Spring is riiiiiight around the corner! And wow, are we ready for it. While, at first, we were grateful for winter’s chill and the many excuses it gave us to stay inside and make comfort-food snacks (hello, pretzels with cider cheese sauce) and sip warm winter ciders, now we crave sunshine! Short sleeves! Berries by the barrel-full!

Happily, there are ciders for every season, and we’ve gathered seven ciders that feel just right for the blossoming of glorious spring:

Castle Hill Cider Celestial 2021

It might seem funny to kick off this list with a cider that’s not pretty in pink or packed with spring fruit, but some of the strongest signifiers of spring sipping for us are light, easy, breezy ciders that balance complexity and pure refreshment. Find all of that in Castle Hill Cider’s Celestial, a subtly tannic cider with notes of citrus, floral and spice. A combination of 100% estate-grown heirloom and bittersweet apples (Harrison, Albemarle Pippin and Gold Rush) yield a truly pretty cider that’s perfect with vegetable-forward seasonal fare. Shop online. 6065 Turkey Sag Rd., Keswick, VA; (434) 296-0047.

Golden State Gingergrass Cider

Just as our lawns start to grow back and bring some much-needed green to the color palette of the world, Cali-based Golden State Cider‘s Gingergrass Cider offers a dose of freshness and life. We love how lemongrass, ginger and apples play together, an earthy, herbal experience that’s kind of like putting your face to a patch of sunshine-warmed grass and taking a sniff. This refreshing cider offers big notes of lemon and grapefruit on the nose, with a tart, balanced finish. Shop online or head to Golden State’s taproom. 180 Morris St., Ste. 150, ​Sebastopol, CA; (707) 827-3765. 

Graft Cider Native Oranje

Graft Cider‘s recently launched a line of wine/cider hybrids, Native, which come in a variety of flavors. Perfect for spring? Native Oranje, a hyper-local co-fermented blend of spontaneously fermented Finger Lake Riesling grape skins and Hudson Valley apples. Native Oranje is like a spring love affair between cider and orange wine: light-bodied and fresh, with notes of rose petals, lychee and little bit of funk. Shop online, or find some near you with the Graft finder tool. Newburg, NY

Stargazer Cider Gemini

Give us ALL of the strawberries! Gemini is a perky seasonal from Stargazer Cider, blending Southern apples with strawberries and rhubarb for a light-hearted, berry-forward situation. Look for it, for a limited time only (just like strawberry season), on Stargazer’s online shop or at the James Creek Cider House tasting room in Cameron, North Carolina. 172 US-1 Highway, Cameron, NC; (910) 245-9901

Portland Cider Co. Pineapple Rosé

Rosé ciders are here to stay, and we expect we’ll be seeing updated varieties and spin-offs from cidermakers as we progress through spring and summer. Case in point: the seasonal cider, Pineapple Rosé, from Portland Cider Co., made with real pineapples and a blend of culinary apples, and a hit of blueberry for color. Tasting notes include pineapple and strawberries and cream nose, with flavors of jammy pineapple, blueberry, marionberry pie and cotton candy in the juice. Use Portland Cider’s finder tool or check out its cider pubs in Clackamus, Beaverton and Portland, Oregon. 3638 SE Hawthorne Blvd., Portland, OR; (971) 888-5054; 8925 SE Jannsen Rd., Bldg. F, Clackamas, OR; (503) 744-4213; 4005 SW Orbit St., Beaverton, OR; (503) 626-6246.

Wildcraft Cider Works Elderflower Quince Cider

We love the subtle elegance of elderflower and wonder, quite frankly, why we don’t see more ciders made with it. WildCraft Cider Works Elderflower Quince Cider blends this botanical’s best qualities with Jonagold apples, and three hand-picked quince varieties that are planted, grown and harvested at the biodynamic WildCraft Orchard at Meadowview Farm. The quince are shredded and lightly fermented on skin for two weeks prior to pressing, then naturally aged for six months, which turns them into wine, which is then blended with cider and then cold-conditioned with elderflowers. Wildly floral and elegant, this is a knockout at your next picnic. Shop online for this and more WildCraft ciders, or go to its Cider Mill Market to shop for these and other locally made products. 232 Lincoln St., Eugene, OR; (541) 735-3506

Wayside Cider Skinny Dip

Not all spring ciders must be redolent of blooming gardens and berry brambles — sometimes you just want something zesty, juicy and clean. Our pick for that is Wayside Cider‘s Skinny Dip, made almost exclusively with slow-fermented dessert apples. A touch of quince lends subtle fruitiness and crisp acidity. Serve this natural sparkler nicely chilled, and enjoy refreshing tasting notes of pear and wet stone. This is also a good cider to impress your natural-wine-loving friends! Find Wayside Cider at better bottle shops and restaurants throughout New York City and state, or at its dreamy tap room in a restored barn in the Catskills. 55 Redden Ln., Andes, NY; (845) 676-6002

What ciders scream “SPRINGTIME!!” to you? Let us know!

• Feature photo: Dish Works

The post 7 Ciders to Put You in a Springtime State-of-Mind appeared first on Cider Culture.

Nope, we’re not gonna do it — we’re not going to give in to either side of the Valentine’s Day debate. We’re not going to say that “love sucks” because, in fact, we love love and think that the world could use a whole lot more of it. But we’re also not going to lean too far into the over-the-top romance, because there are infinite types of love beyond the soulmate kind of love. If you are in love, it’s probably something you should celebrate way more often than just on February 14.

That said, Valentine’s Day is a holiday that can be really fun, sometimes in conventional ways, like with a fancy dinner or with chocolates and roses (wait … does anyone actually do that?), and sometimes in more modern ways, like a Galentine’s brunch, or a cozy night mixing up cocktails and eating pizza and too much candy with a sibling. Whatever type of vibe feels right for you, there is a cider that’s just right for the occasion.

