Nashi Orchards Black Swan Cider

March 20, 2017March 20, 2017 cidersays Nashi Orchards black swan, cider, cider review, cider tasting, hard cider, Nashi, Nashi Orchards, tasting notes, Vashon, Vashon Island

Review of Nashi Orchards’ Black Swan, a cider from apples foraged from Vashon Island Washington, then bourbon barrel aged. It is my first time trying this variety, although I have had their Issho Ni cider, Chojuro Blend Asian Pear Perry, Barrel Fermented Cider, and Island Harvest Perry.

>>This is a review of a sample bottle provided to Cider Says by Nashi Orchards. 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: Black Swan (2016 vintage)
Cidery: Nashi Orchards
Cidery Location: Vashon Island WA
ABV: 7.3%
How Supplied: 200ml bottles
Style: American craft cider from foraged apples, barrel aged

Availability: Vashon Island (including Nashi’s tasting room), Seattle, and Tacoma Washington, per their website

Cider Description: Island foraged apples (heirloom and bittersweet varieties) make up the base cider, which is then aged in a bourbon barrel (from Seattle Distilling).

Cidery Description: We strive to make Perry and Cider that expresses the best qualities of the Asian and European pears and heirloom apples that we grow and source. We carefully control fermentation to preserve some of the natural sweetness, use 100% juice pressed at our winery and do not add sugar or flavorings. Yes, we are purists.

Price: n/a ($7 retail)
Where Bought: n/a
Where Drank: home
How Found: The cidermaker, Jim Gerlach, dropped off a sample for me. This year’s vintage was just released.

First Impression: Medium straw yellow hue. Smells very mild, of citrus and acidity. Still (no carbonation).

Tasting Notes: Dry. Moderate tartness. Very high acidity. Low to moderate tannins. Low bitterness. No sourness or funk. Notes of sharp crabapples, lemon, grapefruit, peach, mineral, and a hint of honey. The finish length is moderate and a bit alcohol-forward. Moderate apple flavor, sessionability, flavor intensity, and complexity. There is no overt barrel or spirit influence/flavor; in fact, I tasted this cider blind and wouldn’t have guessed it was bourbon barrel aged.

My Opinion: This is a wine-lover’s subtle food-friendly cider. Well made, but not my favorite style. Always nice to try something new though.

Most Similar to: Other dry high acid subtle ciders made from heirloom apple varieties, such as other ciders from Nashi, Dragon’s Head, and Farnum Hill, and Montana CiderWorks Spartan Dry-Style.

Closing Notes: I heard that Nashi is going to start kegging their perries and ciders, which is great, as it will increase their product visibility. I find it interesting they release their products in such a small bottle compared to the ABV, ie. 7 ounces of cider is less than a typical serving size. It must be a pain to fill all those little bottles without an automated line. However, it does decrease the price per bottle.

Have you tried cider from Nashi Orchards? What did you think?

Red Branch Peach Cider

March 17, 2017March 13, 2017 cidersays Red Branch california, cider, cider review, cider tasting, hard cider, peach, peach cider, Red Branch, tasting notes

Review of Red Branch Cider Company’s Peach Cider (actually technically a cyser as it has honey added). It is my first time trying this cider, and any cider from this cidery.

Cider: Peach Cider
Cidery: Red Branch Cider Co.
Cidery Location: Sunnyvalle CA
ABV: 6.9%
How Supplied: 500ml bottles
Style: American cider with honey, peach juice, carbonated water, and sugar

Availability: A small batch release. Red Branch cider appears to only be available in California, plus through their online store.

Cider Description: We take great care in producing this hard peach cider from the finest ingredients available. We only use premium fruit juices and honey. This one has a twist though, we’ve added peach juice to give it a great flavor with a terrific peach aroma. If you love peaches, then this is for you. Try our other flavors, too and you might just find your favorite beverage choice is something new. We hope you enjoy it as much as we do. If you don’t, tell us and we’ll make it right. Mike & Maria

Cidery Description: We believe that producing a quality hard cider of any variety is 90% art and 10% science. Toss in a bit of sweat and heartburn for good measure and you’ll have a typical small cidery. Crafting cider is a lot like crafting many other beverages, and our love of quality ingredients drives us to produce more than just an average cider, but what we believe, is the finest cider possible. Our passion is to create something special from one of the most natural substances on earth, and share it with everyone.

Quality and consistency are the most important aspects of our products, if they aren’t good enough for us to drink or offer to our own friends and family, then we won’t sell it to you! Red Branch Cider Company offers both traditional and seasonal ciders with an innovative honey twist.

They were established in 1995 and have a tap room in Sunnyvale CA.

Price: $8.49
Where Bought: a natural grocery store in a small town in Northern California
Where Drank: home
How Found: Browsing. They had an impressive cider selection.

First Impression: Light peach hue. Nearly still (very low carbonation). Smells of peach candy.

Tasting Notes: Semi-sweet. Medium bodied. Low tartness. Low to moderate acidity. Low bitterness. No tannins, sourness, or funk. Notes of peach candy at the beginning with a hint of nectarine, lemon, & honey, and a medicinal flat metallic bitter peach flavor at the end. Moderate length finish. Low apple flavor. Moderate flavor intensity. Low to moderate complexity. High sessionability.

My Opinion: I found this cider odd. I think without the weird finish and with some carbonation it wouldn’t have been too bad.

Most Similar to: I’ve previously had the following peach ciders: Blue Mountain Peach, Blackfin Pacific Peach, Carlton Bourbon Peachy Keen, Finnriver Country Peach, Number 6 Peach Fuzz, Peach Grapefruit Habanero, and Tieton Bourbon Peach. This one was quite different than all the others – the sweetest and most candied tasting. My favorite of those is probably the Tieton one.

Closing Notes: Hopefully I have a chance to try something else from Red Branch in the future.

Have you tried Red Branch Peach Cider? What did you think?

Moonlight Meadery How Do You Like Them Little Apples

March 15, 2017May 25, 2017 cidersays Moonlight Meadery, review cider, cider review, cider tasting, hard cider, How Do You Like Them Little Apples, Moonlight Meadery, New Hampshire, tasting notes

Review of Moonlight Meadery’s How Do You Like Them Little Apples, a whiskey barrel aged cider. I have tried this cider a couple times previously on draft, but now it is available in cans. I’ve also previously sampled their How Do You Like Them Apples, Boys N Berries, Last Apple, and Crimes of Passion.

Cider: How Do You Like Them Little Apples
Cidery: Moonlight Meadery
Cidery Location: Londonderry NH
ABV: 6.5%
How Supplied: 12oz cans
Style: American craft cider, aged in whiskey barrels

Availability: Semi wide release, in the U.S. in AL, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MT, NC, NE, NH, NJ, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, TX, VA, VT, WA, WA D.C., and WI, and Australia, China, and Japan. They also have an online store.

