Brew: Cider with Boysenberry

Brewery: Peckham’s Traditional Cider, New Zealand

Style: Cider

Peckham’s Cider with Boysenberry pours a deep crimson purple with a rose head.  Striking flavors of boysenberry and apple envelop the palate as well as background notes of plum, grapes, and dark fruit. The fruit cuts the dryness of the body and creates an experience that is both invigorating and refreshing.  The boysenberries come from neighboring farms and add freshness as well as a unique complexity. The boysenberry juice itself makes up an impressive 12% of the cider.   At first Peckham’s Boysenberry is reminiscent of a lambic or a kriek but as the taste progresses the dryness and the depth of the cider become evident.  The fruit flavors embroaden themselves on the palate and become more developed with every sip, contributing perfectly to the clean crisp apple backbone.  This is truly one of the most delicious ciders I have ever experienced, and with the practices behind the conception and production of Peckham’s Cider with Boysenberry, it is an easy choice and an experience all it’s own.

On top of all these excellent flavors, The Peckham family cidery grows the apples, brews the cider, and manages every aspect of production.  I had the pleasure of meeting one the of the proprietors of Peckham’s Cider at the Sheldon Brother’s Beerfest in St. Petersburg Florida.  Caroline Peckham was one of the kindest, wisest people I have met in the brewing world.  Behind her gentle smile lies an expert knowledge of cider, agriculture, and brewing techniques.  Learning about the scores of cider apple varieties grown on the Peckham’s orchards, the fruits that they integrate from other local farms, and the benefits of growing cider in northern New Zealand was amazing. Peckham’s Cider with Boysenberry imparted upon me the same warmth and satisfaction that the Peckham family has undoubtedly imparted upon the world.

Seller Description:  Cider made in the family cidery from tree ripened heritage apples, with a generous dash of Moutere boysenberry. Full flavoured boysenberries grow well in the Moutere clay, and are renowned for their intense flavour. The boysenberries are gently pressed, and the fragrant juice is sweetened and then blended with our matured, pure juice dry cider… Pours a deep red. Rich fruit and intense flavours of boysenberry balanced against a pure, soft apple cider background.