Aval Cidre Artisinal

May 19, 2017May 13, 2017 cidersays Aval Aval, cider, cider review, cider tasting, France, french cider, French cidre, hard cider, tasting notes

Review of Aval Cidre Artisinal, from France. I previously tried this (see here), but this is the first bottle I’ve bought. I’ve also tried a number of other French ciders (like these).

Cider: Cidre Artisinal
Cidery: Aval
Cidery Location: Bretagne France
ABV: 6.0%
How Supplied: corked & caged 750ml bottles (and four packs of 11.2oz bottles)
Style: French cidre from cider apples

Availability: at least in IL, LA, MA, MO, NY, OR, and TX (per this list)

Description: Made in Bretagne, France. From 100% pure apple juice (Not from concentrate). Naturally Gluten Free. All-natural. No added sugar. 6% abv.

AVAL means Apple in Breton, the traditional language in Bretagne, the region where it comes from, that’s had more than 1000 years experience in making cider and is touted by insiders as the best cider region in the world.

AVAL cider combines five types of apples exclusively from the region, giving the drink a crisp and citrusy taste. It’s the perfect balance between subtle sweetness and refreshing bitterness.

Price: $8.85
Where Bought: Bushwhacker Cider in Portland OR
Where Drank: home
How Found: Browsing. I picked this up on my trip for Cider Rite of Spring (see here). However, I ended up trying a sample of it (see here) before I got around to opening the bottle I bought.

First Impression: Still (no carbonation). Deep orange amber. Smells of apple juice.

Tasting Notes: Semi-sweet to semi-dry. Light to medium bodied. Low tartness. Low to moderate acidity. Low bitterness, especially on the finish. Low tannins. Hints of funk. No sourness. Notes of bittersweet apple juice and pomace, yeast, brown sugar, orange, and must. Quick finish. Low complexity. Moderate flavor intensity. High apple flavor. High sessionability.

My Opinion: I liked it. However, it tasted flat, like it had been left sitting open (vs. supposed to be still), but the cork was intact. I also thought it could have used less bitter of a finish.

Most Similar to: Loic Raison 1923 Brut

Closing Notes: Some of my favorite French cidres remain Celt, Dan Armor, and Le Brun, especially once you factor in cost.

Have you tried French cidre? What did you think?

Locust Cider Vanilla Bean & Smoked Blueberry

May 17, 2017May 6, 2017 cidersays Locust, review cider, cider review, cider tasting, hard cider, Locust Cider, Smoked Blueberry, tasting notes, Vanilla Bean, washington, Woodinville

Review of Locust Cider’s Hootenanny series Vanilla Bean and Smoked Blueberry ciders. This is a two for one review as I enjoy these ciders mixed together. Its not my first time trying these, but I hadn’t yet bought bottles / done a full review. I’ve also tried a lot of other ciders from Locust: Original Dry, Green Tea Infused, Sweet Dark Cherry, Washington Dessert Apple, Bittersweet Reserve, Pumpkin, Thai Ginger, Bourbon Barrel Aged, Winesap, Alder Smoked Apple, Mango, Elder & Oak, Wabi Sabi, Apricot, Sweet Aged Apple, Berry Session, Winter Banana, Chili Pineapple, Seckel Perry, and Hibiscus.

Cider: Vanilla Bean & Smoked Blueberry
Cidery: Locust Cider
Cidery Location: Woodinville WA
ABV: 5.0% & 5.0%
How Supplied: 22oz bottles (and kegs)
Style: American craft cider infused with Madagascar vanilla (Vanilla Bean) or alder smoked apples and blueberries (Smoked Blueberry)

Availability: Year round in CA, ID, OR, TX, and WA

Vanilla Bean Description: Washington apples meet real Madagascar vanilla, creating what is best described as an adult’s all natural cream soda. you don’t like sweet ciders??? Ok sure, try this.

Smoked Blueberry Description: Some people do not like smoked foods and drinks. Ok fine, stop reading. for those who do, this is comfort in a drink, blending apples, smoked over alder wood, with real blueberries, this is unexpected but amazing.

Cidery Description: My brother Patrick and I founded Locust Cider in March 2015 with the mission of making outstanding hard cider using the fruit that is most available in Washington- the eating apple. Washington growers produce 60% of the apples in the United States, and cider-specific varieties are in a major shortage, so we set out to put innovative spins on classic cider-making methods to bring out the best in the everyday apple.

Our delicious ciders begin with great fruit- we primarily use “cull” apples- those that are not pretty enough or are too small or large to make it to grocery stores, diverting these from destruction because their juice is still great! Our unique process then transforms them into great cider- methodical yeast selection, meticulous temperature control, slow aging, and creative and deliberate blending.

We are now made up a great small team: Chelsea, head cidermaker, Ryan, cellar manager, Shenna, tap room manager, Spring, events manager, and Chris, sales manager. We are a “family” passionate about cider, and we thank you for visiting our tasting room, and being part of our family! -Jason Spears, founder of locust cider

Their Woodinville cidery has a tap room.

Price: $7 each
Where Bought: Schilling Cider House in Seattle WA
Where Drank: home
How Found: I tried these individually at Locust’s tap room awhile back, then at a tasting event I decided to try them mixed.

First Impression: Both nearly still (very low carbonation). The Vanilla Bean is a light straw yellow hue and the Smoked Blueberry is a bright purple-blue hue. The Vanilla Bean smells rather mild, just slightly sweet and of vanilla. The Smoked Blueberry is a bit more fragrant, smelling of blueberry with a hint of smoke.

Vanilla Bean Tasting Notes: Semi-sweet to semi-dry. Medium bodied. Low tartness. Low to moderate acidity. No bitterness, sourness, funk, or tannins. Notes of vanilla, cream, and hints of citrus (reminiscent of cream soda). Quick to moderate length finish. Low apple flavor. Low to moderate complexity. Moderate flavor intensity. High sessionability.

Smoked Blueberry Tasting Notes: Sweet. Medium to full bodied. Low tartness. Low to moderate acidity. No bitterness, sourness, funk, or tannins. Notes of blueberry and grape with hints of smoke and alder wood. Quick finish. Low apple flavor. Low to moderate complexity. Moderate flavor intensity. High sessionability.

Mixed Tasting Notes: Semi-sweet. Both fruity and creamy.

My Opinion: On their own, although plenty good, I don’t find either of these too remarkable. The Vanilla Bean has a great flavor, but I find it a bit sweet to drink much of (although this batch is slightly less sweet than I’ve had before, but also slightly less flavorful). The Smoked Blueberry is nice, but pretty typical. However, mixed together, the result is a uniquely tasty.

Most Similar to: Not much else. I’ve had other smoked ciders, but they weren’t fruit-infused. For example, Locust Alder Smoked Apple, and the more intense Tilted Shed Smoked and Alpenfire Smoke. The closest I’ve had to the Vanilla Bean is probably Long Drop Vanilla Honey (but that has more honey than vanilla, with some awesome honeycomb notes).

Closing Notes: Combining ciders is a fun way to mix things up. I haven’t really got into cider cocktails, as to me, mixing cider with other beverages is something I would think of doing if I don’t like a cider (and have done actually).

Have you tried Locust Cider? What did you think?

Henney’s Vintage Still Cider 2014

May 15, 2017May 15, 2017 cidersays Henney's cider, cider review, cider tasting, England, English Cider, English cidre, hard cider, Henney's, Herefordshire, tasting notes

Review of Henney’s Vintage Still 2014 cider. It is my first time trying any of their cider, but I am a big English cider fan (see here for some examples).

Cider: Vintage Still Cider 2014
Cidery: Henney’s
Cidery Location: Worcester, Herefordshire, England
ABV: 6.5%
How Supplied: 500ml bottles
Style: English cider from cider apple varieties (such as Browns Apple, Michelin, Dabinett, Yarlington Mill, and Tremletts Bitter)

Availability: semi wide release (imported by Shelton Brothers)

Cider Description: This Vintage cider is made from a single year’s harvest. It is naturally still and has been only coarsely filtered in order to retain as much flavour as possible. Sip or quaff, we don’t mind, as long as you enjoy it. Cheers!

No artificial sweetener, colourings, or flavourings added. May appear cloudy and have some sediment. Serve lightly chilled. Contains sulphites to preserve freshness.

