Ace Perry Cider - My Go To

When I need a good cider who's quality and taste I can count on to deliver time and again, I turn to Ace Perry Cider.  I thought it was about time I reviewed this offering from the California Cider Company.

After a day of cleaning the garage and celebratory sushi - garage cleaning should always be celebrated - a cider seemed in order.  My friend L grabbed me one out of the fridge and I knew I could count on the taste.

The company:
California Cider Company maintains the Ace Cider website, sort of. The website needs updating (it talks about the new releases in 2010) and the blog started in 2011 has only two entries. Made in the heart of the Sonoma Valley, Ace produces Apple, Berry and Pear (the Perry) Ciders as well as something called a Joker (which was never well described).

Even though the website was vibrant, I really like new and fresh information. The marketer in me likes websites to be updated on a regular basis (says the woman who took an extended break from her blog - but hey I'm not a company trying to get you to try my product).  

What I am the most disappointed in Ace Perry is the ingredients list. The label calls it a "premium hard cider...the first ever perry cider to be made in California." Well, I'm not sure what in their cider actually makes it a 'perry.'

Here's the ingredients from the bottle: Fermented Apple Juice, carbonated water, apple concentrate (as a natural sweetener), natural flavors, malic acid, sulfite (perservative)

First disappointment - no pear juice at all. The pear pictured on the label is as close as one got to this cider. Second disappointment - natural flavors. Bah-humbug - there are so many not-so-good things that can be, I just don't want to think about it.

Reflections:
I liked this cider better before I read the lable.  LOL.  But honestly, I have to say it is one of my favorites.  The taste is good and predictable.  It isn't what I would call a 'premium' cider - I reserve that term for special runs - but I do think it is an above average cider with good overall taste.

Scoring:
Sweetness: 6
Neither tart nor sweet - this cider has a good balance and would go well with main dishes or dessert. I actually wish I had some cheese to munch with it right now as I think it would be wonderful.

Tartness: 6
I think it is quite refreshing and is good drunk straight from the bottle, rather than over ice how I enjoy most ciders.

Smoothness: 5
It's got a bit of bite to it.  

Fruit flavor: 7
A solid cider, but the pear taste is not overly prominent. As the cider warms you do experience more of the pear flavor.

Dryness: 7

Carbonation: 8
Fair amount of carbonation even at the end.

Gluten free: yes!

Alcohol content: 5%

Container & Size: 12oz bottle

Overall: 7.5
I'm still enjoying the taste, if not disappointed by the ingredients. I think I have been spoiled by the more expensive ciders.

Kopparberg Strawberry and Lime Review - sweet time!

Kopparberg Strawberry and Lime Cider

While Sitting in our sunroom, my husband and I each doing our own thing on a Thursday night, I popped this cider opened and poured it over some ice (as suggested). I remembered that I was woefully behind on my Cider Bytes blog, and decided it was time to get back into the swing of blogging.  

I first enjoyed Kopparberg cider in Ireland several years ago and then again in Norway in 2010. Until recently I didn't know they made additional flavors. The pear was excellent with a jolly rancher-type flavor to it. We saw the Strawberry and Lime Kopparberg in our local Total Wine and bought one to try.

The company:
Kopparberg proudly claims themselves ün-established since 1882, sold in 40 countries and the best-selling pear cider in the world (or they claim to be, I have no data!).

Reflections:
The flavor is refreshing and sweet, very sweet.  Like the plain pear cider, this one has a jolly rancher taste to it as well.  Actually, I would liken it more to a Sierra Mists - the strawberry kiwi flavor.  I can barely tell that I'm drinking a cider, never mind the like of alcohol taste.  If I didn't know better I would say my husband grabbed a Sierra Mist and splashed some DragonBerry Rum in it.  The thing that is really striking is the color.  When you pour it over ice, it is a pink color reinforcing the strawberry flavor with its color.

