Snow Capped Cider

Snow Capped JalaPEARno

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Review of Snow Capped JalaPEARno, a perry (from only pears, no apples) infused with jalapenos.  It is my first time trying this, but I’ve had their Gold Rush, Colorado Peach, Sour Cherry, Plum Lemongrass, and 6130′ Dry.

<This is a review of a sample can provided to Cider Says by Snow Capped.  Although I will take care to treat it the same as any other review, there is always the potential for bias as I received this for free.  The only consideration I knowingly made was pushing this up in my cider review que, considering it is a new release and the info may be helpful for folks deciding to purchase it.  I love free stuff, especially cider!  Want your cider or cider-related product reviewed here?  Contact me.>

Cider:  JalaPEARno
Cidery:  Snow Capped
Cidery Location:  Austin CO
ABV:  6.9%
How Supplied:  12oz cans (and kegs)
Style:  American craft canned perry (only pears, no apples) infused with jalapenos

Photo Oct 10, 6 17 20 PM Photo Oct 10, 6 17 29 PM Photo Oct 10, 6 17 41 PM

Availability:  in Colorado (check out their cider finder), plus online sales

Cider Description:  Golden hue, with a fresh fruit nose, balanced by a notable Jalapeño infusion and pear sweetness. soft smooth finish.

Cidery Description:  We craft our ciders using stone fruit, heritage and cider specific apples grown in our 6,130 ft. elevation Colorado orchards.  At the core of our ciders is a long history in fruit growing.  For over a century and five generations our family has respected and developed the land entrusted to us. Today we are one of the largest apple producers in Colorado Growing fruit is both a passion and a privilege.  Through generations we have succeeded in a high elevation environment, this is one of the most labor intensive, riskiest and extreme environments to grow apples, with fewer successful outcomes.

Price:  ~ $10.49 / four cans
Where Bought:  N/A
Where Drank:  home
How Found:  it showed up

Photo Oct 10, 6 16 52 PM

First Impression:  Hazy lemonade-like hue.  Low visible carbonation.  Spicy scent.

Tasting Notes:  Semi-dry.  Light bodied.  Moderate tartness & acidity.  Hints of bitterness.  No sourness, funk, or tannins.  Moderate level of spiciness for me (low to average tolerance), but very low for my husband (super high tolerance).  Notes of jalapeno (both spice & flavor) with a bit of pear.  Moderate overall flavor intensity.  Low pear flavor, sessionability, and complexity.

My Opinion:  I wasn’t a fan, but I’ve never liked any spicy drink, so it wasn’t anything specific to this cider.  My husband however was a fan, and was happy I didn’t like it, as it meant more for him.  He actually liked that it had the flavor from the jalapenos, not just the heat.  Also, I asked him, and he said its something he’d drink a full can/pint of once in awhile, ie. more than a novelty, but not an everyday type of cider either.

Most Similar to:  Nothing much.  I think I’ve only had 1 cider with jalapeno, but it also had lime and cilantro, so it was a different flavor profile.  I’ve also had spicy ciders with sriracha and chili peppers and such too.

Closing Notes:  This was my last sample from Snow Capped.  My favorite was definitely the Gold Rush.

Have you tried Snow Capped Cider?  What did you think?

Snow Capped 6130′ Dry

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Review of Snow Capped 6130′ Dry.  I tried this in 2016 (see here), plus I’ve had their Gold Rush, Colorado Peach, Sour Cherry, and Plum Lemongrass.

<This is a review of a sample can provided to Cider Says by Snow Capped.  Although I will take care to treat it the same as any other review, there is always the potential for bias as I received this for free.  The only consideration I knowingly made was pushing this up in my cider review que, considering it is a new release and the info may be helpful for folks deciding to purchase it.  I love free stuff, especially cider!  Want your cider or cider-related product reviewed here?  Contact me.>

Cider:  6130′ Dry
Cidery:  Snow Capped
Cidery Location:  Austin CO
ABV:  6.9%
How Supplied:  12oz cans (and kegs)
Style:  American craft canned cider from heirloom cider apples grown at their 6,130 foot elevation orchard

Photo Oct 10, 6 11 19 PM Photo Oct 10, 6 11 44 PM Photo Oct 10, 6 11 31 PM

Availability:  in Colorado (check out their cider finder), plus online sales

Cider Description:  Five cherished heirloom varieties blended into dry complexity with hints of oak. Smooth, body and finish. Grown in our 6130’ elevation orchards.