Cider Description: This hard cider is made from the finest New Hampshire apples that are available to us, usually a blend of Cortland, McIntosh, Gala, and Red Delicious varieties. We blend the fresh-pressed cider with just a touch of honey and natural sugar before we let it ferment and age in newly emptied rye whiskey barrels.

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

They have been around since May 2010 and have a tasting room in Londonderry NH.

Price: $3 / single can
Where Bought: Special Brews in Lynnwood WA
Where Drank: home
How Found: My husband bought it for me.

First Impression: Hazy medium straw yellow hue. Moderate carbonation. Smells musty, of vinegar, honey, and whiskey.

Tasting Notes: Semi-dry. Medium bodied. Moderate tartness and acidity. Low sourness, funk, and bitterness. Hints of tannins. Notes of vinegar, honey, must, and lemon, plus hints of oak and whiskey. Moderate length finish. Very low barrel influence. Low whiskey influence and apple flavor. Moderate complexity, flavor intensity, and sessionability.

My Opinion: This was very different than previous versions. I didn’t really enjoy the odd vinegar flavor with sourness and funk. Previously it was sweeter and richer, with more honey, oak, and whiskey.

Most Similar to: Spanish Sidra

Closing Notes: This was disappointing. Previous versions (like this) were much more enjoyable. Hopefully this was a one-time error or something, but it puts me off from wanting to buy it again and taking the chance it’ll happen again. I have heard that can liners sometimes don’t stand up to acidic cider, so over time the cider can turn vinegary. The second can was just as bad.

Have you tried Moonlight Meadery’s How Do You Like Them Little Apples? What did you think?

E.Z. Orchards Williamette Valley Cidre 2011

March 13, 2017March 13, 2017 cidersays E.Z. Orchards, review cider, cider review, cider tasting, E.Z. Orchards, EZ Orchards, hard cider, oregon, tasting notes, Williamette Cidre

Review of E.Z. Orchards’ Williamette Valley Cidre 2011. It is my first time trying this cider, but I have previously sampled their Semi Dry, Roman Beauty, Hawk Haus, and Poire.

Cider:  Williamette Valley Cidre 2011
Cidery:  E.Z. Orchards
Cidery Location:  Rickreall OR
ABV: 6.0%
How Supplied: 750ml bottles
Style: American Artisan cider from French cider apple varieties, nothing else (no sulfites)

Availability: CA, OR, and WA, although this is a very old release

Description: The Pioneers who settled Oregon’s Willamette Valley in the 1850’s must have marveled at their good fortune. The soil was rich, the water plentiful, the winters mild, and summers ideal, crops seemed to burst from the ground. For more than 150 years small family farms have dominated the Willamette Valley – one of the most productive and diverse agricultural areas in the world. The Zielinski Family and E.Z. Orchards are part of this history and ongoing commitment to the land.

E.Z. Orchards Willamette Valley Cidre is the culmination of 10 years effort to develop our orchard and refine our fermentation technique. We grow a selection of French, English, and Early American apple varieties. The fruit contain essential characteristics, necessary to impart structure and aroma in our Cidre.

They use traditional French cider making methods–pressing their apples in a rack and cloth press, fermenting with wild yeast in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks for 4-6 months, and bottling before fermentation is complete to allow secondary fermentation to take place in the glass. EZ Orchards has been growing apples since the 1920s. They were one of the first in the U.S. to plant cider apple varieties, starting in 2000.

Price: $17.99
Where Bought: A natural grocery store in a small town in Northern California in December. I haven’t seen this variety sold in the last couple years in the Seattle area.
Where Drank: home
How Found: Browsing. I was super impressed with this store’s selection for now being in a major city or cider region. I picked up a number of bottles from several cidermakers and packed them in my suitcase for the flight home to Seattle.

First Impression: Light pumpkin amber hue. Moderate carbonation with significant foam. Smells rich, apple-forward, and tannic.

Tasting Notes: Semi-dry. Light bodied with a frothy texture. Moderate tartness. High acidity. Low tannins. Low bitterness. Moderate funk. Hints to low sourness. Notes of apple pomace, yeast, orange, grapefruit, and lemon. Moderate apple flavor, sessionability, flavor intensity, and complexity.

My Opinion: I liked it but didn’t love it. From the scent, I was hoping for more richness and tannins. The citrus notes and sourness were a surprise.

Most Similar to: A mix of a French and Spanish cider. It had the apple and yeast forward flavor of a French cidre with the citrus, funk and sourness of a Spanish cider. It was the later I didn’t like as much.

Closing Notes: I look forward to trying more E.Z. Orchards ciders. So far my favorite is Roman Beauty.

Have you tried E.Z. Orchards Williamette Valley Cidre? What did you think?

Domaine du Verger Rosé Cidre Bouche

March 10, 2017March 3, 2017 cidersays Domaine du Verger, review cider, cider review, cider tasting, cidre, Domaine du Verger, France, French, hard cider, red fleshed, rose, tasting notes

Review of Domaine du Verger’s Rosé Cidre Bouche, a French cider made with some red-fleshed apples to give it a rosé hue. It is my first time trying this cider and anything from this cidery.

Cider: Rosé Cidre Bouche
Cidery: Domaine du Verger
Cidery Location: Brittany France
ABV: 2.5%
How Supplied: 750ml corked & caged champagne bottles
Style: French rosé doux/sweet cidre from French cider apples, including red-fleshed varieties

Availability: semi wide release

Cider Description: 100% apple juice from 90% bittersweet apples and 10% bitter apples. The pink coloration is natural from the adjunction of a specific variety of apple with red flesh named : Baya Marisa. To make a cider “doux /sweet” the alcoholic fermentation is shorten to about 5 weeks leaving higher natural residual sugar and resulting of a lower alcohol content. It is then followed by a filtration and an adjunction of Co2 for carbonation.

The bittersweet apple varieties are from Brittany France and the bitter apple varieties are from Normandy France.

Cidery Description: Since 1983 the Val de Rance cooperative has brought together the cider-making experience of 300 passionate local growers from Brittany. After recent investments, the cooperative has expanded and modernised its equipment. Today, Val de Rance represents over a 1,000 acres of orchards, producing ten to fifteen thousand tons of apples each year.

The cider from Domaine du Verger is produced from 100% apple juice. All the apples are harvested 90% from Brittany (bitter-sweet) region and 10% from Normandy (bitter). After being cleaned, the apples are gently crushed; they are then fermented in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks, and carefully filtered with the addition of Co2 for the carbonation.

