McKenzie's Original On Tap

I went into my first beer growler store - Wise Owl Growlers - in Kennesaw and was pleasantly surprised to find a couple of ciders on tap. After trying their selections I bought a small grower of McKenzie's Original.

Growler & Game Night!

You can find out more about McKenzie's cider at their website. They've been in business since 2011 and are manufactured in upstate New York.

Where Purchased:
Wise Owl Growler's near Town Center in Kennesaw

A locally owned growler store that has a knowledgable staff and a wide selection of beer. They always have two ciders on tap and several others available in bottles. Check them out if you are local!

Setting the Mood:
Time for some RPG'ing as our group of regular suspects gathered together to play Pathfinder. After dinner break, I decided a cider was in order.

Reflections:
I love this cider. It was sweet but not too sweet with just a hint of tartness at the end. It is smooth with hardly any hint that it is alcoholic. Beware, you'll be guzzling this one down before you know it. 

Tidnab's Sip: Because I bought a growler he got more than a sip this time. To say he loved it would be an understatement. His glass was empty before he knew it.

Scoring:
Sweetness: 6/10
Refreshing is the word I would use to describe this cider. It's on the sweet side of neutral, just right for my taste.

Tartness: 4/10
I like a little bit of tartness in my ciders, so for me a 5 is perfect. If you like a tart cider versus a sweet one, you may not be as happy with McKenzie's as I am. For me, this is almost the perfect amount of tartness.

Smoothness: 10/10
 One of the smoothest ciders I have ever had. I could drink it like water, and that would be bad.

Fruit flavor: 7/10
Taste reminds me of honey crisp apples with a second note of granny smith for the tartness.

Dryness: 3/10
If you are looking for a dry cider, you will want to go elsewhere.

Carbonation: 6/10
Good carbonation but not so much you think you are drinking a soda instead of a cider. Since it was a growler, I'm not sure how much this effected the carbonation. We drank it within a few days of purchase. I need to find it in bottles to taste the difference ;)

Alcohol content: 6%

Container & Size: I got a small growler!

Overall: 10/10

The hubby and I loved this one. When we both went to the Wise Owl Growler together we decided to purchase a big growler this time of the same. McKenzie's has several other varieties and I'm anxious to try more.

Let me know if you've tried McKenzie's!

Back in the Cider

I can't believe it's been over three years since I reviewed a cider! A lot has happened since then including some major issues with my blood sugar that made drinking cider something that had to wait. I'm happy to say that with some life changes, I'm good-to-go and back in the saddle of drinking an occasional cider.

Me at Disney's Animal Kingdom
with the Tiger that inspired my tattoo

Since I can't drink them very often, I want to make sure I'm getting the best bang for my buck. That means back to reviewing! Tomorrow my first review since November 2015 is going to post. I'm excited and already planning for the next one. A lot has happened in the cider market since 2012 and the brands and varieties available is almost overwhelming, but I'm sure I'll find a way to sort it all out! And if all the different ciders out there weren't enough, I may also throw in a whisk(e)y or Scotch when the time feels right as I have developed an appreciation. And of course, the hubby will be dropping in to give his comments about the refreshing adult beverages under review - if I give him a taste that is!

Until tomorrow - cheers!

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.