Cider
While on my recent family vacation, my brother reintroduced the idea of hard cider. I sampled a few back in the days before I liked beer but then mostly forgot all about it. Once the idea was back in my head, I was itching to give it another go.
In the liquor store, it dawned on me that I have no idea how to choose cider. Granted, there aren’t that many options here in the United States, but I still felt a little intimidated. I spotted Harpoon and snagged it because they generally do a good job of things.
I cracked one open this weekend. I was expecting it to be fizzier than it was, but overall it was good.
Anybody else drink hard cider? Any suggestions for what to buy?
Annie Jo on November 9th 2009 in food
Ben responded on 09 Nov 2009 at 7:25 pm #
Strongbow is my favorite but it might be hard to track down. Woodchuck is pretty good and they’re in Vermont so I would think you could find some nearby. I like how they describe their ciders….
“Crisp and refreshing because they’re made from apples, never woodchucks.”
Kate responded on 09 Nov 2009 at 11:45 pm #
I second the Woodchuck, especially the oak casked type. It is delicious!
Jackie responded on 09 Nov 2009 at 11:49 pm #
Matthieu’s favorite cider is “cidre fermier brut”. A Breton cider, of course. But cider in America is not nearly as good as in other places. I wonder why this is? Locally, if you see Pom’or Tradition from Quebec try it.
Marika responded on 10 Nov 2009 at 12:03 am #
In the Spanish province of Asturias, cider is a big deal. It’s a tasty drink, but it’s also about the presentation. You have to pour the cider from as far above the tiny glass as your arm can reach (they say it does something to the enhance the flavor). Needless to say this gets harder and more comical the more cider you have. So if you find any cider from Asturias, buy it up!
Annie Jo responded on 10 Nov 2009 at 7:01 am #
Well, maybe cider will catch on here?
My internets searching also pointed towards Woodchuck, so I’ll try to scoop some of that up.
I do think I saw Strongbow at the seedy liquor store. But maybe that’s just wishful remembering.
I’ll let you know if I attempt the long arm pour.
Bun responded on 10 Nov 2009 at 11:09 am #
Please photodocument the long arm pour.
Annie Jo responded on 10 Nov 2009 at 12:05 pm #
Well if the one arm is pouring, I’m not sure how the other arm is going to be photographing.
Hee! Probably a movie is best to capture this one.
Alayne responded on 10 Nov 2009 at 12:38 pm #
I like Magners a lot. It’s sort of the schwag of ciders, but it is reliably good and fizzy delish. It is an Irish cider, so it is most definitely available ’round Beantown, and probably therefore H20town.
auntie molly responded on 12 Nov 2009 at 8:44 pm #
Some interesting info on hard cider from a blog I love! http://www.thekitchn.com/thekitchn/liquor/do-you-ever-drink-hard-cider-101122
Annie Jo responded on 13 Nov 2009 at 6:46 am #
Whoa, timely. Plus, they think it might be getting popular!
Katie responded on 17 Nov 2009 at 7:28 pm #
Just heard this story on the way home today. “In New England, Hard Cider Stages a Comeback”
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120464000
Annie Jo responded on 19 Nov 2009 at 9:56 am #
Well that’s two cider stories lately. Maybe I’m on to something here.