Here are 13 ciders you should be cracking open this Valentine’s Day, no matter how you celebrate:

Look at this little cutie from Austin Eastciders! This Texas-based brand always keeps it fun and casual, which is what staying in on Valentine’s Day is all about. Austin Eastciders’ Dry Rosé is firmly on the dry side, and at 5% ABV, you can sip it all the way through Kill Bill (or whatever your Valentine’s Day movie of choice is), no problem. The rosé has tasting notes of crisp apple, rose petals, black currant and hibiscus, and it would make a great pairing with takeout sushi.

If your idea of the perfect date night includes homemade cheese fondue (very MCC fabulous) and goblets of cider, pair your Gruyere dipping with SpaceTime Mead & Cider’s Les Terriens Soltaires. This natural-style cider is this producer’s third in a series of releases inspired by traditional ciders from Brittany and Normandy, France. Made from fresh-pressed apples from Ayer’s Orchards in Ransom Township, PA, this keeved cider is dry and a pleasantly funky.

Instead of a bouquet of flowers (which are totally out of season in most parts of the country right now anyway) try a floral, herbal cider! One of the best-selling offerings from City Orchard, also from Texas, is its Lavender Royale, made with a blend of culinary apples, steeped with lavender from the Texas Hill Country and balanced with local honey. Though it is fresh and botanical, you won’t have that unfortunate “Am I drinking body wash?” experience that sometimes happens with other floral beverages. Find City Orchard’s products at its tasting room in Houston or shop online.

Planning to destroy a box of chocolates with your BFF? Pair all of those super-rich bon-bons with a fresh, fruity cider, like Stem Cider‘s Raspberry Cider. This dry cider is a juicy, balanced sipper with enough tartness to stand up to dark chocolate, milk chocolate and caramel, alike.

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Ciders made from red-fleshed apples are practically meant for this narrow color-schemed holiday. Snowdrift Cider Co.‘s Red Cider, which comes in a cute 500-ml bottle, channels the loving feelings with a beautiful hue and complex profile of bright acidity and nuanced fruit flavors. Tasting notes include: cranberries, watermelon, rhubarb and strawberries (all the red things!), with soft toffee tones on the finish.

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If you can get your hands on anything from Fable Farm Fermentory, we highly suggest you do! The quiet elegance and complex flavors of its ciders and wines are perfect for a special occasion. If you have a few to choose from, try Fluxion, a sparkling apple wine made from the merging of multiple vintages of cider aged in an assortment of wood barrels.

This dry, refreshing cider was made in the traditional method, with maple syrup used to start a secondary fermentation in bottle. According to Fable Farm, “Fluxion is defined as ‘the act of flowing; the matter that flows.'” Isn’t that what we’re all hoping for when it comes to love? Shop online, head to its tasting room in Barnard, Vermont, or peruse one of Fable Farm’s stockists, which are mostly in Vermont, but a few other places, as well.

Reuby True is a fun, collaborative release from Philly’s Hale & True Cider Co. along with Chef Reuben R. Asaram, a local chef specializing in wildly creative tacos. This co-fermentation of red dragonfruit and Asian pears has Galentine’s written all over it. The charming ruby-red color, plus the tasting notes of tangy fruit, flowers and cream, is meant for living room dance parties, preferably with a very Robyn-heavy playlist.

Hoping to spice things up? Ginger ciders bring a real sassy kick to the party and make incredible pairings with some of our favorite takeout options, like Thai and Vietnamese food. Ginger and apples are also cozy companions, as apple’s sweet-tart nature and ginger’s cool heat create a good kind of tension — know what we mean? Hudson North Cider Ginger Citrus is an special extra-spicy ginger cider with notes of orange and grapefruit that’s a real winner for a casual date night.

Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be all pinks and reds — but sometimes it’s fun to just lean all the way into it. The special Bouquet of Rosé gift set from Finnriver Farm & Cidery, is a love letter to the land, the magic of fermentation and the community surrounding Finnriver! Meant to uplift love and spark joy, this fun collection plays on the stereotypical V-Day gift of floral bouquets but in cider form: the trio includes bright and tart Autumn’s Blush, lush botanical Cranberry Rosehip and the delightfully sweet Raspberry Brandywine.

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If it is pink cider that you’re after, and you want a large-format bottle for your cozy dinner in or out, one of the best of the bunch is Scarlett from Ethic Ciders. This seasonal cider release is a blend of dry farmed heirloom apples (57% Gravenstein, 38% Jonathan and 5% Northern Spy) from its orchard in Sebastopol, CA, with local, organic blackberries and raspberries picked at peak ripeness. The name is a tribute to the cider makers’ young niece, Scarlett, who they say is, “beautiful, playful and wildly charismatic.” Effervescent and dry, with a lush berry finish, it’s a really pretty, really delicious cider. Shop online or use Ethic’s cider finder to locate a shop near you that carries its ciders.

In most parts of the US, February really isn’t berry season. Skip the sad, pale grocery store berries and sip a raspberry cider instead! Nine Pin Cider’s Raspberry is a co- ferment made from a blend of early apple varieties and late season raspberries. It’s tart, balanced and the most charming pink color (break out the coupe glasses for the full effect). For bonus romance points, pick up the Nine Pin Valentine’s Day Gift Box, which includes a collaboration candle between Nine Pin and Collar City Candles and a dozen red roses. This is available only for local pick-up on Wednesday, February 14, in Nine Pin’s tasting room located on Broadway in Albany, NY.

Are you anti-Valentine’s Day, all about it, or ambivalent? Either way, let us know what you’ll be cracking open this year on February 14! Tell us in the comments here, or on the Cider Culture Facebook page.

• Feature photo: Virtue Cider
• Hereford Gold photo: Anxo Cider

The post 13 Perfect Ciders for Valentine’s Day (No Matter How You Celebrate) appeared first on Cider Culture.