Cidery Description: At Henney’s we believe that the best way to make cider is to start with high quality ingredients and to keep the process as simple as possible. This has helped us to win many prestigious awards in recent years. Each Autumn, carefully selected, locally grown, varieties of genuine cider apples are milled, pressed, and fermented. The resulting cider is then blended and stored through the winter allowing it to mature and develop a rich and mellow flavour.

Mike Henney started making cider in 1996, went commercial in 1999, and by 2013, cider production was over 250,000 gallons a year.

Price: $6
Where Bought: Bushwhacker Cider in Portland Oregon
Where Drank: home
How Found: Browsing. I had never seen their cider, but had heard of it.

First Impression: Light amber hue. Still. Smells mildly rich, slightly sweet, and of caramel.

Tasting Notes: Semi-dry. Light bodied. Low tartness. Low acidity. Low bitterness. Moderate tannins. Hints of funk. No sourness. Notes of bittersweet apple pomace, caramel, leather, orange, tea, and a hint of stone fruit. Moderate to long finish, bitter and astringent. Low apple flavor. Moderate sessionability, complexity, and flavor intensity.

My Opinion: Awesome! I started off a bit on the fence about this one, but as it warmed up from fridge temperature, the flavor got more rich & complex, and surprisingly, less bitter. I think this cider has a wonderful balance; I’ve had a number of English ciders that go too dry and/or too bitter for my liking, but this was just about perfect. I wouldn’t have minded a touch more sweetness, but I certainly didn’t miss it either.

Most Similar to: Dunkertons Dry

Closing Notes: Next up I have Henney’s Dry variety (they also offer Medium and Sweet varieties, but it doesn’t appear that either of those makes it to the U.S., only the Vintage and Dry). This cider is an amazing value at $6. I’m always surprised that you can get an imported cider made from cider apples for less than the cost of a local craft cider made from dessert apples (due the larger scale of production of those types of ciders and the lower cost of cider apples in the UK). Too bad I haven’t seen it in Seattle yet. I also haven’t yet seen Dunkertons in Seattle, and can no longer find Sheppy’s Oak Matured. Too bad, as those are three of my favorite English ciders (Aspall Imperial is another). Next time I’m in Portland I’ll have to pick up a lot of English cider!

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

Alpenfire Flame

May 12, 2017May 12, 2017 cidersays Alpenfire Alpenfire, cider, cider review, cider tasting, Flame, hard cider, methode champenoise, port townsend, tasting notes

Review of Alpenfire Flame, a methode champenoise style Extra Brut cider. It is my first time trying this one, although I have tried every other cider from Alpenfire: Dungeness, Spark, Smoke, ApoCalypso, Ember, Simple Cider, Calypso, Pirate’s Plank, Glow, Cinders, Shrub, Spiced Tonic Shrub, and Heirloom Dry.

Cider: Flame (2011 vintage)
Cidery: Alpenfire
Cidery Location: Port Townsend WA
ABV: 8.0%
How Supplied: 750ml corked & caged champagne bottles
Style: Organic American artisinal champagne-style cider

Availability: Primarily Western Washington, including these retailers. They also have an online store through Vino Shipper which ships to states which allow it.

Cider Description: A true “Methode Champenoise” cider. Made Primarily with Fox-whelp and Muscadet de Dieppe apples. We use Champagne traditions to develop a crackling carbonation with bright acidity and dryness. (This is part of their estate line of ciders, made from their own orchard’s organic apples.)

Cidery Description: Alpenfire Organic Cider is made from our estate and locally grown organic apples. We planted our WSDA certified organic orchard in 2004 with over 800 trees and 10 varieties of English, French & Early American cider specific apples. These apples have been used for hundreds of years for the unique qualities they bring to cider production. Namely the tannins and bitters not found in dessert style apples. While the juice, much less the fruit, of many of these apples would be hard to enjoy by the glass they become amazing with a little fermentation. One of our favorites, the “Muscadet de Dieppe”, has a viscous, winey, yes, even musky juice. It takes months of slow, cool fermentation for that to develop the subtle aroma and flavor you will find in our bone-dry cider. We augment our juice and mellow the flavors with organic apples from other local orchards.

Price: $24.99
Where Bought: Special Brews in Lynnwood WA
Where Drank: home
How Found: Browsing. It was the only cider from them I hadn’t tried yet.

First Impression: Dark straw yellow hue. Low carbonation (which was surprising…I’m guessing this lost its fizz over the last 6 years). Smells acidic, of citrus, and a hint of funk.

Tasting Notes: Dry. Light bodied, with a creamy but slightly effervescent mouthfeel. Moderate tartness. Very high acidity. Low bitterness, funk, and tannins. Hints of sourness. Sharp flavor notes of lemon, heirloom apple pomace, herbs, vinegar, yeast, and mineral. Moderate length warming finish. Moderate complexity. Low to moderate flavor intensity. Low sessionability. Low apple flavor.

My Opinion: This was nice, but not a favorite style of mine. I was hoping for some bittersweet apple flavor, but it was more bittersharp and heirloom (for a lot of bittersweet apple flavor, as well as high tannins, try their Ember). I’m curious if the flavor also changed with the loss of carbonation.

Closing Notes: I can now say I’ve tried every Alpenfire cider! My favorite remains Smoke, which is in a class of its own (but I also really enjoy Spark, ApoCalypso, Simple Cider, Calypso, Glow, and Heirloom Dry).

Have you tried Alpenfire Flame? What did you think?

Stem Cider Pommeau

May 10, 2017April 30, 2017 cidersays Stem Ciders cider, cider review, cider tasting, Colorado, Denver, hard cider, Pommeau, Stem, Stem Cider, tasting notes

Review of Stem Cider’s Pommeau. It is my first time trying this, although I’ve also had their Le Chene, Malice, Blood Orange Cyser, Remedy, Branch and Bramble, and Whiskey Barrel-Aged Apricot, and also tried Pommeau from 2 Towns, Etienne Dupont, Finnriver, Tieton, Traditions, and Wandering Aengus.

Cider: Pommeau
Cidery: Stem Ciders
Cidery Location: Denver Colorado
ABV: 18%
How Supplied: 375ml corked bottles
Style: American craft Pommeau (apple brandy + apple cider), oak aged

Availability: Only at their tap room, released December 2015

Cider Description: Apple dessert wine aged in oak for 8 months. Full of cherry and fruit skin notes, with distinctive oakiness perfect for sipping slowly.

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: $20
Where Bought: Stem’s tap room
Where Drank: home
How Found: My husband picked this up for me when travelling. He made a special trip to the Stem tasting room just to buy me cider. I’m spoiled!

First Impression: Medium amber hue. Still (no carbonation). Smells sweet, rich, and of caramel.

Tasting Notes: Semi-dry. Medium bodied. Low to moderate tartness and acidity. Low tannins and bitterness. No sourness or funk. Notes of caramel, brown sugar, leather, and orange. Long finish. High apple flavor. Very low sessionability. Moderate complexity. Moderate flavor intensity. No overt oak influence.

My Opinion: I liked it. However, it didn’t seem to have quite the amount of complexity of some others I’ve tried (possibly as it wasn’t quite as sweet as some). However, it is more budget friendly than many other options. This year’s Stem Pommeau release was aged 20 months, so I’m curious if that gave it more complexity than this batch.

Most Similar to: The Traditions Pommeau, as it had a similar level of sweetness and complexity.

Closing Notes: My favorites remain the 2 Towns, Etienne Dupont, and Wandering Aengus Pommeaux (the plural of Pommeau…very cool). However, I wouldn’t say I’ve disliked any Pommeau I’ve tried.

Have you ever tried Pommeau? What did you think?

Two Rivers Huckleberry

May 8, 2017April 30, 2017 cidersays Two Rivers berry cider, california, cider, cider review, cider tasting, hard cider, Huckleberry, tasting notes, Two Rivers

Review of Two Rivers Huckleberry cider. It is my first time trying this, although I’ve previously had their Gravenstein cider.