Tidnab's sip:
Tidnab fell in love at first sip. He likened the taste to Fanta Strawberry and said it would be easy to drink lots of.
Scoring:
Sweetness: 10 - it's SWEET
Tartness: 2 - there really is no bite to this one
Smoothness: 8 - mostly from the sweetness
Fruit flavor: 2 on the apple taste, 5 on the lime (hint as an after note) but a 9 on the strawberry
Dryness: 3 - not dry at all really
Carbonation: 5 - not too bubble, but not flat, the carbonation isn't punchy in this one
Gluten free:
Alcohol content: 4%
Container & Size: 500ml bottle

Overall: I'd say an 8 if you are looking for a sweet cider that will taste good with most savory items or for sipping. I think it would pair well with salads during the summer also. Not for drinking with dessert unless you want to overdose on sweet. If you like your ciders dry, pass this one up - you will not be impressed.  

Thanks to YouTube, I present to you a two-year-old ad for Kopparberg Strawberry and Lime.

Woodchuck's Barrel Select Private Reserve

Woodchuck's Barrel Select Private Reserve (hence forth WCBSPR) wins the worst name award, luckily what's inside the bottle is better than its name. I do like the label and matching packaging, but it doesn't speak to the complexity of what is inside waiting for you.

Photo from Woodchuck website

Setting the mood:
This review is brought to you by the power outage last night at mine and Tidnab's house.  Originally, I had pulled this one out to enjoy while we played WoW (Sunday nights is raid night for those in the know).  Sometimes being a healer in a group of 25 people is not the most relaxing endeavor, so I thought WCBSPR might help.  Before we had time to start playing, the power suddenly went out.  About half our street was dark, and the power company took two hours to get us back up and running.  By then, we were on our way to bed and I had long finished my WCBSPR.

Photo from Woodchuck webiste

The company:
Woodchuck is a Vermont brewery focused on local sourcing and the environment.  The more I read, the more I liked them.  So, check out their webpage to find out more - but I'll give you the basics.  Water and power conservation are priorities for them.  They are working to use less water (1 gallons/1gallon of cider) and working with the local power company to reduce usage during peak times.  They also buy locally grown apples, print their labels on recycled paper, and use (25% of their total usage) power generated by cow um...patties.  Pretty cool in my book.  They also have a wide variety of products, many of them seasonal, for our enjoyment (well, mostly).  Woodchuck was one of the first ciders I tried years ago.  Their website walks you through how cider is made and links to their store where the metal sign pictured at right can be found along with glasses, t-shirts and how to make custom labels.

WCBSPR is a seasonal release for Woodchuck.  Bottled for release in December if you find any hanging out at your local store - buy it now.  They refer to it as their "ultra-limited" cider, and I can see why.  Its aged in white oak Kentucky bourbon barrels, which gives it a unique taste.  I've included their seasonal calendar at the bottom for those that are interested.

Where purchased:
Total Wine - I bought some singles but after trying it grabbed their last six-pack.


Reflections:
WCBSPR has a special place in my cider bytes' heart next to Crispin's Stagger Lee (see my review of it here).  Though I'm not a big fan of Jack Daniels or other Kentucky bourbons my love of Irish whiskey does give me an appreciation for their taste.  The first sip of WCBSPR is like a mellow sip of Kentucky whiskey.  The notes of smell are there - but not in the way where your nose feels like the alcohol will burn it.  It's light and rich and full-flavored.  I adore this cider it's fabulous straight from the bottle and still has a rich taste after it warms up.  I wouldn't call it refreshing or crisp, but I would call it mellow and jazzy.  Since it is made in Kentucky bourbon barrels, maybe I should say bluegrassy, but it can transport you and make your cider sipping feel like a luxury experience.  I have to say sipping it in the dark made the power outage tolerable.

Tidnab's sip:
He didn't get one this time, but last time I had to pry the bottle from his hand.

Scoring:
Sweetness: 8
Tartness: 6
Smoothness: 10
Fruit flavor: 7
Dryness:6
Carbonation: 8
Gluten free: Yes!
Alcohol content: 6.9%

Calories 250
Container & Size:12 oz. bottle
Price: six-pack about $12

Overall:10 - Wonderful - if you don't like bourbon/whiskey you might not be as impressed.

