Schilling Excelsior

July 6, 2018July 3, 2018 cidersays review, Schilling cider, cider review, cider tasting, Excelsior, hard cider, imperial cider, Schilling, Schilling Cider, tasting notes

Review of Schilling Excelsior. I first tried this on draft (see here), but I wanted to do a full review of a bottle. I’ve also tried Schilling’s Oak Aged, Gold, Grapefruit, Chaider, Ginger, Hopped, Sriracha Lime, Barrel #1, Barrel #2, Mischief Maker Pom-Cran, Grumpy Bear Coffee Nitro, Pineapple Passion, LumberJack (Rhubarb), Blackberry Pear, Dry, King’s Shilling, Vanilla Clove, Raspberry Smoothie, Peach Grapefruit Habanero, Bailout, Trouble in Paradise, Blueberry Cobbler, French Bittersweet, Pippin, Afterglow, Road Trip (Peach Citra), Grapefruit & Chill, Boysenberry Pommeau, Campfire, and Watermelon Mint,

Cider: Excelsior
Cidery: Schilling Cider
Cidery Location: Auburn (Seattle) WA
ABV: 8.5%
How Supplied: 500ml bottles (plus draft, and soon, six packs of 12oz cans)
Style: American craft imperial-style cider from dessert & bittersweet cider apples

Availability: Schilling Cider is sold at least in AK, AZ, CA, CT, ID, MN, NC, NV, OR, SC, VA, and WA, but this July 2018 release may have more limited distribution. Also, it is unclear whether this is a limited release, seasonal release, or new year-round offering.

Cider Description: Dear Earthlings, Schilling Cider has been on a lifelong quest to create a revolutionary cider. We have dreamt of a world that offers an imperial canned cider that stays true to its roots, without any added nonsense. Today, we introduce you to Excelsior, an Imperial Apple Cider that combined old world cider techniques with new world innovation. We start with fresh-pressed Washington-grown apples, add heirloom cider fruit, then ferment with a hand-selected yeast strain. This unique process highlights the apples’ aroma and tannin structure. The addition of traditional cider apples builds complexity, adds depth, and creates a sessionable imperial cider. Grab a bottle and get ready to blast off!

Cidery Description: In 1881, Colin Schilling’s great-great-grandfather, August, founded the Schilling Spice Company in San Francisco. He brought pure, natural, spices to everyone, at a fair price. Today, at Schilling Cider, we carry August’s core values forward and pair them with innovative cider-making techniques to produce quality, complex, hard ciders. Based in Seattle, Washington, Schilling Cider captures the essence of the Pacific Northwest by creating ciders that are deliberately innovative, bold and flavor forward. Never back-sweetened, we use only 100% fresh pressed apples, locally sourced non-GMO ingredients and individually hand select yeast strains to create a cider experience that is truly unique.

Price: $6.99
Where Bought: Schilling Cider House in Seattle WA
Where Drank: home
How Found: I tried it on draft that day

First Impression: Medium golden hue. Still (no carbonation). Smells mild, apple-forward, with a hint of richness.

Tasting Notes: Semi-sweet to semi-dry. Light to medium bodied. Low to moderate tartness. Moderate acidity. Low tannins. Hints of bitterness. No sourness or funk. Notes of apple pomace (skin), caramel, orange, leather, lemon, and brown sugar. Long tart tannic finish. Moderate apple flavor, complexity, flavor intensity, and sessionability.

My Opinion: Awesome! This has some great flavor. The level of sweetness is perfect, as it helps cut the acidity and bitterness, and hides the higher ABV.

Most Similar to: a cross between English, American heritage, and American modern ciders

Closing Notes: Its really neat to see a very large craft cidery do a large release of a cider made even partially from cider apples. Although others have done this, it wasn’t on as large of a scale. Also, even though the cider apples were used in a blend, unlike most others I’ve tried, the bittersweet characteristics were still quite evident. A big benefit of this being a large release and the cider apples being only part of the blend is the lower price, which at under $7 is in-line with most other ciders in 500ml bottles.

Have you tried any ciders made from bittersweet cider apples? What did you think?

Tieton Bourbon Peach

July 2, 2018June 23, 2018 cidersays review, Tieton barrel aged, Bourbon Peach, cider, cider review, cider tasting, hard cider, peach cider, tasting notes, Tieton, Yakima

Review of Tieton Bourbon Peach. I tried this on draft 2 years ago (see here), and heard last year that it came out in bottles but never saw it. Now that I found it this year, I wanted to do a full review. I’ve also had their Cidermaker’s Reserve, Apricot, Smoked Pumpkin, Wind (Pommeau), Wild Washington, Cherry, Blossom Nectar, Sparkling Perry, Cranberry, Frost (ice cider), Spice Route, Russian Red, and Lavender Honey.

Cider: Bourbon Peach
Cidery: Tieton Cider Works
Cidery Location: Yakima WA
ABV: 6.9%
How Supplied: 500ml bottles (and draft)
Style: American craft cider from dessert apples, with peach, bourbon barrel aged

Availability: summer seasonal, since 2016, sold in Washington, Oregon, California, and Nevada

Cider Description: Juice from hand-picked Washington State peaches is married with the richness of Kentucky bourbon barrels. This creates the perfect balance of sweet, ripe peaches and tartness of green apples. The charred oak of bourbon barrels gives this cider a deep vanilla and plum character. A touch of oak tannin finishes this cider off perfectly. Our love of what Northwest farmers have to offer has led us to create this “Limited Release” program. Featuring the bounty of our local agriculture, Tieton Cider Works’ Limited Releases will focus on some of the very best products the Northwest has to offer. Bourbon Peach is the perfect summertime libation with a refreshing blend of juicy peaches with and aged bourbon barrel flavors.

Cidery Description: From branch to bottle, Tieton Cider Works controls every aspect of the growing and cidermaking process. Tieton Cider Works boasts the largest orchard of cider varieties in Washington state and the largest Perry pear orchard in the United States. We blend our gnarly, inedible cider fruit with our organically grown dessert fruit. We’ve been growing apples, apricots, cherries and pears on Harmony Orchards – our family farm – since the 1930’s and are thrilled to be involved in Re:interpreting the tradition of cider making.

Price: $7.99
Where Bought: a weird bottle shop / bar inside a mini mart in Lynnwood WA called Stogies N Hops (we won’t be going back as it stank horribly of cigarette/cigar smoke and had a weird vibe)
Where Drank: home
How Found: I first tried it on draft 2 years ago

First Impression: Medium straw yellow hue. Low carbonation. Smells mild, of peach.

Tasting Notes: Semi-sweet to semi-dry. Medium bodied. Low tartness. Moderate acidity. Hints of tannins. No bitterness, sourness, or funk. Notes of peach with some other fruit (pineapple, mango, pear) and oak. Moderate length finish with mild bourbon. Moderate sessionability. Low apple flavor, barrel influence, and bourbon influence. Moderate complexity and flavor intensity.

My Opinion: Awesome! I love the flavor profile, and it has a nice complexity for being made from dessert apples. This is exactly the type of cider that I go for when drinking non-cider-apple ciders – full flavored and semi-sweet to semi-dry. If anything though I would have liked more bourbon. I’m really glad they went a bit sweeter on this, as I think many barrel aged ciders often go too dry, which combined with the barrel & spirit influence can come across as harsh.