Cider: Huckleberry
Cidery: Two Rivers Cidery
Cidery Location: Sacramento CA
ABV: 6.9%
How Supplied: 22oz bottles
Style: American craft cider from dessert apples, with huckleberries

Availability: Likely only in California

Cider Description: A rare and wonderful fruit. The sweet aroma of berries and a delicious floral mouthful. You will enjoy it till the very last drop

Cidery Description: Two Rivers Hard Cider Company was founded in 1996. With seventeen years as a publician, a long time home brewer and craftsman, as well as an international registered beer judge, Vincent Sterne was inspired and fascinated by the centuries old craft of Cider making. After many years of experimentation, he finally had what he wanted, a superior hard apple cider. Two Rivers original HARD APPLE CIDER is made from a blend of 100% fresh pressed apple juice from Barsotti ranch in Apple Hill. A proprietary blend of apples with a balance of tartness and sweetness to create a gold medal winning Hard Cider.

They have a tasting room in Sacramento CA.

Price: $7.59
Where Bought: a natural grocery store outside of Sacramento CA, over Christmas break
Where Drank: home
How Found: Browsing

First Impression: Light brown-pink hue. Low carbonation. Smells of mild sweet berries.

Tasting Notes: Semi-dry. Light bodied. Moderate tartness and acidity. Hints of bitterness and berry tannins, especially on the finish. No sourness or funk. Notes of just huckleberries. Low apple flavor. Low complexity. Low to moderate flavor intensity. Moderate to high sessionability.

My Opinion: I thought this was average, a bit on the boring side for my personal preferences. Fans of drier berry ciders would probably like this though. I mostly picked it up as their cider isn’t available locally (not so much that I was interested in the huckleberry variety).

Most Similar to: Greenwood Huckleberry Wedding Cider (also semi-dry) and Swift Cider Marionberry (dry to semi-dry). The only other huckleberry cider I’ve had was from One Tree, but that was very sweet. My favorite berry ciders so far are probably AEppeltreow Blackbird and Alpenfire Calypso & Apocalypso.

Closing Notes: Its always fun to pick up new ciders when travelling that I can’t find locally.

Have you tried Two Rivers Huckleberry? What did you think?

Aspall Dry

May 5, 2017April 30, 2017 cidersays Aspall, review aspall, cider, cider review, cider tasting, English Cider, English cidre, hard cider, tasting notes

Review of Aspall’s Dry cider. I tried this awhile ago, but at an event (this is the first bottle I’ve bought). I’ve also previously sampled their John Barrington, Imperial (black label), Demi Sec, Imperial (blue label), Grand Cru, and Perronelle’s Blush.

Cider: Dry
Cidery: Aspall
Cidery Location: Suffolk England
ABV: 6.8%
How Supplied: 500ml bottles (and draft)
Style: English cider from cider apples

Availability: Semi wide release (through Artisanal Imports)

Cider Description: Mid straw-gold colour. Clean, light floral aroma of dessert apples. Dry, round and creamy on the palate with medium fullness. Good acid balance, pleasant soft tannins and elegant, long finish. A highly versatile partner for all kinds of food, for example charcuterie, sweet & spicy, and a variety of cheeses.

Apple Varieties: 50% Sweet (Cox Orange Pippin, Early Windsor, Royal Gala, Katy), 35% Sharp (Bramley Seedling, Howgate Wonder), and 15% Bittersweet (Tremlett’s Bitter, Yarlington Mill, Medaille d’Or, Kingston)

Cidery Description: The Chevalliers have been making cyder at Aspall for eight generations, since 1728 when Clement Chevallier fermented his first batch of Normandy style Suffolk cyder. They still produce cyder using only the fresh juice of whole Suffolk apples and the philosophy championed by their founding ancestor, Clement. Still owned and managed by the Chevallier family, Aspall is the oldest direct lineage cyder maker in the United Kingdom. There are no hidden partners or parent companies enabling Aspall to focus on making the best possible product without compromise. Truly family owned.

Price: $8
Where Bought: Schilling Cider House
Where Drank: home
How Found: I first tried Aspall (this one) at the Seattle International Beerfest in 2015, one of the first events I blogged (see here).

First Impression: Dark straw yellow hue. Very low carbonation. Smells rich and tannic.

Tasting Notes: Dry to semi-dry. Moderate tartness, acidity, and tannins. Low bitterness. Hints of funk. No sourness. Notes of apple pomace, lemon, and herbs. Low apple flavor. Moderate sessionability, flavor, and complexity.

My Opinion: This isn’t my favorite Aspall, but it is a very solid selection and a great value. I haven’t disliked anything I’ve tried from them so far. I like slightly sweeter than this however as I find them more flavorful.

Most Similar to: Other Aspall ciders (although this is their driest selection in the U.S. at least), Dunkertons Dry, and Crispin Browns Lane

Closing Notes: I think there are still some Aspall varieties left for me to try. The biggest disappointment is that they appear to have stopped selling the black label Imperial cider in the U.S., and now only have the blue label one (which is still great, but I liked the black label one better).

Have you tried Aspall English cider? What did you think?

Schilling Cider House Visit 26 Tasting Notes

May 3, 2017April 30, 2017 cidersays Eric Bordelet, Hogan's, Locust, review, Schilling, Snowdrift cider, cider review, cider tasting, hard cider, Schilling Cider, Schilling Cider House, tasting notes

Tasting notes from my 26th visit to the Schilling Cider House in the Fremont neighborhood of Seattle WA. Check out my past posts with tasting notes here.

I was there on a Thursday night when they had Schilling Cider’s 4th anniversary party. I started with half a flight, waiting for them to put more on tap once the event started.

Snowdrift (Wenatchee WA) Orchard Select (7.3% ABV): The scent has hints of funk. Fully dry. Moderate tartness. High acidity. Low to moderate bitterness, especially on the finish. Low funk. Hints of sourness. Low to moderate tannins. Sharp flavor with citrus, herbal, and possibly crab apple notes. I found this a bit harsh for my liking between the dryness, sharpness, and acidity. I think their Cliffbreaks Blend is more likable, although that is significantly sweeter. Fans of dry cider from cider apples will likely really enjoy it; I think it reminds me of a lot of ciders I’ve had from the Northeast.

Locust Cider (Woodinville WA) Hibiscus (5.0% ABV): This appears to be a draft-only special release. Pink hue. Smells floral and fruity. Semi-sweet. Medium bodied. Low to moderate tartness. Moderate acidity. No bitterness, sourness, funk, or tannins. More fruity than floral, with notes of rhubarb, strawberry, and watermelon. I really enjoyed it. I’m curious what they added to this.

Eric Bordelet (Normandy France) Nouvelle Vague Sidre (5.0% ABV): This is the first time I’ve seen this variety in the U.S. (although we get a handful of their ciders in bottles). Semi-dry. Light bodied. Low carbonation. Low tartness and acidity. Low to moderate tannins. Low bitterness. No sourness or funk. Simple but tasty flavor profile, apple and yeast forward. This reminded me a bit of English cider in addition to French cider, with a higher level of tannins, clean flavor (no funk), and lower carbonation (although likely to it being on draft vs. bottled). I enjoyed it, especially as it warmed up.

Next Sarah shared some of a Hogan’s 3 liter bag-in-box variety (retails for $33, which works out to $8.25 / 750ml).

Hogan’s Cider (Alcester United Kingdom) Hazy Daisy (3.9% ABV): I’ve only seen this in the 3L bag-in-box in the U.S. Semi-dry. Still. Light to medium bodied. Low tartness, acidity, and tannins. Hints of bitterness, funk, and sourness. The flavor is very mild, apple and citrus forward. This would be a perfect summer session cider, and possibly my favorite from Hogan’s so far oddly enough (I’ve also tried Medium Cider and Picker’s Passion), as it had a bit less sourness (especially compared to the Medium). I enjoyed it.

The full event lineup was finally on tap a bit after the event started at 6pm. It ended up being a lot of the usual suspects, sours, and high ABV barrel aged spirit-style ciders. I ended up only ordering one more thing, as it was getting late for me and very very busy.

Schilling Cider (Auburn WA) French Bittersweet (unknown ABV): A draft-only special release from French bittersweet apple juice. Very dark hazy brown hue, like unfiltered non-alcoholic cider. On the sweeter side of semi-dry. Medium bodied. Low tartness and acidity. Moderate tannins and bitterness. No sourness or funk. The flavor was very cider apple juice forward–it really didn’t taste alcoholic. I think this may have been the same cider I tried at Cider Rite of Spring which tasted just like juice to me (maybe it was there?).

My favorites were the Locust, Eric Bordelet, and Hogan’s.

Stay tuned for more Schilling Cider House tasting notes here at Cider Says! Have you had any good draft cider / cider flights recently?