From Woodchuck's website

Blackthorn - I should've known

I'm back in black - well, I should say I'm back drinking Blackthorn cider. This particular cider bytes experience made me realize a few things. First, I don't like dry ciders. Looking at my review template, I realize this shouldn't be shocking as I have no ratings for 'dry.' I'm going to fix that and add one, but I'm a sweet girl - and I like my ciders that way, so read my thoughts and adjust according to your taste! Secondly, I'm not fond of cider being delivered in a can and I will start to note the cider delivery mechanism (aka packaging) as well. Now, on with the review.

Where purchased:
Total wine - my favorite cider purchasing store. 

Setting the mood:
I got home after a long day filled with a workshop that really needed help to a great dinner followed by some WoW time with my husband and friends.  I grabbed a Yuengling for Tidnab and the Blackthron cider for myself.  Now, when I play WoW and enjoy a cider, I usually keep it in the bottle/can because I'll be sipping (unless things are going REALLY bad) and I don't want to have it over ice and have it melting before I'm done.  So, I'm drinking out of a can... blah!

The company:
Blackthron is made in the UK using mostly local products.  Here's what their website says about their apple sourcing - it made me a happy girl!

"We have long term relationships with 68 local growers from Somerset, Devon, Dorset and Herefordshire where all the finest cider apples come from.  We are also the biggest employer in Shepton Mallet and over 90% of our fruit comes from within 50 miles from here."


I really like the local sourcing utilizing so many growers.  They are obviously having an impact on their community and that can play a big factor when I'm choosing a cider.  I like my money to go to companies that care. They also support local sport clubs - another thumbs up for them! 


One thing I can't figure out is who is the company behind Blackthorn.  A brief look at the Wikipedia page about them says they are owned by Constellation Brands, who owns more than 200 spirit brands but Blackthorn is not listed on their website.  A look at the bottom of the Blackthron homepage points to Magners (the name for Irish Bulmers in any country but Ireland), so I wonder if they have been bought.  I'll just have to wait and see.


They have two ciders Blackthorn and Dry Blackthorn.  They describe the apples they use on their website as:
"We use a good number of ‘Bittersweet’ cider apples in our blend. Bittersweet cider apples have low acid levels and high tannins."


This helped explain to me why I'm not a fan of dry ciders anymore than I am of dry white wines - the tannins.  They add carbonated water to their mix along with sulfites.  If you are sensitive to them - skip this cider.  Now, on with my reflection and rating!

Reflections:
I was disappointed whey I popped the top on the cider - there was no sound to indicate any carbonation.  I'm not sure why I expected one, but I did, and I worried from the start my expectations wouldn't be met.  Also, I have discovered that I'm not a big fan of English ciders - my guess is because of the bittersweet apples.  If I want dry, I'll drink wine - which is actually what dry ciders remind me in the mouth feel and after taste.  The apple flavor was there but not over powering and the carbonation was very light.  I will say that as the evening progressed and the cider warmed up, I liked it better.  I might try it again in a bottle or over ice.

Tidnab's sip:
He had a beer and was playing in the other room - no sip for him!

Scoring:
Sweetness: 6
Tartness: 7
Smoothness: 7
Fruit flavor: 6
Dryness: 9

Carbonation: 6
Gluten free: Yes
Alcohol content: 6%
Container type & Size: 16.9 fl oz can
Price: I believe about $2.50

Overall: 6

Crispin - On TAP!

Yesterday, I had a most wonderful time at Jana Oliver's book signing for the third book in her Demon Trappers series, Forgiven.  After her talk and signing at Barnes and Noble, a group of us adjourned to the pub, Firkin and Gryphon for a celebratory dinner and drinks.  You can imagine my surprise when I saw Crispin Cider  - ON TAP! 

Jana's newly released book - the third in the Demon Trappers series!