Most Similar to: I’ve had a number of peach ciders, such as Black Fin Pacific Peach, Red Branch Peach, Schilling Road Trip (Peach Citra), Sancho Libre Peach Sangria, Fox Tail Fuzzy Haven, and Mission Trail Peach Coast (100% peach, so fruit wine not cider). This reminds me most of the Schilling Road Trip, except it has bourbon instead of hops. Most of the others were drier and more tart.

Closing Notes: The price point on this is great too, for what you are getting (I checked Total Wine’s website and found out they just got it in stock, and sell it $1 cheaper, for $6.99). I think this would do well in cans, but I think Tieton only does that for their ‘Rambling Route’ line (which I’m not a huge fan of, although its plenty drinkable).

Have you tried Tieton Bourbon Peach? What did you think?

Cider Riot San Patricios

June 29, 2018June 24, 2018 cidersays Cider Riot, review barrel aged, cider, cider review, Cider Riot, cider tasting, hard cider, San Patricios, tasting notes

Review of Cider Riot Black Bloc series San Patricios Tequila Barrel Aged Irish Cider. It is my first time trying this, but I have had their Never Give An Inch Oregon Blackberry, 1763, Champeg X-17, Burn Cider, and Everyday Semi-Dry.

Cider: San Patricios
Cidery: Cider Riot
Cidery Location: Portland OR
ABV: 6.2%
How Supplied: 500ml bottles
Style: American craft cider from dessert apples, Irish-style, tequila barrel aged

Availability: Limited release of 100 cases, at least 1 year ago. In general their ciders are sold in Oregon, Washington, and California in the U.S., British Columbia in Canada, plus Norway and Japan (see here).

Cider Description: After 6 months in a fresh Mexican tequila barrel our Irish-Style cider is revved up and ready for action. Dedicated to those who fight for freedom and against injustice, this cider allies spicy, fresh tequila notes with stalwart French and American oak tannins from the barrel. Born a rebel, the San Patricios will die just the same. With less than 100 cases produced be sure to get yours before the battle is over.

I sent them an e-mail asking about apple varieties, and they said dessert (supermarket) apples, then fermented warm with Australian white wine yeast, with the tannins coming from the American and French oak mezcal tequila barrels.

Cidery Description: Cider Riot! is dedicated to producing high quality ciders from Cascadian grown apples. With tradition as our guide and our roots firmly planted in the rich soils of our bioregion, our urban cidery produces refreshing, flavorful ciders.

They have a “pub” in the Portland area.

Price: $14
Where Bought: Schilling Cider House in Seattle WA
Where Drank: home
How Found: browsing

First Impression: Light amber hue. Very low carbonation. Smells mild, of cider apples.

Tasting Notes: On the sweeter side of dry. Light bodied. Low tartness. Moderate acidity. Low bitterness and tannins. No sourness or funk. Notes of rich tannic apples & pomace, oak, caramel, and earth. Long warm finish with a hint of tequila. Moderate barrel influence, flavor intensity, and complexity. Low tequila influence, apple flavor, and sessionability.

My Opinion: I was a bit ambivalent about this one. I liked the flavor, and was very surprised to hear it was only dessert apples, as it was rich & tannic (plus darker in color). However, I think it was a bit too dry for my personal liking, which also made the bitterness prevalent, plus the tequila flavor was very mild. I think this would have been awesome if they went a bit sweeter and added some tequila and lime to up the flavor profile.

Most Similar to: The only tequila barrel aged cider I’ve had is Wyder’s Pear Reposado, which in contrast to this one is sweeter and more tequila-forward, plus was from pears not apples. I also read that Austin Eastciders, Blake’s, Downeast, and Xylem make tequila barrel aged ciders.

Closing Notes: I think this is the richest / most tannic cider from only dessert apples that I’ve tried. Its crazy that just the barrel aging did that.

Have you tried any tequila barrel aged cider? What did you think?

Woodchuck Cucumber Mint

June 27, 2018June 29, 2018 cidersays Woodchuck cider, cider review, cider tasting, Cucumber Mint, hard cider, tasting notes, Woodchuck

Review of Woodchuck Tank Series release #2, Cucumber Mint. It is my first time trying this, but I have had their Spring, Summer Time, Fall Harvest, Winter Chill, Amber, Granny Smith, 802, Raspberry, Pear, Crisp, Gumption, Pink, Hopsation, Ciderbration, Local Nectar (VT), Sour Cherry, Chocolate, Farmhouse ’91, Barrel Select, Pumpkin, Belgian White, Mint, Splitter Splinter, Oopsy Daisy, Lazy Hazy Lemon Crazy, Hot Cha Cha Cha, Campfire Pancakes, Barrel Aged Cherry, Day Chaser, June and Juice, Semi-Dry, Ginger Lovin’, Summer Time Pear Ginger, Gumption Citrus Freak, and Tank Series Pear Ginger.

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

Cider: Cucumber Mint
Cidery: Woodchuck
Cidery Location: Middlebury VT
ABV: 5.0%
How Supplied: six pack of 12oz cans
Style: American commercial cider from dessert apples, with cucumber and mint

Availability: wide release, July-September 2018, until the next Tank Series release (#3/3, due out later this year)

Cider Description: Cucumber Mint cider is bursting with bright cucumber and mint for a light, refreshing taste experience.

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

Price: n/a (retails for $8.99-9.99)
Where Bought: n/a
Where Drank: home
How Found: it showed up

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

Tasting Notes: On the sweeter side of semi-dry. Light to medium bodied. Low tartness and acidity. No bitterness, sourness, funk, or tannins. The flavor was primarily citrus (I didn’t detect any specific cucumber flavor), with a long mint finish. Low apple flavor and complexity. Low to moderate flavor intensity. High sessionability.

My Opinion: I thought it was ok. I personally wasn’t super into the mint flavor, but it was mild, not at all overpowering, and the cider was quite drinkable overall.

Most Similar to: Schilling Watermelon Mint, which was similar to this in that the flavor overall was rather mild, and the mint was only on the finish.

Closing Notes: This is the second mint flavored cider I have known Woodchuck to make – the first was cellar series “Mint”.

Have you tried Woodchuck Cucumber Mint? What did you think?

2 Towns Pearadise

June 25, 2018June 22, 2018 cidersays 2 Towns 2 Towns, cider, cider review, cider tasting, hard cider, imperial cider, pear cider, Pearadise, tasting notes

Review of 2 Towns Pearadise, Imperial Getaway, their new spring seasonal imperial-style cider from apples and pears then finished with white grape wine. See the article here. It is my first time trying this, although I have had their Bright Cider, Bad Apple, Serious Scrump, Out Cider, Cherried Away, Made Marion, Cidre Moscato, Throne of Thorns, Cider Master Reserve Batch No. 01 – Barrel Select Blend, Prickle Me Pink, Nice & Naughty Nice & Naughty Bourbon Barrel Aged, Dark Currant, Riverwood Brut 2014, Rhubarbarian, Pommeau (2013 Harvest, 2015 Release), Ginja Ninja, Sun’s Out Saison, Return of the Mack, Hop and Stalk, La Mûre, Cot in the Act, Hollow Jack, Traditions Cider Bouche 2015, Traditions Riverwood 2015, Flight of the Kiwi, Prickle Me Pink ^2, Afton Field, Traditions Cidre Bouche 2016, Man Gogh, Pacific Pineapple, Passion Statement, Easy Peasy.

