Woodchuck Summer

WOOHOO! SUMMER IS HERE!
Wait, what? It's only mid-April? Fooey! We're putting the cart before the horse this week, and we're prepping anyway with Woodchuck Summer. This warmer weather here in Wisconsin had us fooled for a moment... we were out enjoying the sunshine on our longboards, had a picnic at the park, and this weekend we will get to see our first Brewers game of the season!

Summer, at 5% alcohol by volume, is one of the many, many flavors the brilliant minds over at Woodchuck have come up with. We will let those brilliant minds' words tell you a bit about Summer before we do.
Summer Cider is the perfect refreshment on a warm, summer's day. Exhibiting a slight tartness, this cider begins with a full, robust flavor followed by a rich taste reminiscent of New England blueberries. All crafted in Woodchuck tradition… independent to the core.

Since Rob is as sweet as a perfectly ripe blueberry, I'm going to let him go first.
First things first, I have had the Summer brew by Woodchuck before. This time it was much more enjoyable than the first time and I think I know why. This time I enjoyed it as soon as it came out of the fridge. What I am saying is this one is best enjoyed chilled to the max! It is very rich in flavor and the blueberries introduce a unique bite that is quickly absolved by the overall sweetness of the apples involved in the cider. This one isn't very tart and doesn't have any hint of iron to it. So if you've grown tired of ciders that all taste alike, this one is a must. For that, I give it three and a half apples!

Before I let you know what I thought, I just keep thinking of Violet from the original Willy Wonka film - you know, the one with Gene Wilder? Violet, you're turning Violet! I wonder if they ever did juice her, in all of her giant blueberry-ness? Enough of the tangent; here's what I think!
If you could pick a fruit to signify summer, what would it be? I suppose blueberry is a decent one. This cider just doesn't scream, "SUMMER!" at me, though. Regardless of if it embodies summer for me, it's pretty good! I've had it a few times before, mostly while sitting out on the porch reading a book. The blueberry flavor is significant, but it's not overpoweringly heavy. Different enough to stick out, this one would be great if you're in the mood for something cidery, but not just plain ol' cider. With how sweet it is, it would probably do well accompanying brunch or dessert. Whatever you pair it with, though, make sure it's cold enough! The flavor isn't as enjoyable when warm. Overall, I give Woodchuck's Summer three and a half apples.

While preparing for summer, just like we are, please just try to avoid the fake tanning booths and bronzers that make you look orange like an Ooma Loompa... Instead, enjoy a Woodchuck Summer while relaxing in the sun (while wearing an appropriate amount of sunscreen).

Happy Almost-Summer, and as always, happy tasting!
-Rob & Liz

Smith & Forge Hard Cider

Spring is here! I can't believe it! Mostly because it's going to freeze again tonight and there is a winter weather advisory in the area, but it's still spring. How can I say that then? Well, baseball is back, and that's good enough for me. Winter was too long this year so independent of what the weather is actually like, I'm moving on.

Liz and I are big Brewers fans and try to go to as many games as we can. Of course we try to go with friends and introduce them to some of our ciders while tailgating before hand. But this week, we had a gift from Liz's friend and co-worker, Jessica. She so elegantly wrapped it (and if you missed the wrap-job, scroll down to last week's post), and then talked it up... A LOT. But before we get to the goods (or bads?), the required:

Smith & Forge comes to us from Memphis, TN and weighs in at 6% alcohol by volume. It's a simple a looking can with a simple description from the brewers over at Uncharted Cider Co. Here's what they had to say about it:
Built from apples. Built to refresh. Made strong in the fine tradition of making things strong.

Well let's see if this simple cider can leave a lasting impression on the Deciders. Liz will sip first:
It's hearty. It's got an earthy, warm apple flavor. This reminds me of something I would enjoy while sitting by a cool summer's night bonfire. Smith & Forge is balanced, refreshing, and it has the right amount of kick to make it taste like a real cider - it's not girly or flowery or citrus-y. All of this from a CANNED CIDER?! I am a happy girl! I give Smith & Forge four shiny, delicious apples.

Sounds like she is a fan, time for me to step up to the plate:
This one I really like. It's more tart than it is sweet which is uncommon for most ciders. However, it still tastes a lot like regular apple juice. It also makes you fell nice and warm as it goes down. Also, a big plus is that after your sip, it doesn't leave the fat sugary after taste on your tongue. Smith & Forge is very rich and relatively simple. No surprises, just straight up cider deliciousness. It pays to keep things simple. Four apples from me.