Price: $7.99
Where Bought: Schilling Cider House
Where Drank: home
How Found: Browsing. It was the first time I had seen the brand, and the first time I had seen a rosé French cidre.

First Impression: Light rosé hue. Moderate carbonation. Smells mildly fruity.

Tasting Notes: Sweet. Medium bodied, with a fluffy frothy texture. Moderate tartness. Moderate acidity. No bitterness, sourness, funk, or tannins. Notes of strawberry, white grape, and pomegranate. Low apple flavor. Low complexity. High sessionability. Moderate flavor intensity.

My Opinion: I liked the flavor, and loved the higher carbonation and texture. However, it was sweeter, lower ABV, and more juice-like than I prefer.

Most Similar to: I’ve had several ciders from red-fleshed apples, including Alpenfire Glow, Alpenfire Cinders, and Snowdrift Red. This was quite different than any of those ciders, and quite different than any of the French ciders I’ve had. It tasted more like a cider from American dessert apples which was back sweetened with a lot of fruit juice, then highly carbonated.

Closing Notes: Rosé (grape) wine is from blush grapes. For cider, it typically refers to red-fleshed apples. Here is a nice article on rosé cider. Cidre Bouche literally means “cider with a cork”; many French ciders are named as such.

Have you tried Domaine du Verger Rosé Cidre Bouche? What did you think?

Schilling Cider House Visit 23 Tasting Notes

March 8, 2017March 8, 2017 cidersays Alpenfire, Bad Granny, Liberty, Portland Cider, review, Sandford Orchards, Schilling, Snowdrift, Tieton cider, cider bar, cider flight, cider review, cider tasting, hard cider, Schilling Cider House, tasting notes

Tasting notes from my 23rd visit to the Schilling Cider House in the Fremont neighborhood of Seattle WA. Check out my past posts with tasting notes here.

I was there on a Thursday for a Portland Cider tap takeover / luau / potluck. I started with a flight.

Alpenfire Cider (Port Townsend WA) Glow (6.8% ABV): This is a drier version of their Glow (made from red fleshed apples) than is found in bottles (which I’ve reviewed here), apparently as it had to be significantly more filtered when kegged. Semi-dry, compared to the bottled version which is semi-sweet to sweet. Compared to the bottled version, its not nearly as flavorful (strawberry and watermelon notes) or complex, and is more tart and lighter bodied. Very nice, but I prefer the intensely flavorful and sweet bottled version (which I have a bottle of in the fridge that my husband got me for Valentine’s Day).

Sandford Orchards (Crediton UK) The General (8.4% ABV): This is the first time I’ve seen any cider from this English cidery. This variety is made from Devon cider apples, then spirit-aged and casked. Semi-dry. Light bodied. Moderate tartness, acidity, and bitterness. Low tannins. Apple-forward flavor with some sharpness. Moderate to long finish. Low to moderate complexity. Moderate apple flavor, sessionability, and flavor intensity. This tasted like a typical English cider, although more bitter and less complex than I prefer. Its good to see an international cider on tap, and made from cider apples too.

Liberty Ciderworks (Spokane WA) Cellar Series (8.0% ABV): This is an unknown variety of their Cellar Series (they are usually named with a letter and two numbers), draft only. Most of their cellar series ciders are wild yeast fermented and barrel aged. Orange amber hue. Dry. Light bodied. Moderate tartness. Moderate to high acidity. Hints of sourness and funk. Low bitterness. Sharp flavor with crabapple notes and hints of oak. Moderate to long finish length. Moderate apple flavor. Low to moderate sessionability. Low flavor intensity. Moderate complexity. I didn’t really like this one, as I found it a bit harsh.

Bad Granny (Lake Chelan WA) Green Apple (6.9% ABV): This cider is made from dessert apples and sold both in tallboy cans and on draft. Nearly clear hue. Semi-sweet. Medium bodied. Low tartness. Moderate acidity. No bitterness, sourness, funk, or tannins. Definite green apple flavor, plus some white grape. Moderate apple flavor. Low complexity. Moderate flavor intensity. High sessionability. I liked it.

Portland Cider (Portland OR) Mojito (6.7% ABV): This draft-only limited release cider had mint, lemon, and lime added. Semi-dry to semi-sweet. Medium bodied. Low tartness and acidity. Notes of mint, citrus, and a hint of soap? Low apple flavor. Moderate sessionability, flavor intensity, and complexity. The flavor of this seemed weird, but maybe it is just me.

Tieton Ciderworks (Yakima WA) Russian Red (6.9% ABV): This draft-only special release cider is made from red fleshed apples (like Snowdrift Red and Alpenfire Glow). Bright red hue. Semi-sweet. Medium bodied. Low to moderate tartness and acidity. Notes of cranberry and cherry. Low apple flavor. Moderate to high flavor intensity and sessionability. Moderate complexity. I liked it.

They also had Portland’s Sangria and Pineapple ciders on tap. The Sangria is especially awesome by the way.

Sarah also shared a new Snowdrift release with me:

Snowdrift Cider (East Wenatchee WA) Cidermakers Reserve (8.3% ABV): They have had this Méthode Champenoise cider listed on their website for awhile, but I haven’t ever seen it, so I think they took a few years off from production (or else it was very limited release). This batch is only available in bottles. Odd scent which none of us could accurately describe, but it didn’t transfer to the flavor. Semi-dry. High carbonation. Moderate tartness. High acidity. Hints of tannins and bitterness. Fruity, with notes of sharp pomegranate and some crabapple. I really liked the flavor and the bubbles, but the scent was bizarre.

My favorites were the Alpenfire Glow, Tieton Russian Red, and Snowdrift CIdermakers Reserve. The Bad Granny was good too, especially for its simplicity. I really wanted to like Sandford Orchards The General as I’m an English cider fan, but it was quite bitter.

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

Eve’s Cidery 2015 Kingston Black, Dry Still Cider

March 6, 2017February 25, 2017 cidersays Eve's Cidery cider, cider review, cider tasting, Eve's, hard cider, Kingston Black, single varietal, tasting notes

Review of Eve’s Cidery 2015 Kingston Black, Dry Still Cider. It is my first time trying this one, but I’ve previously had their Beckhorn Hollow and Autumn’s Gold.

Cider: 2015 Kingston Black, Dry Still Cider
Cidery: Eve’s Cidery
Cidery Location: Van Etten NY
ABV: 8.6%
How Supplied: 750ml corked bottles
Style: American artisan cider, a single varietal from Kingston Black cider apples

Availability: sold out (21 cases made)

Cider Description: 100% Estate grown Kingston Black. Primary fermentation in stainless steel. 21 cases bottled. Residual sugar 0.0%. Titratable Acidity 7.1 g/L. pH 3.8. On the nose, dried apples, macadamia nuts and dusty roses. On the palate, calendula flowers, cloves, wood and tobacco with tense, springy tannin. The finish is kerosene and sour apple.

