prickly pear

Wyder’s Prickly Pineapple

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Review of Wyder’s newest cider, Prickly Pineapple, with pineapple and prickly pear juices.  I’ve previously tried their other three ciders (Dry Raspberry, Dry Pear, and Reposado)

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Cider:  Prickly Pineapple
Cidery:  Wyder’s
Cidery Location:  Middlebury VT (they are from British Columbia Canada, but their U.S. ciders are made at the Woodchuck facility)
ABV:  5.0%
How Supplied:  six pack of 12oz bottles
Style:  American commercial cider from dessert apples, with pineapple and prickly pear juices

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Availability:  wide release, as of August (they have a locator here)

Cider Description:  An exotic duet, this cider combines the juices from both prickly pear cacti and pineapples. Tickling the tongue, each sip brings forward a light and sweet taste like a refreshing pina colada. Satisfy those fruit forward senses with Wyder’s® Prickly Pineapple.

Cidery Description:  We have specialized in eclectic fruit-forward ciders for more than two decades. It’s a pretty hyper-connected world out there, grab a Wyder’s when you’re ready to unplug. Wyder’s wants to be a part of you finding the good in life and your Happy Place. We hope you enjoy, and bring us along!

Price:  ~ $2 / single bottle (runs $9.99 / six pack)
Where Bought:  Total Wine
Where Drank:  home
How Found:  I had been on the lookout since reading about it on Facebook

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First Impression:  Light straw yellow with a hint of green.  Low carbonation.  Smells of pineapple candy.

Tasting Notes:  Semi-sweet to sweet.  Medium bodied.  Low to moderate tartness.  Moderate acidity.  No bitterness, sourness, tannins, or funk.  Notes of pineapple, green apple, and a little something unique which I assume is the prickly pear juice.  Quick finish.  High sessionabiliy.  low apple flavor.  Moderate to high flavor intensity.  Low complexity.

My Opinion:  Not bad for a commercial cider, as its a bit unique, and nice and flavorful.  Definitely on the sweeter end though.  I don’t exactly agree it tastes like a pina colada, but its definitely not just a pineapple cider.  Side note – has anyone tried to do anything coconut with a cider?  I bet pineapple coconut would be good.

Most Similar to:  Other sweeter pineapple flavored ciders, such as Schilling Trouble in Paradise, Ace Pineapple and Jester & Judge Pineapple Express.

Closing Notes:   I imagine this will sell well.

Have you tried Wyder’s Prickly Pineapple?  What did you think?

Atlas Dragonfruit Cider

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Review of Atlas Cider’s Dragonfruit Cider.  This is their newest summer seasonal release, made with dragonfruit (which is the fruit of certain types of cactus, said to taste like kiwi and pear).  I’ve tried most of their line-up; see here for previous reviews.

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Cider:  Dragonfruit Cider
Cidery:  Atlas Cider
Cidery Location:  Bend Oregon
ABV:  6.0%
How Supplied:  22oz clear glass bottles
Style:  American craft cider made from dessert apples, infused with dragon fruit and prickly pear juice

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Availability: Seasonably in ID, OR, NV, and WA.

Cider Description:  A long time ago when dragons roamed the land, soldiers were sent out to bring back one thing for their emperor – the prized Dragon Fruit. Legend has it that as he thrust his sword in the heart of the dragon, fire and fruit was breathed out in his last breath. The fruits cactus like neon-magenta skin and lime green scales very closely resemble the flesh of a mythical dragon. It is believed that those who feast on the flesh, which has a mild kiwi/sorbet flavor, will be endowed with the strength and ferocity of the dragon. Side effects might include breathing fire and other unknowns.

Cidery Description:  ATLAS Cider Co. produces authentic hard cider fermented from 100% fresh pressed fruit from our region. Partnering with Northwest farmers to source our fruit has been a priority of ours from the beginning. Our ciders start with a base of NW fruit that are pressed to achieve a balance of sweetness, tartness, and dryness. We forge our ciders in the heart of the NW in Bend, OR.

Price:  $6.50
Where Bought:  Special Brews in Lynnwood WA
Where Drank:  home
How Found:  Browsing, although I had been on the look out for it since reading online about its release

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First Impression:  Orange-pink hue.  Nearly still.  Smells of strawberry-watermelon-candy.

Tasting Notes:  Semi-dry.  Light to medium bodied.  Mild tartness.  Moderate acidity.  Mild to moderate bitterness.  No sourness or funk.  A hint of tannins.  Strawberry, kiwi, passionfruit, lime, and pineapple notes.   Quick finish of the flavor, but some lingering bitterness.  Low apple flavor.  Moderate flavor intensity.  High sessionability.

My Opinion:  Although I enjoyed this cider, the taste was a bit of a let down after the intensely fruity scent.  I was surprised by the bitterness, although that did add some depth to the flavor.  There was even a hint of tannins/astringency.

Most Similar to:  Other exotically fruity ciders.  Ciders with quince come to mind, such as from Eaglemount and Cider Head.

Closing Notes:   This is a unique cider.  Although its quite common to add fruit, hops, spices, etc, to ciders made from dessert apples, this is the first I’ve heard of with dragon fruit (at least in the U.S….I see one mention online of a cider with dragonfruit in Cambodia).  I’m surprised they were able to keep it so affordable.

Have you tried Atlas Dragonfruit Cider?  What did you think?