Along Came a Cider: Another Harvest

I’m finding a quiet moment to share that I’m concluding the regular posting schedule of Along Came A Cider, at least for now. 

This feels strange to write, as I’ve been keeping this blog steadily since the beginning of 2013. It’s been vastly enjoyable for that time: learning about cider, trying a myriad of different ciders, tasting serious, and becoming a part of the cider community. These have all been wonderfully meaningful activities. I enjoy sharing my thoughts, writing, and photographing cider and orchards. 

Why is a reasonable question to ask. Basically, I just don’t feel like drinking very often. That makes cider blogging more difficult! That’s nothing concrete or conclusive, but it feels like a natural stopping, or perhaps resting, point for this wonderful project. I plan to keep writing and chasing creative endeavors, but it will take time to see what those will be. I'm ready to write beyond the review format and outside of the worlds of food and drink. Let me know if you want to keep in touch and see what comes next!

And the cider world has grown, matured, and changed in the 11 years I’ve been involved. I see lauded professionals succeeding and remember when those folks were at events as new hopeful people ready to take their home fermenting adventures to the next level. I’ve seen people light up about topics like land preservation, foraged fruit, natural fermentation, and investing in their local foodways. And I’ve seen our community tackle serious issues too. I hope we all keep chasing the ideals and goals that inspire us, and making or sharing delicious cider and beautiful meals along the way. There have been losses along the way too, and I hold those folks and their stories in my heart.

I have many happy memories of cider blogging, but more so of discovering orchards as magical places, fermentation, apple preservation, and consciously sharing drink and food. Walking orchards with Ian Merwin, geeking out about food and travel with Eleanor Leger, times I’ve trained to taste with Charles McGonegal, all these are special experiences that will stay with me forever. I love the conversations I’ve shared with Michelle McGrath, Eric West, Tom Oliver, Ron Sansone, Matt Windle, Ryan Gravell, Mary Bigham, Bill Lyon, Kirk Billingsly, Chuck Shelton, Autumn Stoschek, Yann Fay, Michelle Foik, Ryan Burke, Brian Rutzen, Gidon Coll, Ambrosia Borowski, Caitlin Braam, Dan Wilson, Nicole LeiBon, Dick Dunn, Deva Maas, Malaika & Sean Tyson, Rachel Freier, Matthew Ostrander, Elisabeth Osmeloski, Jeff Cottrell, Steve Wood, Louisa Spencer, Bill and Cheryl Barton, Ben Wenk, Greg Peck, Elizabeth Ryan, Mike Beck, Steve Selin, and far more folks than I can easily name here. Let's stay in touch! I know I didn't get nearly all of the names that should be listed here. My brain cannot hold so many names!

I have so much gratitude for the cider community. I cannot count the number of wonderful stories, meals, and walks we've shared. Coming together with other cider lovers has helped me make friends that have jumped the divide and are now part of my social world outside of cider, and this is perhaps what I’m most grateful for.  Teagan, Dave, Amber, Maria and Jenn, I adore you all so much!

Much affection and gratitude to you all! May our roots grow stronger as we go and may this year’s harvest be delicious and nourishing in all ways. 

Cider Review: 2 Towns' Westward Whiskey Bad Apple Imperial Bad Apple Cider

The weather is showing signs of turning. We have cool mornings and nights. The late summer flowers show wear and weathering. Most importantly, it’s time for fresh apples! I’m taking advantage of this preparation for the the coming Fall to enjoy a barrel-aged cider with roasted root vegetables and a tuna steak this weekend. Here’s what I thought of 2 Towns’ Westward Whiskey Bad Apple Imperial Bad Apple Cider.

First, I review 2 Towns ciders enough to just refer readers back to earlier coverage for more background on this inventive Oregon cidery. Here’s a list of the many 2 Towns Ciderhouse reviews I have shared.

I’ve reviewed many 2 Towns Ciders over the years. Here’s a full list.