More info on the cider is available here.

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

Their official tasting room is at the Finger Lakes Cider House in Interlaken New York.

Price: $16
Where Bought: Eve’s Cidery’s online store
Where Drank: home
How Found: Browsing Eve’s Cidery’s website, as they were having a free shipping offer in December.

First Impression: Moderate amber hue. Still (no carbonation). Smells amazingly rich and sweet.

Tasting Notes: Completely dry (the nose on this cider is definitely deceiving). Light to medium bodied. Low tartness and bitterness. Low to moderate acidity and tannins. No sourness or funk. Notes of concentrated apple juice, brown sugar, caramel, wood, and lemon. Moderate to long finish length, with a slight alcohol burn. High apple flavor. Low sessionability. High complexity. Moderate flavor intensity.

My Opinion: I really enjoyed it, although I think I would have liked it even more with a touch of residual sugar (I prefer semi-dry to dry). This unique wine-like cider is definitely on the serious side.

Most Similar to: It reminds me of ice cider, except with all the sugar sucked out somehow. I’ve had two previous Kingston Black ciders – from Dragon’s Head (single varietal) and Whitewood (with a bit of Porter’s Perfection). All three were quite different from each other. The Whitewood one had some added complexity due to the whiskey barrel aging (and also had the highest ABV). Eve’s seemed the most characteristically Kingston Black if I had to guess.

Closing Notes: Awesome complexity and an amazing value! Its my favorite from them so far. I still have one bottle from Eve’s left, Rustica.

Have you tried any Kingston Black single varietals? What did you think?

Angry Orchard Spiced Apple

March 3, 2017February 26, 2017 cidersays Angry Orchard, review Angry Orchard, cider, cider review, cider tasting, hard cider, Spiced Apple, spiced cider, tasting notes

Review of Angry Orchard’s Spiced Apple, their newest limited release cider, with pie spices, only available in their winter variety pack.

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

Cider: Spiced Apple
Cidery: Angry Orchard
Cidery Location: Walden NY (their R&D facility)
Cider Production Locations: Cincinnati OH & Breingsville PA
ABV: 5.0%
How Supplied: 12 pack of 12oz bottles
Style: American commercial cider made from dessert apple varieties, with pie spices

Availability: January thru April, wide release, in the Winter Orchard Sampler Variety Pack (with Crisp Apple, Easy Apple, Stone Dry, Green Apple, Tapped Maple, and Spiced Apple)

Cider Description: Angry Orchard Spiced Apple was Inspired by the spices in this classic dessert and connection to the American cider making tradition. This hard cider achieves its balanced profile by combining bright and festive warming spices and a blend of culinary and bittersweet apples. This new limited release style is perfect for evenings with friends and family during the last months of winter.

Apple Varieties: Pacific Northwest dessert varieties (Braeburn, Fuji, Granny Smith, and Gala French)

Ingredients: hard cider, water, cane sugar, apple juice concentrate, malic acid, natural flavor, carbon dioxide, sulfites

Price: n/a (but retails for $15.99-$18.99 / 12 pack variety pack)
Where Bought: n/a
Where Drank: home
How Found: n/a

First Impression: Light amber hue. Still (no carbonation). Smells of sweet concentrated apple with pie spices.

Tasting Notes: Semi-sweet to sweet. Medium bodied. Low tartness. Moderate acidity. No sourness, bitterness, funk, or tannins. Notes of concentrated apple, cinnamon, nutmeg, and honey. Moderate length finish. Moderate apple flavor. Moderate flavor intensity. High sessionability. Low complexity. Moderate spice intensity.

My Opinion: This is a pretty typical sweet spiced cider, which isn’t one of my favorite styles. I didn’t find any faults with it though.

Most Similar to: Most spiced ciders I’ve had have been drier, like Elemental Seasonal Spiced Apple, 2 Towns Nice & Naughty, Carlton Cyderworks Sugar and Spice, Sonoma Cider The Sleigh, and AEppelTreow Sparrow Spiced. D’s Wicked Baked Apple was on-par with this one as far as sweetness, but was more baked apple than spiced.

Closing Notes: Angry Orchard still appears to carry their Cinnful Apple, which is a fall seasonal, while this is a one-off only available in this winter’s variety pack.

Have you tried Angry Orchard Spiced Apple? 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).

>>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: 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.

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
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?

Angry Orchard Tapped Maple

February 27, 2017February 26, 2017 cidersays Angry Orchard, review Angry Orchard, cider, cider review, cider tasting, hard cider, maple, Tapped Maple, tasting notes

Review of Angry Orchard’s Tapped Maple, their newest seasonal cider, with Vermont maple syrup.

Cider: Tapped Maple
Cidery: Angry Orchard
Cidery Location: Walden NY (their R&D facility)
Cider Production Locations: Cincinnati OH & Breingsville PA
ABV: 5.o%
How Supplied: 6 or 12 pack of 12oz bottles
Style: American commercial cider made from dessert apple varieties, with maple syrup

Availability: January thru April, wide release, in individual 6 packs plus 12 pack variety packs

Cider Description: Angry Orchard Tapped Maple blends American culinary apples with maple syrup tapped from Vermont maple trees. The maple syrup – rich in flavor and natural maple sweetness – adds a delicate balance, creating a not-too-sweet cider with a strong maple-forward aroma, and full, round mouthfeel. This new seasonal style is perfect to enjoy around the dinner table or fire pit with friends during cooler months.

Apple Varieties: Pacific Northwest dessert varieties (Braeburn, Fuji, Granny Smith, Gala, and Pink Lady)

Ingredients: hard cider, water, cane sugar, apple juice concentrate, malic acid, maple syrup, natural flavor, carbon dioxide, sulfites

Price: n/a (but retails for $8.99-$9.99 / 6 pack, or $15.99-$18.99 / 12 pack variety pack)
Where Bought: n/a
Where Drank: home
How Found: n/a

First Impression: Dark straw yellow hue. Still (no carbonation). Smells of concentrated apple with a hint of maple.

Tasting Notes: Semi-sweet to semi-dry. Medium bodied. Low tartness. Low to moderate acidity. No bitterness, sourness, funk, or tannins. Notes of concentrated apple with hints of maple and citrus. Quick finish. High apple flavor. High sessionability. Moderate flavor intensity. Low complexity.

My Opinion: I enjoyed it. Very drinkable, as it isn’t too sweet. I was expecting more maple, but I’m glad they didn’t go overboard.