Cider: Pearadise
Cidery: 2 Towns
Cidery Location: Corvallis OR
ABV: 8.6%
How Supplied: 500ml bottles (and kegs)
Style: American imperial-style craft cider from apples, D’Anjou pears, and Muscat grapes

Availability: Spring seasonal, in Oregon, Washington, California, Idaho, Hawaii, Chicago and parts of Minnesota (see their cider finder)

Cider Description: Fruity and complex, Pearadise is found in this distinctly Northwest libation. Fresh-pressed pears are fermented together with local apples, then finished by blending in a touch of white wine, resulting in a sophisticated imperial style with plenty of panache.

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.

They were founded in 2010 and have a tap room in Corvallis Oregon.

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

First Impression: Light gold hue. Still (no carbonation). Smells mild, of sweet pear and white grape.

Tasting Notes: On the sweeter side of semi-dry. Medium bodied. Moderate tartness and acidity. Hints of bitterness and tannins. No sourness or funk. Notes of pear, white grape, wood, and pineapple. Long warming white wine-like finish. Moderate pear flavor, flavor intensity, and complexity. Low apple flavor and sessionability.

My Opinion: I enjoyed it. I had this in my cider fridge, so I first tried it at cellar temperature. However, I quickly found this, like most imperial-style ciders, is a variety best drank very cold. Once it properly chilled, it was much easier to drink. Lots of flavor, starting with pear with a hint of apple, then finishing like a white wine, with grape and some alcohol-forward warmth. I would have guessed it was barrel aged as I got a distinct wood/oak note, but they didn’t describe it as that, plus the price point is quite low on this, so I’d be surprised if it was.

Most Similar to: The grape aspect of this reminded me of 2 Towns’ own Cidre Moscato. However, I can’t remember ever having an imperial-style pear cider, nor could I find any but this in an online search.

Closing Notes: It is surprising with how many dozens of cider varieties 2 Towns has made, how few have been made with pears. They had a previous version of Pearadise in 2012 (as mentioned in this article), and more recently, Passion Statement (with pear and passionfruit), and now this, but that is about it.

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

Worley’s Red Hen

June 21, 2018June 16, 2018 cidersays review, Worley's cider, cider review, cider tasting, English Cider, hard cider, Red Hen, tasting notes, worley's

Review of Worley’s Red Hen. It is my first time trying this English cider, but I have had their Special Reserve, Premium Vintage, and Mendip Hills.

Cider: Red Hen
Cidery: Worley’s
Cidery Location: Shepton Mallet, Somerset, UK
ABV: 6.2%
How Supplied: 500ml bottles
Style: English cider from cider apples

Availability: semi wide release

Cider Description: Red Hen is a rich, satisfying cider made from a blend of early-season bittersweet cider apples with sharp apples from the same part of the season. It is naturally the colour of golden straw and its two main characteristics are distinctive fruity apple and a lingering spicy tannin. The name is inspired by our lovely flock of chickens.

Cidery Description: Worley’s ciders are made on a 17th Century farm in England using fresh-pressed apple juice to create modern ciders with bold tannins and deep flavours.

Price: $8
Where Bought: Schilling Cider House in Seattle WA
Where Drank: home
How Found: browsing; this is the first time I’ve seen this variety

First Impression: Medium orange amber hue. Very low carbonation. Smells rich, tannic, and funky.

Tasting Notes: On the sweeter side of semi-dry. Light bodied. Low tartness, acidity, bitterness, and funk. Moderate tannins. No sourness. Notes of caramel, orange, and leather. Moderate length finish. Moderate apple flavor, flavor intensity, sessionability, and complexity.

My Opinion: I liked it. However, its not one of my favorites, mostly due to the bitterness.

Most Similar to: Worley’s Premium Vintage, although that seemed more complex and cost $11, and this was only $8.

Closing Notes: My favorite Worley’s is Mendip Hills.

Have you tried English cider? What did you think?

Eden Heritage Cider

June 18, 2018June 18, 2018 cidersays Eden, review canned cider, cider, cider review, cider tasting, Eden, hard cider, Heritage Cider, tasting notes, Vermont

Review of Eden Heritage Cider, their first canned product. It is my first time trying this, although I’ve tried Eden’s Sparkling Dry, Cinderella’s Slipper, Heirloom Ice Cider, Sparkling Semi-Dry, Northern Spy Ice Cider, Honeycrisp Ice Cider, Imperial 11 Rosé, Heirloom Brandy Barrel Aged Ice Cider, Guinevere’s Pearls, Windfall Orchard Ice Cider, Two Ellies (collaboration with Tilted Shed), and The Falstaff.

Cider: Heritage Cider
Cidery: Eden Specialty Ciders
Cidery Location: Newport VT
ABV: 6.2%
How Supplied: four pack of 12oz cans
Style: American craft canned heritage cider

Availability: VT, MA, ME, NJ, NY, CO, NC, SC, and soon in NH, VA, MD, D.C., and IL, released June 2018

Cider Description: More flavor. Less sweet. Harvest Pressed. Cold fermented. Nothing but apples. Made like wine. Canned for convenience.

Made from Vermont-grown heirloom & cider apples, fermented dry, aged 5 months, then blended with a touch of ice cider to 1.2% residual sugar. It won silver in the Heritage Dry category at GLINTCAP 2018.

Cidery Description: Eden Orchards and Eden Ice Cider began on a trip to Montreal in 2006 when we first tasted ice cider and wondered why nobody was making it on our side of the border. We had dreamed for years of working together on a farm in the Northeast Kingdom; it was a dream that had vague outlines including an apple orchard, cider, and fermentation of some sort. That night we looked at each other and knew ice cider was it. In April 2007, we bought an abandoned dairy farm in West Charleston, Vermont and got to work. Since then we have planted over 1,000 apple trees, created 5 vintages of Eden Vermont Ice Ciders, and have introduced a new line of Orleans Apertif Ciders. Out goals are to create healthy soils and trees in our own orchard, to support out Vermont apple orchard partners who do the same, to minimize our carbon footprint, to contribute to the economic and environmental health of our employees and our Northeast Kingdom community, and most of all to make world-class unique ciders that truly reflect our Vermont terroir.

They have a tasting bar on the main floor of the Northeast Kingdom Tasting Center in downtown Newport Vermont. Their current product line includes ice ciders, Aperitif ciders, sparkling ciders, and Cellar Series releases.

Price: n/a (runs $16 / four pack, which sounds like a lot, but is an awesome deal at just over $8 / 750ml instead of ~ $15)
Where Bought: n/a
Where Drank: home
How Found: the cidermaker Eleanor Leger contacted me

First Impression: Light straw yellow hue. Moderate carbonation. Smells of acidic citrus-forward heirloom apple cider.

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

My Opinion: I enjoyed it. Lots of flavor without being sweet. Complex. More of the flavor profile was from the heirloom apples (acidic, citrus, floral, fruity) than the cider apples (rich, caramel); I’ve found this to be the case when both types are listed in a blend.

Most Similar to: A mix between Eden’s Dry and Semi-Dry ciders, although slightly less complex and more sessionable.

Closing Notes: This is a great option which would work just as well when spending time outside on a hot day as it would with a fancy dinner.

Have you tried any canned heritage ciders? What did you think?

