Rating: 5/5
Strongbow Cherry Blossom by Bulmers Cider is a 4.5% ABV
Sweet and tart hints… Good stuff
Tag Archives: hard apple cider
Home Brew Project #34 BerryMe Cider by Nubis Sanctum Ales
Rating: 5/5
Home Brew Project #34 BerryMe Cider by Nubis Sanctum Ales is a 6% ABV Hard Apple Cider with Raspberries and Hibiscus.
Homebrewed for my friends Cesar Molina & Jeanette De La Luz wedding on 9/3/2017.
The special project was brewed in collaboration with my friend Oscar Pacheco and Cesar Molina for drinkers that wanted something not beer related and more closer to sparkling wine. The recipe was similar to my original project (Home brew #20 Las Manza Cronicas De BatFramb by Nubis Sanctum Ales) in which the base was an apple cider with raspberries. The difference in this one was that I needed to get some sort of red or pinkish color to the beer and through research and discussions with my friends, we decided hibiscus would do the trick adding a very nice reddish pinkish color similar to that of the raspberries to make it more appealing to those that love sweet drinks. In fact, it was very good and although it was a bit higher than the Summer Ale, people digged this one even more. For me I could definitely tell it was sweet but the hibiscus gave it some very nice tart flavors playing and mimicking that of the raspberries. In short, it was a recipe well done and one I will definitely try and make again.
Home Brew Project #32 Thar Ye Be, Mangos! by Nubis Sanctum Ales
Rating: 4.45/5Home Brew Project #32 Thar Ye Be, Mangos! by Nubis Sanctum Ales is a 5% ABV Hard Apple Cider Made With Mango and Brown Sugar.
==Introduction==
Project#32 takes a throwback to my Passion Fruit and Mango Cider which one of the best light ciders I’ve ever made. Yes, and I meant the light ones as many of the strong ones I would say they are the best in their own right. The reason I wanted to make it just plain mango was mainly because I wanted to see how it would do on its own with just mango. If I make a Passion Fruit one by itself, I will rate it accordingly. Since the Passion Mango mix was ridiculous. The name of the cider I will explained later as I chose it with the choice of the artwork pairing as I usually do with many of my beer and cider pairings. Most of this year, I will be making simple brews and ciders as I am on a personal goal at the moment. Granted, I would still slightly like to experiment. While I do use flavoring to get an idea, as I get more experience, I will be using more fruit with these ciders like I do with beer. So for now, lets see how this one is, cheers!
Aromas:
Mango, honey, stone fruit peach, apricot hints, golden apples, cane sugar, brown sugar, honey dew melon and lychee notes.
Flavors:
Mango, Golden apples,stone fruit peach notes, honey, cane sugar, brown sugar, vanilla, grapes, honey dew melon, strawberry hints, guava, caramel, butterscotch hints, lychee and guanabano hints.
Aftertaste:
Finishes dry with notes of the mango, tart apple hints, cane and brown sugar hints. No alcohol in the flavor, clear light golden body, crisp, clean and super refreshing mouthfeel and very easy to drink.
Overall:
A very delicious cider! While it is not the same passion fruit tropical goodness I remember with the passion mango cider I made, the single use of mango and the brown sugar takes it in another direction. A sweet direction in fact especially since the brown sugar and mango does give it a very nice flavor. Very nice and clean like the original one I made. I will keep this recipe in the books and hope to make it again!
Anime Corner:
Nami from One Piece was chosen for this pairing as I wanted this cider to be synonymous with tropical fruit and hence the sea. So since Nami is a pirate, setting forth in search of gold would be like trying to find this amazing golden mango cider. Something that many would have to search far and beyond. The name Thar Ye Be, Mangos! Is pirate speak once the mango cider goodness is found! Also, Namis colors would fit with the different mango colors like reds, greens and yellows.
Sources:
Crackberry by Bishop Cider Company
Rating: 5/5
Crackberry by Bishop Cider Company is a 6% ABV Hard Apple Cider made with Cranberries and Black Berries.
Label:
Just one sip and you’re hooked
Stripped of all other nonsense
Crackberry is a perfect pairing of flavors tart and sweet, joining forces to create a colorful, well-balanced cider. Frankly, we’re over the moon for it.