Most Similar to: The other ciders with maple I’ve had are Woodchuck Campfire Pancakes (which was fake maple overload and very sweet) and Seattle Cider Oaked Maple (which had even less maple flavor than this one, and was drier).

Closing Notes: This was a nice selection from Angry Orchard, although I’d like to see them improve their ingredient list.

Have you tried Angry Orchard Tapped Maple? What did you think?

Moonlight Meadery How Do You Like Them Apples

February 24, 2017May 10, 2018 cidersays Moonlight Meadery, review cider, cider review, cider tasting, cyser, hard cider, How Do You Like Them Apples, mead, Moonlight, tasting notes

Review of Moonlight Meadery’s How Do You Like Them Apples. I had previously tried this on draft, but they recently began offering this (and the “Little Apples” version) in cans. I’ve tried a number of beverages from Moonlight Meadery: How Do You Like Them Little Apples, How Do You Like Them Apples, Boys N Berries, Last Apple, and Crimes of Passion

Cider: How Do You Like Them Apples
Cidery: Moonlight Meadery
Cidery Location: Londonderry NH
ABV: 13.5%
How Supplied: 12oz cans
Style: American craft honey apple wine (apple cider with honey and brown sugar), rye whiskey barrel barrel aged

Cider Description: A New England Hard Cider, made with the finest New Hampshire apples that were available to us, which we had fresh pressed into apple cider. This fresh cider was delivered the day it was pressed to our Meadery, where we blended it with just a touch of honey, and some brown sugar and let it ferment, then we let it age in freshly emptied Last Apple barrels, for a minimum of 6 months.

They have been around since May 2010 and have a tasting room in Londonderry NH.

Price: ~$6 / single can
Where Bought: Special Brews in Lynnwood WA
Where Drank: home
How Found: my husband picked this up

First Impression: Medium amber hue. Still (no carbonation). Smells rich, syrupy sweet, apple-forward, of honey, whiskey, and oak.

Tasting Notes: Sweet. Medium to full bodied. Low tartness, acidity, and tannins. No bitterness, sourness, or funk. Notes of concentrated apple, honey, orange, oak, whiskey, caramel, and brown sugar. Moderate length finish, which is also the only time when the high ABV is noticeable. Low oak/barrel influence. Low to moderate whiskey influence. High apple flavor. Low sessionability. High flavor intensity. Moderate complexity.

My Opinion: Amazing. I really love the in-your-face rich complex flavor of this cider. However, it is best suited as an after dinner sipper, splitting the can among at least 2 people. By the end of the can I was a bit over it, as it was so sweet, even though I sipped on it throughout the evening. This tasted good anywhere between ice cold and close to room temperature.

Most Similar to: Ice cider and Moonlight Meadery Last Apple (although that one had more honey than apple flavor, in contrast to this one), which are both high ABV, have concentrated rich flavor notes, and are sweet

Side Note: I like that they added a dry-sweet indicator on the can, but I think they were off on this one…it is way closer to the sweet end of the spectrum than the middle (although maybe it was an appropriate rating based on the beverages they make at Moonlight.

Closing Notes: My husband also picked me up a couple cans of the “Little Apples” version of this cider, so stay tuned.

UPDATE: Like the canned How Do You Like Them Little Apples, the can of this I opened a month or two later was starting to turn vinegary.

Have you tried Moonlight Meadery How Do You Like Them Apples? What did you think?

Virtue Cider The Mitten

February 22, 2017February 22, 2017 cidersays review, Virtue barrel aged, cider, cider review, cider tasting, hard cider, Michigan, Mitten, tasting notes, Virtue

Review of Virtue Cider’s The Mitten. I’ve tried this cider twice previously (see review #1 and review #2), but in a 750ml bottle. Virtue’s most popular cider is now available in a four pack of 12oz bottles (along with Michigan Brut and Michigan Harvest; see this press release). I’ve also previously tried their Cherry Mitten and Lapinette.

>>This is a review of a sample bottle provided to Cider Says by Virtue. 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: The Mitten
Cidery: Virtue Cider
Cidery Location: Fennville MI
ABV: 6.8%
How Supplied: four pack of 12oz bottles (and 750ml bottles and kegs)
Style: American craft cider from Michigan apples, bourbon barrel aged

Availability: Year round in DE, GA, FL, IA, IL, IN, KS, MI, MO, NC, NJ, NY, OH, PA, SC, WA, and WI, per this list

Cider Description: The Mitten, which was first released in 2013, is made with cider from 100% Michigan apples that has been aged for 11 months in 200 bourbon barrels from Wild Turkey, Jim Beam, and Heaven Hill. We taste through each and every barrel before we move to final blending. The aged cider is then blended together with juice from freshly pressed apples from this year’s harvest for a touch of sweetness. The result is a 6.8% ABV semi-dry cider that shows off a balanced blend of charred bourbon and high-acid apple flavors. Pronounced notes of vanilla and wood mingle with overripe apple, and maple flavors create a farm feel.

More info here.

Cidery Description: Virtue Cider is a Michigan-based craft cider company. We produce European-style ciders from fresh apples – never from concentrate – and employ traditional farmhouse production methods that include native and secondary fermentation, use of wild yeasts, and an expansive barrel aging program.

They have a tasting room in Fennville Michigan; see here.

Price: n/a (retails for $13.99)
Where Bought: n/a
Where Drank: home
How Found: the cidery’s press release

First Impression: Medium straw yellow hue. Nearly still (very low carbonation). Smells mild, of honey and oak.

Tasting Notes: On the sweeter side of semi-dry. Light to medium bodied. Low tartness. Low to moderate acidity. Hints of bitterness and tannins. No sourness or funk. Notes of honey, lemon, oak, bourbon, vanilla, and white grape. Low apple flavor. Moderate sessionability. Low oak/barrel influence. Low spirit/bourbon influence. Moderate flavor intensity. Moderate complexity.

My Opinion: I’m a fan! This also seemed less harsh than the previous versions – my favorite so far. Usually I prefer a really intense cider, but for this one, I preferred it less so. This is a more sessionable barrel aged cider, which is nice.

Closing Notes: I think this will be a hit. It is a great deal too, at less than half the price per ounce vs. the 750ml bottle prices I’ve seen.

Have you tried Virtue The Mitten? What did you think?

Oregon Mead & Cider Co. Free Press Hopped Cider

February 20, 2017February 20, 2017 cidersays Oregon Mead & Cider Co., review cider, cider review, cider tasting, hard cider, hopped cider, Oregon Mead and Cider, portland, tasting notes

Review of Oregon Mead & Cider Company’s Free Press Hopped Cider. It is my first time trying this cider, although I tried their Dry variety the night before.