Locust Watermelon

June 14, 2018June 10, 2018 cidersays Locust, review cider, cider review, cider tasting, hard cider, Locust, tasting notes, washington, watermelon, Woodinville

Review of Locust’s Watermelon cider. I previously tried this on draft (see here), but this time I am doing a full review of a can. I’ve also previously tried Locust’s Sweet Dark Cherry, Original Dry, Green Tea Infused, Washington Dessert Apple, Bittersweet Reserve, Pumpkin, Thai Ginger, Bourbon Barrel Aged, Winesap, Alder Smoked Apple, Mango, Elder & Oak, Wabi Sabi, Apricot 1, Sweet Aged Apple, Berry Session, Smoked Blueberry, Vanilla Bean, Winter Banana, Chili Pineapple, Seckel Perry, Hibiscus, Honey Pear (drier), Apricot 2, Pineapple, Honey Pear (sweeter)

Cider: Watermelon
Cidery: Locust
Cidery Location: Woodinville WA
ABV: 5.0%
How Supplied: four pack of 12oz cans (and draft)
Style: American craft cider from dessert apples with watermelon juice

Availability: likely at least in Washington, Oregon, Chicago, Florida, California, and Texas

Cider Description: Washington apples, watermelon juice, & that’s all

Cidery Description: My brother Patrick and I founded Locust Cider in March 2015 with the mission of making outstanding hard cider using the fruit that is most available in Washington- the eating apple. Washington growers produce 60% of the apples in the United States, and cider-specific varieties are in a major shortage, so we set out to put innovative spins on classic cider-making methods to bring out the best in the everyday apple. Our delicious ciders begin with great fruit- we primarily use “cull” apples- those that are not pretty enough or are too small or large to make it to grocery stores- diverting them from destruction because their juice is still great. Our unique process then transforms the apples into great cider through methodical yeast selection, meticulous temperature control, slow aging, and creative and deliberate blending.

They have tap rooms in Woodinville WA, Seattle WA (Ballard), Tacoma WA, and Ft. Worth TX.

Price: $9.99 / four pack
Where Bought: PCC in Fremont Seattle WA
Where Drank: home
How Found: browsing, after visiting the Schilling Cider House

First Impression: Hazy light pink-orange hue. Very low carbonation. Smells very mildly of watermelon.

Tasting Notes: On the sweeter side of semi-dry. Light to medium bodied. Low tartness and acidity. No bitterness, sourness, funk, or tannins. Notes of watermelon and a hint of white grape. Quick finish. Low apple flavor and complexity. Low to moderate flavor intensity. High sessionability.

My Opinion: I like it, especially as I’m a huge watermelon fan. Its a nice light option for spring & summer, less sweet, but still fairly flavorful, although fairly simple.

Most Similar to: The only other watermelon beverages I’ve tried are a watermelon perry (from pears) from NV Cider and a watermelon session mead (from honey) from Bee Haven.

Closing Notes: Locust has a great lineup of flavorful ciders, from dry to sweet, although my favorites from them are on the sweeter end (this one, Bittersweet Reserve, Sweet Aged Apple, and Vanilla Bean + Smoked Blueberry)

Have you tried Locust Watermelon? What did you think?

2 Towns Easy Peasy Lemon Squeezy

June 11, 2018June 10, 2018 cidersays 2 Towns, review 2 Towns, cider, cider review, cider tasting, Easy Peasy, hard cider, Lemon Squeezy, raspberry lemonade, tasting notes

Review of 2 Towns Easy Peasy Lemon Squeezy, a new seasonal lemon raspberry cider. It is my first time trying this, but I’ve had their Bright Cider, Bad Apple, Serious Scrump, Out Cider, Cherried Away, Made Marion, Cidre Moscato, Throne of Thorns, Cider Master Reserve Batch No. 01 – Barrel Select Blend, Prickle Me Pink, Nice & Naughty Nice & Naughty Bourbon Barrel Aged, Dark Currant, Riverwood Brut 2014, Rhubarbarian, Pommeau (2013 Harvest, 2015 Release), Ginja Ninja, Sun’s Out Saison, Return of the Mack, Hop and Stalk, La Mûre, Cot in the Act, Hollow Jack, Traditions Cider Bouche 2015, Traditions Riverwood 2015, Flight of the Kiwi, Prickle Me Pink ^2, Afton Field, Traditions Cidre Bouche 2016, Man Gogh, Pacific Pineapple, and Passion Statement.

Cider: Easy Peasy Lemon Squeezy
Cidery: 2 Towns
Cidery Location: Corvallis OR
ABV: 5.0%
How Supplied: 500ml bottles (and kegs)
Style: American craft cider from dessert apples with lemons and raspberries, soured with lacto

Availability: seasonal, in Oregon, Washington, California, Idaho, Hawaii, Chicago and parts of Minnesota (see their cider finder)

Cider Description: Citrusy and refreshing, Easy Peasy will have you leisurely drifting your way through summer. Crafted with fresh-pressed Northwest apples, Meyer lemon, raspberries and soured with lactobacillus, it’s summertime and the livin’s squeezy!

They were founded in 2010 and have a tap room in Corvallis Oregon.

Price: retails for $6.99
Where Bought: n/a
Where Drank: home
How Found: n/a

First Impression: Hazy pink lemonade hue. Still. Smells of lemon and raspberry.

Tasting Notes: On the sweeter side of semi-dry. Light bodied. High tartness and acidity. Hints of sourness and bitterness. No tannins or funk. Notes of lemon, raspberry, granny smith apples, and grapefruit. Quick finish. Low apple flavor. Low to moderate complexity and flavor intensity. High sessionability.

My Opinion: I really liked the flavor, and the sweetness was spot-on, but it was a bit too mouth-puckering tart for me. I didn’t read that this was soured with lacto until after trying it, and I wouldn’t really have guessed, as it was mostly front of the palette tart, not back of the palette sour. Good for me, as I don’t like true sour ciders (like Spanish sidra and rustic/farmhouse-style).

Most Similar to: an alcoholic version of a less sweet than normal raspberry lemonade (my favorite lemonade is Crabbie’s Cloudy Alcoholic Lemonade, which like this is less sweet than typical, but I can’t seem to find it anymore)

Closing Notes: I’m surprised they are only releasing this in bottles (at least for now), as I imagine this would be a great cider to have in cans for summer.

Have you tried 2 Towns Easy Peasy? What did you think?

Apple Outlaw Pineapple Getaway

June 8, 2018June 3, 2018 cidersays Apple Outlaw, review Apple Outlaw, cider, cider review, cider tasting, hard cider, oregon, pineapple cider, Pineapple Getaway, Pura Vida, tasting notes

Review of Apple Outlaw’s Pineapple Getaway. This appears to also be sold as ‘Pura Vida’ in bottles. I’ve also previously tried Apple Outlaw’s Oaked Sweet Dark Cherry, Blackberry Bounty, Original, Tangerine Twist, Ginger Bite, Cranberry Jewel, Thompson Creek Whiskey Barrel Aged, Chocolate Raspberry, and Thompson Creek Creekside.

Cider: Pineapple Getaway
Cidery: Apple Outlaw
Cidery Location: Applegate, OR
ABV: 6.0%
How Supplied: kegs
Style: American craft cider from dessert apples with pineapple juice

Availability: probably only in Oregon and Washington

Cider Description: This Northwest cider has vibrant tropical aromas with fresh juicy flavor and a slightly sweet yet refreshing finish.