Sidekick Cosmic Crisp: https://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/search/label/2%20Towns%20Ciderhouse

Sidekick Pacific Pineapple: https://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2024/05/cider-review-2-towns-ciderhouse.html

Apricot Cosmic Crisp: https://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2024/02/cider-review-2-towns-apricot-cosmic.html

The Baddie: https://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2023/03/cider-review-two-towns-ciderhouses.html

Crimson Bliss: http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2022/10/cider-review-2-towns-ciderhouses.html

Hollow Jack’d: http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2022/09/cider-review-2-towns-ciderhouses-hollow.html

Two Berry Dream: http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2022/08/cider-review-2-towns-ciderhouses-two.html

10th Anniversary Cider Pacific Northwest Heirloom Blend: http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2021/01/cider-review-2-towns-ciderhouse-10th.html

Good Limes Roll: http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2020/07/cider-reviews-two-towns-cider-house.html

Cosmic Currant: http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2019/12/cider-review-two-towns-cosmic-currant.html

Hollow Jack’d: http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2019/10/cider-review-two-towns-ciderhouse.html

Afton Field: http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2019/06/cider-review-2-towns-ciderhouse-afton.html

La Mûre: http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2019/02/cider-review-albemarle-ciderworks.html

Easy Peasy Lemon Squeezy: http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2018/12/cider-review-eden-ciders-siren-song-and.html

Cidre Bouche: http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2017/11/cider-review-2-towns-ciderhouses-cidre.html

Pearadise: http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2018/05/very-perry-may-2-towns-ciderhouses.html

Pineapple: http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2018/02/cider-review-portland-cider-company.html

Bright Cider: http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2016/07/cider-review-roundup-common-cider-co.html

Hop and Stalk: http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2014/12/cider-review-2-towns-ciderhouse-hop-and.html

This link will lead to 2 Towns website with more info on all of the cider releases, special events, and more: https://2townsciderhouse.com/

Here’s the official description of 2 Towns’ Westward Bad Apple Imperial cider.

Westward Whiskey® Bad Apple

Imperial Bad Apple

Time to sit in front of the fire and warm up both inside and out with a glass of this rich, delicious barrel aged teamwork in a glass. We took The Bad Apple and aged it in a selection of barrels we borrowed from our friends at Westward Whiskey™. The result is an even bolder version of one of our most flavorful flagships. After we are done with the barrels, we send them back to be used in an apple finished creation of their own. If you love this one, you’re sure to love Westward’s variation!

ABV 12%

I am feeling mildly intimidated by the 12% ABV, so we’ll see how it goes!

Appearance:  lots of bubbles, medium intensity corn yellow, brilliant

What a lovely and active cider! I’m impressed with all of these wild and wiggly bubbles. The color looks like a medium intensity corn yellow, and the clarity is fully brilliant. 

Aromas: Buttery, vanilla frosting, baked apple, spices

The Westward Whiskey Bad Apple smells a lot more delightful and enticing than anything called bad, even ironically, has any right to! These aromas are so inviting and warm and appealing. The first note is buttery oakiness, followed by vanilla frosting and baked apple. It really smells like a freshly baked autumnal apple dessert with only the barest hint of petrol to pull it into a booze direction rather than a sweets direction. 

Sweetness/dryness: Sweet

This is a sweet cider. Yes, there are other wonderful flavor elements in the mix, so the sweetness is not a solo but part of the overall experience. Fans of sem-sweet and sweet ciders will flock to this treat!

Flavors and drinking experience: full body, barrel, caramel, whiskey finish

I love the prevalence of barrel influence on this sweet cider. I think it’s a combo that works well. The Westward Whiskey Bad Apple strikes me even a little pommeau like, with it’s full body, rich sweetness, and major influences not of barrel and baked apple.

The cider’s full body reminds me of a boozy apple crisp as well, but it’s bubbly and driven by high acidity. The sweetness comes across as caramel notes followed by a perfumed whiskey finish. It’s a lovely and complex experience. 

Cider Roundup: The Cider House Vancouver

 

Last post about my Summer vacation, I promise. And that feels entirely necessary since all of the Fall back-to-school things are happening in my neck of the woods. My entire brain is full, and I’m still forgetting things! So, if I owe you an email or a review or really much of anything, I’m sorry. Feel free to remind me!

Maybe things will be more settled into a routine a couple of weeks from now. That will be my hope! But for right now, I want to drift back to mid-July and think about trying a super fun cider oriented restaurant and cidery while on vacation. If only I could time travel.