Angry Orchard Maple Wooden Sleeper

May 1, 2017May 1, 2017 cidersays Angry Orchard, review Angry Orchard, barrel aged, cider, cider review, cider tasting, Crown Maple, hard cider, maple, tasting notes, Wooden Sleeper

Review of Angry Orchard’s Maple Wooden Sleeper, a bourbon barrel aged cider in collaboration with Crown Maple, a maple syrup company. Here is an article with more information on the cider, and here is an article about recent Angry Orchard’s Innovation Cider House releases.

>>This is a review of a sample bottle provided to Cider Says by Angry Orchard. 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: Wooden Sleeper
Cidery: Angry Orchard
Cidery Location: Walden NY
ABV: 12.0%
How Supplied: 750ml waxed top bottles
Style: American cider (made from bittersweet & bittersharp apples), with Crown Maple syrup, bourbon barrel aged for 5 12 months

Availability: only at Angry Orchard’s Innovation Cider House and Crown Maple’s tasting room, 400 bottles released March 2017

Cider Description: For this very special and limited cider, we collaborated with our friends up the road at Crown Maple by using their estate grown organic maple syrup to blend with our barrel aged Wooden Sleeper. The resulting cider is deep, complex, and layered with notes of oak, bourbon, and of course, New York maple syrup. Maple Wooden Sleeper is best shared with family and friends to finish out a great meal. Enjoy now or cellar for years to come. Cheers!

Cidery Description: The cider makers at Angry Orchard have been experimenting with apple varieties, ingredients and processes to develop hard cider recipes for more than 20 years. The cider makers have traveled the world to find the best apples for cider making and chose specific varieties – like French bittersweet apples from Normandy, culinary apples from Italy and the Pacific Northwest U.S. based on each cider’s desired flavor profile.

In fall 2015, Angry Orchard opened a new home for research and development on a historic 60-acre apple orchard in the Walden, NY. There, the cider makers will continue to drive experimentation at the Innovation Cider House, and drinkers are welcome to visit for samples of exclusive ciders made on-site. Despite the recent growth of hard cider in the US, the category is still small and relatively unknown. Angry Orchard is committed to drinker education and awareness-building to help grow the category for all craft cider makers.

Price: n/a ($25 retail)
Where Bought: n/a
Where Drank: home
How Found: I asked my Angry Orchard rep about it. They spoil me!

First Impression: Dark amber hue (natural). Still (no carbonation). Smells rich, of caramel, maple, oak, and alcohol.

Tasting Notes: On the sweeter side of semi-dry. Medium bodied. Low tartness. Moderate acidity. Low tannins. Low bitterness. No sourness or funk. Notes of caramel, brown sugar, maple, oak, vanilla, bourbon, and molasses. Long warming finish. Low maple flavor. Low oak flavor. Moderate bourbon flavor. Very low sessionability. Low to moderate apple flavor. High complexity and flavor intensity.

My Opinion: Amazing! This is my favorite type of cider – rich, complex, and boozy. However, this definitely won’t be for everyone, and isn’t very cider-like.

Most Similar to: Alpenfire Smoke, which is also a rich, complex, and boozy cider (although Alpenfire’s cider is slightly more refined tasting). This didn’t have as much maple flavor as the other maple ciders I’ve had, likely as it had so much else going on too. The other maple ciders I’ve had are Angry Orchard Tapped Maple, Seattle Cider Oaked Maple, and Woodchuck Campfire Pancakes. I’m actually surprised I haven’t seen more ciders with maple, as I think it is a great combination. Rich and complex ciders are my favorite kind. I’d love to try Downeast’s Maple cider, but they aren’t available out West.

Closing Notes: I’m glad I got the chance to try this special release. This is the second batch of Wooden Sleeper (the first didn’t have maple), and another is already in the works.

Have you tried Angry Orchard Wooden Sleeper? What did you think?

Wyder’s Dry Raspberry

April 28, 2017April 19, 2017 cidersays review, Wyder's cider, cider review, cider tasting, hard cider, Raspberry, tasting notes, Vermont, Wyder's

Review of Wyder’s Raspberry cider. I don’t remember having tried this before (or at least I haven’t reviewed it), although I’ve had their Dry Pear, Reposado Pear, and Prickly Pineapple ciders.

Cider: Dry Raspberry
Cidery: Wyder’s Cider
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, year round

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: ~$2 / single bottle (runs ~$9.99 / six pack)
Where Bought: Total Wine?
Where Drank: home
How Found: Browsing. I couldn’t remember having tried it.

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.

Random Note: This is yet another mis-named cider…at 12 grams of sugar per 12oz, it is far from “dry”. It is not the most egregious mis-use of the “dry” label though.

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?

Sandford Orchards Chestnut Cask

April 26, 2017April 19, 2017 cidersays review, Sandford Orchards barrel aged, Chestnut Cask, cider, cider review, cider tasting, English Cider, hard cider, Sandford Orchards, tasting notes

Review of Sandford Orchards Chestnut Cask, an English chestnut wood aged cider. It is my first time trying this cider, although I’ve previously had The General from this cidery, and English ciders are a favorite of mine.

Cider: Chestnut Cask
Cidery: Sandford Orchards
Cidery Location: Crediton UK
ABV: 6.8%
How Supplied: 500ml bottles
Style: English cider from cider apples, Chestnut wood aged

Availability: semi wide release (they also have an online store if you are in England)

Cider Description: Pressed in 2013 fermented and aged in Chestnut wood. Rich and round tannins with a delicate residual sweetness and bitter finish that will please a cultured palate.

Apple Varieties: Sweet Alford, Court Royal, Dabinett

Cidery Description: Sandford Orchards is craft cider producer from the heart of idyllic, rural Devon. Our methods are simple and so is our ethos: we only bottle the best. We are enormously proud to have been recognised for our endeavours. We are a family business full of passion for our products, we believe that Devon ciders and juices are the best in the world – we want you to taste them!

This appears to be a for-export-only cider variety for them. Sandford Orchards was founded in 2003, so they are well-established, but not one of the very old English cideries (like Aspall and Sheppy’s).

Price: $6.85
Where Bought: Bushwhacker Cider in Portland Oregon
Where Drank: home
How Found: Browsing

First Impression: Light orange amber. Still (no carbonation). Smells rich, tannic, slightly sweet, and of caramel.

Tasting Notes: On the drier side of semi-dry. Light bodied. Low tartness. Moderate acidity. Moderate bitterness. Moderate tannins. Hints of sourness and funk. Notes of wood, earth, almonds, caramel, and butterscotch. Long bitter finish. Low to moderate apple flavor. Moderate sessionability, flavor intensity, and complexity.

My Opinion: This cider was too bitter for my liking, especially on the finish. However, I really liked the flavor profile and tannins. I think a touch more sweetness could have helped to balance out some of the bitterness too.

Most Similar to: English and English-style ciders with are drier and more bitter, such as Sandford Orchards The General, Hecks Tremletts Bitter, Ross on Wye, and Merridale Scrumpy Cider

Closing Notes: If you don’t mind bitterness, Sandford Orchards make some solid ciders, and they are a great value at under $7 a bottle for a cider made from cider apples (and imported too!). However, I prefer less bitter English ciders, like Dunketons, Aspall, and Sheppy’s. I think this is the first time I’ve had (or even seen) a Chestnut wood aged cider (oak is most common).

Have you tried English cider? What did you think?

Dan Armor Cuvée Spéciale Cidré Poire

April 24, 2017April 24, 2017 cidersays Dan Armor, review cider, cider review, cider tasting, french cider, French cidre, hard cider, perry, Poire, tasting notes

Review of Dan Armor Cuvée Spéciale Cidré Poire, a French perry (made entirely from pears, no apples). It is my first time trying this, although I’ve previously tried Dan Armor’s cidre. I’ve also sampled some other French poires: Christian Drouin Poire, Domaine Pacory Poire Domfront, and Eric Bordelet Poire Authentique (plus an American French-style poire, E.Z. Orchards Poire).

Cider:  Poire
Cidery:  Dan Armor Cuvée Spéciale Cidré
Cidery Location:  Brittany France
ABV: 4.5%
How Supplied: 750ml corked & caged champagne bottle
Style: French Poire (perry)

Availability: wide release at Trader Joe’s, since early 2017 (imported by Lattitude Wines, Danville CA)

Cider Description: Cider made from fresh pears grown in the northwest of France, slowly fermented to create refreshing aromas and sweet flavors. No sugar was added to this well-balanced cider and it is gluten-free.