Winter is a great time for snack plates. Going out might not be super appealing, and the holidays are now in our rearview mirror, but there are still some fun reasons to socialize coming up with the Super Bowl so many movies being released straight to on-demand. But, do you really need a reason to rock some snack food? Whether it’s fancy hors d’oeuvres or chips and dip, party foods are a fun way to make a Friday night feel festive. And cider is amazing with party foods.

I want to take you through several of my favorite snacky foods and awesome cider pairings. I’ve done it with a little bit of a twist! I’ve paired different party dishes together in a friendly head-to-head competition: Casual vs. Fancy. The casual snacks might be better for game day, and the fancy ones for a Hollywood premier, but feel free to serve them when and wherever you please!

Ready to get started! Our first pairing in the ring is:

Potato Chips (casual) vs. Sweet-and-Salty Popcorn Mix (fancy)

Both of these are great, but potato chips are about as easy as it gets for a party snack, while homemade sweet and salty popcorn mix is a bit more swanky. My favorite potato chips (since moving to Upstate New York) are Utz Kettle Classic Dark Russets. And when I did an impromptu poll of my friends, folks love party mixes like this eye-catching Pretty in Pink Popcorn Party Mix. Both of these are powered by intense salty rich flavors, so they need powerful cider pairings.

Muse Cider Bar‘s Slingshot, with its alluring whiskey barrel presence, or the tart, herbaceous and dry Redbyrd Orchard Cider‘s Wild Heart are great pairings. Both of these ciders dials up the intensity, whether through wild apple acidity or boozy barrel notes. That means that you’ll still be able to taste them when you’re munching on these addictive, salty snacks.

Buffalo Wings and Blue Cheese (casual) vs. Spicy Brussels Sprouts on Skewers with Garlic Aioli (fancy)

Wings are a thing about which everyone has an opinion or preference: bone-in, boneless, or tofu. Then, there are the sauces: Are they better with barbeque, Buffalo or a dry seasoning mix? For me, it’s all about Buffalo tofu wings with blue cheese, but I never turn down pineapple teriyaki tempeh or honey BBQ seitan. For a more formal affair though, you might want a hearty appetizer that’s a little less messy. This type of party just begs for spicy Brussels sprouts with garlic aioli. Serve them on skewers or toothpicks to make them a bit more dippable for that garlic aioli that everyone is going to rave about. Also, things on toothpicks = fancy pants.

Much like the last round, these snacks have powerful flavors, which are even more intensified with some real heat. That changes the pairing, drawing us toward sweeter ciders for balance. I think Eden Cider‘s Cinderella’s Slipper would be absolutely unbeatable with either of these dishes — it’s beautifully rich.

Mexican Seven Layer Dip (casual) vs. Stuffed Mini-Peppers (fancy)

Everyone loves seven layer dip, or at least that’s how it seems whenever it shows up at a party. It just vanishes! I usually swap out olives for chopped roasted red peppers when I make it for myself, but olive fans will likely want to keep it classic. Stuffed peppers make a similarly hearty centerpiece in a party spread, and using mini-peppers makes them individually-sized and cute. You can stuff them with almost anything you want, but some starch (think rice) and a protein, plus cheese, of course, will help give them substance.

These foods both need dry, high-acid ciders. Golden State Cider‘s Save the Gravenstein or Farnum Hill Extra Dry fit the bill perfectly. Save the Gravenstein is bright and fruity with plenty of minerality; it’s almost as though it’s designed to lift up heavy flavors. Farnum Hill’s Extra Dry is legendary for its savory complexity and ability to just ride the edge of farmy and funky.

Pimento Cheese Spread and Raw Veggies (casual) vs. Cheese Plate with Pickled Vegetables (fancy)

This snack match up hardly seems fair, because at an ideal party, I’d like to have both pimento cheese dip and a nice cheese plate! But, they do tick the same boxes by providing the crucial snack intersection of vegetables and cheese. This is the most flexible pair of dishes in the whole bunch, and I want to use that blank canvas to show off some very fine apple-centric ciders.

Whitewood Cider Company’s Newtown Pippin is a dreamy cider. This single varietal made with apples from the Hood River Valley in Oregon is tropical, clean and wonderfully balanced. My other recommendation for either of these dishes is more regional: Cornwall Cider Co’s En Plein Air. This cider is made from late-season apples that were picked frozen off the tree, and features a pronounced peachy flavor with a hint of juniper.

Mini BLTs (casual) vs. Pear, Walnut and Blue Cheese Crostini (fancy)

Bacon is practically a religion, so finding a way to incorporate it into your party menu will certainly earn points with your guests! Mini BLTs are a perfect way to do that: super-simple and dangerously delicious. Just be sure to buy the best, ripest tomatoes you can! If your grocery store’s tomatoes aren’t up to your BLT standards, pear, walnut and blue cheese crostini is a great winter alternative. It pairs savory and sweet flavors, and you can get fantastic pears in winter so long as you buy them about a week before the party. Letting pears fully ripen at home is key!

I chose two sparkly favorites to go with these little open-faced sandwiches. I love how Slyboro Ciderhouse‘s La Sainte Terre si back-sweetened with house-made ice cider, which keeps all the sweetness natural and apple-y. Big Fish Cider’s Highland Scrumpy is another surefire pairing. This cider wins awards wherever it goes! It uses a huge blend of local apples, allowing it to have balance and tons of fruity notes.

Lemon Squares (casual) vs. Chocolate Dipped Strawberries (fancy)

Finally, dessert! A party is only a gathering if there’s nothing sweet to eat. Both of my choices are really easy to make at home, so you might find time for both if you’ll be hosting a sweet-toothed crowd. Lemon squares are a Southern staple from my younger years, perfect for brightening up a chilly night. When I worked at a chocolate shop in grad school, I learned an important secret: Chocolate-dipped strawberries are easy and fun. If you’ve never tried making your own, do yourself a favor and give it a go!