Friends took us to The Cider House Vancouver, because they are sweet and thoughtful. And these Vancouver folks take so much joy in the neat experiences their city offers. There’s no better way to visit a place than in the company of someone who already loves it. 

We approached the Cider House Vancouver knowing it was going to be hopping. The place is located near a public beach, and it was a hot summer afternoon. I’ve been to more than a handful of places that center cider on their menu, but this had a completely different atmosphere. This was a plant-based restaurant featuring hard cider, and yet the pop music and party vibes made me think more of a beachside cocktail bar. This place was color, sound, and festivity turned all the way up!

Our group was seated, ordered a range of appetizers to share and each picked out a flight with very little overlap. The menu is that large! 

Learn more about the Cider House Vancouver direct from the source here, including the full cider menu: https://ciderhouserules.ca/

Here’s what I had in my flight along with a few brief thoughts on each. 

Big Dry-

Of course I had to start with the Big Dry. This cider smelled like Peanut shells, salty minerals, something savory and a hint of carrots. A second sniff garnered a little booze in the mix as well. As for taste, the Big Dry offers extremely high acid, a fine bubble, and loads of fruit flavors. I think it’s off dry and very drinkable. 

Rosy-

This cider opens with aromas of deep soft powder and jam. It’s an oxidized smell, but the aroma is subtle rather than intense. The Rosy tastes good. The primary flavor is strawberry with a tannic note added. Though it looks likely a welcoming delicate pink, something about that fruity yet tannic note evokes dark fruits like Pomegranate to me. The tannins are papery and pleasant. It’s less bubbly than the Big Dry.

Rhubarb-

This is another one with a fairly low level of aroma. When I taste it, my first impression is how extremely strong the sparkle is. What fun! The rhubarb flavor is gently sweetened but still fresh. The high acid belongs in this cider because rhubarb is such a tart and puckery fruit. This cider had no tannins to speak of, but it really works because of the acidity. It’s a semi-dry cider with a rock candy finish.

Pineapple Jalapeno-

I know that not everyone wants a Pineapple Jalapeno cider, but I do. I love what a note of spice can do for a sweet cider, and pineapple is practically a cheat code for my happiness. This cider wafts plentiful aromas of grilled pineapple! When I take a first sip the peppers hit immediately and dissipate. This cider is sweet with high acid and an endless amount of juicy fun. My only complaint is that the cider’s body is a touch thinner than goes ideally with something both sweet and spicy. And importantly there’s still some apple in the cider’s backbone.

These are not the sorts of ciders I would choose every glass and everyday, but they paired well with our roasted brussels sprouts, sweet potato fries, and veggie nachos. They were fruity, tart, and fun. The whole place was buzzy and fun with energy to spare!  

Cider Review: Sea Cider Farm and Ciderhouse's Platinum Heirloom Series

Lately I’ve been hearing a new portmanteau: Augtober. Now that it’s August, folks are using this created word to give autumn-loving folks permission to start the celebrations early. I’m not at all sure how I feel about this. I mean, of course, make your sweater-weather self happy, so long as you aren’t hurting anyone with your pumpkin spice. It’s even cute. I love Fall too. I’m just not ready yet. 

Instead Autumn feels like a vast thunderhead approaching overhead. It’s huge, but it’s fast. Before we know it, we’ll be experiencing its deluge. Perhaps my new job that goes more by the collegiate academic calendar more than many previous roles, has me feeling a bit dramatic about “Back-to-School Season.” Time moves so fast! 

Speaking of time, I can scarcely believe it’s been five years since I reviewed anything by Sea Cider. That’s purely a fact that reflects how hard that cider is to obtain around here. Sea Ciders come to us from Vancouver Island specifically from a legendary orchard on the Saanich Peninsula near Victoria. 

Here are the two earlier appearances of Sea Ciders on Along Came a Cider. 

Ruby Rose:  https://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2019/04/cider-review-sea-ciders-ruby-rose-and.html

Pippins: https://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2017/12/cider-review-sea-cider-farm-and.html

I recommend visiting the Sea Cider website where you can read more about currently available ciders and tasting room happenings: http://seacider.ca.

For a little context, I enjoyed this cider with the Tall One and his oldest sister on a warm summer evening while trying to make a bizarre inflatable couch work. Do not ask about the couch. We were back into town on our way home at the end of our vacation.  What a wonderful way to spend the last bright hours of vacation! 

