap room (vs. trying to find ciders at multiple bottle shops).  I e-mailed the cidery ahead of time and they were nice enough to send me a list of what they had in stock.

First Impression:  Light pink/red hue.  Low carbonation with foam.  Smells of sweet tart raspberries.

Tasting Notes:  Dry.  Light bodied.  Moderate tartness and acidity.  Low bitterness.  Low tannins.  No sourness or funk.  The flavor is almost purely sharp raspberry, with hints of green apple and lemon.  Moderate length finish.  Low apple flavor.  Moderate sessionability.  Low complexity.  Moderate flavor intensity.

My Opinion:  Tasty and refreshing, with a surprising amount of flavor for how dry it is.

Most Similar to:  I’ve had a number of raspberry ciders, from Wyder’s, Woodchuck, Doc’s, Schilling, One Tree, Raven’s Moon, and Eaglemount, but they were all sweeter.  Raven’s Moon was the driest, a semi-dry, but was much higher in ABV, and the most tart cider I’ve ever had.

Closing Notes:   I think this was my favorite of their three canned ciders.  Next up I have their Whiskey Barrel-Aged Apricot and Pommeau.

Have you tried Stem Branch and Bramble?  What did you think?