Price: $4.99
Where Bought: Trader Joe’s
Where Drank: home
How Found: Browsing. I had previously tried Dan Armor’s cider, and saw this for the first time. At $5 it was an easy buy.

First Impression: Medium straw yellow hue. Moderate carbonation. Smells of syrupy sweet pear.

Tasting Notes: Semi-sweet to sweet (15g sugar / 8oz). Medium to full bodied, with a smooth, creamy, and fizzy texture. Low tartness and acidity. No bitterness, sourness, funk, or tannins. Notes of canned pear, dried pear, and hints of pineapple & floral. High pear flavor. High sessionability. Moderate flavor intensity. Low complexity.

My Opinion: I enjoyed this. However, it was definitely on the commercial and easy to drink side, with less complexity than the other poires I’ve had (which admittedly have been from top cidermakers and high end prices to match).

Most Similar to: Christian Drouin Poire (also semi-sweet and very pear-forward, but slightly more refined tasting and complex)

Closing Notes / random thoughts: (1) Perry has significant unfermentable sugars, so even if completely fermented, it remains significant residual sugar (vs. cider, which with the right yeast will ferment to zero residual sugar). Therefore you won’t see a dry perry. Most are semi-sweet. (2) Here in the U.S., typically the word perry should only be used if the beverage is only made from pears, and the term pear cider if it is an apple cider with pear juice. However, often pear ciders are mistakenly called perries. (3) I typically prefer French-style Poire to American perry. Probably as many of the American perries I’ve had have been funky, and poire often has a really nice texture and complexity while remaining clean. There have been a handful of American perries I have enjoyed though, like Locust Seckel Perry, Snowdrift Seckel Perry, and fruity perries from Pear UP (formerly NV Cider).

Have you tried French perry (poire)? What did you think?

Wildcide Wild Mule

April 21, 2017April 20, 2017 cidersays Wildcide cider, cider review, cider tasting, Ginger, hard cider, tasting notes, wild mule, Wildcide

Review of Wildcide’s Wild Mule, a moscow-mule inspired cider with lime, ginger, and cane juice syrup. It is my first time trying anything from this cidery. They also offer an original / flagship cider simply called “Wildcide”.

>>This is a review of a sample bottle provided to Cider Says by Wildcide. 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: Wildcide Wild Mule
Cidery: Aurum Cider Co. (Gordon Biersch)
Cidery Location: San Jose CA
ABV: 5.2%
How Supplied: six pack of 12oz bottles
Style: American cider from dessert apples, with ginger, lime, and cane juice syrup

Availability: newly-released, year-round in California, Hawaii, and Nevada

Cider Description: If you LOVE Moscow Mules, you will LOVE WILDMULE. It’s CRAFTED from our ALL-NATURAL hard cider, pure cane sugar syrup and the FRESH juice of limes and Peruvian Ginger. POP the TOP and ENJOY a perfect Mule; no mess, no shopping list, and no food pairing necessary! This sweet and spicy libation stands alone.

Cidery Description: What is Wildcide? It is a hard cider from the fresh-pressed juice of Fuji, Granny Smith, Golden Delicious, and Red Delicious apples!

Price: n/a (retails for $11.99 / six pack)
Where Bought: n/a
Where Drank: home
How Found: the cidery contacted me

First Impression: Hazy dark lemonade hue. Low carbonation. Smells sweet, of spicy ginger and tart lime.

Tasting Notes: Semi-sweet to semi-dry. Medium bodied. Moderate tartness and acidity. No bitterness, tannins, sourness, or funk. The flavor was rather straightforward, of granny smith apple juice, ginger, and lime. Long finish with a spicy ginger bite. Moderate ginger intensity, which remained in the mouth (not at the back of the throat like it can sometimes). Moderate flavor intensity and sessionability. Low apple flavor and complexity.

My Opinion: I’m not a fan of ginger, so this isn’t to my personal preferences. I found it refreshing and very fresh-tasting. I imagine this will be appealing for folks who like ginger more than I do though, as it has some nice unique flavor and remains mid-level perceived sweetness. The lime seemed to help cut some of the ginger’s spiciness, and the ginger and lime seemed balanced.

Most Similar to: I’ve had a number of ginger ciders, but nothing cocktail-style like this with lime and so unfiltered. The style of it reminded me a bit of Elemental’s “Margarita” cider, with jalapeno, lime, and cilantro.

Random Fact: Wildcide flash-pasteurizes their ciders, so they avoid needing to add sulfites (which most ciders contain).

Closing Notes: If you enjoy ginger-infused ciders, moscow mule cocktails, ginger beer, and the like, you may find this appealing. I think it would be nice with a shot of tequila or vodka in it too!

Have you tried Wildcide Wild Mule? What did you think?

Eve’s Cidery Rustica

April 19, 2017April 9, 2017 cidersays Eve's Cidery, review cider, cider review, cider tasting, Eve's, Eve's Cidery, hard cider, Rustica, tasting notes

Review of Eve’s Cidery Rustica, described as a traditional method semi-sweet sparkling cider. It is my first time trying this one, but I’ve previously had their Beckhorn Hollow, Autumn’s Gold, and Kingston Black.

Cider: Rustica
Cidery: Eve’s Cidery
Cidery Location: Van Etten NY
ABV: 7.0%
Residual Sugar: 4.5%
How Supplied: 750ml corked & caged champagne bottles
Style: American artisan cider from heirloom apples, naturally sparkling

Availability: Mostly in New York, but also in some other states, such as Pennsylvania, Washington DC, Massachusetts, and Delaware (and now, Washington). They also have an online store (check for shipping availability for states besides New York). 358 cases of this vintage of Rustica were produced in 2015.

Cider Description: On the nose, watermelon and coconut creamsicle moving into frozen strawberries on the palate. The finish, which is at first fresh and sweet. ends on a darker more savory note with drying tannin carrying the sweet fruit.

Made from cryo-concentrated juice, with secondary fermentation in the bottle. More info on the cider is available here.

Apple Varieties: 75% Macoun, Empire, Liberty blend, estate grown. 18% MacIntosh, Steve Cummins, Ithaca, NY. 7% Wild harvested seedling.

Cidery Description: Eve’s Cidery is a small family run orchard and cidery located in Van Etten, in the Finger Lakes region of New York State. We grow apples and other tree fruits and ferment artisanal ciders. We believe in nature, art, good food and hard work. These beliefs influence the way we farm, make cider and sell our product. We hope you can taste some of it in the bottle.

Their official tasting room is at the Finger Lakes Cider House in Interlaken New York.

Price: $18
Where Bought: Eve’s Cidery’s online store
Where Drank: home
How Found: Browsing Eve’s Cidery’s website, as they were having a free shipping offer in December.

First Impression: Medium straw yellow hue. Moderate carbonation. Smells sweet, and mildly of honey and fruit.

Tasting Notes: On the drier side of semi-sweet. Medium bodied, slightly syrupy, with a creamy texture. Low tartness. Low to moderate acidity. Hints of tannins. No sourness, funk, or bitterness. Notes of honey, cream, vanilla, melon, strawberry, watermelon, pineapple, and peach. Quick finish. Moderate apple flavor, sessionability, flavor intensity, and complexity.

My Opinion: Amazing! I loved the creamy fruitiness. Well balanced, easy to drink, and refreshing, yet it still had some complexity and heirloom apple flavor. Its amazing so many flavors can be tasted without adding anything to the cider.

Most Similar to: Alpenfire Spark (which had the heirloom apple flavor, sweetness, and carbonation, but no fruitiness) and Locust Vanilla Bean (which had the same creaminess, but it has added vanilla, is much sweeter, and didn’t have fruitiness)

Closing Notes: Awesome complexity and an amazing value! Its my favorite from them so far. This would be great for new and experienced cider drinkers alike. Too bad it isn’t available locally yet (I’ve only seen their Beckhorn Hollow).

Have you tried Eve’s Cidery Rustica? What did you think?

