Tag Archives: Cider Revolution

Cidrerie L’Hermitière – Poiré – Le Theil-sur-Huisne, France

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IMG_0004Brew: Poiré de Normandie

Brewery: Cidrerie L’Hermitière

Style: Perry/Poiré  ABV 4%

Poiré de Normandie pours a hazy beckoning white gold with a nose of fresh pear and earthy fermented apple. The carbonation is extremely high, reminiscent of champagne, but carries with it mouthwatering flavors of pure pear juice.  The body/taste is dry and unsweet but with an astounding level of flavor.  The pear is layered with complexity that intertwines with the apple flavors in the most complementary of ways.  L’Hermitière ciders have a deep seeded savory apple (in this case pear) flavor and an earthiness that claws at man’s primal taste memory.  It will prod at your Freudian ‘id’ awakening a mental link back to man’s discovery of and ingrained natural bond to fermented fruit in the form of cider.  The pear and apple flavors of Poiré truly cannot be emulated and must be experienced for oneself.  This is an amalgam of the brewing technique and the painstakingly grown and selected pears, once this carbonated liquid gold dances across your palette you will enjoy meditating on its flavor for as long as possible.

Cidrerie L’Hermitière’s is one of the most exceptional, traditional, and earthbound cider brewers in the world (Le monde) and their Poiré is the epitome of a perry. A “Perry” / “Pear” / “Poiré” is made in a traditional cider style but with pears instead of apples and in this day and age in America is somewhat of a lost art, an inconspicuous classic if you will. Perry as as style has existed for centuries and while cider is making a comeback in the United States, great cider brewers like L’Hermitière have been quietly brewing fresh, pure, unmistakably brilliant cider for years. If you have read my posts you know that there is a cider revolution occurring at this very moment… so if you haven’t had a cider lately, or if you have Never had a perry, you have waited too long! Seek out a L’Hermitière Poiré and enjoy! Au revoir!

Seller Description: Elaboré à partir de poires rigoureusement sélectionnées, le poiré est élaboré de la même façon que le cidre. Avec une attaque en bouche plutôt acidulée, comme un vin blanc sec notre Poiré est très fruité et rafraîchissant. Le poiré se sert en apéritif dans une flûte et titre seulement 4% vol. C’est donc un apéritif léger en alcool et en bouche qui ravira et étonnera vos convives !

Cider with Boysenberry – Peckham’s Cider – New Zealand

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DSC_0015-2Brew: 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.

Henney’s Dry Cider – Herefordshire (Worcester), England

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IMG_3762Brew:  Henney’s Frome Valley Herefordshire Dry Cider

Brewery: Henney’s Cider

Style: Cider ABV 6%

Henney’s Dry Cider pours a crisp, striking shade of gold.  The nose beckons with the scent of apples and apple rind that makes the mouth water.  The taste is dry and pure, the apples are extremely flavorful and savory.  There is a pleasant tartness accompanying mild tannins, mild acidity, and a perfect level of carbonation. Background notes of honey are palatable as well as a hit of oak.  This is truly a cider that pleases the palate.  As I mentioned in my previous post, there is a cider revolution happening.  Interesting ciders that don’t rely on artificial sweetness are coming within reach and the brewers offering these interesting libations are becoming increasingly creative.  Henney’s is a great example of a perfect go-to expertly crafted dry cider that comes to us from Herefordshire (Worcester), England. The apples (locally grown English cider apples) contribute to a mind-numbingly refreshing flavor that has interesting depth.  If you haven’t, start drinking cider and accept no artificial overly sugared garbage.  If you’re looking for a place to start… or continue, reach for a Henney’s.

Seller Description: Sparkling. Henneys Dry Cider is our best selling cider. Smooth, light and refreshing.  Sweet, appley aroma. Palate has a delicious bittersweet apple character with some spicy bite and a bit of a tannic grip. Very fruity and quite pure, with a nice savoury twist.

The Crowbar – Sonoma Cider – Headlsburg, CA

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Brew:  The Crowbar – Habanero Lime

Brewery:  Sonoma Cider

Style:  Cider ABV 6%

Sonoma’s Crowbar pours a hazy golden copper color with visible fruit sediment.  There is lime on the nose as well as mouth watering habanero and apples.  The taste is surprisingly unsweet but refreshing nonetheless, filled with pleasing apple (Fuji and Granny Smith blend), lime, coriander flavors and a spicy habanero backbone.  There is a bite from the habaneros and a tartness that seems to emanate from notes of lime and sea salt  There is a warmth and smokiness from the peppers that balances the refreshing nature of the tasting experience.  All the ingredients are organic and the freshness of each contributing flavor is powerfully evident.

There is a cider revolution happening.  Instead of a sugary alternative for people who don’t enjoy beer, cider is beginning to receive its due recognition.  Cider brewers that truly embrace the depth and flavor of an expertly crafted cider are popping up left and right.  Incredible ciders that have existed for years but been unobtainable to the average consumer are coming within reach.  We are also in an era of creativity and experimentation that is breeding unexpected palate pleasing flavor combinations.  These factors are exactly what has prompted me to recommend Sonoma’s Crowbar.  The Crowbar contains a mind-blowing 2g of sugar and teaches us that the best ciders don’t hide their ingredients behind artificial sweetness. Open up your mind to good cider, and if you please, start with a Crowbar.

update: 12-19-16 – The new 2016 release of Crowbar is interesting, a great dry cider with notes of habenero and lime similar to this predecessor but not quite as good. We will see what next year has in store.

Seller Description: The Crowbar combines dry cider with the heat of organic habanero peppers and the tartness of fresh lime, creating a refreshing trio of flavors that pairs perfectly with summer staples like Mexican food and BBQ

Bite Hard – Boonville Cider House – Boonville, CA

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Brew:  Bite Hard

Brewer:  Boonville Cider House

Style:  Cider  ABV 6.9%

Bite Hard pours a beautiful shadowy gold with a nose of crisp fermented apple.  This cider is made with heirloom organic apples from California and fermented to a healthy 6.9% ABV.  The taste of apple accompanies the bite during the first sip and lingers on the palate after the finish.  The apple flavor is so deep and rich that it makes the mouth water and drips with authenticity.  There are also refreshingly natural notes of citrus and lemon that add to the complexity of the taste. The tart and dry up front bite is accompanied by an unexpected and welcome lack of sweetness.  This is a connoisseurs cider, one that does not need to hide behind sugar and artificial flavoring to please.  One of the most satisfying elements of Bite Hard is the utter originality of the taste.  Boonville cider house has cultivated a respectable persona with Bite Hard, this is a cider that will undoubtedly stand the test of time.

Seller Description:  Bite Hard Apple Cider is a crisp, semi dry cider, slow fermented from heirloom apples in an English tradition. Made from tannic and full bodied fruit, this cider carries its distinctive BITE with a clean and unique apple finish and citrus notes. We take the time to seek out and preserve the best that Autumn has to offer.