You probably remember William Wallace as the fearless Knight who bared it all in the name of Scottish Independence. Ultimately, He failed to save his own skin. But he did successfully lead the rebellion against England.
That’s worthy another round no?
==Introduction==
Fuck yeah! A cider from Texas! Special thanks to my friend and fellow beer review brother, Aaron Mendiola of BeerMetalDude.com for sending this one my way. I think this is the first cider I try from Texas. One with a combination of berry definitely sounds awesome and at 6% ABV, I can only assume it will be very refreshing. Bishop Cider makes ciders with no artificial flavors as shown on the site and the label. Pure apples and fruits. So I definitely can enjoy this one. Let’s see how it goes, cheers!
Aromas:
Rich dark fruit berries, cherries, cranberries, raspberries, blueberries, strawberries, passion fruit hints, dragon fruit hints, stone fruit peach hints, sweet grapes, white grapes, vanilla, apples and sangria.
Flavors:
Rich cranberries, blackberries, raspberries, blueberries, strawberries, cherries, grapes, lychee fruit, apples, caramel, candied apples, raspberry yogurt, Fruit punch, Kool-aid hints, Concorde grape skins, chardonnay, white wine, white grapes, passion fruit tartness, dragon fruit, sangria, stone fruit peach and apricot.
Aftertaste:
Finishes sweet and semi dry with lingering fruit punch and mixed berries and apple flavors. No alcohol in the taste, ruby red clear body, crisp, refreshing and clean mouthfeel with an easy drinkability.
Overall:
Supremely deliciously perfect cider. No flavor too stronger than the other and yet quite the little complex drink and very balanced. One thing that is dead on is that this major fruit punch to the face. It is crazy how the flavors can be distinct and complex with this one. Some ciders don’t get too complex when it comes to flavors but this one is very well made. There is a lot of love put in this one. I highly recommend it if you can find it.
Anime Corner:
Cammy White from Street Fighter was used in this pairing as I wanted to get a character that was close to the colors of the beer label and William Wallace. Cammy fit the bill well since she is from the United Kingdom and she has all the colors. Also with the Mooning of the Scottish Army she fits even more since she is always displaying her rump. She also has war paint as well so that goes well with the William Wallace war paint.
Sources:
http://orig01.deviantart.net/3027/f/2016/232/5/f/cammy___street_fighter_v_by_scrappy195-daempvr.jpg
http://static1.comicvine.com/uploads/scale_large/14/147508/5213444-cammy+(2).jpg
http://img0.joyreactor.cc/pics/post/Cammy-White-Street-Fighter-Игры-Zakusi-3171368.jpeg
http://i.imgur.com/TyKLFq6.jpg
SPACE Bloody Orange Craft Cider By ACE California Cider Company
Rating: 5/5 *Cider Rating
SPACE Bloody Orange Craft Cider By ACE California Cider Company is a 6.9% ABV Hard Apple Cider brewed with Blood Oranges
Label:
At a cantina on a star in a planetary system far far away, the surviving beautiful sister, takes a hit on a hookah pipe and listens for incider information… Who makes the best cider in the Universe?
SPACE it is out of this World!
“Brea”
==Introduction==
I first tried this cider back when I went to the Great Society Cidery in Long Beach, California. In remember that was one of the best ciders I have ever in a while. So I went to visit the CraftBeerKings.com in El Monte, California and there it was. The SPACE CIDER! No questions asked, I jumped to the occasion and brought this one home since I felt it was a cider duty to share this one with the world.
Aromas:
Oranges, citrus, blood oranges, grapefruit, vanilla, Wild flower honey, honey blossom flowers, stone fruit apricots, sour apples, pineapple, passion and dragon fruit.
Flavors:
Blood Oranges, Honey blossom flowers, Wild flower honey, grapefruits, tangerine gummies, pineapple hints, dragon fruit hints, passion fruit hints, orange peels, grapefruit peel, coriander spice, sour green apples, cane sugar, kumquats and mild tart apricots.
Aftertaste:
Finishes tart and dry with flavors apples, honey, blood oranges, tart grapefruit, waffle cone, and cane sugar. No alcohol in the taste, unfiltered hazy pink grapefruit colored body, crisp, clean and refreshing mouthfeel and easy to drink.