Cidery Description: We strive to be good stewards of the land. We are very fortunate to have the opportunity to care for the small piece of our earth where our trees live and we take this responsibility seriously. We farm organically, irrigate conservatively, and encourage biodiversity.

Price: $7.50 / 14oz draft pour
Where Bought: Malt & Vine in Redmond WA
Where Drank: home
How Found: browsing a tap list

First Impression: Pale yellow hue. Mild pineapple scent. Very low carbonation.

Tasting Notes: Semi-dry. Light bodied. Low tartness and acidity. Hints of bitterness. No tannins, sourness, or funk. Notes of pineapple juice, granny smith apples, and lime. Quick finish. Low apple flavor, flavor intensity, and complexity. High sessionability.

My Opinion: I thought this was rather average. For my personal tastes I prefer a more intensely flavored cider, which for dessert apple ciders typically means sweeter (my favorites tend to be semi-sweet).

Most Similar to: Portland Cider Pineapple (or a drier and less flavorful version of 2 Towns Pacific Pineapple, Jester & Judge Pineapple Express, or Reverend Nat’s Viva La Pineapple)

Closing Notes: I could see this appealing to folks who think that most other pineapple flavored ciders are too sweet.

Have you tried pineapple cider? What did you think?

Le Brun Brut

June 6, 2018June 2, 2018 cidersays Le Brun, review cider, cider review, cider tasting, France, french cider, French cidre, hard cider, Le Brun, tasting notes

Review of Le Brun’s Brut. This is my first time trying this Brittany French cidre, although I have had their Organic Cidre and Poire (perry). These three varieties are the only ones offered in the U.S., although in France (and Europe probably) there are probably more.

Cider: Brut
Cidery: Le Brun
Cidery Location: Brittany France
ABV: 5.5%
How Supplied: 375ml (and 750ml) bottles
Style: French cidre

Availability: semi wide release, imported by Winesellers, Ltd.

Cider Description: Aromas of sweet, ripe apples dominate the nose. The sweetness is nicely balanced by moderate acidity and light tannins drying it out on the finish with a beautiful woody note. A crisp, well balanced and an interesting cider. A cider with real depth and character.

Cidery Description: Le Brun Cidres have been produced in Brittany, France since 1955. Cidres are made using the traditional method of natural fermentation of pure pressed juices from handpicked apples.

See here for more info.

Price: $5
Where Bought: Schilling Cider House
Where Drank: home
How Found: Browsing. It was the first time I had seen these half bottles, which at 1/2 the price are a great deal.

First Impression: Medium hazy orange hue. High carbonation with foam. Smells of bittersweet apples and funk.

Tasting Notes: Semi-dry. Light bodied. Moderate tartness and acidity. Low funk, bitterness, and tannins. Notes of bittersweet apples, juice, & pomace and orange with some earthiness. Moderate length finish. Moderate apple flavor, sessionability, flavor intensity, and complexity.

My Opinion: I didn’t personally like this at all due to the sourness, which is my number one disliked quality in a cider (for some reason it just hits my taste buds all wrong and that is all I can taste). I was surprised by the sourness and funk, as although this is noted as being wild fermented, Brittany cidres usually remain clean (unlike most Normandy cidres), and the other two selections I’ve tried from the cidery were clean.

Most Similar to: Herout AOC Cotentin Extra-Brut

Closing Notes: I much prefer their Organic Cidre, which is sweeter and fairly clean (only a bit of funk, which I actually like).

Have you tried French cidre? What did you think?

Schilling Cider House Visit 32 Tasting Notes

June 4, 2018June 22, 2018 cidersays Channel Marker, Redstone, review, Schilling, Woodbox cider, cider bar, cider review, cider tasting, hard cider, Schilling Cider House, seattle, tasting notes

Tasting notes from my 32nd visit to the Schilling Cider House in the Fremont neighborhood of Seattle WA. Its actually been a few times more than that as sometimes I just pop in to buy bottles. Check out my past posts with tasting notes here.

I was there on a Friday around lunchtime as I got off work early. It has been so long since my last visit as its not on my way home from work anymore, as I now both live and work up North, so its a bit of a long drive. I got a flight, as usual. Its pretty sweet that even with all the ciders I’ve tried, there were 5 new-to-me varieties.

Schilling (Auburn WA) Excelsior (8.5% ABV): This is their new Imperial-style cider made from bittersweet and dessert apples, also available in bottles (I picked one up – $7 / 500ml – an amazing value), and soon, cans. Semi-dry to semi-sweet. Nice rich bittersweet apple flavor with some caramel and orange. Hints of tannins and bitterness. Noticeable ABV. The tartness picked up as it warmed. I liked that they left this a bit sweeter, which makes it even more flavorful, and likely helps cut down on the bitterness. This is quite different from English cider, but was not advertised as English-style, which I appreciate (it seems like every U.S. cider I’ve had that was labeled as English-style didn’t come even close, which is understandable as even if the same techniques and apples were used, which often isn’t the case, the terrior and cidermaker experience is different here). Excellent, and a great use of the bittersweet apples. Lately I’ve been seeing them used in blends with heirloom apples, which I think tends to hide their flavor. Its great to see a cidery use them exclusively, make a product that is likely to be fairly widely appealing (vs. going dry & bitter with it), and still come in at an awesome price point!

Schilling (Auburn WA) Campfire (6.5% ABV): This is their new draft-only “Smokey Vanilla Bourbon” cider, bourbon barrel aged. Semi-dry to semi-sweet. Smells of vanilla extract. The vanilla flavor is less intense than it smells, and it finishes with smoke, bourbon, and oak. Moderately flavored. I really enjoyed it, and wouldn’t consider it a novelty at all. It would be neat to see this bottled.

Woodbox (Portland OR) Heritage (8.1% ABV): This is the first cider I’ve tried from them besides their barrel aged ice cider (see here). This is their flagship cider, made from heirloom, English, and French apple varieties, partially wild fermented, and also available in bottles. Smells sour. Semi-dry to dry. The flavor is tart heirloom apples with some citrus. Moderate tartness and acidity. Low bitterness and tannins. Hints of sourness. I didn’t personally care for this due to the sourness and bitterness and as the flavor was a bit nuanced. These sorts of farmstyle ciders seem to be getting more common though, so there must be a demand.

Channel Marker (Seattle WA) Lavender Bergamot (6.9% ABV): This is the first time I’ve tried anything from this cidery, which was established in 2016 but I didn’t start to hear about until quite recently. This variety is made with lavender and bergamot (a type of oranage – I had to look that up), and said to be their cidermaker’s favorite. Hazy hue. Semi-dry to dry. Very tart and bitter. The lavender was only present in the scent and the finish for me. In between was a tart bitter apple-citrus flavor. I didn’t like this one at all.

Redstone (Boulder CO) Cyser (8.0% ABV): The meads (honey wines) from this meadery are fairly widely distributed, in blue glass bottles. This is the first cyser (from apples and honey) I’ve seen from them, although I’ve tried at least one of their meads previously. Sweet. Full bodied. Simple honey-apple flavor (with more honey than apple) with hints of caramel. Well-hidden ABV. I liked it. However, although they are a nice budget-friendly mead & cyser option, but don’t really stand up against some of the higher quality more complex (and admittedly mostly more expensive) meads I’ve tried, such as from Superstition (Prescott AZ), Æsir (Everett WA), Sky River (Woodinville WA) and Moonlight (Londonderry NH).

