Review of Malice from Stem Ciders, a flagship dry tank-aged cider.  I’ve previously tried their Le Chene (see here).  My husband brought this and 4 of their other ciders (plus even some Pommeau!) back from Colorado for me.

Cider:  Malice
Cidery:  Stem Ciders
Cidery Location:  Denver Colorado
ABV:  6.8%
How Supplied:  four pack of 12oz cans, and kegs (previously sold in 750ml bottles)
Style:  American craft flagship dry cider made from dessert apples, tank-aged

  
<isn’t the can design cool?  its actually a clear wrap-around sticker, not etched>

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

Cider Description:  Tart, dry, and clean, allowing the apples to speak for themselves.  Alluringly clean and unassuming, this crisp and fruit-forward cider is crafted from Pacific Northwest apples, fermented dry, and aged in stainless steel.

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

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

First Impression:  Medium straw yellow hue.  Very low carbonation.  Smells mild, dry, and of citrus with a hint of funk.

Tasting Notes:  Fully dry.  Light to medium bodied.  Moderate tartness.  High acid.  Low to moderate astringency.  Low bitterness.  Hints of funk and sourness.  Notes of lemon, green apple, mineral, and white grape.  Moderate length slightly astringent and tart finish.  Low to moderate apple flavor.  Moderate sessionability.  Low flavor intensity.  Low to moderate complexity.

My Opinion:  Nice.  Wine-like.  Its a bit on the boring side for my tastes (I prefer very flavorful ciders), but its well-crafted and I really don’t have any complaints.

Most Similar to:  Original Sin Extra Dry, which is also a fully dry sessionable acid and cirtrus-forward canned cider from dessert apples

Closing Notes:   If you live in Colorado, enjoy a fully dry cider, and want something sessionable and/or available in a multipack, Stem Malice is a great option.  Next up I have their canned Remedy (hopped) and Branch & Bramble (raspberry) ciders, then special releases Blood Orange Cyser, Whiskey Barrel-Aged Apricot, and Pommeau.

Have you tried Stem Malice?  What did you think?