Overall:
A perfect cider. There was no doubt in my mind since that first time I tried this cider that I would have to bring it to the site. Ace makes great ciders and I have worked to try to make my ciders just as great but one using actual blood orange pulp gives me ideas to try out with future ciders for sure. Regardless, getting this one more commonly would be something I would love to see. If you love ciders, this would be great to pick up. I highly recommend this one!
Anime Corner:
Lalaco GodSpeed from Space Patrol Luluco was used in this pairing as she pairs well with being a Space Pirate, red and orange to fit with the color, ingredients and flavors of the beer. While is somewhat evil (orange bitterness), she cares for her family and would do anything for them as shown later on in the series (the sweetness of the apples and orange pulp). She is definitely one hot Milf that definitely fits with the cider and the story.
Sources:
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Cg_PHs4UYAAy7Fc.jpg:large
http://i2.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/001/109/415/de5.jpg
Las Manza Cronicas De BatFramb by Nubis Sanctum Ales
Rating: 4.75/5 Project# 20
Las Manza Cronicas De BatFramb by Nubis Sanctum Ales is a 9% ABV Hard Apple Cider made with Raspberries.
==Introduction==
Project # 20 continues in my pursuit to make different flavors of ciders and basically to see which one I like more. The raspberry cider one came about from the love I have for Raspberry brews. In fact, the Raging Passio Lactus Raspear Dragons had a base primary of raspberry which I loved from the inspiration of New Holland’s Dragon’s Milk Reserve with Raspberries. This cider uses the most basic approach, creating a simple apple cider by fermentation and add organic raspberry flavor at the bottling. I also added a dash of organic apple cider flavor as this was needed to balance since the base cider is pretty much super dry apple wine right off the fermentor. Setting this up with me new mini PET keg was the best choice as I was able to get a nice froth pour but promptly dissipated. Something about getting beer from the tap seems to make beer or cider very enjoyable. Let’s see how this new creation of mine stands.
Aromas:
Apple pie, Raspberries, cherry notes, vanilla cream, honey, dark fruit hints and stone fruit notes.
Flavors:
Raspberries, Dark Cherries, cinnamon, pomegranate, Honey dew melon, apple pie notes, plums, stone fruit peaches, honey, grapes, vanilla, caramel, strawberry hints, cane sugar and Danish cream hints.
Aftertaste:
Finishes with semi dry notes of apple cider, raspberries, apple pie hints and vanilla notes. No alcohol in the taste despite the ABV, Golden Amber clear body, clear light golden body, creamy, crisp, clean and super refreshing mouthfeel and very easy to drink.
Overall:
A very delicious cider. While it is not very difficult to make but I think just the combination of the ingredients used make for one delicious cider. It is not super complex but dead on with the purpose of what it supposed to be. I feel as I make more of these, it gives me more of a grasp as how to make more and more delicious ciders. While it is simple, I will want to advance the recipe sometime by making this with actual fruits to see how it goes. I make my beers with actual fruits so why not this one too? For the most part, I really loved this one and hope my next one is just as good.
Anime Corner:
Ignis from Jingai Makyō was used in this pairing as I wanted something to pair with the colors of the raspberries. The name of the brew in English is a play on words, The Apple-y Chronicles of Bat Raspberries but since she wears the outfit with bats, I wanted something that sounded like Batman. In this case, Batwoman. The colors pair well with the raspberries and mild dark fruit hints from her eyes and the white and black represents the creamy aspect in the taste.
Sources:
https://i.ytimg.com/vi/G1wrtv1Zmn0/maxresdefault.jpg
Passion of the Mango Saiyan by Nubis Sanctum Ales
Rating: 4.5/5
Passion of the Mango Saiyan by Nubis Sanctum Ales is a 7% ABV Hard Apple Cider made with Mango and Passion Fruit.