I excitedly ordered my pint of Crispins and was asked if I wanted it over ice - woohoo!  A pub outside of Ireland that actually knew how to server cider.   I have to be honest, in Ireland they only give you ice with the bottled and can cider - if it is on tap, they just pour it straight.  Soon, my beautiful cider arrived and I marveled and drooled a little at the glass:

Notice the beautiful - Crispin - on the glass

The Compnay:

I've reviewed the Crispin/Fox Barrel company before, so I'll refer you back to my previous post for more about them but just know they use real apples and strive for excellent ingredients with no colorants, sorbate or benzoate preservatives. They are my current favorite of craft cider brewers.

Reflections:

It was lovely - it tasted exactly how I expected - crisp with a good, strong apple taste. The taste remained good through out my evening of chatting and dinner. It was smooth without the bite of other draught ciders. I would have one of these again in a heartbeat - matter-of-fact I would go back to the Firkin and Gryphon to do so!

Scoring:

Sweetness: 7

Tartness: 5

Smoothness: 9

Fruit Flavor: 8

Carbonation: 9

Gluten free: Yes!

Overall: 9

Amazing - and so happy to have another choice on draught!

Taste like chicken... I mean beer - Sir Perry

I came home from class tonight and sat down to play some World of Warcraft (my hunter still needs to get to end game - level 85) and drink one of my new cider finds - Sir Perry.  I'm happy to say that my WoW playing went well, because Sir Perry didn't enhance the experience - at all.  Matter-of-fact, I think my taste buds are still recovering.  On with the review - this should be a fun one.

Where purchased:
My favorite new cider finding place - Total Wine.  I found this cider while Tidnab and I were hunting him some Irish whiskey cask Innes and Gunn (his favorite beer).  I can't remember what I paid for it - but I'm sure it was too much!


Setting the mood:
I was in a great mood after a long day.  My hope was a refreshing cider to enhance my game playing experience.


The Company: 
Dry Blackthorn Cider distributes Sir Perry in the US and has a pretty no-frills website.  The most positive thing I can say is that it has a nice history section on the brewing of fruit ciders.  The website tells us that Sir Perry is "made in the traditional English style, using 100% fermented pear juice.  Not to be confused with American pear cider, which is made from fermented apple juice with pear flavoring added later."  I'm sure Fox Barrel cider would love to read this statement, because they do use 100% fermented pear juice and they don't use the additives that Sir Perry does (they add sulfites, so be careful if you are sensitive to them).


Reflections:
My first sip - yuck.  That pretty much sums it up.  It had a very beery taste.  Now, I'm sure there are people out there that would like this cider - but I want a cider because it doesn't taste like beer and as my friend, Gariath, says - bad beer at that.  The carbonation was over powering, the pear taste lacking and overall it was tart without the complex notes of fruit to enhance it.  If I never have it again, I will be a happy cider girl.  I actually poured over half the can down the drain... sad.


Tidnab's sip:
Cheap beer.  He'd drink it if he had to chose between it and PBR.  Nuff' said.


Scoring:
Sweetness: 4
Tartness: 9
Smoothness: 5
Fruit flavor: 3
Carbonation: 9
Gluten Free: Yes
Alcohol content: 6%
Can Size: 16.9 fl. oz.
Price: over $2, but my memory isn't working!


Overall: 3 

Getting my Irish on with Kelly's

Two reviews in two days and I have another new cider in the fridge for tonight!  Vacation is good... 


Where purchased:
Another find at Total Wine - I love this place.  So glad to have been taken there by my in-laws last year.  In Florida, they have tasting stations - not so much in Georgia.

Setting the mood:
Last night we were relaxing with our iPads and books and I decided that it was the perfect time for some relaxing with an adult beverage.  


The company:
Kelly's is made in Ireland and shipped over to the US in large containers to be bottled here in  the US.  The original target market was Irish immigrants to the US, as they drank cider in Ireland - particularly in the summer.  The founders of Kelly's include a former "Tipperary" beverage company employee - most likely Bulmers (Magners in the US).  The ingredients are what you expect to find in a Irish or UK cider but they stress that they do not use colorants in theirs (a good thing in my opinion).  There website says it is only available in four states - I'm hoping Georgia is one of them.


