One of the biggest things agonized over during the approach for Thanksgiving is how to cook the turkey. Marinate? Brine? Roast? Grill? Fry? There are so many options, each offering a different level of difficulty and ultimate flavor outcome. One wrong move, one poor tactical culinary decision, and you’ve got yourself a tasteless and dry Thanksgiving turkey.

:: cue shuddering, weeping and gnashing of teeth ::

Luckily our friends at Woodchuck Cider know the importance of a perfect holiday bird, and they have kindly mapped out how to execute the most epic Thanksgiving turkey ever. Behold: the Cider-Can Turkey. So simple, and absolutely delicious.

Go grab a pack of your favorite canned cider and cook that bird in epic style!

Get the full recipe on the Woodchuck Cider website. Be sure to also explore their other cider-infused Thanksgiving recipes (hello, cider apple pie!).

• Photo: Bigstock

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Move over, wine: there’s a new preferred Thanksgiving beverage in town. With hard cider so on trend right now, it makes sense for it to be incorporated into seasonal celebrations. But the real question is this: why have we taken so long to embrace cider as the drink of choice on Turkey Day? Everything about cider is just so autumnal, and it’s a beverage that is already infused with all of the amazing flavors of the season.

Let’s call a spade a spade: cider is the perfect Thanksgiving signature drink.

Saveur breaks down exactly why cider is the perfect Thanksgiving wine, including a go-to list of bottles to look for as you prepare for your Thanksgiving feast.

Find the full article on Saveur.com.

• Photo: Alexandra Whitney Photography

The post Did You Know the Best Thanksgiving Wine Is Cider? appeared first on Cider Culture.

Bigfoot. UFOs. The Loch Ness Monster. A living Elvis. There is something intriguing about these tall tale creatures that exist seemingly out of our reach. Though most will deny their existence, there are some who hold fast to the hope of meeting these cryptid beings.

Some ciderists are on a similar tall tale adventure, holding out hope that the forbidden fruit from their own cider lore turns out to be real.

Which is why there is a hunt on for the Tinmouth apple.

While there are many parts of the cider-making process, there is one undeniable and necessary ingredient that trumps the rest: apples. Cideries seek distinct flavor, complexity and depth, aiming to make their hard cider unique from the rest. There is one mythical apple that could take cider from great to legendary.

In a recent article, Boston Magazine explored the history of apples and cider in America with Shacksbury Cider co-founder and cider maker Collin Davis. It is Davis’ dream not only to find the Tinmouth, but also to give a rebirth to long-lost varieties of apples.

Find the article in Boston Magazine.

• Photo: Alexandra Whitney Photography

The post The Hunt for the $1 Billion Apple appeared first on Cider Culture.

We are in the dawn of a new era: the Cider Era. While craft beer is the well-known celebrity in the spotlight, craft cider is the up-and-coming indie band quietly climbing the ranks. We’re seeing cider on taps, at cider festivals and along cider trails. It’s time to give credit where credit is due: craft cider is going mainstream.

Joshua Bernstein explores the growth of the cider industry in his recent article in Imbibe. From America’s history with cider to the current trend of brewery/cidery pollination, Bernstein sheds light on the new craft beverage era in our country.

Find Joshua Bernstein’s full article on Imbibe.

• Photo: Michele Kornegay

The post Is Craft Cider Going Mainstream? appeared first on Cider Culture.

Cider lovers rejoice: our favorite fermented beverage is quickly making a comeback!

Like many alcoholic beverages, cider had an uphill climb to make after Prohibition. Decades later, it is infiltrating bottles and taps across the country. Its newest target: Maine.

In a recent article, Down East gives readers a look at a handful of orchardists who are breathing new life into the cider culture of Maine. The article shares insight into production, ingredients and the key to great cider: starting with a quality apple.

Find the full story on Down East.

• Photo: Mary Bigham

The post Maine’s Hard Cider Industry Is Ready for a Comeback appeared first on Cider Culture.