I also had a taste of a new cider they just tapped.

Schilling (Auburn WA) Watermelon Mint (6.6% ABV): This is a brand new tap-only release. Smells of watermelon toothpaste. On the sweeter side of semi-dry. Very light bodied. The mild flavor was all watermelon, with a hint of mint on the finish. Refreshing. I liked it, although its not something I’d really choose to drink a pint of.

My favorites were Schilling’s Excelsior and Campfire and the Redstone Cyser. I also picked up some bottles, as usual, as they have an excellent selection (and prices) – I got a bottle of the Excelsior (for $7, why not?), Alpenfire’s new Foxwhelp single varietal, a new to this area Worley’s English cider (Red Hen), restocked my supply of go-to English ciders (Newton Court’s Gasping Goose and Dunkertons Black Fox), and got a fancy barrel aged Moonlight cyser. Plus at PCC down the street I picked up a four-pack of Locust Watermelon (it was the first time I had seen it in cans – I tried it on draft awhile back).

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

Shacksbury Citrus Cider Spritz

June 1, 2018June 1, 2018 cidersays review, Shacksbury cider, cider review, cider tasting, Citrus Spritz, hard cider, Shacksbury, tasting notes

Review of Shacksbury’s Citrus Cider Spritz. It is my first time trying anything from this Vermont cidery. I picked this up in San Francisco last fall.

Cider: Citrus Spritz
Cidery: Shacksbury
Cidery Location: Vergennes VT
ABV: 3.8%
How Supplied: 12oz cans
Style: American craft session cider with a tincture of citrus and rose petal

Availability: limited (they do have some online sales, but at the time of review I didn’t spot this one)

Cider Description: Dry, light and refreshing with a vibrant citrus nose. Apples grown at Sunrise Orchards in Cornwall, Vermont. Tincture (citrus and rose) produced by Alice & the Magician in Burlington, Vermont. 2016 harvest. Slow cool fermentation. Pairs with tapas, oysters, brunch, lawn game.

Cidery Description: Far from ordinary, apples are the most diverse food plant on earth. Unfortunately, only a handful of varieties are cultivated at scale in America, and all of those are designed for eating, not cider making.

At Shacksbury, we believe cider can, and should, be daring and complex. From gnarled trees on New England farmsteads to Old World orchards in England and Spain, our cider will change the way you think about this amazing fruit.

Price: $3.29 / single can
Where Bought: K&L Wines in San Fransisco
Where Drank: home
How Found: browsing

First Impression: Pale pink-brown hue. Low carbonation. Smells of roses.

Tasting Notes: On the sweeter side of dry. Moderate tartness and acidity. Low bitterness. Hints of tannins. No sourness or funk. Notes of rose, lemon, orange, and pomegranate. Moderate length finish. Low apple flavor. Low to moderate flavor intensity and complexity. High sessionability.

My Opinion: I wasn’t a fan of this due to the rose flavor; to me, it was overpowering and bitter. I tasted much more rose than citrus. I would have also preferred slightly more sweetness (it is listed as only 3 grams sugar / 12oz). I liked the general idea of the cider though.

Most Similar to: I’ve had some other ciders with rose (usually rose petals in secondary fermentation, not a tincture), but in all the others, it was very subtle, unlike this one.

Side Note: They also have a Ginger Spritz variety.

Closing Notes: I’d be interested in trying one of Shacksbury’s more traditional ciders, although in general it appears their cider style (dry, often wild yeast fermented) isn’t the best fit with my personal tastes. Thankfully we have so many cider options – something for everyone.

Have you tried Shacksbury Spritz? What did you think?

Aspall Perronelle’s Blush

May 29, 2018May 27, 2018 cidersays Aspall, review aspall, cider, cider review, cider tasting, England, English Cider, hard cider, tasting notes

Review of Aspall Perronelle’s Blush, an English cider with blackberry juice. I tried this previously at Cider Summit Seattle 2016, but this is a full review of a bottle. I’ve tried a few Aspall varieties, every one that I have seen locally – Dry, John Barrington, Imperial (black label), Demi Sec, Imperial (blue label), and Grand Cru.

Cider: Perronelle’s Blush
Cidery: Aspall
Cidery Location: Suffolk, England
ABV: 5.7%
How Supplied: 500ml tall bottle
Style: commercial English cider with blackberry juice

Availability: semi wide release

Cider Description: Perronelle’s Blush Suffolk Cyder is inspired by our Grandmother Perronelle, who loved foraging for blackberries in the hedgerows around the orchards at Aspall. Taste Descriptor: Attractive apple and blackberry define a sweetish palate, with good acid balance and a long soft fruit finish. Serving Suggestion: Wonderful with duck & hoisin sauce, and sharp fruit-based puddings such as tarte au citron and gooseberry fool. Apple Variety: Bittersweet, Culinary & Dessert.

Their website lists this at 4% ABV, while the bottle says 5.7%, so they may have both local and for export only versions, or they changed the recipe at some point.

Cidery Description: Our family cyder-making business was established in 1728 by Clement Chevallier. He planted the orchards at Aspall Hall in Suffolk. The Chevallier family still live and work among Clement’s orchards and today Aspall is run by the eighth generation of the family.

Price: $4.99 (on sale from $6.99 – I’m guessing they are clearing out inventory to discontinue selling it)
Where Bought: Total Wine
Where Drank: home
How Found: I originally tried this at Cider Summit Seattle; this time I was just browsing

First Impression: Purple-red hue. Still (no carbonation). Smells mild, of berries.

Tasting Notes: On the sweeter side of semi-dry. Light bodied. Moderate tartness. Low to moderate acidity. Hints of tannins. No bitterness, sourness, or funk. Notes of raspberry, blackberry, green apple, and lemon. Moderate length finish. Low apple flavor and complexity. High sessionability. Moderate flavor intensity.

My Opinion: I enjoyed it – nice balanced berry flavor and a perfect level of sweetness for my tastes. However, there was no noticeable English cider characteristics; I would have guessed this was a U.S. cider from dessert apples. However, at the price point and for the style (flavored), I didn’t mind.

Most Similar to: A U.S. made craft cider from dessert apples with berries or berry juice added.

Closing Notes: My favorite Aspall by far is the black label Imperial, but they appear to have replaced that with the blue label Imperial. I think they are all pretty tasty though, an entry level English cider (not as tannic or funky as many, so well suited to those not yet familiar with the style).

Have you tried Aspall cider? What did you think?

Moonlight Meadery Thirteen 5

May 14, 2018May 10, 2018 cidersays Moonlight Meadery, review cider, cider review, cider tasting, cyser, hard cider, Moonlight, Moonlight Meadery, tasting notes, Thirteen 5

Review of Moonlight Meadery’s Thirteen 5. This appears to be their ‘How Do You Like Them Apples’ with a new name, plus apparently it is now aged in new oak instead of whiskey barrels. I assume Thirteen 5 refers to this being 13.5% ABV. The name change is likely to differentiate it from their ‘How Do You Like Them Little Apples’, which is a lower ABV cider (instead of a higher ABV cyser like this).