Reflections:
This is a pleasant cider.  It has a wonderful balance of sweet and tart with no bad after taste.  It goes down smooth with perhaps a bit too much carbonation for me.  I really enjoyed the taste and feel of it, and I would consider making this my day-to-day drinking cider.  I like the taste better than Blumers/Magners surprisingly.  It's not as sweet and I have a feeling that when they refer to not using colorants they are pointing the finger at Bulmers.  The 4.6% alcohol content means I can drink one without worrying about becoming "amazing" off one bottle.


Tidnab's sip:
To quote: a nice, sweet cider - it was good.


Scoring:
Sweetness: 7
Tartness: 7
Smoothness: 8
Fruit Flavor: 7
Carbonation: 6
Alcohol content: 4.6%
Gluten Free: yes
Bottle Size: 12 fl oz
Price: $1.99/bottle, but is sold in a six pack as well 


Overall:  I would definitely purchase this cider again as it was a good, classic cider with a nice balancing of sweetness, tartness and fruit flavor.

Back in the Cider again...Stagger Lee

My sweet husband hurt his back in January, and the pain meds meant no alcohol.  I just couldn't pick up a bottle of cider to review while he was unable to enjoy a beer.  He is feeling better and able to enjoy his Innis & Gunn again, so I'm back to enjoying an occasional cider!

Where purchased:

Yesterday, we went to Total Wine outside of Port St. Lucie, FL with Gariath and picked up some supplies for our vacation.  I found some ciders I hadn't seen and a limited edition by Crispin that I just had to try first.   It was expensive - outrageous even - $4.49 for a regular bottle, but soon you will understand why I would pay this again to drink more.

Setting the mood:

After a fabulous day of spring training baseball and ocean waves, we relaxed with family and I had this interesting and complex cider.

The Company:

Crispin creates several premium and limited release ciders and are part of the Fox Barrel company. I have to say, I love both of their offerings.

The Cider:

The Stagger Lee is made in a complex process that includes blending 3 apple-wines aged in rye whisky barrels. The final blend is made with unfiltered fresh-pressed Gravenstein apple juice. I yet again did not do as instructed with the bottle - mostly because I just read the instruction while writing this! Perfect excuse to buy another bottle! You are asked to give a "solid bottoms-up tilt and swirl to disperse sediment evenly to best enjoy whiskey aromas and unique bouquet." I'll let you know if it gets any better when I do!

Reflections:

To put it simply, it was amazing. I was amazing after having it - 6.9% alcohol. The bottle says it has a "full bodied, subtly spicy rye whisky notes and taste, butterscotch and ripe apple with mild apple skin tannins. Sexy finish." I would agree with most of this. The 'subtly spicy rye whisky notes' got more and more prominent as the cider cooled and as I approached the bottom of the bottle. The apple taste is definitely there as well, and it is different from a regular cider - more applely for lack of a better description. I think this has to do with the addition of apple juice in the last blending, but who knows.

What I do know is this cider rocks and is well worth a try if you can find a bottle. If you don't like whiskey - pass on this one. The whiskey taste is prominent and delicious but only for those of us who like that sort of thing (Jameson's and ginger ale for me when there is no cider about). If you are a Jim Bean or Canadian Whiskey fan you will appreciate the subtle flavors in this cider. Even though I'm an Irish Whiskey lover, I still adored the under notes of the flavor.

Tidnab and Gariath's sips:

I had to steal my bottle back - need I say more? Both proclaimed it worthy of the price and that they would drink it.

Scoring:

Sweetness: 6

Tartness: 7

Smoothness: 9

Fruit Flavor: 8

Carbonation: 7

Alcohol content: 6.9%

Bottle Size: 12 fl. oz.

Calories: My bottle said 130, the website says 110

Gluten free: YES!

Price: $4.49/bottle

Overall: 10 - the whiskey taste was just delicious and I want more.