Portland RazzBerry

Review of Portland Cider’s RazzBerry, a new seasonal release. It is my first time trying this, but I’ve had their Passion Fruit, Pearfect Perry, Kinda Dry, Hop’Rageous, London Dry Gin, Apple, Crooked Cock Scrumpy, Strawperry, Pineapple, Sangria, Mojito, Cranberry, Concord Grape, Perfect 10, Pumpkin Spice, Pineapple Rosé, and Peach Berry.

>>This is a review of a sample can provided to Cider Says by Portland Cider. 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: RazzBerry
Cidery: Portland Cider
Cidery Location: Portland Oregon
ABV: 5.8%
How Supplied: 6-packs of 12oz cans, 19.2oz single cans, and kegs
Style: American craft cider from dessert apples with raspberries, pears, and lemon zest

Availability: seasonally, starting March 2020, in Oregon, Washington, Northern Idaho, and Northern California

Cider Description: Loads of bright raspberries combine with Northwest grown apples, a touch of lemon zest, and Hood River Valley pears for a refreshing cider that everyone will love. Easy-drinking, thirst-quenching and refreshingly tart, the cider is 5.8% ABV and ideal for barbecues and outdoor adventures.

Cidery Description: We started the Portland Cider Company in 2013 with the intent of marrying English cider traditions with the innovative Northwest micro-brewing culture. Lynda hails from Somerset county of England, the traditional cider making region, and Jeff is a native Oregonian. It all started from a desire to make the clean, dry cider Lynda grew to love in England, and Jeff yearned to find here. The first batches began in our guest room closet, 5 gallons at a time, made to quench our own thirst. We then introduced it to our friends and family, most never having drank cider before, and discovered we were on to something when our popularity soared and those small batches went fast! That cider is what became our signature and bestselling “Kinda Dry.” Now 6 years on, we continue to devote the same passion for 5000 gallon batches as we did for those first 5 gallon ones. Only now we don’t worry about running out of what we love! We hope you won’t run out of it either!

Price: n/a (retails for ~ $12.99 per 6-pack or ~ $4.29 per 19.2oz can)
Where Bought: n/a
Where Drank: home
How Found: it showed up

First Impression: Moderate red hue. Very low carbonation. Smells mild, of tart raspberry.

Tasting Notes: On the sweeter side of semi-dry. Light to medium bodied. Moderate tartness. Moderate to high acidity. No sourness, bitterness, funk, or tannins. Notes of raspberry, green apple, and lemon (no noticeable pear). Moderate length tart finish. High sessionability. Low complexity and apple flavor. Moderate flavor intensity and raspberry flavor.

My Opinion: I liked it. Not what I’d usually pick, but tasty, on the lighter side, and super sessionable, with the low ABV, mid-level sweetness, and simpler flavor profile.

Most Similar to: nothing I’ve tried, as the raspberry ciders I’ve had were:
– much sweeter (from Washington Gold, Woodchuck, Wyder’s, Eaglemount, One Tree, Schilling, & Doc’s Draft)
– much drier & high ABV (Blue Moon Winery), or
– had other ingredients (Apple Outlaw Chocolate Raspberry, Bauman’s Peach Raspberry, Pear Up Rasperry, & Cockrell Raspberry Habanero)

Closing Notes: Last summer’s seasonal from Portland Cider was Pineapple Rosé, which they made a year-round release, so this is the replacement.

Have you tried Portland Cider RazzBerry? What did you think?

2 Towns Two Thorns

April 1, 2019March 31, 2019 cidersays 2 Towns, review 2 Towns, cider, cider review, cider tasting, hard cider, oregon, raspberry cider, raspberry rose, tasting notes, Two Thorns

Review of 2 Towns Two Thorns. It is my first time trying this, but I have had most of their line-up (see here).

Cider: Two Thorns
Cidery: 2 Towns
Cidery Location: Corvallis OR
ABV: 5.5%
How Supplied: 500ml bottles (and cans and kegs)
Style: American craft cider from dessert apples, with raspberries and rose petals

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

Cider Description: Tart and floral, Two Thorns unites fresh-pressed Northwest apples, raspberries and rose petals. The result is a uniquely fragrant cider with a vibrant red hue.

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 (probably ~ $5.99 / 500ml bottle or ~ $11.99 / six pack)
Where Bought: n/a
Where Drank: home
How Found: it showed up

First Impression: Moderate red hue. Still. Smells of tart raspberry.

Tasting Notes: Semi-dry. Light bodied. Moderate to strong tartness. Moderate acidity. No sourness, funk, bitterness, or tannins. Notes of raspberry with hints of green apple, floral, and lemon. Moderate tart finish. Low apple flavor. Moderate flavor intensity. Low to moderate complex. High sessionability.

My Opinion: I liked it. Nice tart raspberry flavor, and super fruity for how dry it is (only 6g of sugar / 12oz).

