Cider

[macswan]

Aaarrrgggghhhh

 

[boreality]

Dicken's Cider http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xfzxesxk_Yo

 

[TreeLogic]

Well I've been looking, but all I've found around here (at the grocery stores anyway) is Redds, Angry Orchard, and Woodchuck, all of which are sub par from what I hear. I'll check Total Wine or a specialty store.

 

[macswan]

Reds is not actually cider is it? Angry orchard is acceptable I would say. And lots of people like woodchuck, I find it to be like bad apple candy. Especially their seasonals. Look around for strong bow or Sam smiths. That ones organic I believe. Damn good on both counts and reasonably well distributed.

 

[TreeLogic]

I'm out of tequila so heading to Total Wine soon. I'll check one of those out and report back, Mac.

 

[Mr_B]

Yeah Red's is just beer with apple flavor or something, I tried it once and didn't like it. Think bud lite lime but with apples. If you're not sure what kind of cider you like or if you even like cider, try to get a more expensive kind in a single 22 oz bottle, like Sam smith's. If it tastes like a Jolly Rancher don't let it influence your opinion of what cider is!

 

[TreeLogic]

Alright, picked up a 6 pk of Spire, and a single Strongbow. Only the Spire was cold so that's what I've tried.

Analysis...wafting...wafting...

A little champagnish... sweet... starts dry...finishes like my favorite candy - green Apple Jolly rancher. Good stuff though, and this coming from a bitter IPA drinker. Will try the Strongbow tomorrow morning.

 

[macswan]

Morning, perfect time for cider. My kinda arbo. Where is spire from, that's a new one to me.

 

[TreeLogic]

Olympia, WA.

I got the Apple which is all they had cold. Should have gotten the dark and dry. Next time.


Spire

 

[oceans]

I rocked the Fatty Bampkins earlier.

Yup. Nice and dry, but closer to wine than I was expecting. Still, not bad, and definitely not overly sweet. Going with the J.K.'s Scrumpy next.

 

[macswan]

Scrumpy is a little sweet, but not bad

 

[oceans]

What Mac said.

 

[TreeLogic]

Strongbow...favorite so far. Not nearly as sweet as the Spire Apple.

 

[macswan]

Strongbow was what ruined me on mediocre cider. It is a standby.

 

[oceans]

Aaiiight, folks. For me, there's a new winner in the cider house. The Hatchet, by Sonoma. Wow! Amazing balance of all the things I like. Definitely not on the sweet side. Very dry, yet silly smooth. Excellent flavor definition...goes well with the chicken.

So many times I feel I'm settling with a cider since menu options are usually limited at restaurants. While I have 't tried everything out there, The Hatchet gets it done. For now.

Hope everyone has a happy holiday season ahead, whatever your speed is. Cheers! Kanpai!

 

[macswan]

New cidery called shacksbury up here that's real good. And apparently distributed by an upscale wine dealer, so available other places in New England.

 

[oceans]

I'll have to check that out. Thanks, Bubb!

 

[tc262]

Was out for dinner a few weeks ago and they had this...It wasn't overly sweet like a lot of the ciders are. Pretty good stuff. I have know idea on its availability as this restaurant is the only place I've seen it.