Cidery Description:  We craft our ciders using stone fruit, heritage and cider specific apples grown in our 6,130 ft. elevation Colorado orchards.  At the core of our ciders is a long history in fruit growing.  For over a century and five generations our family has respected and developed the land entrusted to us. Today we are one of the largest apple producers in Colorado Growing fruit is both a passion and a privilege.  Through generations we have succeeded in a high elevation environment, this is one of the most labor intensive, riskiest and extreme environments to grow apples, with fewer successful outcomes.

Price:  ~ $10.49 / four cans
Where Bought:  N/A
Where Drank:  home
How Found:  it showed up

Photo Oct 10, 6 10 52 PM

First Impression:  Light orange amber hue.  Low visible carbonation.  Smells dry and tart with some funk.

Tasting Notes:  Dry.  Light bodied.  Moderate to high tartness and acidity.  Hints of tannins and bitterness.  No funk or sourness, despite the scent.  Notes of sharp complex heirloom apple, with lemon and a hint of herbal quality.  Moderate tart length finish.  Moderate complexity and flavor intensity.  Low apple flavor.  High sessionability.

My Opinion:  I liked it.  More flavorful than a lot of dry ciders due to the type of apples used.  A bit tart for my personal preferences, but I commonly say that.  This is a nice budget-friendly heirloom canned cider option, which there aren’t a lot of, as most are sold in bottles and/or are more expensive.

Most Similar to:  Eden Deep Cut, except that is less tart

Closing Notes:  Next up I have their JalaPEARno variety.

Have you tried Snow Capped Cider?  What did you think?

Snow Capped Plum Lemongrass

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Review of Snow Capped Plum Lemongrass.  It is my first time trying this, but I’ve had their 6130′ Dry in 2016, and more recently, Gold Rush, Colorado Peach, and Sour Cherry.

<This is a review of a sample can provided to Cider Says by Snow Capped.  Although I will take care to treat it the same as any other review, there is always the potential for bias as I received this for free.  The only consideration I knowingly made was pushing this up in my cider review que, considering it is a new release and the info may be helpful for folks deciding to purchase it.  I love free stuff, especially cider!  Want your cider or cider-related product reviewed here?  Contact me.>

Cider:  Plum Lemongrass
Cidery:  Snow Capped
Cidery Location:  Austin CO
ABV:  6.9%
How Supplied:  12oz cans (and kegs)
Style:  American craft canned cider from Jonathan apples, plums, dried lemongrass, & ginger

Availability:  in Colorado (check out their cider finder), plus online sales

Cider Description:  Gentle Jonathan apple base blended with delicious plum, lemongrass and hints of ginger.  Smooth, easy drinking without overpowering flavor or sweetness.

Cidery Description:  We craft our ciders using stone fruit, heritage and cider specific apples grown in our 6,130 ft. elevation Colorado orchards.  At the core of our ciders is a long history in fruit growing.  For over a century and five generations our family has respected and developed the land entrusted to us. Today we are one of the largest apple producers in Colorado Growing fruit is both a passion and a privilege.  Through generations we have succeeded in a high elevation environment, this is one of the most labor intensive, riskiest and extreme environments to grow apples, with fewer successful outcomes.

Price:  ~ $10.49 / four cans
Where Bought:  N/A
Where Drank:  home
How Found:  it showed up

First Impression:  Light pink hue. Low carbonation. Smells mild and fruity with a hint of spice.

Tasting Notes:  Semi-dry. Light bodied. Moderate tartness & acidity. No bitterness, sourness, funk, or tannins. Notes of non-specific berry-like fruitiness (I wouldn’t have been able to guess plum). Moderate length finish with a hint of ginger bite. Low apple flavor and complexity. Low to moderate overall flavor intensity. High sessionability.

My Opinion:  I liked it. I’m not a fan of ginger, but this remained super mild. I’ve never been able to specifically identify plum in a cider though (and I’ve tried ~ 5 before).

Most Similar to:  Mission Trail Plum Jerkum (which also tasted berry-like to me), or Soundbite Cider Two Plums Up (which tasted of strawberry-rhubarb to me)

Closing Notes:  Next up I have their Jalapearno and 6130′ Dry varieties.

Have you tried Snow Capped Cider?  What did you think?