Sea Cider Ruby Rose

April 17, 2017April 17, 2017 cidersays review, Sea Cider Canadian Invasion Series, cider, cider review, cider tasting, hard cider, rhubarb, rose hips, Ruby Rose, Sea Cider, tasting notes

Review of Sea Cider’s Ruby Rose, a summer seasonal cider made with rhubarb and rose hips, part of their Canadian Invasion Series. I previously tried this at last year’s Cider Summit Seattle; see here. I’m a fan of Sea Cider, and have also previously tried their Kings & Spies, Prohibition, Bramble Bubbly, Bittersweet, Wassail, Birds and the Bees, Flagship, and Witch’s Broom.

Cider: Ruby Rose
Cidery: Sea Cider
Cidery Location: Saanichton, B.C., Canada
ABV: 9.9%
How Supplied: 750ml bottles, flip top attached
Style: Canadian craft cider made with British Columbia apples, rhubarb, and rose hips

Availability: semi wide release, at these locations (including in Canada, WA, OR, and CA), in summer (beginning each year in July)

Cider Description: A captivating semi-sweet cider infused with rhubarb, Ruby Rose is a beguiling vixen and part of our Canadian Invasion Series. She may be as aromatic as rhubarb pie, but her namesake is the merciless Rosa Rugosa, an invasive plant that threatens many coastal regions. Proceeds from our Canadian Invasion Series support efforts to combat invasive species in sensitive ecological areas. Ruby Rose pairs fabulously with light summertime meals and is perfect as a patio sipper. Consider sautéed prawns, a creamy brie, candied salmon salad and salty snacks.

See their full detailed product page here.

Cidery Description: Sea Cider is a farm-based cidery located on the Saanich Peninsula just minutes from Victoria, on Vancouver Island. Our ten acre farm is home to over 1,300 apple trees, made up of over 50 varieties of heritage apples. Sea Cider opened its farm gate for business in 2007 when owner Kristen Jordan purchased the property with a vision of creating an organic farm and orchard and producing traditional fermented artisan ciders. Since then, we’ve grown to an annual cider production of over 7,000 cases and growing. We continue to pride ourselves on crafting traditionally fermented ciders from organically grown apples.

Price: $20
Where Bought: Schilling Cider House in Seattle WA
Where Drank: home
How Found: I first tried this at Cider Summit last year; see here. I picked up this bottle last Fall I think.

First Impression: Rose hue. Low carbonation. Smells fruity (rhubarb and strawberry) and herbal, reminiscent of a fruity herbal tea.

Tasting Notes: On the sweeter side of semi-dry. Medium bodied. Moderate tartness and acidity. Hints of bitterness and tannins. No sourness or funk. Notes of rhubarb, cranberry, strawberry, watermelon, and fruity herb tea. Long warming finish. Low apple flavor. Moderate flavor intensity. Moderate complexity. Low to moderate sessionability.

My Opinion: I enjoyed this. The fruitiness makes you think this would be best for Spring & Summer, but the alcohol content and herbal notes open it up for all seasons.

Most Similar to: Snowdrift Red, Alpenfire Glow, Eden Imperial 11 Rosé, and Schilling Lumberjack

Closing Notes: This seems a bit less sweet and more herbal than when I previously tried it (comparing to my tasting notes). My favorite selections from Sea Cider are Prohibition, Bittersweet, Birds and the Bees, and this one. All their ciders are around 10% ABV, in between that of typical ciders and grape wine, which is unique, tasty, and a good value too.

Have you tried Sea Cider Ruby Rose? What did you think?

Schilling Cider House Visit 25 Tasting Notes

April 14, 2017April 14, 2017 cidersays 2 Towns, Alpenfire, Aval, Carlton, Cockrell, Finnriver, Locust, North Idaho Cider, review, Schilling, Sea Cider cider, cider bar, cider review, cider tasting, hard cider, Schilling Cider House, tasting notes

Tasting notes from my 25th visit to the Schilling Cider House in the Fremont neighborhood of Seattle WA. Check out my past posts with tasting notes here.

I was there on a Tuesday when they were having a 2 Towns event (they had Return of the Mac, Made Marion, Cherried Away, Flight of the Kiwi, and Sun’s Out Saison on tap). I started with a flight.

Finnriver (Chimacum WA) Fire Barrel (9.0% ABV): This year’s Fire Barrel was just released (I’ve tried it previously; see here). It is made from cider apples (this year they are all Organic and all from Finnriver’s own orchard), then Whiskey barrel aged for 5 months (previously it was aged in charred Bourbon barrels). They have a detailed fact sheet on this and all their other ciders now too. This time around it is a higher ABV, and is being released in a 750ml corked bottle (part of their Orchard Series) for $23, instead of a 500ml bottle for $11. I prefer smaller bottles for lower prices. I think it was underpriced before (I recognize these barrel aged ciders from real cider apples cost significantly more to produce), but $23 is a bit steep.
Darker hue. Semi-dry. Medium bodied. Low tartness, acidity, bitterness, tannins, and funk. No sourness. Notes of apple pomace, caramel, and molasses. Long warming finish. Oddly enough I liked this better as it warmed up, as it seemed to have more depth (often for a higher ABV cider, they become harsh as they warm). Moderate flavor intensity, apple flavor, sessionability, and complexity. Low to moderate oak and spirit flavor. I really enjoyed it, but the previous version was better, as it seemed more complex (I didn’t pick up the vanilla this time) and had more oak & spirit flavor, likely as it was a bit sweeter.

2 Towns (Corvallis OR) Peach Saison / Sun’s Out Saison (5.8% ABV): I thought this was something I hadn’t tried, as it was labeled Peach Saison (they write whatever the keg label says on the tap list board, so sometimes it varies from the official name), but it turns out it is Sun’s Out Saison, back for its 2nd seasonal release (also available in bottles); I’ve tried it previously (see here). Semi-sweet to semi-dry. Light bodied. Low tartness and acidity. Notes of peach, pear, citrus, and green apple. Quick finish. Low apple flavor. Low to moderate flavor intensity. Moderate to high sessionability. Low to moderate complexity. I really enjoyed it. This year’s release seemed slightly sweeter and more flavorful.

Locust Cider (Woodinville WA) Seckel Perry (6.0% ABV): This draft-only perry is made from Seckel pears. Smells slightly of vinegar, sourness, funk, and citrus. Hazy hue. On the sweeter side of semi-dry. Medium bodied, with a nice texture. Low tartness. Moderate acidity. Mouth-puckering without being overly tart or acidic. Hints of sourness, funk, bitterness, and tannins. Pear-forward with some citrus, even lime. I enjoyed it. Snowdrift also makes a nice Seckel Perry (see here).

Sea Cider (Saanichton B.C.) Wolf in the Woods (9.9% ABV): This is a special release cider, part of their Canadian Invasion Series, with hops and pine tips, also available in bottles (for more info see here). Dry to semi-dry. Medium bodied. Moderate tartness and acidity. Low to moderate bitterness. Low tannins. Flavor notes were on the earthy and botanical side, with hops, wood, and citrus. Long warming finish, but that was the first time the ABV showed up. Low apple flavor. Moderate flavor intensity and complexity. Low sessionability. I enjoyed it.

Cockrell Cider (Puyallup WA) Call Me Dusty / Dusty Dry (6.8% ABV): This is their flagship dry cider, also available in bottles. Dry to semi-dry. Light to medium bodied. Moderate tartness and acidity. Hints of bitterness and tannins. Rather apple-forward and flavorful for a drier cider. Hints of peach, pineapple, and lemon. Low to moderate flavor intensity. Moderate sessionability, complexity, and apple flavor. I enjoyed it.

Alpenfire (Port Townsend WA) Traditional Heirloom Dry (8.0% ABV): This is a draft-only new cider release from heirloom apples. Dry to semi-dry. Moderate tartness and acidity. Low tannins. No bitterness, sourness, or funk. Apple-forward flavor with some citrus and floral notes. Moderate apple flavor, flavor intensity, complexity, and sessionability. I enjoyed it. Even Alpenfire’s simpler ciders are exceptional (like their Simple Cider).

Sarah also shared a few sample ciders with me.

Carlton Cyderworks (McMinnville OR) Sidra Natural (6.9% ABV): This is a special release Spanish Sidra-style cider (first available November 2016), made from bittersweet & bittersharp PNW apples. Semi-dry to dry. Low to moderate tartness, acidity, and sourness. Low funk. Notes of citrus but not much else. Low flavor intensity and complexity. I found this rather uninspiring, plus I’m not really a fan of Sidra / sour ciders. However, this would be a good introductory Sidra for someone as it isn’t overly harsh. Interestingly, imported real Spanish Sidra can be bought around here for significantly less than local Sidra-style cider, so I’m curious how these cider styles will sell. Rustic and farmhouse-style ciders seem to be gaining in popularity in the PNW (or at least, in production).