Cider: Free Press Hopped Cider
Cidery: Oregon Mead & Cider Company
Cidery Location: Portland Oregon
ABV: 6.5%
How Supplied: 500ml bottles
Style: American craft cider, with hops

Availability: Georgia, Illinois, Minnesota, Oregon, Washington, and Wisconsin

Cider Description: Hard Cider Made Easy. Our ciders were born from the bounty of the Northwest and the pioneering spirit of our grandparents. A perfect balance of dry and tart, our ciders are made by the people, for the people. Press on.

Cidery Description: Oregon Mead & Cider Co. creates award-winning, dry, sparkling meads and ciders from premium Northwest ingredients. All of our beverages are gluten-free, unfiltered, and completely dry. Oh, and we never use sulfites. Ever.

They have a tasting room in Portland (see here).

Price: $6.99
Where Bought: The Cave in Kirkland WA
Where Drank: home
How Found: Browsing. It was my first time seeing anything from this brand, although I had heard of them.

First Impression: Light amber hue. Moderate carbonation with a large amount of foam. Smells apple-forward, of hops with a hint of peach.

Tasting Notes: Semi-dry. Light bodied with a frothy texture. Low tartness. Moderate acidity. Moderate bitterness. Low tannins. No sourness or bitterness. Notes of hops, lemon, grapefruit, yeast, and a hint of floral & honey. Moderate length finish. Low to moderate flavor intensity and complexity. Low apple flavor. Moderate sessionability.

My Opinion: I liked the level of carbonation, the frothy texture, and the flavor profile. However, the bitterness was a bit much for me. Like the Dry, it seemed a bit beer-like.

Most Similar to: Double Mountain Jumpin Jack Heirloom Cider and Oregon Mead & Cider Company’s Free Press Dry Cider

Closing Notes: I liked this much better than their Dry cider, which I though had a strange flavor profile.

Have you tried Oregon Mead & Cider Company’s Free Press Hopped Cider? What did you think?

Oregon Mead & Cider Co. Free Press Dry Cider

February 17, 2017February 11, 2017 cidersays Oregon Mead & Cider Co., review cider, cider review, cider tasting, dry cider, Free Press, hard cider, oregon, Oregon Mead & Cider, Oregon Mead and Cider, tasting notes

Review of Oregon Mead & Cider Company’s Free Press Dry Cider. It is my first time trying any of their cider.

Cider: Free Press Dry Cider
Cidery: Oregon Mead & Cider Company
Cidery Location: Portland Oregon
ABV: 6.5%
How Supplied: 500ml bottles
Style: American craft cider

Availability: Georgia, Illinois, Minnesota, Oregon, Washington, and Wisconsin

They have a tasting room in Portland (see here).

Price: $6.99
Where Bought: The Cave in Kirkland WA
Where Drank: home
How Found: Browsing. It was my first time seeing anything from this brand, although I had heard of them.

First Impression: Light amber hue. Moderate carbonation with a large amount of foam (the photo above was about 30 seconds after pouring). Smells mild, apple-forward and of peach.

Tasting Notes: Semi-dry to dry. Light bodied with a frothy texture. Low tartness. Moderate acidity. Low bitterness. Hints of tannins. No sourness or bitterness. Notes of yeast, peach, and a hint of hops. Quick finish. Low flavor intensity, complexity, and apple flavor. Moderate sessionability.

My Opinion: I liked the level of carbonation and the frothy texture. However, the hint of hops and flavor profile was odd, and I didn’t really like the bitterness. It was almost beer-like.

Most Similar to: Double Mountain Jumpin Jack Heirloom Cider

Closing Notes: I also picked up this cidery’s hopped cider (the only other cider from the cidery the bottle shop had).

Have you tried Oregon Mead & Cider Company’s Free Press Dry Cider? What did you think?

Devoto Orchards 1976 Semi-Dry Cider

February 15, 2017February 15, 2017 cidersays Devoto california, cider, cider review, cider tasting, Devoto, hard cider, orchard, Sebastopol, tasting notes

Review of Devoto Orchards 1976 Semi-Dry cider. It is my first time trying any of their cider. I picked up this bottle in California over Christmas break. Here is an article about the cidery.

Cider: 1976 Semi-Dry cider (2014 harvest)
Cidery: Devoto Orchards
Cidery Location: Sebastopol CA
ABV: 6.9%
How Supplied: 750ml clear glass screw-top wine bottle
Style: American Organic craft cider from heirloom apples

Availability: only in Northern California and a few online retailers (see here)

Cider Description: 1976 is a homage to the year Stan & Susan Devoto left Berkeley to move ‘back to the land’ and planted our family’s first orchard in west Sonoma County. Visionaries of their time, they valued biodiversity and cultivated vegetables, flowers, and 55 heirloom apple varieties that we still grow today. Every year to honor them, we craft a small batch of this special semi-dry cider blended from those original apple varieties they planted almost 40 years ago.

Profiles: Aromas of ripe tropical fruit lead to a creamy texture and lush fruit on the palate finished with soft tannins.
Pairings: green curry, spicy Vietnamese noodle soup, ceviche, green papaya salad, bean salads and stews, anything good and spicy.
Cheese Pairings: Meadow Creek Mountaineer (VA), Consider Bardwell Rupert (VT), Thistle Hill Tarentaise (VT)
Apple Blend: Pink Pearl, Gravenstein, Hubbardston Nonesuch

Cidery Description: We’re a farm and cidery in west Sonoma County. To make the best cider, your family better be, well, a tree.

Price: $12.29
Where Bought: a natural grocery store outside of Sacramento CA
Where Drank: home
How Found: Browsing. It was my first time seeing their cider.

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

Tasting Notes: Semi-dry to semi-sweet. Light to medium bodied. Low tartness. Moderate acidity. Hints of bitterness and tannins. No sourness or funk. Notes of white grape, pineapple, peach, and honey. Quick finish. Low flavor intensity. Low complexity. High sessionability. No apple flavor.

My Opinion: I thought this was average. It was wine-like and food friendly (ie. mild). I liked the flavor notes, but it wasn’t really cider-like.

Most Similar to: This cider didn’t really remind me of cider at all…it tasted most similar to watered down sweet white wine (like Moscato), as it was thinner bodied, low in flavor intensity, and had a lot of slightly sharp white grape notes.

Closing Notes: This cider was a great value for being made in small batches from organically farmed heirloom apple varieties. They also make at least two other varieties, Cidre Noir and Save the Gravenstein.

Have you tried Devoto Orchards cider? What did you think?

Wandering Aengus Bloom

February 10, 2017February 5, 2017 cidersays review, Wandering Aengus Bloom, cider, cider review, cider tasting, hard cider, oregon, Salem, tasting notes

Review of Wandering Aengus Bloom. I tried this awhile back, pre-blog. I’ve also previously tried their Wickson, Wanderlust, Oaked Dry, Byrd, Golden Russet, Bittersweet, Wickson Barrel Aged, Cellar Door, and Pommeau.

