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.