==Introduction==
Project# 19 came up as the eventual need to go back to something basic. The fact that I have not been making ciders in and while my ciders have all been Belgian inspired, this was my first opportunity to make cider with the basic cider yeast. Nothing too fancy but definitely something of experimenting with natural and organic flavorings. As many should know by now, some ciders made commercially are like this. I will be making more of an actual cider using real fruits but for now, my attempts to mimic the common came to question, How good of a cider can I make with just simple to get ingredients and little effort? Don’t get me wrong, it still enough work to make sure it is made correctly, but I wanted to contrast this versus what I have done with beer which is drastically different amount of workload. Regardless, I bring forth my new creation. Let’s see how this one came out, Cheers!
Aromas:
Apple cider, passion fruit, mango, peach, pineapple hints, vanilla hints, cane sugar and stone fruits.
Flavors:
Passion fruit, Mango, Pineapple, Apples, Stone fruit peach, apricot notes, honey, starburst candy, strawberry notes, honey dew melon, agave nectar, cane sugar, grapes, vanilla and guava hints.
Aftertaste:
Finishes dry with notes of the mango and the passion fruit. No alcohol in the flavor, clear light golden body, crisp, clean and super refreshing mouthfeel and very easy to drink.
Overall:
A very good cider. Not much to it really in terms of complexity but damn is this very drinkable, super delicious and great for the coming summer. Who would of thought just going to the basics can be rewarding. Even if it is not super complex or a lot of work like brewing it proves one thing, if you really want to make your own fermented beverage, ciders and wine are on the easier end. Next time, I’ll want to make this with the real fruits to see the difference.
Anime Corner:
Android 18/Lazuli, Trunks and Vegeta from the Dragon Ball series were used in this pairing to represent the Passion Fruit and the Mango. In the series, Vegeta and his son Trunks both get beat down by Android 18. While they still have the passion to keep going, in they still lose. The representation here is pretty much like punishment for making something so easy using basic ingredients. Many people may see it as cheating in some context but as long as you keep trying different things, you will eventually find great things. Plus, Vegeta’s hair as a super saiyan looks like a dried mango and the cider is all yellow like Android 18 and both Super saiyan’s hair.
Sources:
http://static.zerochan.net/Android.18.full.1561469.jpg
https://fingerbook.com/uploads/fingerbooks/3429/81125/preview_large_10806_dragon_ball_z.jpg?1427359660
Pumpkin Lambicus by Timmermans Lambic Brewery
Rating: 3.5/5
Pumpkin Lambicus by Timmermans Lambic Brewery is a 4% ABV Pumpkin Lambic
COMMERCIAL DESCRIPTION (Ratebeer.com)
Two traditions are brought together here in a unique complacency, namely an original succulence never tempted before. The result is sublime, liberating a graceful taste tinted by a controlled acidity on the lambic confused with the dry fruity of the pumpkin and the discreet sugar added. By crossing the middle of the mouth appears a taste of brown sugar remembering and accentuating the convivial touch of Halloween.
___
I have tried different lambics in the pat. However, I have not really sat down and reviewed any. His year I wanted to add a pumpkin lambic to this year’s pumpkin beer trip.
Aromas are of cinnamon, pumpkin, apples and apple cider, pear, nutmeg, cereal grains, brown sugar, all spice, wheat and coriander notes.
The flavors are of pumpkin, gingerbread, apple cider, apple pie, pumpkin pie notes, tart berries, cinnamon, nutmeg, wheat, cereal grains, candied apples, caramel, brown sugar, pepper and coriander spice.
The aftertaste leaves with like cinnamon, tart green apple and pumpkin spice notes. Drinks easy and is refreshing.
Overall a pretty good lambic. It has a good amount going for it, but not a rich amount of pumpkin. Still delicious as it reminds me of apple pie with some pumpkin pie notes. It is worth trying atleast once. However, if you are looking for a pumpkin beer, you can definitely find something more awesome
Bird on a Wire by Crispin Cider Company
Rating: 5.25/5 *Rating based on ciders reviewed and compared so far only
Bird on a Wire by Crispin Cider Company is a 6.9% ABV Blended Hard Cider aged in Bourbon whiskey casks with Tupelo Honey.
Label:
Authentic American alt.country cider. Not forever, just for now.
Dances across the palate, like a band playing and people swayin’. Spend some time, wait a minute. Set it free.