Cider: Bloom
Cidery: Wandering Aengus
Cidery Location: Salem Oregon
ABV: 6.5%
How Supplied: 500ml bottles (and draft)
Style: American craft cider from heirloom apples

Availability: CA, ID, IL, IN, MI, MT, NJ, NM, OR, PA, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, and WA D.C.

Cider Description: Orchards: Hood River, OR Sweet and fruit forward “hints of tropical fruit” Pairings: Spicy food or on its own.

Cidery Description: At Wandering Aengus Ciderworks we press and blend over 20 cider apple varietals to craft our ciders. Our cider specific apples originate from France, England, and pre-prohibition America, but are grown now in Oregon. These heirloom varieties are essential for the depth of flavor, excellent body, and delightful aromatics of our distinctive ciders. All our ciders are always GLUTEN FREE.

They have a tasting room in Salem Oregon open on Fridays.

Price: ~$8.99
Where Bought: I forgot
Where Drank: home
How Found: I tried it previously

First Impression: Medium straw yellow hue. Low carbonation. Smells mild and apple-forward.

Tasting Notes: Semi-sweet. Medium bodied. Low tartness. Moderate acidity. Hints of tannins and bitterness. No sourness or funk. Notes of honey, peach, pineapple, green apple, and mineral. Moderate apple flavor, flavor intensity, and complexity. High sessionability.

My Opinion: This is a tasty cider. It is a nice introduction to craft cider as it is on the sweeter and easy drinking end (not sour or funky for example). I liked the honey and fruit notes.

Most Similar to: Bertolinos Hard Cider and Honeywood Hard Apple Cider

Closing Notes: This is one of my favorite Wandering Aengus ciders, as it is more approachable and less bitter than many of their other ciders. I’m also a big fan of their Bittersweet cider, and their Pommeau is also amazing.

Have you tried Wandering Aengus Bloom? What did you think?

Eve’s Cidery Autumn’s Gold

February 8, 2017February 8, 2017 cidersays review Autumn's Gold, cider, cider review, cider tasting, Eve's, Eve's Cidery, Finger Lakes, hard cider, tasting notes

Review of Eve’s Cidery Autumn’s Gold. It is my first time trying this cider, although I have previously had their Beckhorn Hollow. I ordered a total of three bottles when they had their free shipping sale before the holidays. They ended up having to ship it twice, as UPS broke the first shipment (after it made it all the way across the country to the Seattle facility).

Cider: Eve’s Cidery
Cidery: Autumn’s Gold 2015
Cidery Location: Van Etten NY
ABV: 7.5%
How Supplied: 750ml corked & caged bottles
Style: American Artisan cider from cider apples, a mix of wild & added yeast, naturally sparkling

Availability: Mostly only in the Northeast, especially New York (see here), plus through their online store

Cider Description: Apples on the orchard floor layered over aromas of toffee, dust, beeswax and hay lead to a muscular and embracing mid-palate with flavors of ripe red apple, wild mint and something animalistic. The finish is an interplay between sweet and bitter, the leathery tannin full and present amidst still ripe fruit and brown sugar.

This dry, tannic cider should be served at cellar temperature: ~ 55 degrees. Pair with nutty cheeses like cave aged cheddar, savory meats like Merguez sausage, and all manner of vegetables, especially grilled.

See here for some great detailed information on the cider, including the percentage breakdown of apple varieties.

Cidery Description: The sun comes up, the sun sets, the rains come and go and the cold and the heat rotate around the years. And that is as it has been for thousands of years here in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. Somewhere, on the side of one of those hill sits our little cider orchard.

Sometimes, we marvel at our hard work: “I grafted those thousand trees, I grew those apples, I built that barn, I put up that trellis.” There is honed skill and hard labor involved in growing a crop, and making good cider. But in end, what makes what we do worth doing is a sense of the magic: in leaves absorbing sunlight, roots seeking minerals, raptors hunting mice and apples in the fall.

Here is a vintage of cider, which will never be repeated, reflecting the lives of trees in this one spot for this one year. Here are ciders that are elegant, feral, and mischievous. Here are ciders that surprise and transcend. We hope you enjoy them.

Their official tasting room is at the Finger Lakes Cider House in Interlaken New York.

Price: $18
Where Bought: their online store though Vino Shipper
Where Drank: home
How Found: their online store

First Impression: Dark straw yellow hue. High carbonation. Smells mild but apple-forward, of acidity, tannins, and a hint of funk.

Tasting Notes: Dry to semi-dry (1.4% residual sugar). Light bodied, with a frothy carbonated texture. Moderate tartness. High acidity. Hints of bitterness and funk. Low tannins. No sourness. Notes of lemon, peach, green apple, brown sugar, and mineral. Moderate apple flavor. Low sessionability. Low flavor intensity. Moderate complexity.

My Opinion: This was nice, but a bit too dry, acidic, and subtle for my personal tastes. I liked the fruitiness and carbonation. I agree this is better closer to room than fridge temperature, as it cuts the acidity a bit.

Most Similar to: Eve’s Beckhorn Hollow (although that was slightly sharper) and Eden Sparkling Dry

Closing Notes: This is a well made cider-lover’s cider, and a great value!

Side Note: UPS is not very alcohol-friendly, as you can’t have a package containing alcohol held at a UPS Store (like you can for any other signature required package). So, if you like many folks work during typical delivery hours, you have to drive all the way out to the main facility (which is 45 minutes each way for me).

Have you tried Eve’s Cidery Autumn’s Gold? What did you think?

Portland Cider Sangria

February 6, 2017February 3, 2017 cidersays Portland Cider, review cider, cider review, cider tasting, hard cider, portland, Portland Cider, sangria, tasting notes

Review of Portland Cider’s Sangria, released last month. It is my first time trying it, although I have tried their Passion Fruit, Pearfect Perry, Kinda Dry, Hop’Rageous, London Dry Gin, Apple, Crooked Cock Scrumpy, Strawperry, and Pineapple ciders.

Cider: Sangria
Cidery: Portland Cider
Cidery Location: Portland Oregon
ABV: 5.5%
How Supplied: 22oz bottles (and kegs)
Style: American craft cider from dessert apples with 7 fruit juices

Availability: year round, in California (Los Angeles), Colorado, Oregon, and Washington

Cider Description: Blend our delicious cider with the juices of orange, strawberry, pear, passionfruit, elderberry, and lime, to get our Sangria cider. It’s your new favorite fruit punch, for grown-ups!