I have previously tried How Do You Like Them Apples (canned), How Do You Like Them Little Apples (canned), and How Do You Like Them Little Apples (draft). I’ve also tried a few other beverages from Moonlight Meadery: Boys N Berries, Last Apple, and Crimes of Passion

Cider: Thirteen 5
Cidery: Moonlight Meadery
Cidery Location: Londonderry NH
ABV: 13.5%
How Supplied: 12oz cans
Style: American craft cyser (made from apple juice & honey), with brown sugar, barrel aged

Availability: Semi wide release, in the U.S., since January 2018. In general Moonlight products are available in at least 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: A New England Hard Cider, made from freshly pressed apple cider with a bit of natural sugar used to help reach the impressive strength, then we let it age in hand made American Foeders.

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: ~$6 / single can
Where Bought: Schilling Cider House in Seattle WA
Where Drank: home
How Found: browsing; I was curious if this was a new or renamed product, and if they had fixed a previous issue I’ve noticed with their canned ciders turning sour/vinegary over time

First Impression: Medium amber hue. Still (no carbonation). Smells rich and apple & honey forward.

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

My Opinion: At first I liked it. However, same as I had experienced with previous canned batches of their ciders, with the finish, there were hints of sourness and vinegar. So, it appears the issue hasn’t been fixed. The longer these sit around, the worse they get (this batch said Dec 2017). Unfortunately this makes it quite unlikely I’ll want to try any cans from them again, as now this is three different batches in a row spread out over time with apparently the same defect.

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, sweet, and have concentrated rich flavor notes.

Have you tried Moonlight Meadery Thirteen 5? What did you think?

Eve’s Scatterseed

May 2, 2018May 2, 2018 cidersays Eve's Cidery, review cider, cider review, cider tasting, Eve's, Eve's Cidery, hard cider, New York, Scatterseed, tasting notes

Review of Eve’s Cidery’s Scatterseed. It is my first time trying this, but I have had their Beckhorn Hollow, Autumn’s Gold, Kingston Black, and Rustica.

Cider: Scatterseed (2014 vintage)
Cidery: Eve’s Cidery
Cidery Location: Van Etten NY
ABV: 8.5%
How Supplied: 750ml corked & caged champagne bottle
Style: American artisan methode champenoise cider from cider apples

Availability: sold out per their website

Cider Description: Aromas of damp earth, ripe waxy apple, tamari and beeswax focus (coalesce) into flavors of ripe fruit and game which are deep and layered. Textures of sandstone and chewy bittersweet apple. Finish is completely dry and savory with full, lingering tannin.

See here for more info on this cider; I like how they are very detailed in all their cider descriptions.

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: $18
Where Bought: the cidery’s online store
Where Drank: home
How Found: browsing

First Impression: Medium gold hue. Moderate carbonation. Smells dry, tannic, and rich.

Tasting Notes: Completely dry. Light bodied. Moderate tartness. High acidity. Moderate to high tannins. Hints of bitterness and funk. No sourness. Earthy notes of caramel, leather, butterscotch, lemon, butter, and floral. Long tannic finish. Low apple flavor and sessionability. Moderate flavor intensity. High complexity.

My Opinion: I enjoyed it. The tannins and flavor were great. However, I would have preferred more sweetness and less acidity. I’d love to see more tannic traditional ciders like this that are semi-dry instead of dry, as I think it brings out more flavor, and makes them more approachable.

Most Similar to: very few ciders, as very few cideries are using such a high percentage of bittersweet & bittersharp cider apples in a cider (although it is getting more common, but usually they are blended with heirloom apples such that the bittersweet & bittersharp apple characteristics are muted)

Closing Notes: my favorite Eve’s cider remains Rustica, but I’d love to see a slightly sweeter version of this or their Kingston Black

Have you tried Eve’s Scatterseed? What did you think?

Ferme de Beau Soleil Cidre Fermier Brut

April 27, 2018April 27, 2018 cidersays Ferme de Beau Soleil, review cider, cider review, cider tasting, cidre, Cidre Fermier Brut, Ferme de Beau Soleil, France, french cider, French cidre, tasting notes

Review of Ferme de Beau Soleil’s Cidre Fermier Bio Brut, a French “Farmer’s Cider”. It is my first time trying anything from this cidery, although I am a fan of French cidre (see some of my reviews here).

Cider: Cidre Fermier Bio Brut
Cidery: Ferme de Beau Soleil
Cidery Location: Matignon, Brittany, France
ABV: 5%
How Supplied: 750ml champagne corked & caged bottles
Style: Breton French cidre

Availability: likely limited, imported by “Wines of France”

Cider Description: Google translated as To offer you this raw cider, I have selected and assembled the best varieties of apples live from my orchards. Since a slow fermentation and craftsmanship, its characteristic fruity taste will seduce you with an aperitif, until dessert.

Cidery Description: The Renouard family has been making cider since 1975, and were certified organic in 2008. The current cidermaker is Thomas Renouard (one source said its a one-man operation-wow).

Price: $12
Where Bought: Full Throttle Bottles in Seattle WA
Where Drank: home
How Found: browsing, the first time I had been in since their long closure for remodel

First Impression: Light orange amber hue. Low carbonation. Smells of bittersweet cider apples and yeast.

Tasting Notes: On the drier side of semi-sweet. Light to medium bodied. Moderate tartness. Low acidity, tannins, and funk. Hints of bitterness. No sourness. Notes of bittersweet cider apples & pomace, caramel, yeast, earth, leather, and orange. Moderate length finish. Moderate apple flavor and flavor intensity. Moderate to high complexity and sessionability.

My Opinion: Excellent! This cider had some nice stages, from tart to flavorful & funky to tannic. I really liked everything about it – flavor profile, complexity, tannins, funk, etc. It was edging towards rustic, yet without any sourness (which is my least liked quality). However, it didn’t quite have as much of that fluffy texture (body) I love with French cidres (which I assume is from the keeving process), I’m guessing as it wasn’t as carbonated as many selections.

Closing Notes: I liked how this combined my favorite elements of both Brittany and Normandy ciders – sweeter, apple-forward, funky, but not sour. It also hits a nice price point, about average of what I’ve seen.

Have you tried French cidre? What did you think?

One Tree Staycation

April 25, 2018May 28, 2018 cidersays One Tree, review cider, cider review, cider tasting, hard cider, One Tree, Pineapple Mango, Spokane, Staycation, tasting notes, washington

Review of One Tree’s Staycation, a new ish pineapple mango cider. It is my first time trying this, but I have also had their Lemon Basil, Caramel Cinnamon, Huckleberry, Dark Cherry, Crisp Apple, Raspberry, and Pina Colada.

Cider: Staycation (Pineapple Mango)
Cidery: One Tree
Cidery Location: Spokane WA
ABV: 5.6%
How Supplied: four pack of 16oz cans
Style: American craft cider from dessert apples, with pineapple and mango

Availability: Washington, Idaho, Montana, and Illinois, since October 2017, plus limited online sales

Cider Description:
Tropical Vacations are overrated.
-Sharks eat people, period. End of story
-Vog, It’s volcanic fog… Seriously look it up
-In the rain forest, all it does is rain ALL.DAY.LONG
-Sally doesn’t really sell seashells by the sea shore
-When a jellyfish stings you, there’s only one solution…

Cidery Description: It all started with a love for the Washington apple and a father’s day gift of an at home cider kit … and the rest is history. One Tree Hard Cider is made from locally grown ingredients right here in Washington State. When we started on the journey we wanted to use a wide range of ingredients and flavors in our hard ciders to show that it all starts with apples but it doesn’t end there! Our core ciders are Lemon Basil, Caramel Cinnamon, Huckleberry, and Raspberry. We also release seasonal ciders such as Peach Tea, Ginger Apricot, Pumpkin and Cranberry, and keep your eye out for special draft-only limited release ciders! Whether you like your cider sweet or tart, you’ll find a One Tree Hard Cider just for you!