Both of these fruity desserts pair wonderfully with rich and full-bodied, semi-sweet ciders. I like to pair sweet with sweet for dessert. Aeppeltreow’s Sparrow Spiced Cider uses a signature blend of mulling spices to make a delectably sweet, spicy cider. For fans of maple and barrel flavors, I’ll recommend Angry Orchard‘s Wooden Sleeper. It has great mouthfeel and a host of luscious dessert flavors.

Whatever you plan to do to get through the depths of winter, I hope it involves enjoying food and cider together. A glass of great cider and some stellar party snacks always complete the night, no matter your plans. Cheers!

• Photos: Dish Works

The post Cider Loves Food: Snacks Pairings appeared first on Cider Culture.

In our column, “Cider Loves Food,” contributor Meredith Collins (blogger extraordinaire at Along Came a Cider) is looking at different cuisines and finding the perfect ciders to help take your meals to the next level.

Though Spring may technically be here, there are lots of blustery, wet and muddy days still to come. But that isn’t anything to dread! There’s a wonderful vibrance and potential in these transitional Spring days, which can help us feel wonderfully alive. 

Nonetheless, a warm hearty meal at home is sometimes just what we need to make the most of this season of growth. So, I’ve put together a list of cozy, familiar comfort foods (with links to recipes) and some ciders that pair beautifully with them. 

Lasagna

I’ve been a fan of lasagna since my youth, probably because my mom’s vegetarian lasagna is savory and delicious. I never missed the meat because there’s so much umami richness in the layers of cheese, sauce and veggies. 

I recommend pairing veggie lasagna with Alpenfire Cider’s 2020 Glow Airlie Red Rosé Cider. I’ve chosen this pairing for two main reasons: The Airlie Red cider has the necessary acidity to cut through the hefty portions of ricotta and mozzarella, and the cider matches the bold intensity of a tangy red sauce.

Mashed Potatoes

There are so many ways to make mashed potatoes, but no matter your technique, in my book they need to be creamy, but not gluey, neither too smooth nor lumpy, and intensely flavorful. Starting with really good Yukon Gold potatoes is key! 

For mashed potatoes, I recommend an ultra-dry, super-bubbly, high-acid cider like Farnum Hill Extra Dry. The bubbles and acidity both help with lifting what can be a heavy dish. This cider is also complex enough that pairing it with something relatively straightforward allows the many flavors of the cider to sing.

Chicken Pot Pie or Fisherman’s Pie

I didn’t grow up eating chicken pot pie or anything like it. At first I was too picky, and then my family stopped eating meat. Now I love a savory pie, and I’ve included two variations that both pair beautifully with a semi-sweet fruity cider. 

There’s no shortage of good options here, but I’m partial to Rosé for Sal by Angry Orchard’s Innovation Cider House in Walden, New York. This fruited cider uses tart blueberries and New York state apples to make a wonderfully balanced blueberry rosé. The creamy roux-based sauce for both of the pies really contrasts deliciously with something fruity and fun. Or if you want to try something brand new, Two Town’s Ciderhouse just released The Baddie with Pink Lady apples and amazing floral botanicals.

Vegetarian Chili

You’ll need two ciders for this one because the recipe calls for 12 ounces of beer, but it’s so much more delightful if you sub in cider instead. The cider you cook with matters less, but for the pairing, go with a whiskey- or bourbon-barrel-aged cider. 

Barrel-aged ciders often feature notes of butterscotch, bread crumbs and delightfully bourbon-y aromas, which helps them stand up to the powerful flavors of a good chili. Bauman’s Cider makes a Bourbon Barrel Vanilla Cider that I particularly recommend if you like your chili extra spicy. The vanilla and bourbon barrel notes interplay with spice in a way you don’t want to miss.

Apple Macaroni-and-Cheese

In the Fall, apple macaroni-and-cheese is a fan-favorite at our local apple harvest festival. I like it so much that I make it year round. You can approach the pairing in a few different ways, and definitely can’t go wrong with a semi-sweet and fruity high acid cider, like Uncle John’s Cider’s Blossom Blend or Schilling Hard Cider’s Spaceport Imperial Pineapple. If your pairing goal is to enhance the subtle fruit of apple in macaroni-and-cheese, doubling down with a strongly fruity cider pulls the dish in just the right direction.

Chocolate Chip Cookies

I simply can’t talk about comfort food without mentioning one of the most reliable shortcuts to happiness that exists on this planet: chocolate chip cookies. They offer everything I want in a delightful and portable package: chocolatey, sweet, just a bit salty! And while they can be either as chewy or crispy as the baker desires, my preference is soft and chewy. Though milk is the traditional beverage accompaniment, I’d like to suggest Threadbare Cider’s Farmhouse Cider instead. This cider offers its own version of everything good as well; the cider is tart, bubbly, minerally, and just a little bit sweet. 

This is just a short list of some of my favorite comfort foods; I’m sure everyone has their own lineup, whether from childhood memories or their own culinary achievements. Hopefully these pairing recommendations can help you enjoy them all over again, this time with some delicious ciders. Cheers!

• Photos: Dish Works

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Ready to say goodbye to the past year and usher in a fresh start? We are, too! There is no better way, in our book, to ring in the New Year than with a glass of special cider — save the cans of everyday session cider for brunch the next day, and break out the good stuff at midnight. It’s all too easy to hoard the “special” ciders, assuming that a more fabulous occasion can always arise.

But we say: That occasion is now! Life is short, exhume a bottle or two from your cellar, or splurge a few extra bucks at your local bottle shop or cidery, and pick up a cider that truly calls to you. Here are seven extra-dope ciders to consider for this New Year’s Eve!