Snow Capped Sour Cherry

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Review of Snow Capped Sour Cherry.  It is my first time trying this, but I’ve had their 6130′ Dry, Gold Rush, and Colorado Peach.

<This is a review of a sample can provided to Cider Says by Snow Capped.  Although I will take care to treat it the same as any other review, there is always the potential for bias as I received this for free.  The only consideration I knowingly made was pushing this up in my cider review que, considering it is a new release and the info may be helpful for folks deciding to purchase it.  I love free stuff, especially cider!  Want your cider or cider-related product reviewed here?  Contact me.>

Cider:  Sour Cherry
Cidery:  Snow Capped
Cidery Location:  Austin CO
ABV:  6.9%
How Supplied:  12oz cans (and kegs)
Style:  American craft canned cider from granny smith apples & Colorado Montmorency sour cherries

Availability:  in Colorado (check out their cider finder), plus online sales

Cider Description:  Sour cherry shines through this apple – cherry blend, powerful flavor that hangs on the dry side of semi sweet.  Natural blush color, medium structure, tart finish.

Cidery Description:  We craft our ciders using stone fruit, heritage and cider specific apples grown in our 6,130 ft. elevation Colorado orchards.  At the core of our ciders is a long history in fruit growing.  For over a century and five generations our family has respected and developed the land entrusted to us. Today we are one of the largest apple producers in Colorado Growing fruit is both a passion and a privilege.  Through generations we have succeeded in a high elevation environment, this is one of the most labor intensive, riskiest and extreme environments to grow apples, with fewer successful outcomes.

Price:  ~ $10.49 / four cans
Where Bought:  N/A
Where Drank:  home
How Found:  it showed up

First Impression:  Medium pink-red hue. Very low carbonation. Smells mild and fruity.

Tasting Notes:  Semi-dry. Light bodied. Moderate tartness. Moderate to high acidity. No bitterness or tannins. Notes of granny smith apple, non-specific cherry/berry, and a hint of lemon. Moderate length finish with a hint of sourness. Low apple flavor. High sessionability. Moderate cherry/berry flavor and overall flavor intensity.

My Opinion:  I wasn’t as into this one due to the hint of sourness, which I appear to be especially sensitive to. Sourness is characteristic of farmhouse-style or Spanish cider, and is separate from tartness. Most folks probably wouldn’t even notice it in this cider though as it was quite mild.

Most Similar to:  many of the semi-dry cherry ciders I’ve had (see here)

Closing Notes:  Next up I have their Plum Lemongrass, Jalapearno, and 6130′ Dry varieties.

Have you tried Snow Capped Cider?  What did you think?

Snow Capped Colorado Peach

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Review of Snow Capped Colorado Peach.  It is my first time trying this, but I’ve had their 6130′ Dry in 2016, and more recently, Gold Rush.

<This is a review of a sample can provided to Cider Says by Snow Capped.  Although I will take care to treat it the same as any other review, there is always the potential for bias as I received this for free.  The only consideration I knowingly made was pushing this up in my cider review que, considering it is a new release and the info may be helpful for folks deciding to purchase it.  I love free stuff, especially cider!  Want your cider or cider-related product reviewed here?  Contact me.>

Cider:  Colorado Peach
Cidery:  Snow Capped
Cidery Location:  Austin CO
ABV:  6.9%
How Supplied:  12oz cans (and kegs)
Style:  American craft canned cider from Colorado-grown apples & peaches

Photo Sep 26, 6 27 14 PM Photo Sep 26, 6 27 24 PM Photo Sep 26, 6 27 36 PM

Availability:  in Colorado (check out their cider finder), plus online sales

Cider Description:  Our high altitude peaches and apples unite for semi sweet richness, powerful fresh aromatic nose and smooth tart finish.

Cidery Description:  We craft our ciders using stone fruit, heritage and cider specific apples grown in our 6,130 ft. elevation Colorado orchards.  At the core of our ciders is a long history in fruit growing.  For over a century and five generations our family has respected and developed the land entrusted to us. Today we are one of the largest apple producers in Colorado Growing fruit is both a passion and a privilege.  Through generations we have succeeded in a high elevation environment, this is one of the most labor intensive, riskiest and extreme environments to grow apples, with fewer successful outcomes.

Price:  ~ $10.49 / four cans
Where Bought:  N/A
Where Drank:  home
How Found:  it showed up

Photo Sep 26, 6 26 44 PM

First Impression:  Medium amber hue.  Low to moderate carbonation.  Smells non-specifically fruity.

