Apricot Pear by Fox Barrel

Where purchased:
I picked up a four pack of these at Total Wine.  The price was moderate, about what I would expect for a four pack of craft ciders.

From the Fox Barrel Website

The Company - Fox Barrel:
Earlier this month, I reviewed the Fox Barrel Blackberry Pear cider. The company stresses its use of only pear cider with no additional additives.  I also like the lack of preservatives as well.  And, of course, it is gluten free.  Here's a quote from their site about the differences with their cider: "Filtered cold for extra purity and infused with natural apricot juice. With no added malt, spirit, grape or apple alcohols colorants, sugar, sorbate or benzoate preservatives."

Setting the mood:
I wanted to enjoy this cider in several different circumstances before I reviewed it.  Fox Barrel's  Blackberry Pear while a delightful cider was a bit harsh unless over ice and I was not sure it would go with most meals.  This time, I wanted to try the Apricot Pear cider both with and without food.  I drank a bottle while gaming one night and consumed two on different nights during dinner.

Reflections:
I found this cider to be different in several ways from the Fox Barrel Blackberry Pear cider.  First, this one is great right from the bottle.  When I game, I prefer the ease of grabbing a cider from the fridge and going to play.  The carbonation is not overwhelming and the flavors are easily discernible without a glass and ice. 

Second, I found that this cider's flavor pairs better with food than the Blackberry.  The apricot was good with the spicy brats we had as well as pizza.  I could taste the apricot but it didn't over-power my pallet and actually added a nice dimension.  Many ciders are not good with food because of their sweetness - this one was just right and I would definitely stock it in the fridge again for a 'with dinner' adult beverage.

I look forward to more flavor-infusions from Fox Barrel as I prefer pear ciders to apple, and they do a great job making a pure-pear one.

Tidnab's sip: He enjoyed it. I'm probably going to have to hide my last bottle.

Scoring:
Sweetness: 7
Tartness: 8
Smoothness: 7
Fruit flavor: 9
Carbonation: 7
Alcohol content: 5.5%
Bottle Size: 12 Fl Oz
Price: Medium

Overall: 8

A great tasting pear cider for multiple situations.

Blackberry Pear by Fox Barrel

Purchasing:
I don't often buy cider when we go out, but since we were at Taco Mac, I thought it would be in the spirit of their establishment.  There are several different 'flavors' of Fox Barrel available, but I had not tried this one.

Setting the mood:
A group of us helped a good friend clean out her garage and then take three truck loads over to Goodwill!  We adjourned to Taco Mac to enjoy each other's company - and for some of us, a refreshing adult beverage.

The company:
Fox Barrel is a California company that uses west coast pears in their creations that breaks their products into three categories:  Black Label, Cidery Reserves, and Limited Releases.  Their ciders are Pear based, not apple and this one is infused with blackberries. Their big selling point is that they don't use concentrate.

Reflections:
The first sip hit my mouth intensely.  This cider has a fair amount of carbonation and less sweetness than I usually like.  The carbonation and bite took over my pallet and I couldn't taste the pear or the blackberry very well.  I asked for a cold glass and some ice to pour it over - and viola! it tasted much better.

Once over the ice, I could taste the pear and the blackberry.  It also eased the carbonation.  I would suggest drinking it in a glass at the very least if you try this one.  Overall I like the flavoring of the blackberry and that I didn't get an 'apple' taste.  I'm still surprised about the difference of the cider from in the bottle to in the glass - and I will have to remember this the next time I try a Fox Barrel or any other cider that is too carbonated for me from the bottle.

Some people wonder about me pouring it over ice.  I picked that up in Ireland where they serve Bulmer's (better known as Magner's in the US) over ice.  At first I thought it was nuts, but when I saw the old timers doing it, I figured they must know something.  The ice mellows out the cider while keeping it at a good cold temperature.  For the most part (bananas not withstanding), I like my fruit cold, and so I like my cider the same.

Tidnab's sip:
Tidnab really liked this one straight from the bottle, as did Gariath.  Both wanted more, and I had to guard my bottle.  I think both of them enjoyed their first sip more than I did, but both are beer drinkers and may be more accustomed to 'from the bottle' sipping than I am.

Scoring:
Sweetness: 7
Tartness: 9
Smoothness: 7
Fruit flavor: 6 from the bottle, 9 in a glass
Carbonation: 10
Alcohol content: 5%
Bottle Size:
Price: Moderately High

Overall: 8
I may buy a bottle or two from Total Wine and try a 'first sip' from a glass!