Big Hill Kriek: Kriek usually refers to a type of sour Belgian ale made with Morello cherries. Big Hill captures the profound flavor and depth of this style in this wild-fermented cider. The sour cherries it uses are wild-fermented, too, and the combination of those punchy flavors with eye-opening sour apple cider is a one-two punch of brightness and funk. Shop online. 338 Georgetown Rd., Gardners, PA; (717) 677-0250.

Botanist & Barrel Basque in the Glory: If 2024 is your year to finally take a deep-dive into Spanish sidra, or domestic ciders made in the Basque style, we fully support you. Botanist & Barrel’s Basque in the Glory is a great place to start: it’s dry, raw, hazy, funky and sour. It’s a slightly fizzy, spontaneously fermented pet-nat that’s an extreme delight with cheese, charcuterie or your favorite Spanish tapas. Shop online. 105 Persimmon Hill Ln., Cedar Grove, NC; (919) 644-7777.

Metal House Cider 2020 Chinchinette: This Hudson Valley cidery produces a number of 750-ml format bottles that feel as exciting and precious as the most coveted champagne. But Chinchinette feels especially relevant for a big celebration: It’s a bottle conditioned, undisgorged blend of Northern Spy, Catskill wild crab and Metal House’s Esopus blend that’s exceptionally food-friendly, with bright acidity, a long finish and vivacious effervescence. Shop online.

Stormalong Cider Happy Holidays: Not ready to let go of the comfy, warming flavors of Christmas yet? Hang on to them a little longer with Stormalong’s Happy Holidays, easy-drinking (just over 5% AVB) and spiced nicely with allspice, cinnamon, cloves, ginger and nutmeg, with a touch of organic brown sugar. It’s like if apple pie met mulled cider and had a wild love affair! Shop online.

WildCraft Cider Works Unfiltered Sparkling Apple Juice: If you’re taking it easy on drinking, or you have some sober guests coming for NYE, you’re in luck! There have never been more fun, unique non-alcoholic beverages to explore! Par exemple: the super-juicy, hazy fizzy apple juice from WildCraft in Eugene, Oregon. Just because it doesn’t have booze doesn’t mean it’s not special! This beautiful cider is made with wild foraged, dry cropped or biodynamically farmed heirloom apples. Shop online. 232 Lincoln St., Eugene, OR; (541) 735-3506.

Virtue Cider Golden Hour: If you prefer your special-occasion ciders a bit more on the juicy, fruity cider, Golden Hour from Virtue has you covered. Meant to channel the gorgeous sunsets at Virtue Farm in Fennville, MI, this beauty offers up notes of stone fruit, honeysuckle and golden honey. This is a great one to share with cider newbies, or to open alongside whatever luxurious dessert you’ve made for you and your friends. Shop online. 2170 62nd St., Fennville, MI; (269) 722-3232.

Stoic Cider Javelina Rosé: If rosé cider is your preferred “cheers-ing” bevvie, look no further than this rad cider/wine hybrid from Stoic Cider. Newtown Pippin apples are blended with Merlot wine, for a delicate and balanced sipper, that’s a pretty raspberry hue with a lightly sweet, fruity character. Tasting notes include tart cranberry, grape skin, green apple and cherries. Shop online. 11500 W. Fair Oaks Rd., Prescott, AZ; (701) 361-7480.

What’s in your glass this New Year’s Eve? Whatever you’re drinking, and however you’re celebrating, we wish you a safe, healthy and cider-full new year!

• All photos: Courtesy of their respective cideries

The post 7 New Year’s Celebration Ciders for Extra-Special Midnight Toasts appeared first on Cider Culture.

In our column, “Cider Loves Food,” contributor Meredith Collins (blogger extraordinaire at Along Came a Cider) suggests the perfect ciders to help take your meals to the next level.

We are quickly approaching the season of winter holidays. Between now and mid-January, we’ll pass through many celebrations and observations. Whether your favorite tradition consists of a marathon rewatch of Lord of the Rings or baking enough to give everyone on your gift list a sugar coma, there’s room for cider. 

My holidays are going to be low-key this year; it’s time to tackle a big house project during my time off. Though I have plans to scrape more wallpaper than wrap gifts, and I won’t be crossing state lines for big family gatherings, I still want to do something to honor the longest night of the year. Here’s my plan for a family solstice dinner with cider pairings. Perhaps it can give you some ideas for a tasty time with your loved ones. 

Cider and Sides

I learned the term “Sidesgiving” this year, and honestly I love it. The veggies that adorn my holiday table are among my favorite things to eat all year long. This is also a wonderful chance to bring out the most complex ciders you want for elegant pairings. For all of these, I want cider with enough acid to shine against the sauces, caramelization, and richness, but I need tannins, too. Pop open your wine-inspired ciders made with heirloom and cider-specific apples here! 

Brussels Sprouts with Walnuts and Balsamic Vinegar Glaze

One of my favorite parts of adulthood has to be improving my relationship with Brussels sprouts. This recipe is a simple way to up the textural wow-factor and avoid the unpleasant bitterness of overcooking.

Roasted Potatoes with Mushroom Cider Gravy

A special meal needs potatoes if you ask me. I’m pretty flexible about the form they take. I love potato pancakes and mashed potatoes, but there’s also something wonderfully simple about just roasting new potatoes with salt, pepper, garlic and rosemary. It makes them a wonderful canvas for a vegetarian mushroom gravy. I couldn’t find a recipe that’s exactly what we do at my house, but if you add a semi-dry cider to this one, it’s very close.

Cranberry Relish

This is a family tradition that I remember from my childhood, although this recipe doesn’t have all the substitutions we’ve created over the years. Skip the sugar and celery, sub in candied almond slivers, and if it does need additional sweetness, use a bit of maple syrup.