Aval (Bretagne France) Cidre Artisinal (6.0% ABV): This is a semi widely available French cider from the Brittany region, known for sweeter and higher carbonated apple-forward ciders, typically without the sourness & funk which is common is ciders from the Normandy region. Darker hue. Smells sweet, of caramel. Unknown carbonation level (this had gone flat, but I’m guessing it was higher to start with). On the sweeter side of semi-dry. Low tartness, acidity, tannins, and bitterness. Notes of apple pomace and caramel. Quick finish. High sessionability. Moderate flavor intensity. Moderate to high apple flavor. Low to moderate complexity. I enjoyed this; it is a very easy-drinking French cider, similar to Celt, which is a staple cider in my house and a steal at $7.99 for four 11.2oz bottles.

North Idaho Cider (Hayden ID) Logger (6.9% ABV): This cidery’s ciders are new to the Seattle area (see this article), and this one retails for ~ $7.99 / 22oz. Logger is a dry cider aged on oak and pine. Dry. Low sourness. Moderate tartness and acidity. Hints of bitterness. Notes of oak/wood, earth, and citrus. Mild flavor intensity and apple flavor. Moderate sessionability and complexity. I thought this was nice, and reminded me of Grizzly Ciderworks The Ridge.

For probably the first time, I actually enjoyed every cider in my flight. However, my favorites were the Finnriver Fire Barrel and 2 Towns Sun’s Out Saison. Of the bottle pours, I enjoyed the Aval best. It was awesome to have several true artisan cider selections on tap (those made from cider apples by cideries with their own orchards), as most of the draft selections tend towards ciders made from dessert apples with added flavors (fruit, hops, etc).

Stay tuned for more Schilling Cider House tasting notes here at Cider Says! Have you had any good draft cider / cider flights recently?

Vermont Cider Company Cerise

April 12, 2017April 12, 2017 cidersays review, Vermont Cider Co. barrel aged, cherry cider, cider, cider review, cider tasting, hard cider, tasting notes, Vermont Cider, Vermont Cider Company

Review of Vermont Cider Company’s Cerise, a cherry barrel aged cider, the second of their series of seasonal barrel aged ciders. I’ve previously tried their Addison and Wassail.

>>This is a review of a sample bottle provided to Cider Says by Vermont Cider Company. 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: Cerise
Cidery: Vermont Cider Company
Cidery Location: Middlebury VT
ABV: 6.9%
How Supplied: four pack of 12oz bottles (thick champagne glass, but capped)
Style: commercial cider from dessert apples (Sunrise Orchards in Cornwall VT), with Michigan Montgomery cherry juice, Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon barrel aged

Availability: seasonal release, only available in the Northeastern U.S., first available in March

Ingredients: hard cider, cherry juice, sulfites

Cider Description: It’s a limited-time offering that will delight the senses. “Cerise is built from our barrel-aged, 100% local and fresh pressed cider with the juice of tart Michigan Montmorency cherries,” said Ben E. Calvi, Director of Cider Making. “Aging cider in Napa Valley barrels infuses notes of Cabernet wine, vanilla and oak with fresh apple and a tart cherry fruits.”

Cidery Description: Vermont Cider Co. introduced the U.S. to the craft cider category 25 years ago. Dedicated exclusively to cider making, they are the proud producers of the original American hard cider, Woodchuck®, the circus of ciders, Gumption®, the west coast native, Wyder’s® Cider, and importers of Magners® Irish Cider and Blackthorn®. With an unparalleled focus on quality and innovation, Vermont Cider Co. leads the category in releasing the most premium liquid and pioneering new ciders made from the finest ingredients. Under the watchful eyes of two award winning cider makers, Vermont Cider Co. produces and distributes from Middlebury, VT, blending together the passion of their consumers, their creativity, and their heritage within the green mountains.

Price: n/a (retails for $10.99 / four pack)
Where Bought: n/a
Where Drank: home
How Found: I read about it online and requested a sample

First Impression: Bright cherry hue. Nearly still / very low carbonation. Smells very mild, with a hint of cherry.

Tasting Notes: Semi-sweet to semi-dry. Medium bodied. Low to moderate tartness. Moderate acidity. Hints of bitterness and tannins. No sourness or funk. Notes of cherry juice, red wine, cherry skin, and oak. Moderate length finish. Moderate flavor intensity. Low to moderate complexity. Moderate to high sessionability. No apple flavor. Low oak influence. Low red wine influence.

My Opinion: Yum! I really enjoyed this, as did my husband (he kept stealing some). Perfect levels of sweetness, tartness, and flavor. The barrel aging was definitely noticeable, but not overpowering. It was surprisingly flavorful compared to the mild scent. All in all this actually tastes like what I except from a craft cider. Nice price point too.

Most Similar to: Woodchuck Private Reserve Barrel Aged Cherry, which was also a cherry cider aged in red wine barrels (except that was more commercial tasting / less refined), Virtue Cider Cherry Mitten (except that had added complexity from the apple & yeast varieties, and was Bourbon not wine barrel aged), and Apple Outlaw Oaked Sweet Dark Cherry (except that was less flavorful, and aged in new oak not wine barrels).

Closing Notes: Too bad this isn’t available locally, as I would definitely purchase some. I think its my favorite cider of the entire Vermont Cider Co. lineup.

Random Note: My cider list has 27 cherry ciders listed that I’ve tried!

Have you tried Vermont Cider Company’s Cerise? What did you think?

Citizen Cider Wit’s Up

April 10, 2017April 8, 2017 cidersays Citizen Cider, review cider, cider review, cider tasting, Citizen Cider, hard cider, tasting notes, Vermont, Wit's Up

Review of Citizen Cider’s Wit’s Up, a “cider maker’s cider”, fermented with Belgian Wit beer yeast. It is my first time trying any cider from this cidery.

reflective cans look cool, but don’t photograph very well…

>>This is a review of a sample provided to Cider Says by Citizen 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: Wit’s Up
Cidery: Citizen Cider
Cidery Location: Burlington VT
ABV: 5.9%
How Supplied: four pack of 16oz cans (and kegs)
Style: dry American craft beer-style cider from VT apples (sulfite & sorbate free)

Availability: year-round (this is one of their core ciders) in Connecticut, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island, South Carolina, and Vermont (see here)

Apples: from Happy Valley Orchard in Middlebury VT

Cider Description: There are ciders for the people, and there are ciders for the people who make the cider for the people. Wit’s Up is a classic cider maker’s cider. Drawing on the old and new traditions of cider making, it starts like an ale and finishes like the dry, sessionable craft cider that it is. It’s cider for today, it’s cider for what we believe the future of cider to be. Come, enjoy the future with us and drink Wit’s Up.

Starts like an ale and finishes like a cider: that, my friend, is Wit’s Up. This cider is fermented with a Belgian Wit yeast and malolactic cultures. No sugar is added, no sulfites are used, and it’s made with fresh sweet cider pressed at Happy Valley Orchard in Middlebury, Vermont. Wit’s Up is clean and easy-drinking. Welcome to the future of cider

Cidery Description: Justin Heilenbach, Bryan Holmes and Kris Nelson founded Citizen Cider in 2010 on a hunch and some good old-fashioned hard work. Kris was working as a wine salesmen, Bryan as a chemist and Justin as a small farmer. All discontent for one reason or another, they started pressing sweet cider in Kris’s barn and fermenting test batches of hard cider in Bryan’s basement. As it happens, they discovered that their ideas about hard cider translated into some pretty unique and interesting finished products.

See more about their story here. Citizen Cider has a tasting room in Burlington Vermont.

Price: n/a
Where Bought: n/a
Where Drank: home
How Found: the cidery contacted me

First Impression: Still (no carbonation). Yellow hue. Smells of citrus, funk, and yeast.

Tasting Notes: Fully dry. Light bodied. Moderate tartness and acidity. Low funk, bitterness, and tannins. Hints of sourness. Notes of yeast, grapefruit, lemon, hops?, herbal/botanical, and wood/earth. Long warming finish, yeasty and funky. Low to moderate apple flavor and flavor intensity. Moderate to high sessionability. Moderate complexity.