Here’s the official description from Sea Cider for the Platinum Anniversary Blend. 

Platinum Heirloom Series

Pop the bottle – It’s time to celebrate! Whether to toast a triumph, mark a milestone, or simply savour a moment, Platinum cider is the perfect accompaniment. Our heirloom apples shine in Platinum, which delights the palate with gentle effervescence and notes of fresh apple and cut grass. First released in 2024, this scintillating, semi-dry cider marks Sea Cider’s 20 year “platinum” anniversary since setting sail from our Mt. St. Michael Orchard on Vancouver Island. We raise a glass to this milestone and the voyage ahead!

6.9% alc./vol.

Appearance: brilliant, rich goldenrod, few visible bubbles

This cider is lovely to see. I love the intense Goldenrod hue. I don’t see a lot of bubble action, and with a cider this bright and brilliant, they cannot hide easily. We’ll see what the sparkle level is like. 

Aromas: White pepper, malic acid, ripe apples, clean yogurt, stone

There’s lots of scent in the Platinum, white pepper and malic acid tickle, fermented, yogurt, ripe apples, and stone. It’s mouthwatering.

Sweetness/dryness: Semi-dry

This semi-dry cider has enough fruity sweetness to be wildly appealing to the majority of cider drinkers, whether they usually veer more towards dry or sweet. The sugars that are present taste natural and integrated into the larger taste experience. 

Flavors and drinking experience: fine bubbles, mild tannins, high acid, fruit forward

Though I didn’t see them, the Platinum keeps the texture fun and exciting with lots of small bubbles. That’s the first impression and the second is that this cider manages to be acid focused, juicy, and fruit forward without being too simple. There’s just a hint of sherry-like oxidation and some mild tannins to add to the cider’s maturity and complexity. What i’m loving most though is how the high acid sounds across multiple pleasant registers—bright and round.  It’s finish is long and lovely like the light on a Summer evening.

What I Ate on Summer Vacation (Vancouver, Bellingham, and Seattle)

I returned recently from a whirlwind trip out west with stops of varying length in Seattle, Vancouver, and Bellingham. We were traveling to see family and a few friends,but I’m happy to say that we prioritized eating well also. What we found what so different than the food I know and love in upstate NY that I want to share a few highlights here. Vacation ciders are coming next, I promise. 

So, here are some of the best things I ate on my summer vacation.

Sun Bo Kong Vegetarian Restaurant: https://www.sunbokong.com/

This was my first ever experience with vegetarian Dim Sum (any Dim Sum really). I didn’t manage to get any good pictures, because once the food started flowing chaos descended. We reveled in a parade of dumplings, spring rolls, savory vegetables, stuffed buns, and delicious tiny faux chicken legs. Everything was different and moutwateringly good. Our friends know where to take visitors! Now I know that vegetarian Dim Sum is an experience to be sought out!

Mila Plant Based: https://www.milaplantbased.com/

I had the Cold Pho Salad, because conditions outside were sunny, dry, and hot. I needed something cool and refreshing. When I saw that this dish used cucumber, radish and asian pear along with udon noodles and just a hint of Birds’ Eye Chili Peppers. I don’t know if anything else I ate on the trip could rival this dish for complexity, flavor, and serving as the perfect counterpoint to an intense summer day. Both of my companions enjoyed their Dan Dan Noodles as well for the fun interplay of textures and zesty heat.

Cafe Rumba: https://caferumbabham.com/

Peruvian Yam Sandwich called a Peruano with Yam, avocado, mozzarella cheese, roasted tomato, spinach, aji huacatay, aji amarillo sauce. And we shared a small bowl of big Andean Corn Kernels, with Feta, and fresh vegetable salsa. Alex teased me for wanting potatoes as a side and as a topping, yet I remain undaunted. Ever since falling in love with La Feria in Pittsburgh, we seek out Peruvian food wherever we go, and this place is a casual gem!

Rock and Rye Oyster House:  https://www.rockrye.com/

My salmon craving was really directing us on our evening in Bellingham. The Tall one suggested a lovely narrow strip of a place in a lovely old brick building downtown. The restaurant was celebrating it’s tenth year of operation with several specials, some of which we chose for our dinner. I enjoyed the special smoked salmon with tomatoes and berries. Alex had the beet gnocchi. We shared an appetizer of Japanese street corn.