Spicy Caramelized Squash

I love baked squash in any number of iterations, but the addition of citrus and spice makes it feel special! My personal recommendation is making this with delicata squash, though the recipe can accommodate a wide range of base veggies. 

As examples, I recommend pairing any combination of these vegetable sides with Redbyrd Orchard Cider 2020 Biodynamic Sunset, Sea Cider Bramble Bubbly or West County Cider Cidre De Garde. They all have the features that are necessary here: strong acid, plentiful bubbles, tannins, complexity and mature confident fermentations. 

The Main Dish and Cider

I want rich flavorful fish as a main dish option for every important meal. When I’m hosting something special in my own house, there will be fish!

Maple Baked Salmon

I chose this recipe for two reasons. First, it’s simple to make. On a day when we might be cooking up to seven or eight distinct dishes, every easy choice helps. Second, I love the seasonal boost of maple syrup. I’m not about to get into a turf war about New York versus Vermont versus Pennsylvania or Michigan. There’s a lot of excellent maple syrup out there and it belongs on this salmon at the center of the holiday table.

My recommendation is to pair this salmon with Champlain Orchards Ashmead’s Kernel or Art + Science Wickson Cider. Salmon is a decadent fish, and that calls for a strongly flavored and highly acidic cider for counterpoint. Both of these choices highlight really special apples and make zingy sparkling flavor as the perfect way to lift up the layers of flavor in this entree.

Sourdough No-Knead Rolls

My tall companion doesn’t believe in serving bread at feast meals. He finds it to be a waste of space for the stomach and the table. As someone whose favorite part of holiday dinners throughout most of childhood was the rolls, I disrespectfully disagree. Bread is life. 

These sourdough rolls are delicious and aren’t that difficult to make if you’re already in the habit of working with a sourdough starter regularly. I was truly intimidated for months, but now I’m a big fan. Just don’t try the recipe for the first time in a high-pressure situation. Practice now, so you can feel great on the big feast day.

Pair this with All Times Sparkling Cider in honor of every kid whose favorite holiday food is a roll. Plus, it’s necessary to have something delicious and special to offer to everyone who’s not imbibing alcohol!

Dessert

For some celebrants, this is the first moment when the meal gets serious. Everything up to dessert is simply preamble. I’m not there, but I respect that position. Of course, dessert is important. This is the part of the meal when we’ve slowed down and relaxed. It’s often a golden peaceful moment after a hectic day of preparation. There are only two rules for dessert choices: there must be a chocolate option; and there must be something with apples.  

Apple-Pecan Bourbon-Caramel Pie

It’s impossible to resist this pie. It has everything: salty, sweet, crunchy, chewy, fruity, boozy … perfect. Since this isn’t the easiest recipe on the list, I recommend making this one ahead of time.

Grasshopper Brownies

There’s just something about mint and chocolate that signifies a fully satisfying end to a meal. Perhaps it’s the association with little candies, like Andes Mints or After Eight Thin Mints or even the classic Thin Mint Girl Scout cookie. To me, this is a lovely send-off after a leisurely feast. 

For either of these ridiculously indulgent desserts, I recommend pairing with something equally rich and full-bodied. Now isn’t the time for a light ethereal suggestion of flavor. We need a cider that has heft enough to speak alongside other big bold flavors. I recommend Alma Wood Aged, particularly for the pie. The cider spent six months in bourbon barrels, upping the body and flavor-intensity. For the grasshopper brownies, choose a well-balanced fortified cider, like Finger Lakes Cider House Royal Cider ‘18. Flavor notes of golden raisins, vanilla, and barrel will beautifully pair with the deep chocolate of grasshopper brownies.

Whatever you choose to do with your holiday season, I hope you enjoy it and make time to do the things that make you feel restored and ready for a new year! 

The post Cider Loves Food: Holiday Meals and Winter Feasts appeared first on Cider Culture.

Floral, honey-sweet and sporting a beguiling juicy texture, plums are such a wondrous stone fruit. In summertime, we like to snack on them by them by the pound and search farmers markets for heirloom varieties, like Jubilee and Black Ruby. In the winter, we’ll happily take our plums baked into a dense cake or sliced on a cheese board. And all year long, we love seeing plums featured in fruited ciders; their delicate flavor and lifting acidity an ideal complement to apples and other adjuncts.

If you want to try plum cider, or add something new to your cider rotation, take one of these fine specimens for a spin:

19 Acres Cider Co. Yuzu Plum Cider: In addition to its three flagship cider flavors (Honeycrisp, Marionberry and Imperial), this Oregon-based cidery has a long lineup of seasonal draft pours. One of these is Yuzu Plum, a bright, zesty combo of the Asian citrus prized for its sweet-tart intensity and the subtle sweetness of red plums. Stop by 19 Acres’ tasting room in Sherwood, OR, and maybe you’ll get lucky and find it on tap!

 

 

 

 

 

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City Orchard Cider Fresca Plum: This fall release from City Orchard celebrates the harvest with a blend of plum and apples from its own Texas Orchards. It drinks semi-dry, and, like all of the releases in its Cider Frescas line, keeps apples in the spotlight while also highlighting the best attributes of adjunct fruit and botanicals. Order online or find it at City Orchard’s taproom in Houston, TX.

Finnriver Cider Plum Cyser: This sour cider offering from Finnriver starts with a select blend of organic Washington apples, fermented with wild harvested and organic plums from Tonnemaker Hill Farms in Yakima, WA, local plums from Quilcene and a touch of honey from nearby Sequim Bee Farm. The result is a springy, tart, nuanced sipper with a gently bitter finish. To find it, visit one of Finnriver’s locations or shop online.

Hale & True Cider The Professor: This Philadelphia-based cidery has been pouring The Professor, one of its core cider options, since opening its doors in 2018. This cheeky Clue-referencing cider is an apple-plum co-ferment conditioned on more fresh plums for a uniquely dry, tart and slightly funky cider. Find it at Hale & True’s taproom.