Blended using 4 unique apple-wines aged in both rye and Bourbon American whiskey barrels. Apple-wines fermented with:Irish Stout yeast, Belgian Trappist yeast,Sake yeast and our original Colfax Classic.
The final blend is finished with Tupelo Honey aged in Bourbon barrels and a lingering open-mouthed kiss of fresh-pressed apple juice.
Balanced and very smooth, toasted oaktannins, whiskey notes, with soft rye spice, cask-woody vanilla and cinnamon.
Blended straight from whiskey barrels.Give a solid bottoms-up tilt and swirl to disperse sediment evenly and best enjoy whiskey aromas and unique bouquet.
Enjoyed at cellar temperature, 50/55F.With or without 1 or 2 ice cubes. Age-worthy.
___
Regardless of being a Coors subordinate, they make some hell good ciders. So far I have reviewed the ciders fermented in Irish Stout yeast and Trappist yeast, the latter being my favorite. Now I think I have a new favorite with this one.
First aromas that come as soon as you open the bottle is whiskey and rich stuff at that. It is followed by that bourbon vanilla sweetness, caramel, coconut, rye bread, cinnamon, apple, honey, oak, spices and brown sugar.
The flavors are of cider apples, whiskey, bourbon vanilla, oak, slight coconut notes, dulce de leche caramel flan notes, honey, crème brulee, white wine, champagne, brown sugar, cinnamon, french toast with apple butter, rye bread and cinnamon, bear claw doughnut with apples and cinnamon, and apple pie with rich caramel.
No doubt about it, a little at that, but still freaking amazing. Really brings about great Cask/Barrel aged goodness as some of the best bourbon liquors and bourbon aged beers can bring but in cider form. Who knew cider can deliver a good level of craft in its own way. I gotta find more of these bottles. They need to make 22oz. Bottles of this or even make like a 6 pack. This would make for a great cider for people to try for those that are skeptical of trying the Craft Cider side of beverage connoisseurship.
Artisanal Reserve The Saint by Crispin Cider
Rating: 5/5 *Cider wise, cant really compare to a beer rating other wise it would be lower, yet, delicious and actually bit of complexity to it 😀
Artisanal Reserve The Saint by Crispin Cider Company is a 6.9%ABV Natural Hard Apple Cider made with Belgian Trappist Yeast and Organic Maple Syrup.
Label:
Experience a sweetly floral to herbal aromatic bouquet and an elegant yeasty flavor with a sustained mouth-feel that develops complexity on the palate. Naturally fermented with Belgian Trappist yeasts using a premium apple juice blend, not from concentrate, with no added malt, spirit or grape alcohol. The Saint’s artisanal Cloudy Filtration style uses racked unfiltered apple wine smoothed with pure organic maple syrup, a touch of apple juice, no added sugar, colorants or sorbate or benzoate preservatives, and is filtered cold for bold, crisp refreshment.
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So, I don’t often review ciders. The last time I did it was by the same company. Which was fantastic!! Even if it was made under registration Tenth and Blake Beer Co. – MillerCoors. I guess when it comes to ciders, it is in a whole different category. I have had some pretty awesome ciders in the past and got to review maybe 2. This is the third although the first one I need to pick it up agai to pair it with some nice anime artwork :). One of the best ciders I had long ago was the Black Currant Cider by Fox Barrel Ciders although they don’t make that anymore. They make a cinnamon and black currant once so I’ll probably review that one. Anyway, on to the review :). Fragrance coming off the cider is that of champagne or like a warm sake, some bread, cinnamon apple crisp and honey. The flavors are pretty good. Craft beers use basic ingredients to create flavors that make you guess. This actually uses the apple cider with the Belgian yeast to do something similar and extravagant. The immediate flavor I get is apple pie full of brown sugar crisp, caramel, raisin, alittle bit of banana esters (yes, that’s the Heavenly hand of God here [Trappist yeast at work]), maple, wood, candi sugars and overall just a apple pie aftertaste. Damn, this must be what it’s like to have an apple pie in a bottle. Just really good. You won’t have to look for awesome flavors here, it is easier to find them, although, complexity in other flavors will show up as you go along…lol not really craft beer but a craft cider to make it just that more enjoyable for the overall population. Belgian Trappist yeast inspired…hard to go wrong there.
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