Cidery Description: Authentically crafted Cider with quality Northwest ingredients. Our business is based on the belief that good cider comes from good fruit, honest practices, and attention to detail. Our cider starts with fresh pressed juice from 100% Northwest grown apples. We then carefully ferment it, using yeast that protects the delicate characteristics of the fruit. The results are ciders that are high quality – easy to drink, refreshing, and downright delicious. That’s why we say, Drink it, it’s Good!

They were founded in 2012 and have tap rooms in Hawthorne and Clackamas in Portland Oregon.

Price: n/a (retails for ~$6.99)
Where Bought: n/a
Where Drank: home
How Found: contacted by the cidery

First Impression: Pink hue. Moderate carbonation. Smells deliciously fruity.

Tasting Notes: Semi-sweet. Light bodied. Moderate tartness. High acidity. No bitterness, sourness, funk, or tannins. Notes of strawberry, kiwi, white grape, lime, and passion fruit. Moderate length fruity acidic finish. Low apple flavor. High flavor intensity. High sessionability. Low complexity.

My Opinion: Yum! I really enjoyed it. This would be especially great in summer. The notes of kiwi were interesting considering they didn’t add kiwi juice, but I imagine it was the combination of juices. I liked the higher carbonation level. The acidity helped balance the sweetness.

Most Similar to: Bull Run Strawberry Fields cider also had some great strawberry notes, but didn’t have any other fruits. Portland Cider Strawperry had some similar strawberry notes, but wasn’t nearly as flavorful as their Sangria. Cider Brothers William Tell Dry Hard Apple Cider with Strawberry also had strawberry, but Portland Cider’s Sangria had a more real flavor. As for strawberry (and watermelon) flavor without any strawberries added, Alpenfire Glow is an amazingly complex cider made from red-fleshed apples.

Closing Notes: This is my favorite cider so far from Portland Cider.

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

Jester & Judge Pineapple Express

February 3, 2017January 29, 2017 cidersays Jester & Judge, review cider, cider review, cider tasting, hard cider, pineapple, pineapple cider, Pineapple Express, Stevenson, washington

Review of Jester & Judge’s Pineapple Express cider. I previously tried it on tap at the Schilling Cider House (see here). I’ve also previously tried their Sharp Cherry, American Apple, and Columbia Belle.

Cider: Pineapple Express
Cidery: Jester & Judge
Cidery Location: Stevenson WA
ABV: 5.2%
How Supplied: six pack of 12oz bottles (and draft)
Style: American craft cider from dessert apples, with pineapple juice concentrate

Availability: Likely only Oregon and Washington

Cider Description: The spirit of the Gorge is independent and fun-loving. This cider embraces our spirit and our love of little latitudes. Pineapple Express takes us where the sun is always out, the rain is always warm, and the mood is always festive. Handmade with all natural ingredients and an endless supply of Irie!

Cidery Description: We’ll bring the Jester and you be the Judge. At Jester & Judge we believe that balance is important in life and in cider. It’s the foundation of our seriously whimsical attitude. Serious about the quality of the ciders we make. No concentrates, sorbates, artificial flavorings, colorings, or other shortcuts. Whimsical because we have fun making the best ciders we can featuring local ingredients from the Pacific Northwest, which sometimes means snubbing our nose a little at traditional cider.

Price: ~$2.50 / single bottle
Where Bought: Total Wine
Where Drank: home
How Found: I first tried it on tap at the Schilling Cider House

First Impression: Hazy pineapple juice hue. Low carbonation. Smells strongly of fresh pineapple.

Tasting Notes: Semi-sweet. Medium bodied. Low tartness. Moderate acidity. No bitterness, sourness, funk, or tannins. Notes of pineapple juice, pineapple, and a hint of lime. Quick finish. Low apple flavor. High flavor intensity. Very high sessionability. Low complexity.

My Opinion: Yum! I really like this one. It tastes like alcoholic pineapple juice with a hint of fizz. It is definitely on the juice-like and simple side though.

Most Similar to: Ace Pineapple, Schilling Pineapple Passion, and Wyder’s Prickly Pineapple. I’ve also had Portland Cider Co. Pineapple, but that one didn’t have nearly as much flavor as the others.

Closing Notes: I’m a big fan of this easy to drink flavorful cider.

Have you tried Jester & Judge Pineapple Express? What did you think?

Virtue Lapinette

January 30, 2017January 28, 2017 cidersays review, Virtue cider, cider review, cider tasting, French, hard cider, Lapinette, Michigan, tasting notes, Virtue

Review of Virtue Lapinette, described as a French Brut style cidre aged in French oak barrels. It is my first time trying it, although I’ve had their Mitten and Cherry Mitten.

Cider: Lapinette
Cidery: Virtue
Cidery Location: Fennville MI
ABV: 6.8%
How Supplied: 750ml bottles (and kegs)
Style: American French-style barrel aged cider

Availability: DE, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, MI, MO, NC, NJ, NY, OH, PA, SC, WA, and WI (per this diagram)

Cider Description: This Norman-style cidre brut is fermented with French yeast and patiently aged for months French oak.
Lapinette offers a complex nose of both farm and barrel, with a refreshingly dry, mineral finish.

Cidery Description: Virtue is a craft cider company launched in 2011 in Fennville, Michigan, by Gregory Hall, former brewmaster at Goose Island, and co-founder Stephen Schmakel. Our mission is to make European-style ciders from fresh heirloom apples — never from concentrate — and employ traditional farmhouse production methods that include native and secondary fermentation, use of wild yeasts, and an expansive oak barrel-aging program. We partner with local family farms by purchasing the highest quality apples for our ciders.

They have a tasting room in Fennville.

Price: $10.99
Where Bought: Total Wine
Where Drank: home
How Found: Browsing. This was a good deal, I hadn’t tried it, and it appeared to be a style I’d like (French), so I bought it.

First Impression: Light straw yellow hue. Low carbonation. Smells of green apple, white grape, and must.

Tasting Notes: Semi-dry. Light to medium bodied. Moderate tartness. High acidity. Low funk and bitterness. Hints of sourness and tannins. Notes of green apple, white grape, lemon, yeast, and mineral. Moderate length finish. Low to moderate apple flavor and flavor intensity. Moderate sessionability and complexity.

My Opinion: I was expecting a full on French-style cider, the typical apple-forward type (although if I had looked at photos of the cider online I would have known better just based on the color). However, this is more of a Farmhouse-style cider, with astringency, heirloom apple flavor, citrus notes, and some sourness & funk. This was nice (I especially liked how juicy the flavor was) and well made, but not a style I enjoy.

Most Similar to: Millstone Farmgate Dry and WildCraft Dry

Closing Notes: I hope to try more ciders from Virtue in the future.

Have you tried Virtue Lapinette? What did you think?

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