It looks like all of Jessica's rave reviews hit the mark for Liz and I! Do you have a cider you can't get enough of? Let us know! We would love for the chance to sip on some new ciders.

Enjoy the (sporadic) warmer weather!

Happy Tasting,
- Liz & Rob

What a Sick Joke

Poor Rob is sick this week. I am going to say I didn't give it to him, but who knows. Sadly, since he's got a wicked cold he can't taste anything. Which is weird, since last night he said my homemade chicken stroganoff was "delicious." Hmm...

To get you psyched up for next week, though, the cider is highly recommended by my friend and co-worker, Jessica. She brought us one to try, and she even wrapped it, all classy-like!  What is it? Guess you'll have to come back next week and find out!

Happy Tasting!
- Rob & Liz

Original Sin Newtown Pippin

Happy late St. Patrick's Day, everyone! We hope you all had a great weekend (and celebrated responsibly). Did you have a Guinness or Magners? Hopefully your green beer was intentionally made that way, and it wasn't just bad beer...

This week we have a new brand to debut! Lately we've been reviewing different brews that brands we've already tried have to offer. That's not a bad thing, it's just nice to see what approach to brewing each brand takes. Sometimes it's a success, other times not so much. Either way, we're drinking cider so there is nothing to complain about.

The new brand we have for you is Original Sin, which is based out of New York, NY. The cider we brought home tonight was called Newtown Pippin. The alcohol by volume is listed as 6.7% and is contained in a elegantly simple bottle as seen below. The bottle also contains their description of the cider which went a little something like this:
"The Prince of Apples"
First discovered as a seedling in Queens, New York in 1730, the Newtown Pippin earned a reputation as one of the finest apples of its day and was cherished by both George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, who cultivated it in their personal estates. Commonly used in hard cider production, this storied apple was sold to the United Kingdom in large quantities, helping to establish the United States fruit export industry.

Quite the history this one has. Now let's see if the founding fathers were on to something, or if this cider should be left out of the history books. Liz can go first:
It's cider day, but the cider this week reminds me more of a wine than cider. It starts out smooth and sweet on your tongue - a good kind of sweet, not too much kick - and then morphs into a dry and almost flat flavor. Now, if you recall, I don't like very dry ciders or dry wine. Thankfully, this isn't that dry, but it's just dry enough to make you want to take another sip. The flavors here are pretty simple, and aren't masked by some sort of fruit add-on. I am pleasantly surprised with Original Sin's Newtown Pippin. I give it three and a half apples.

Now I'm going to see how this cider from the big apple stacks up to the rest of them:
The most noticable thing about this week's cider is how dry it is. It starts out sweet but is then cut short with a flavor similar to a red wine. As it warms, Newtown Pippin seems to mellow out and not bite as much. The familiar taste of iron does linger on your tongue long after your sip, but is not present initially. This one was hard to review. It literally has two sides; sweet then dry. I would suggest this one to people who enjoy dry champagnes or red wines. Other than that, it may not jive with most cider lovers. The unique experience was worth it though. Three apples from me.

Another week in the books and another cider down the hatch. As always we welcome your comments, suggestions, or corporate sponsorship by emailing us at DeCidersBlog@gmail.com or commenting below. Thanks for stopping by and tell your friends. Until next week...

Happy Tasting!
-Liz & Rob

Crispin Georgia

Rob and I are sitting here thinking about how it could be getting warmer sooner, and along comes Crispin's Georgia cider! GEORGIA! It has to be warmer there than it is in Wisconsin, right? HAS to be.

With the weather, coupled with myself being super sick last week, and Rob having a cold this week, we were hoping to get a pick-me-up with this Georgia cider. 6.2% alcohol by volume for this little peach. The description on the back of the bottle is long. Are you ready? Okay, here it goes:
Cider with a little devil in it, but the dog doesn't bite. The sound of the rain and the distant midnight train brings Georgia to mind. An elegant, spicy blend of Colfax Classic apple-wine superbly aged in Bourbon American whisky barrels. The final blend is finished with Georgia peach-juice, a hint of mint and a kiss of Tupelo honey aged in Bourbon barrels. Full whisky notes right up front, layered, very smooth, toasted oak tannins and vanilla. Velvety peach and a hint of mint julep. Blended straight from whisky barrels. Give a solid bottoms-up tilt and swirl to disperse sediment evenly to best enjoy whisky aromas and unique bouquet. Best enjoyed at cellar temperature, 50/55F. With or without 1 or 2 ice cubes. Age-worthy.