 

 

 

 

 

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Revel Cider Waves: This beautifully hued cider doubles down on the stone fruit punch vibes with the addition of red and blue plums, as well as Montmorency cherries, to apple-based cider. On the nose of this rose cider, find chamomile, nutmeg and sweet plum, with a balanced palate, including light acidity and salinity, with floral notes and just a touch of tannin. Order online for shipping across Canada, the US and the EU.

Snow Capped Cider Plum Lemongrass: Located in a fertile fruit-growing region at the base of the Grand Mesa on Colorado’s Western Slope, Snow Capped has access to a lot of incredible fruit. In this semi-sweet cider, it combines mellow Jonathan apples with tart plum, herbal lemongrass and a hint of ginger, for a smooth and easy-drinking cider. Shop online.

Wildcraft Cider Your Fruit Your Cider: Every year since 2014, Wildcraft has produced a community cider made from bartered apples, pears and plums from its community apple drive program. Each fruit is fermented separately and blended to create a dry and fruity cider reflecting both the land and the community surrounding the cidery! Order online or find it at Wildcraft’s tasting room in Eugene, OR.

• Feature photo: Snow Capped Cider
• All other photos: Courtesy of their respective cideries

The post 7 Plum Ciders to Try appeared first on Cider Culture.

Chilly days bring on cravings for complex, rich flavors, comforting pops of sweetness and higher gravity ciders to warm our bones. We’re talking about ciders layered with huge amounts of juicy apple notes, perhaps enhanced with a bit of spice or vanilla from time spent in barrels.

Imperial ciders, which borrow terminology from the beer world, refer to ciders with higher-than-average alcohol content and bold flavors. It varies widely, of course, but most ciders hover between 4 and 7% ABV, while imperial ciders break on through to the other side of 8%. In beer brewing, the higher ABV is achieved by adding extra grains and hop, but in cidermaking, it’s all about more sugars present at the time of fermentation. More sugar = more food for the yeasts = more alcohol. To do this, some cideries use riper apples, which have developed a higher sugar content, or add fresh sweet juice or other sweetening agents during fermentation. The result is a “big” cider, both in terms of flavor and booziness — when drinking these, just remember that many are pretty much twice as strong as other ciders that you may enjoy!

Here are seven imperial ciders to cozy up with:

Portland Cider Co. Imperial Dry: Weighing in at 8.5% ABV, this crisp, bubbly cider from Portland Cider Co. is made up of a blend of 100% Northwest apples. Mellow tannins, a dry flavor and full-bodied mouthfeel, and notes of baked apple, toffee and pecan make this a balanced, festive sipper. Shop online or use Portland Cider’s Cider Finder to locate Imperial Dry at a retailer near you.

Seattle Cider Co. Imperial Odyssey: Available year-round, this fun cider from Seattle Cider is so juicy and drinkable, you’ll barely notice the 8.4% ABV (you’ve been warned!). A custom blend of Washington apples lends a great flavor profile, with aromas of stone fruit, melon and ripe apples, with fresh-from-the-oven apple crisp flavors at the finish. Medium-bodied and semi-sweet, this is a great cider for anyone who wants deep, cozy flavors but isn’t feeling the pumpkin spice vibes.

Schilling Cider Excelsior Mango Supernova: One of Schilling’s core lineup of ciders is an imperial cider (Excelsior), so you know it means business! One of this cidery’s boozier releases is a twist on the concept: Mango Supernova, for a sun-kissed approach to the style. Real mangoes are blended with Pacific Northwest-grown apples and European heirloom cider fruit with a hit of lime zest. At 9.1% ABV, this tropical treat brings a welcome taste of summer whatever the weather outside!

Incline Cider Imperial Hazy Honeycrisp: Made from Washington State honeycrisp apples, this hazy and refreshing cider is one of Imperial’s flagship offerings. Notes of citrus, honey and light spice underpin a bold, super-juicy apple character. At 8.5% ABV, tread lightly and enjoy. Shop online.

2 Towns Cosmic Crisp: Another imperial cider with an outer-space theme, 2 Towns’ Cosmic Crisp leans hard on the famous zippy, sweet flavors of Cosmic Crisp apples. This Washington State-grown apple is a cross between Enterprise and Honeycrisp that is sweet, tart and super-juicy. This cider is a blend of fresh-pressed Cosmic Crisp and Northwest apples, with bright, fruit-forward aromatics and a high-acid profile.

Eden Ciders Imperial 11° Rosé: Inspired by French Provencal rosé, this elegant cider is a blend of Vermont apples (including Esopus Spitzenberg, Calville Blanc, Hudson’s Golden Gem, Roxbury Russet and more), infused with red currant juice and smoothed out with a touch of ice cider. It’s juicy, off-dry and gently fizzy, bolstered with nice acidity and just enough tannic structure; tasting notes include watermelon, strawberry, citrus and slate. At 11% ABV, this is just about the same booziness as rosé wine! Sip it chilled with picnic fare, creamy pasta or tuna steaks. Shop online.

ACE HIGH Imperial Berry: A trio of strawberries, blackberries and raspberries add a pop of color and nice juiciness to this 8% rose-hued sipper. In addition to being a bit dangerously easy to quaff, this cider is vegan and, of course, gluten-free. Shop online by the 12-pack.

What imperial ciders have you tried? Do you have any favorites to share? Let us know in the comments!

• Photos: Courtesy of their respective cideries

The post 7 Big & Boozy Imperial Ciders to Try appeared first on Cider Culture.