My Opinion: Wow, this was really unique. I couldn’t fully describe some of the flavor notes that this yeast brought out. It had more complexity than I was expecting too. I could see this appealing to beer drinkers, as well as those who like a dry sessionable cider and don’t mind a bit of funk and sourness (like those who like rustic Farmhouse-style cider and Spanish Sidra). It is very food-friendly and great for Spring & Summer. However, at the end of the day, I wasn’t too big of a fan (although my husband really enjoyed it). We ended up trading as he opened a cider which wasn’t what he was expecting.

Most Similar to: Not much. As far as it being a truly dry sessionable canned cider, maybe Original Sin Extra Dry. I’ve had a few other ciders fermented with beer yeast, including Grizzly Ciderworks Woodlander Wit, Square Mile Original, and Crispin The Saint.

Closing Notes: I’m glad I finally got to try a cider from Citizen cider, and look forward to sampling more, especially bRosé (with blueberries) and Mr. Burlington (with orange peel and bitters, Bourbon barrel aged).

Have you tried Citizen Cider? What did you think?

Three Kees Cider Dessert Apple

April 7, 2017April 8, 2017 cidersays Three Kees cider, cider review, cider tasting, Dessert Apple, hard cider, Snohomish, tasting notes, Three Kees, washington

Review of Three Kees Cider’s Dessert Apple. It is my first time trying any cider from this cidery.

Cider: Dessert Apple
Cidery: Three Kees
Cidery Location: Snohomish WA
ABV: 6.7%
How Supplied: 750ml bottles (and draft)
Style: American craft farmhouse-style cider made from dessert apples, partially oak rum barrel aged

Availability: only in the greater Seattle WA area close to Snohomish; see this list

Cider Description from bottle: Our artisan-crafted Dessert Apple Hard Cider is made from a blend of Washington-grown apples using slow, cool fermentation. After aging in oak rum barrels and cider tanks, mature cider is blended to showcase apple flavors and balanced with sweetness, acidity and oak tannin structure.

Cider Description from website: Semi-Dry Hard Cider, Tank-aged cider blended with rum barrel-aged cider, 6.7% ABV, Carbonated. Distinct “cidery” apple aroma and flavors with rustic, earthy-oak and spirituous background notes. Soft acidity and tannin structure with a slight sweetness, finishing semi-dry.

Cidery Description: Our artisan-crafted beverages are made from a blend of Washington-grown fruit using slow, cool fermentation. Fermented cider and perry is aged in cider tanks and oak rum barrels from 1 month to a year depending on the desired product. Mature cider is blended to showcase the fruit and then balanced with sweetness, acidity and oak tannin for a complex structure and finish. Talk with Roger about our products. Our high quality cider and perry are achieved with quality, locally sourced ingredients and patience.

They are a new cidery, a family business (their last name is ‘Kees’, and the ‘Three’ in the name refers to their three kids). Their official Grand Opening was just last week. They have a tasting room at their cidery in rural Snohomish WA near Lake Roesiger, on 9 acres they purchased in 2013. They planted a small apple and pear orchard (although it won’t be ready to harvest for 6-7 years). Check out this news article.

Price: $12.77
Where Bought: Special Brews in Lynnwood WA
Where Drank: home
How Found: Browsing. It was the first time I had seen cider from this cidery.

First Impression: Very hazy lemonade type hue. High carbonation, tiny bubbles. Smells of citrus with hints of sulfur, sourness, and funk.

Tasting Notes: Dry to semi-dry. Light bodied with a frothy carbonated texture. Very high tartness and acidity. Low tannins, bitterness, funk, and sourness. Notes of astringent lemon, grapefruit, lime, mineral, and floral. Long warming finish. Moderate apple flavor, flavor intensity, and complexity. Low sessionability. No noticeable oak or rum influence.

My Opinion: I found this to be a mouth-puckering Farmhouse-style cider, reminiscent of Spanish Sidra. Unfortunately this is not a style I enjoy, as I find the sourness overwhelms my palate, especially when combined with low residual sugar, very high tartness & acidity, and high carbonation. My husband however liked it; he enjoys dry acidic ciders with high carbonation, and doesn’t mind some sourness (although he isn’t as tolerant to funk as I am).

Most Similar to: Farmhouse-style ciders and Spanish Sidra, although this was higher carbonation than most – Millstone Cellars Farmgate Dry, Angry Orchard Walden Hollow, WildCraft Flagship Dry Cider, Sietsema Traditional Dry Hard Cider, and Bereziartua Edición Gourmet.

Closing Notes: I wish the bottle’s label had described the cider as Farmhouse-style or rustic, in which case I probably wouldn’t have bought it. Their website however at least mentions rustic in this cider’s description. This likely won’t be the most crowd-pleasing style of cider, but will appeal to folks who enjoy Farmhouse-style cider, Spanish Sidra, sour beers, and the like. Sour ciders have been increasing in popularity and availability, at least in the Seattle area.

Update: The cidermaker messaged me with more information. This cidery doesn’t only make rustic-style ciders; the other two current selections (Dessert Pear and Cherry Flirt) won’t have the sourness and funk.

Have you tried Three Kees cider? What did you think?

Bushwhacker Cider and Cider Purchases in Portland Oregon

April 5, 2017June 1, 2017 cidersays Bushwhacker, review Bushwhacker, Bushwhacker's, cider, cider review, cider shopping, cider tasting, hard cider, oregon, portland, tasting notes

Bushwhacker Cider was the last stop of the weekend, on Sunday, on our way out of town. We arrived when they opened just after noon. It was quiet as expected due to the time of day, with only a couple people stopping in to buy some bottles while we were there. The atmosphere is very casual, with some bar seating, and high top & regular tables, as well as arcade games. The bartender was very friendly and helpful.

They offer up to 8 ciders on tap (mostly their own) plus 6 bottle pours, and some snacks. There are small and large pour size options too. I think the bottle pours are especially awesome as you don’t see that much; they focused on ciders which keep well (like the awesome Etienne Dupont Pommeau which I’ve tried previously; see here). I also really liked that they had detailed descriptions of the ciders they were pouring.

I started off by browsing their bottle selection, which was awesome by the way, on par with the Schilling Cider House, with hundreds of options. Everything was organized by region (and even subregion – their French ciders were labeled Normandy vs. Brittany), and refrigerated. There was a focus on Northwest ciders of course, but also selections from across the U.S., England, France, Spain, and more.

My husband sampled Bushwhacker’s flagship Forgotten Trail cider on tap, made from Oregon apples. After I finished picking out bottles, I sampled a bag in box pour of Hogan’s Picker’s Passion, an English cider (they also sell at least one Hogan’s variety packaged this way with 3 liters of cider, which would be a fun option for a party and apparently keeps very well long term too).

Bushwhacker Forgotten Trail (5.7% ABV): Nearly clear hue (the bar’s “house water” lol). Low carbonation. Dry. Moderate tartness and acidity. No bitterness, tannins, sourness, or funk. Notes of citrus and granny smith apples. Low apple flavor, flavor intensity, and complexity. High sessionability. This reminds me of champagne except with lower carbonation. My husband really enjoyed it and bought a few single bottles. I thought it was average. Easy to drink and refreshing, but not remarkable.

Update – Based on my review of a bottled version of Forgotten Trail (see here), this may have been their “Alice” variety.

Hogan’s Picker’s Passion (5.3% ABV): Hazy unfiltered apple juice type hue. Still (no carbonation). Very thin bodied. Semi-dry. Low tartness, acidity, tannins, and bitterness. Hints of funk and sourness. Notes of apple pomace and bittersweet apple juice, but overall the flavor is simple and mild. Low flavor intensity and complexity. Moderate apple flavor and sessionability. Warming moderate to long finish. I thought it was average (I would have preferred more body and flavor). English cider is one of my favorite categories. So far I prefer English ciders from cideries such as Sheppy’s, Dunkertons, Worley’s, and Aspall over Hogan’s, Pilton, Burrow Hill, Thatchers, Sandford Orchards, and Ross on Wye, as I enjoy a flavorful cider without significant bitterness, sourness, or funk.

I thought this was a good post to summarize what bottles we purchased over the weekend, especially as the majority were from Bushwhacker’s.

We had a great cider weekend in Portland and look forward to another (hopefully longer) trip sometime soon!

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