hops

Anthem Hops

cidersays Anthem , , , , , ,

Review of Anthem Hops.  It is my first time trying this one, although I have previously tried their flagship cider, Raz & Boyz, Ap-Bee-Cot, Rose Pinot, and Cherry.

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Cider:  Hops
Cidery:  Anthem (Wandering Aengus)
Cidery Location:  Salem Oregon
ABV:  5.8%
How Supplied:  four pack of 12oz bottles (and draft)
Style:  American large craft cider from dessert apples, finished with Cascade hops

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

Cider Description:  Anthem Cider’s tribute to the Northwest’s love of hops, Anthem Hops is a gluten free cider dry hopped with Oregon grown Cascade hops for over three weeks. The result is a light lagerish cider with all the beautiful citrus and floral aromas of Cascade hops with a only slight bitterness on the finish. Shy of Dry. Mild Tart. 10 IBU. 5.5% to 6.9% ABV. GLUTEN FREE.

Cidery Description:  We only use fresh pressed apples and other fruits, herbs sourced from the Pacific Northwest of known varieties – they are listed on every bottle and keg. To make great real cider, the varieties of apples, fruit additions and herbs matter. As does where the ingredients are grown and how far removed they are from their original form (degrees separated through processing from the farm to the bottle).

The fresh pressed apples we use provide all the sugars for fermentation and the malic acid (source of the tartness). Any and all residual sweetness in Anthem is provided by the apples we started with or the fruits we finish with.  The result is a line up of real ciders made the way you expect; apples pressed and fermented.

Price:  ~$3.50 / single bottle
Where Bought:  Total Wine
Where Drank:  home
How Found:  Browsing.  I’ve been getting into hopped ciders, and realized I hadn’t tried this one.

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First Impression:  Light straw yellow hue.  Very low carbonation.  Smells mild, of hops, citrus, and floral.

Tasting Notes:  Semi-dry.  Light to medium bodied.  Low to moderate tartness.  Moderate to high acidity.  Moderate bitterness.  Hints of tannins.  No sourness or funk.  Notes of lemon, grapefruit, hops, green apple, mineral, and a hint of floral.  Moderate to long finish.  Low apple flavor.  Moderate sessionability, flavor, and complexity.

My Opinion:  I liked the flavor, but it was a bit too bitter for my preferences.

Most Similar to:  Square Mile Spur & Vine and Incline Explorer (although both are less bitter)

Closing Notes:  Hopped ciders have really grown on me.  I like the citrus flavors they impart, and especially enjoy them when they aren’t bitter.

Side Note:  After purchasing it, I realized the bottling date was June 2015 (batch 64).

Have you tried Anthem Hops?  What did you think?

2 Towns Imperial Hop and Stalk

cidersays 2 Towns, review , , , , , , , ,

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

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>>This is a review of a sample bottle provided to Cider Says by 2 Towns.  Although I will take care to treat it the same as any other review, there is always the potential for bias as I received it for free.  The only consideration I knowingly made was pushing this up in my cider review cue.  I love free stuff, especially cider!  Want your cider or cider-related product reviewed here?  Contact me.<<

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

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

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

Cidery Description:  At 2 Towns Ciderhouse we believe that the long history of cidermaking demands respect and deserves to be done right. Starting with the highest quality whole ingredients from local farms, we take no shortcuts in crafting our ciders. We never add any sugar, concentrates or artificial flavors, and instead use slow, cold fermentation methods to allow the fruit to speak for itself. As a family-owned company, we are committed to the growth of our team and enrichment of our communities. We take pride in producing true Northwest craft cider.

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

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

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

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

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

Closing Notes:   Another winner from 2 Towns!

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