Most Similar to: Most raspberry ciders I’ve had were much more sweet. However, this is most similar to a lower ABV version of Blue Moon Winery Apple Raspberry, which was also tart and dry.

Closing Notes: They had a previous cider with this same flavor and name which was only available in downtown Portland Oregon, a collaboration with the Portland Thorns women’s soccer team.

Have you tried 2 Towns Two Thorns? What did you think?

Scenic Road Razz

February 8, 2018February 4, 2018 cidersays review, Scenic Road cider, cider review, cider tasting, hard cider, raspberry cider, Razz, Scenic Road, Scenic Road Cider, tasting notes

Review of Scenic Road Cider’s Razz, a raspberry flavored cider. It is my first time trying anything from this cidery.

Cider: Razz
Cidery: Scnenic Road Cider
Cidery Location: Kelowna B.C. Canada
ABV: 6.9%
How Supplied: 500ml bottles
Style: Canadian craft cider from dessert apples, with raspberries added

Availability: in Western Canada (see their cider locator here)

Cider Description: A unique blend of traditional apple varieties from the Okanagan Valley pressed and fermented with Fraser Valley raspberries. This sparkling cider has a distinct well- balanced aroma that leaves a hint of raspberry after each sip.

Cidery Description: Scenic Road’s orchards have produced eight decades of harvest. Our backyard is home to the apple varieties found in our small-batch, hand crafted ciders. Follow the Scenic Road to our tasting room and savour the taste of the good life!

Price: $8.17 CAN (~$6.58 USD)
Where Bought: The Strath in Victoria B.C.
Where Drank: home
How Found: Browsing, while we were on a cruise port stop. This is a gem of a bottle shop near downtown Victoria and the port, with a little bit of everything.

First Impression: Light red hue. Nearly still / very low carbonation. Smells like real raspberries.

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

My Opinion: I liked it. I’m glad this didn’t get the sweet raspberry candy scent/flavor which I’ve commonly found with fruity ciders. However, this is a rather simple easy-drinking cider, which I think may be better suited for cans (although the price for a 500ml bottle was pretty reasonable).

Most Similar to: Raven’s Moon Apple Raspberry, which is also a B.C. cider, although that one was significantly more tart and less sessionable (and a bit more complex); I think Scenic Road has the edge over Raven’s Moon for raspberry cider. All the other raspberry ciders I’ve had have been significantly more sweet.

Closing Notes: This would be great especially in spring/summer, for folks who want a fruity and flavorful cider without much sweetness.

Have you tried Scenic Road Cider Razz? What did you think?

Wyder’s Raspberry

May 31, 2017May 31, 2017 cidersays review, Wyder's cider, cider review, cider tasting, hard cider, Middlebury, Raspberry, raspberry cider, tasting notes, Vermont, Wyder's

Review of Wyder’s Raspberry cider (previously “Dry Raspberry”). I’ve tried this before (see here). I’ve also had their Reposado Pear, Prickly Pineapple, and Pear ciders. They sent me a nice sampler of three ciders (plus a cool tote bag!), featuring new labels/packaging.

>>This is a review of a sample bottle provided to Cider Says by Wyder’s. 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: Raspberry
Cidery: Wyder’s Cider (Vermont Cider Co.
Cidery Location: Middlebury VT (at the Woodchuck cidery)
ABV: 4.0%
How Supplied: six pack of 12oz bottles (and 22oz bottles)
Style: American commercial cider with raspberries

Availability: wide release (in 40 states), year round (they have a locator here)

Cider Description: This cider is light in body and features mouthwatering raspberry notes. It retains a dry and sparkling finish.

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: n/a (although it runs ~$9.99 / six pack)
Where Bought: n/a
Where Drank: home
How Found: Initially, browsing, although this time it just showed up.

First Impression: Light pink hue. Nearly still. Smells of mild slightly-candied raspberry.

Tasting Notes: Semi-dry to semi-sweet. Light bodied. Low tartness and acidity. No bitterness, sourness, funk, or tannins. The flavor notes are just raspberry, maybe with hints of lemon & floral. Quick finish. Low complexity, flavor intensity, and apple flavor. High sessionability (as expected at only 4% ABV).

My Opinion: I thought it was pretty average, definitely commercial tasting. The flavor was very light and it seemed a bit watered down tasting. I liked that it wasn’t syrupy sweet though. It was refreshing and easy to drink. I almost thought this was a perry wih the flavor profile (especially as Wyder’s makes a couple pear ciders), but the ingredient list said “hard cider”, so I assume it is from apples.

Most Similar to: Woodchuck’s Raspberry cider, which is also only 4% ABV, although slightly sweeter.

Closing Notes: My favorite raspberry ciders remain Schilling Raspberry Smoothie and One Tree Raspberry. Both were very full-bodied, literally smoothie thickness, and quite sweet, but very very flavorful. I also really enjoy Pear UP’s Raspberry Perry (from pears not apples).

Have you tried Wyder’s cider? What did you think?

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