They have a cider house in Spokane Washington.

Price: $3.99 / single can ($11.99 / four pack)
Where Bought: Total Wine
Where Drank: home
How Found: browsing (although I had been on the lookout for a single can, as I had seen it in four-packs)

First Impression: Hazy lemonade hue. Still (no carbonation). Smells of pineapple with hints of coconut and mango.

Tasting Notes: Semi-sweet to semi-dry. Light to medium bodied. Low tartness and acidity. No bitterness, sourness, funk, or tannins. Notes of pineapple, coconut, mango, and lime. Quick finish. Low apple flavor. Low to moderate flavor intensity and complexity. High sessionability.

My Opinion: Great! I can’t remember the last time I tried a flavored cider I liked this much; so many are too dry or too sweet, barely flavorful, one dimensional, etc. I loved the coconut flavor, although they didn’t say they added any, so maybe its just me? Update – It has become a staple in my cider fridge, and unlike many other ciders, I liked it just as much (or even more) the second time I tried it.

Most Similar to: One Tree Pina Colada, except more pineapple than coconut, and much less sweet.

Closing Notes: This appears to be a year round release – yay.

Have you tried One Tree Staycation? What did you think?

Woodbox Double Barrel Ice Cider

April 23, 2018April 20, 2018 cidersays review, Woodbox cider, cider review, cider tasting, Double Barrel, hard cider, ice cider, oregon, portland, tasting notes, Woodbox

Review of Woodbox’s Double Barrel Ice Cider. I first tried this at Cider Rite of Spring (see here), but this time I am doing a full review of a bottle. By the way, ice cider is made by using freezing temperatures to naturally concentrate the flavor and sugar content in apple juice before fermenting it.

Cider: Double Barrel Ice Cider
Cidery: Woodbox
Cidery Location: Portland Oregon
ABV: 12.7%
How Supplied: 375ml bottles
Style: American craft ice cider, whiskey barrel aged

Availability: In general their ciders are sold in parts of Oregon and Washington (see here), but this may be more limited.

Cider Description: Layers of sweet and tart, bourbon and vanilla with hints of oak and dark caramel, this cider is meant for sipping. Cryoconcentrated to four times its normal strength, the juice is fermented then aged in whiskey barrels for six months giving it an irresistible bourbon kick, with alluring aromatics and a long warming finish.

Cidery Description: Woodbox Cider was started [in 2015] by the Thierfelder brothers and their mother, Mama Gibson. We’re a family owned and operated boutique cidery. We source all our apples locally, from our home state of Oregon and production happens in Portland’s very own Northeast quadrant. We’re pretty stoked to present you with several, signature cider blends that are becoming famous for their unapologetically bone dry flavor profiles.

Price: $17
Where Bought: Cider Rite of Spring in Portland Oregon (2017)
Where Drank: home
How Found: tasting at the event

First Impression: Medium caramel amber hue. Still. Smells of sweet caramelized baked apple, spice, whiskey, and oak.

Tasting Notes: Semi-dry to semi-sweet. Full bodied. Moderate tartness and acidity. Low bitterness and tannins. No sourness or funk. Notes of caramel, baked apple, spice, whiskey, oak, leather, and orange. Long finish. Moderate apple flavor. High flavor intensity and complexity. Low sessionability.

My Opinion: I enjoyed it. However, I remember liking it more at the event. That always seems to happen to me when trying a cider for a second time, even at home when I haven’t had other ciders first (its especially common when I buy a single bottle and like it, then pick up a six pack and am not as impressed). This time around it was a bit more dry and tart than I remembered. However, it is still a really tasty dessert cider, an excellent value, and impressive for their first ice cider release. This is significantly drier than most other ice ciders, so I imagine it may appeal to folks who typically find ice ciders too sweet.

Most Similar to: Eden Specialty Ciders’ Brandy Barrel Aged Heirloom and Northern Spy ice ciders (which I prefer; however, both cost almost twice as much and are much sweeter)

Closing Notes: Its great to see a local ish producer making ice cider, as it is still relatively rare in the cider world, and as far as I know, has only been made in the U.S. for about a decade.

Have you tried ice cider? What did you think?

Far West San Joaquin Sparkler

April 20, 2018April 20, 2018 cidersays Far West, review california, cider, cider review, cider tasting, Far West, hard cider, San Joaquin Sparkler, tasting notes

Review of Far West Cider’s San Joaquin Sparkler. It is my first time trying anything from this California cidery.

Cider: San Joaquin Sparkler, 2015 harvest
Cidery: Far West Cider
Cidery Location: Richmond CA
ABV: 6.9%
How Supplied: 500ml bottles
Style: American craft cider from primarily Cripps Pink apples (aka Pink Lady), wild yeast fermented, off dry

Availability: only in California (see here), plus online sales (although at the time of review I didn’t see this cider in stock)

Cider Description: This cider uses primarily Cripps Pink apples. We encourage a slow native fermentation in the freshly pressed apple juice before inoculating with Champagne yeast to finish this cider to dryness. After aging for a minimum of two months, this off-dry cider shows some deep woody apple notes and phenolic spiciness. Paris well with leather chairs, old books, easy conversation, and difficult-to-pronounce cheeses.

Cidery Description: Every bottle of Far West Cider is a product of our fourth generation family farm in San Joaquin County, California. All of the apples used in this cider are harvested and pressed by hand on our ranch and cared to throughout fermentation, aging, and bottling to help express the best of the fruit that we grow.

They have a tasting room in Richmond CA (see here).

Price: $9.49
Where Bought: The Jug Shop in San Francisco CA
Where Drank: home
How Found: browsing, when we were there on a cruise port stop

First Impression: Medium straw yellow hue. Low carbonation. Barely noticeable smell, acidic dry apple with a hint of nuttiness.

Tasting Notes: Semi-dry. Light bodied. Moderate tartness and acidity. Hints of bitterness and tannins. No sourness or funk. Subtle notes of tart green apple, lemon, herbs, butter, almonds, and must. Moderate length finish with a hint of brine. Low apple flavor. Moderate sessionability. Low to moderate flavor and complexity.

My Opinion: I was indifferent about this one, I didn’t personally like or dislike it. The flavor was subtle and quite peculiar, difficult to describe. However, the description said phenolic, and based on my experience with a FlavorActiv sensory analysis kit, my taste buds don’t detect it well. It tasted nearly like a farmhouse-style cider, but didn’t have the sourness or funk I’d expect with that style (and wild fermented ciders in general). I’d recommend this for folks who like interesting wine-like ciders.

Most Similar to: nothing I’ve tasted

Closing Notes: I’d be interested in hearing from others as far as what flavors they picked up with this cider. It looks like this cider is rated well on untappd, but none of the reviews really described it.

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

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