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Though we believe cider belongs at every celebration, it cannot be denied that Thanksgiving is one of its best times to shine. The patchwork of flavors at this annual fall feast are the perfect backdrop for cider’s bright, refreshing character, and its lower-alcohol content (versus wine) means you can clink glasses and sip to your heart’s content! The Thanksgiving meal also presents ample opportunities to cook with cider, adding complexity and depth to your dishes.

We’re excited to share four new plant-based Thanksgiving recipes with you in our 2023 Cider Culture Thanksgiving Guide; each one includes cider as an ingredient and is 100% vegan so that everyone around your table can joyfully partake. We hope you enjoy them surrounded by friends and family, and make some lasting memories this year!

The post The Cider Culture Plant-Based Thanksgiving Guide appeared first on Cider Culture.

Halloween is my favorite holiday, because I love celebrating all things spooky, ghostly and costumed. The candy certainly doesn’t hurt, either! Whether the candy comes from the pre-Halloween parties or it’s discreetly snatched from a sugar-crazed child’s hoard, you can enhance the candy experience with a skillful beverage pairing or two.

As a cider lover, I’m biased, admittedly, but I really do love cider as a pairing for these autumnal treats. Cider is such a varied category, it’s easy to find just the right cider for all different kinds of sweets. Here are just a few cider and Halloween candies to start our pairings with, but feel free to explore far beyond these brands and types. Have fun!  

Reese’s® Peanut Butter Cups: Embark Craft Ciderworks Whiskey Barrel-Aged Cider

I want a cider with real body to accompany any candy with peanut butter and chocolate. If I get any pairing right, it will be this one, because I eat Reese’s cups so often. They are my very favorite candy year-round. A strong cider pairing needs to incorporate body from some kind of barrel-aging. I like ciders that have spent some time in a spirit barrel, ideally a bourbon barrel. Embark Craft Ciderworks makes a Whiskey Barrel-Aged limited edition cider that is all treats and no tricks.

Twizzlers®: Virtue Cider Michigan Cherry Fruit Belt Cider

Fruit licorice, like Twizzlers, benefits from a complementary pairing: a modern cider with cherry or berries. Michigan Cherry Fruit Belt from Virtue Cider is a lovely option because of its balance and tasteful use of local cherries. This is a way to pair like with like, and use the fruity notes of a semi-dry cider to bridge the gap to a sweeter, chewy candy, like Twizzlers.

M&M’s®: Oyster River Winegrowers Wildman Cider

There’s something so special about M&M’s. Perhaps it’s the fact that this is the only candy that delivers both technicolor, bright hues and chocolate. I recommend pairing M&M’s with a dry, spontaneously fermented cider that uses only apples. Oyster River Winegrowers Wildman Cider will keep you and your guests haunting the cider table for more. What I especially like about this pairing is that the cider allows the sweet milk chocolate to play merrily across the palate, without turning bitter or sickly sweet. Wildman Cider, made with made with apples gathered from wild seedling trees, is unfiltered and made with native yeast fermentation that’s bottle conditioned with no sulfites added, which lends a tangy, feral quality, perfect for the spirit of Halloween.

Candy Corn: Stem Ciders Pear Cider

I know it’s already a controversial opinion to like candy corn, but this is the hill I will die on. There is a time and place for candy corn, and obviously it’s Halloween. Because this candy is such a delicate expression of sweetness, I want something that will blend with that. Pear cider is perfect, because it has sugars in the fresh pear juice that cannot ferment into alcohol, and blended with the apple cider, will maintain a very natural, fruity sweetness. Stem Ciders’ Pear Cider is blend of fresh-pressed pears and apples with notes of caramel and a crisp finish. The aromas and delicacy of this might be enough to sway even candy corn naysayers!

Mounds®: Portland Cider Company Pineapple Rosé

While Mounds aren’t my favorite candy, they are spectacular for fans of coconut and dark chocolate. Too few mainstream candies use dark chocolate, so this provides something fun for pairing. I want to push the coconut into a tropical vibe by choosing a pineapple cider like Portland Cider Company’s Pineapple Rosé. Pineapple goes with dark chocolate and with coconut, so this pairing is a no-brainer!

Red Hots®: Henney’s Vintage Still Cider

Wine pairings for candy sometimes suggest Red Hots with riesling, so I wanted to see how that could translate into cider. I think something off-dry and fruity, yet structured and still, would be perfect. I never like spicy with bubbles, so that means I’m looking for a still cider. Henney’s Vintage Still Cider provides all of that. It drinks smoothly and with rich sophistication, making it an enticing counter-balance to the spark and sharpness of cinnamon candy.

Sour Patch® Kids: Eden Specialty Cider Deep Cut Cider

Sour Patch Kids are a stand-in for a whole category of candies operating on sourness, sometimes to a fairly extreme degree. Being able to tolerate, or even enjoy, these candies was the measure of cool back in fourth and fifth grade. Now that I’m past those years, I appreciate sour candies in a new way, and to pair them, I want something similarly acid-driven in profile, and also wine-like. I think a high-acidity dry cider with a hint of wildness is the only way to go for sour candies. From the line of canned offering from Eden Specialty Ciders, Deep Cut is wonderful as a sour-candy pairing. It’s a great cider for any occasion, but it’s easy to appreciate its full-bodied, hazy texture when it’s contrasting with zingy Sour Patch Kids!

Bonus: Popcorn and popcorn balls are amazing with a spiced cider like Threadbare Cider’s Spiced Cider. Popcorn operates very much on texture, leaving room for more complex flavors in a pairing cider. I like a spiced cider with Halloween popcorn, so we can double-up on seasonal treats. Threadbare’s Spiced Cider is made with cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and clove, so it delivers many notes of a mulled cider or apple pie, but via cider.

Kids may get trick-or-treating, but pairing cider with Halloween candy is a series of unearthly delights for the 21+ crowd!

• Photos: Dish Works

The post How to Pair Cider with Halloween Candy appeared first on Cider Culture.