Tasting Notes:  Semi-sweet.  Medium bodied.  Low to moderate tartness.  Moderate acidity.  No bitterness, sourness, funk, or tannins.  Notes of tart green apple and stone fruit with a hint of lemon.  Low apple flavor.  Low to moderate complexity.  Moderate overall flavor intensity.  High sessionability.

My Opinion:  I liked it.  Nice peach flavor, and sweet but not too sweet.

Most Similar to:  Incline White Peach (but sweeter & less tart)

Closing Notes:  Next up I have their Cherry, Plum Lemongrass, Jalapearno, and 6130′ Dry varieties.

Have you tried Snow Capped Cider?  What did you think?

Snow Capped Cider Gold Rush

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Review of Snow Capped Gold Rush, made from English and French cider apples.  It is my first time trying this, but I had their 6130′ Dry in 2016.

<This is a review of a sample can provided to Cider Says by Snow Capped.  Although I will take care to treat it the same as any other review, there is always the potential for bias as I received this for free.  The only consideration I knowingly made was pushing this up in my cider review que, considering it is a new release and the info may be helpful for folks deciding to purchase it.  I love free stuff, especially cider!  Want your cider or cider-related product reviewed here?  Contact me.>

Cider:  Gold Rush
Cidery:  Snow Capped
Cidery Location:  Austin CO
ABV:  6.9%
How Supplied:  four pack of 12oz cans
Style:  American craft canned cider from English & French cider apples from the cidery’s own orchard

Photo Sep 26, 5 06 50 PM Photo Sep 26, 5 07 31 PM

Availability:  in Colorado, plus online sales

Cider Description:  The Colorado Gold Rush is back. Coveted cider apples deliver with brilliant golden hue, tantalizing ripe fruit character. Clean quintessential medium tannin’s only produced from English and French varietals. Panning with complexity and a striking rich mouth feel, Sweetness is found upfront leading to off dry semi sparkling finish. Colorado grown cider apples bring a whole new meaning to cider in a can. Crafted with a century old fruit growing family’s perspective, pressed and slow fermented with no added sugar.

Cidery Description:  We craft our ciders using stone fruit, heritage and cider specific apples grown in our 6,130 ft. elevation Colorado orchards.  At the core of our ciders is a long history in fruit growing.  For over a century and five generations our family has respected and developed the land entrusted to us. Today we are one of the largest apple producers in Colorado Growing fruit is both a passion and a privilege.  Through generations we have succeeded in a high elevation environment, this is one of the most labor intensive, riskiest and extreme environments to grow apples, with fewer successful outcomes.

Price:  ~ $10.49 / four cans
Where Bought:  N/A
Where Drank:  home
How Found:  it showed up

Photo Sep 26, 5 06 31 PM

First Impression:  Light gold hue.  Low carbonation.  Smells of rich sweet bittersweet cider apple juice with some barnyard funk.

Tasting Notes:  On the sweeter side of semi-dry.  Light bodied.  Moderate tartness.  Moderate to high acidity.  Low tannins.  Low bitterness.  No sourness.  No funk (interesting, as it was very apparent by nose).  Notes of rich bittersweet apples with hints of orange and leather.  Moderate length tart slightly tannic finish.  Moderate apple flavor, sessionability, overall flavor intensity, and complexity.

My Opinion:  I really enjoyed it.  Reminiscent of English cider, but more friendly (to people who haven’t drank English cider, to pair with food, as a more sessionable option, etc).

Most Similar to:  2 Towns Cider Bouche Brut (except reminiscent of English not French cider) and Schilling Excelsior (except not Imperial style, but that one is also sold in cans)

Closing Notes:  I’d love to see this available in WA.  Looks like their online shop is currently sold out, although I imagine they just haven’t had a chance to re-stock it.  Luckily they sent me some extra cans.  Cheers!

Have you tried Snow Capped Cider?  What did you think?

Snow Capped Cider 6130′ Dry

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Review of Snow Capped Cider’s 6130′ Dry.  My husband brought this back with him when he visited Colorado.  Its my first time trying their ciders, and only the second cidery in Colorado I’ve tried ciders from (previously I tried two from Big B’s; see here).