MeeT on Main: https://eatmeet.ca/main-street/

We tried loads of delightful things here including vegan poutine, Oyster Mushroom Calamari, a BBQ burger, and gnocchi with Romesco sauce. Everything was deliriously good. I tried a local cider that will be written abouNt in a future post, but having all the salty snacky comfort food as an accompaniment to good companionship and a fun cider really is hard to beat. I loved the menu, atmosphere, and palette of flavors that MeeT brought to the table!

Ignite Pizzeria in Mt. Pleasant: https://ignitepizzeria.com/

On our way into town we stopped at a cute little pizza spot for the Potato Gorgonzola Pizza. The place does stone fired pizzas, and ours had plenty of thinly sliced potato, mozzarella, loads of super flavorful gorgonzola, and just a sprinkle of rosemary. The other fun thing was trying our first ever Italian hot sauce. I’m a wimp about spice, but I love smokiness and peppers, so I was brave and tasted the Firelli Hot Sauce. It was delightfully flavorful, but I managed to handle it on a pizza simply created for such a pairing. 

Portage Bay Cafe: https://www.portagebaycafe.com/roosevelt

When I have the opportunity to order Shakshuka, I take it. That’s just a given for me. I love tomato-y, eggy, breakfasts with good bread and feta cheese. The Tall one ordered Lemon Ricotta Pancakes that included one trip to the berry bar. Yes, I said berry bar. It looked sublime. The pacific northwest is known for berries almost as much as for rainfall, so do not skip any opportunity to explore that reputation first hand. Both of our dishes came out exactly as we hoped. For me that meant rich, spicy, and hearty and for my companion it was light and fluffy sweetness. Add in eating outdoors on a lovely morning, and I’m all set. 

Believe it or not, these are just the highlights and not an exhaustive list of all of the great food finds on our trip. And I promise we did loads more than just eat. Next up, cider!

Cider Review: 2 Towns Ciderhouse Sidekick Non-Alcoholic Cosmic Crisp

When sitting down to write today, I noticed that in this blog’s history that I’ve posted 600 times. That feels shocking to me. It’s so many. And though I promised experimentation in addition to a new posting schedule back in February, I’ve mostly stayed to the tried-and-true descriptive review format. My desire to try new things hasn’t changed, so I’ll redouble my efforts. 

Today, I’m happy to share one more non-alcoholic cider review in Two Town’s Ciderhouse Sidekick Non-Alcoholic Cosmic Crisp. This cider and it’s companion the Pacific Pineapple have been sweeping all sorts of awards for cider innovations, non alcoholic drinks, you name it. 

Here’s the complete roundup of all of my 2 Towns Ciderhouse reviews from the past 10 years. More background on the cidery appears in several of the earlier posts.

Sidekick Pacific Pineapple: https://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2024/05/cider-review-2-towns-ciderhouse.html

Apricot Cosmic Crisp: https://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2024/02/cider-review-2-towns-apricot-cosmic.html

The Baddie: https://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2023/03/cider-review-two-towns-ciderhouses.html

Crimson Bliss: http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2022/10/cider-review-2-towns-ciderhouses.html

Hollow Jack’d: http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2022/09/cider-review-2-towns-ciderhouses-hollow.html

Two Berry Dream: http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2022/08/cider-review-2-towns-ciderhouses-two.html

10th Anniversary Cider Pacific Northwest Heirloom Blend: http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2021/01/cider-review-2-towns-ciderhouse-10th.html

Good Limes Roll: http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2020/07/cider-reviews-two-towns-cider-house.html

Cosmic Currant: http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2019/12/cider-review-two-towns-cosmic-currant.html

Hollow Jack’d: http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2019/10/cider-review-two-towns-ciderhouse.html

Afton Field: http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2019/06/cider-review-2-towns-ciderhouse-afton.html

La Mûre: http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2019/02/cider-review-albemarle-ciderworks.html

Easy Peasy Lemon Squeezy: http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2018/12/cider-review-eden-ciders-siren-song-and.html

Cidre Bouche: http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2017/11/cider-review-2-towns-ciderhouses-cidre.html

Pearadise: http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2018/05/very-perry-may-2-towns-ciderhouses.html

Pineapple: http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2018/02/cider-review-portland-cider-company.html

Bright Cider: http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2016/07/cider-review-roundup-common-cider-co.html

Hop and Stalk: http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2014/12/cider-review-2-towns-ciderhouse-hop-and.html

Here's where to find 2 Towns on the web: https://2townsciderhouse.com/

And this is what 2 Towns has to say about the Sidekick Cosmic Crisp. 

