Review of Woodchuck’s Raspberry variety.

Cider:  Raspberry
Cidery:  Woodchuck
Cidery Location:  Middlebury VT
ABV:  4.0%
How Supplied:  12oz bottles (six pack)

Availability:  wide release, year round

Cider Description:  Raspberry is a well-balanced cider that is light and refreshing. Delicate in body with a little extra zip that takes everything great about hard cider and kicks it up a notch with a fresh sweet raspberry finish.

Price:  ~$4.50 / bottle at a bar
Where Drank:  Fred’s Rivertown Alehouse in Snohomish WA.  We were in the area to go to dinner at The Repp for our anniversary, and my husband requested a trip to Fred’s, due to their huge rare Scotch selection.  They had a decent cider selection…Ace Pineapple and Schilling Sriracha Lime on tap (apparently they usually also have Blackthorn but were out), and Woodchuck Raspberry in bottles.  I wasn’t feeling the Pineapple and wouldn’t fathom drinking a pint of Sriracha Lime (not a fan of more than a sip of spicy ciders), so Woodchuck it was.  I’ve had their Raspberry a few times and its a solid selection, albeit not one of my favorites.  The last time I had Woodchuck Raspberry was here as well.  Sorry for the horrible photo, but we had a crowded bar seat.

First Impression:  Very pale straw yellow with little carbonation and a foam ring.

Opinion:  Semi-sweet (Woodchuck says sweet but I don’t find this one all that sweet oddly enough).  Its definitely an easy drinking cider, especially at only 4%.  Moderate carbonation in the mouthfeel.  Low acidity and tartness.  No bitterness.  The raspberry flavor is pretty mild, but on the fake side.

Most Similar to:  Woodchuck’s other fruity ciders, such as the Summer Time (blueberry), and Wyder’s Raspberry.  This one has a different flavor than other “berry” ciders however; more raspberry syrup than raspberry fruit.

Closing Notes:   Not a bad choice, but its pretty predictable.  I kinda question how they did the raspberry flavor without adding any raspberry color though?  I’d drink it again in a similar situation, but it isn’t one I’d buy a six pack of, like some of their other ciders (Winter Chill, Barrel Select, and Gumption).

Have you tried Woodchuck Raspberry?  What did you think?