Poor Rob isn't feeling well this week, so we will let him go first.

Whoa. Holy Whiskey Batman! This isn't really much of a cider... The bourbon in the brew overwhelmingly masks the apple wine that is advertised on the bottle. There is a large amount of honey in it that cuts down on the power of the bourbon. Also the hint of mint seems to linger on your lips after your sip. This is a very distinct cider and we've only had one like it. But even the Woodchuck Private Barrel Select was closer to a traditional cider than this. I really feel like I am drinking a powerful whisky and coke with this one, but smoother. It was different, but not necessarily in a good way (in my opinion). 2 apples. If you like bourbon, give it a shot.

I can't think of anything witty, so I'll come out and say it - I like  don't like bourbon. I can't taste any of the Georgia peaches, and I can barely taste any of the honey. I feel like I should be taking this as a shot, not sipping it like a beer. I have taken all of three sips, and I can't take any more. Bourbon is not for this girl. I was so excited for the peach that was called out, and I am sadly not getting any. This also really doesn't taste anything like a cider. Everything we've tried thus far for Crispin has been pretty dang good. Sadly, Georgia does not follow the same path. I am giving Georgia one lonely, bruised peach - I mean, apple. 

Thanks for hangin' in there with us while I was sick. If you've got any cider suggestions, we are happy to hear (taste) them! Let us know. And as always...

Happy Tasting!

-Rob & Liz

Down with the sickness...

I'm sorry everyone, but once again we will not have a cider review for this week. Liz has some sort of virus that is giving her a terrible sore-throat. She went to the doctor and they gave her some medication so she shouldn't be drinking. As long as I don't catch it, we will be back next week. Catch up on the blogs you missed in the mean time. I guess this means zero apples...?

Happy Tasting!
- Liz & Rob

J.K.'s Northern Neighbour Farmhouse Cider Saskatoon Cuvée

Hello there! Long time no see. First of all, we want to apologize for the lack of a post lack week. Liz has a class Wednesday nights and my third shift job has been changing my sleep schedule around and last week just got away from us. I promise, we are back and it won't happen again!

This week we have another cider from J.K.'s Farmhouse. This one is called Saskatoon Cuvée and has an alcohol by volume of 5.5%. Here's what J.K. had to say about it's own brew:
We invite you to celebrate a collaboration of a few passionate American and Canadian farmers. The fruits of their labour are presented in this bottle, a family reunion of sorts. This delightful cider is made from Michigan apples and a unique Canadian prairie apple, the Saskatoon. Gathered by J.K. from family orchards in Michigan and Saskatchewan, this natural cider has been carefully fermented here at Almar Orchards using our traditional methods. We hope you enjoy sharing this cider that knows no borders with friends, family, and neighbours.

Chivalry dictates: ladies first:

This cider is so deliciously sweet, it reminds me of the perfect summer day spent reading on the porch. Yes, I love to read books. Real books with pages. Sorry! Back to the cider. I can taste the two different apples; it starts out warm and smooth, and ends fairly sweet. The closer the cider comes to room temperature, it becomes less sweet. I am enjoying this cider, and I could see myself picking this up to enjoy on my own. Sorry, Rob! I just think it would be great for some me-time. I'm giving Saskatoon Cuvée three apples.

What do I think? Why thank you for asking! Here goes:

Just like that coworker you hate to see on Monday mornings, this cider is sweet and very upbeat. There is a lot to this cider and not much about it is negative. The sweetness is matched with a full flavor and a warm fuzzy feeling. The tartness is very dull and allows you to take very large sips. I feel like there is some kind of grape infused with this as well because of the way it pours. The blend of apples in this one make it hard to distinguish which apple is which, but they blend nicely. All in all, this cider was definitely a treat.

There you have it! After a week off, we're back in business. Hopefully we can pick up right were we left off. Hope you have some cider of your own to enjoy this week. Tell us what you thought about yours and be sure to share your cider, it's too good to keep to yourself.

Happy Tasting!
- Liz & Rob