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Cider:  6130′ Dry
Cidery:  Snow Capped Cider
Cidery Location:  Cedaredge CO
ABV:  6.9%
How Supplied:  four pack of 12oz bottles
Style:  American craft cider from heirloom apples infused with vanilla, molasses, and oak

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Availability:  Year round, currently only in Colorado (especially Aspen, Telluride, Grand Junction, and Boulder).  They were self distributed up to 6 months ago, and are now with Tivoli Distributing with plans to move into other states next year (2017).

Cider Description:  Snow Capped Ciders is part of the Williams Cellars family of wines and ciders. We are located in Cedaredge, Colorado – the heart of Colorado’s fruit growing country. We have 5 generations of fruit growing experience in our own orchards. We pride ourselves in being a family run business creating hand-crafted wines and ciders for your enjoyment.

Our ciders are made from hand-pressed apples picked from our own orchards. Our altitude of 6180 ft. creates warm days and cool nights – perfect for conditions for growing superior apples.

Our cider production facility is located in the AppleShed in Cedaredge, CO. The AppleShed was once an actual fruit packing shed which we have remodeled into one of the premier shopping spots on the Western Slope of Colorado. In addition to our cider and wine production areas the AppleShed contains art galleries, a restaurant, specialty shops and so much more.

We create ciders as the seasons change, as our mood changes. We embrace the wonderful local farm products that Colorado has to offer. Resulting in a true all Colorado, ‘Branch to bottle’ product.

Only a few fortunate people have had the experience of being in a Colorado orchard on a crisp October morning. Frost on the ground. The smell of ripe apples like perfume in the air. Picking an apple straight from the branch, the crisp snap when you bite into it. Perfectly balanced with sweetness and acidity. These are the only apples that go into a small handcrafted batch of Snow Capped Cider.

Cidery Description:  A three apple blend that uses mostly heirloom apples to which we infuse hints of vanilla, molasses, and oak for a robust flavor experience.

I was told they use oak spirals and tannins for this cider.  They actually grow everything themselves for their ciders (the apples and any fruits added), and source local ingredients for the rest (such as herbs).  They currently offer 17 ciders, mostly on the drier end, including a Cider Makers Reserve made with 100% cider apple varieties.  (Thanks to Kari Williams at Snow Capped for the extra info!).

Price:  $10.98 / four pack
Where Bought:  Hazel’s Beverage World in Boulder CO
Where Drank:  home
How Found:  My husband picked this up when he was in Colorado.  I had given him a list of ciders to look out for (of which he found three), and he also found this one which I hadn’t found info online about.  He knows I love barrel aged ciders, and the sales person said it was barrel aged.  However, its actually only oak infused (which can actually impart more oak flavor quicker and less expensively, although in a different way than barrel aging).

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First Impression:  Golden dark straw yellow hue.  Low carbonation upon pouring.  Smells of baked apple, honey, brown sugar, and oak.

Tasting Notes:  Semi-dry.  Strong tartness.  Moderate acidity.  A hint of tannins.  No sourness, bitterness, or funk.  Medium bodied.  Low to moderate carbonation.  Notes of baked apple, honey, brown sugar, oak, green apple, and citrus.  The flavor starts quite tart and a bit sweet than mellows out and ends rather dry with some richness.  Moderate length finish.  Moderate apple influence.  Low oak influence (other folks may say higher, but I have quite a high threshold for oakiness).  Moderate to high sessionability.  Moderate flavor intensity.

My Opinion:  Tasty.  I didn’t however pick up any molasses or vanilla, although I imagine they contributed to the other flavors I did pick up.  It was however too tart for my liking (I imagine with more sweetness it would have been easier to tolerate).  I liked the lack of bitterness, which I think would have been easy to have with this type of cider.  I also enjoyed the overall flavor and slight richness.  I’ll fathom a guess that a crabapple or similar heirloom variety was used, based on the flavor, tartness, richness, and hints of tannins.  Crabapples are often a work around to a lack of cider apple varieties to impart some of the same qualities.

Most Similar to:  This is probably one of the most tart ciders I’ve had (even compared to those flavored with cranberry, black currant, etc).  However, it had some of those sweet & rich but not overly fruity type flavor notes, so I have trouble thinking of anything specifically similar.  Its definitely unique, especially for a flagship type multipack cider, which tend to be unflavored and on the boring side.

Closing Notes:   I liked this cider, and I think for Colorado folks its a great multipack option.  When craft ciders are sold in multipacks they typically cost much less per ounce than when sold in a larger bottle.

Have you tried Snow Capped Cider?  What did you think?