Crafted with Washington grown Cosmic Crisp® apples, this galactic shredder will have you hucking craters and airing it out big in zero-G. Using exclusively sourced Northwest apples, each batch is fresh-pressed with a custom blend of ingredients. After fermentation, the alcohol is gently removed low and slow until it reaches less than 0.5% AB. The newly dealcoholized cider is finished and blended to create a crisp, clean cider that always has your back!

Appearance: hazy, the color of a hawk’s yellow cream feathers,

Aromas: green apple, yogurt, yeast

Something sharp and crystalline that implies both green apple fruit and sweetness. A richer yogurty note supporting that. It’s a bit of yeasty fermented aroma that helps differentiate this from a soda or fresh juice. 

Sweetness/dryness: Sweet

This is sweet. I think it’s very much like the alcoholic version of the Cosmic Crisp, so the sweetness is balanced with high acidity.

Flavors and drinking experience: high acid, bubbly, fruity with apple, elderflower, pineapple, peach and pear notes

This nonalcoholic cider manages to stay absolutely true to the fruity and approachable acid driven style that has made 2 Towns so successful. There are fermented notes; it’s not just sparkling apple juice. It’s full bodied, super tropical and juicy, and pleasantly bubbly. I quite like it, especially on evenings like tonight when I want to have a treat, but need to be 100% sharp. 

Cider Review: Five Maidens Craft Cider's Betty

We’re under the heat dome, and I’m afraid there’s no real escaping it for the next several days. My primary recommendation for those of you who are stuck in it with me, please drink water often, enjoy the shade, take it as easy as you can, and take everything with a grain of salt this week. Cider on the porch still sounds good to me, but I’ll have a glass of water ready to hand as well.

This week, I’m sharing my thoughts on Five Maidens Craft Cider’s Betty. This is my first review of anything from this cidery. The ciders come to us from Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Andrew David, Brian Williams, and Mandy David own and run the cidery, which grew out of Brian and Andrew’s passion for home brewing. 
You can visit Five Maidens Cider online here: https://5mcider.com/

If you want more background about this cidery, I do recommend this member spotlight for the cidery on Lehigh Valley’s Brewer’s Guild websiteLehigh Valley’s Brewer’s Guild website.

I picked this sample up when I was a cider judge at the PA Farm Show in Harrisburg, otherwise I would not have access to this cider, so big thanks to the competition folks for sharing!

Official description:

Betty, our single varietal cider from the Rosalee apple, reminds us of our favorite Betty White character, Rose Nylund. This single varietal cider provides a sweet, fragrant fresh apple picked aroma. The flavor is semi sweet initial lush apple with background acidity that finishes drier. Betty is a unique single varietal cider that should appeal to both dry and sweet fans.

Appearance: brilliant, pale straw, subtle color

The Betty looks like an inviting new world style cider with a pale straw hue and beautiful brilliance.

Aromas: vanilla frosting, green apple, fresh apple

At first scent, the Betty smells fresh and sweet like vanilla apple frosting. The fruit notes are specifically fresh green apples. It’s an easy smell to enjoy.

Sweetness/dryness: Sweet

This is a sweet cider. It’s not cloying or overpowering, but it’s unambiguously sweet in a fresh fruity way.

Flavors and drinking experience: high acid, full body, mild bubble, tropical fruit

The Betty is vivacious with mild bubble, high acidity, and a full body. This is a super approachable cider for folks who might not have tried many single varietals before.
The mid-palate really pleases with tropical fruit flavors alongside notes of peach and ripe apple.

I find this cider to be pleasant and easy drinking. It went well with a simple supper of sautéed zucchini and a lemon ricotta ravioli with pesto. Cheers!