Flatbed

Flatbed Cider Pear Cider

cidersays Flatbed, review , , , , , , ,

Review of Flatbed Cider’s Pear Cider.  They are a new cidery (launched in January) which currently offers Crisp Apple and Pear Cider varieties.

2016-02-06 18.22.43 2016-02-07 19.08.11

Cider:  Pear Cider
Cidery:  Flatbed Cider (owned by Ste. Michelle Wine Estates)
Cidery Location:  Milton-Freewater OR (made by Blue Mountain)
ABV:  6.5%
How Supplied:  six pack of 12oz bottles
Style:  American craft cider
Ingredients:  hard apple cider, pear juice concentrate, apple juice concentrate, sulfites

2016-02-07 19.08.15 2016-02-07 19.08.22 2016-02-07 19.08.29

Availability:  OR and WA

Cider Description:  A whole lot of passion goes into crafting Flatbed Pear Cider. Northwest-grown pears deliver a burst of crisp, sparkling refreshment with a clean finish. Naturally sweeter than its Crisp Apple cousin (but not too sweet), Flatbed Pear Cider is the perfect choice for taming spicy foods and classing up a donut.

(the pear juice concentrate addition is from Bartlett pears)

Cidery Description:  The Northwest stokes our passion to create exceptional ciders. And, since the best apples in America, arguably the world, come from the Northwest, it makes sense that it carries our local stamp. Flatbed Ciders are made with local apples picked at their peak and pressed into a mixture that’s equal parts crisp and refreshing. A cider that’s truly Northwest of normal. No artificial ingredients, no sugar added, no shenanigans. Flannel up and enjoy!

Price:  $9.99-$10.99 (although I bought a single bottles for $2)
Where Bought:  Total Wine
Where Drank:  home
How Found:  I read about Flatbed Cider online and have already seen them at a number stores, but waited until I could buy a single bottle of each variety.

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First Impression:  Dark straw yellow.  Low carbonation, medium bubbles.  Smells like apple, pear, tropical fruit, and champagne yeast.

Tasting Notes:  Semi-sweet.  Low acidity and tartness.  No bitterness, sourness, funk, or tannins.  Medium bodied.  Notes of apple, pear, citrus, tropical fruit, and honey.  Quick finish.  Moderate apple flavor and full flavored in general.  High sessionability.

My Opinion:  I thought this was pretty average.  Its a bit sweet and the flavor is kinda on the pear juice and syrupy side.

Most Similar to:  Other semi-sweet pear ciders (apple cider with pear juice or pear juice concentrate added) such as Crispin Pacific Pear, Spire Mountain Sparkling Pear, and Woodchuck Pear.

Closing Notes:   I liked Flatbed’s Crisp Apple variety better.  This was a bit more ordinary and commercial tasting.

Have you tried Flatbed Cider?  What did you think?

Flatbed Cider Crisp Apple

cidersays Flatbed, review , , , , , , ,

Review of Flatbed Cider’s Crisp Apple.  They are a new cidery (launched in January) which currently offers Crisp Apple and Pear Cider varieties.

2016-02-06 18.22.59 2016-02-07 17.07.38

Cider:  Crisp Apple
Cidery:  Flatbed Cider (owned by Ste. Michelle Wine Estates)
Cidery Location:  Milton-Freewater OR (made by Blue Mountain)
ABV:  6.7%
How Supplied:  six pack of 12oz bottles
Style:  American craft cider
Ingredients:  hard apple cider, apple juice concentrate, sulfites

2016-02-07 17.07.45 2016-02-07 17.07.52 2016-02-07 17.07.59

Availability:  OR and WA

Cider Description:  Flatbed Crisp Apple Cider is all natural. Jonagold apples deliver the balance and acidity behind Flatbed’s exceptionally bright taste. Red Delicious apples provide tannin structure. Golden Delicious apples add a rustic apple character with a twist of subtle sweetness. And, heirloom varietals hand-selected from batch-to-batch add to the Northwest charm. With a taste that leans toward the drier side and delivers cool refreshment, Flatbed Crisp Apple Cider pairs with nearly anything that comes from the sea, farm or food cart.

Cidery Description:  The Northwest stokes our passion to create exceptional ciders. And, since the best apples in America, arguably the world, come from the Northwest, it makes sense that it carries our local stamp. Flatbed Ciders are made with local apples picked at their peak and pressed into a mixture that’s equal parts crisp and refreshing. A cider that’s truly Northwest of normal. No artificial ingredients, no sugar added, no shenanigans. Flannel up and enjoy!

Price:  $9.99-$10.99 (although I bought a single bottles for $2)
Where Bought:  Total Wine
Where Drank:  home
How Found:  I read about Flatbed Cider online and have already seen them at a number stores, but waited until I could buy a single bottle of each variety.

2016-02-07 17.09.38.jpg

First Impression:  Light straw yellow.  Low carbonation, a mix of small and large bubbles.  Smells of dry, tart, and acidic apple with champagne yeast, citrus, and floral notes.

Tasting Notes:  Semi-dry.  Low tartness.  Moderate acidity.  No sourness, bitterness, funk, or tannins.  Light bodied.  Very low carbonation.  Citrus and honey notes.  Quick finish.  Moderate apple flavor and flavor in general.  High sessionability.

My Opinion:  This is one of my favorite craft ciders from dessert apples that I’ve had.  Its odd they chose to use concentrate in addition to fresh juice, although that adds more apple flavor.

Most Similar to:  Tod Creek Tod Cider Vancouver Island, which was also semi-dry with distinct citrus notes (but made from Golden, Granny, Sparton, Macintosh, and Jona apples).

Closing Notes:   I thought this cider was pretty tasty.  I’m curious to try their Pear Cider next.

Have you tried Flatbed Cider?  What did you think?