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!

Cider Review: Albemarle Ciderworks Jupiter's Legacy

Today, I’m reviewing Albemarle Ciderworks’ Jupiter’s Legacy. This cider was shared with me by the fine folks at Albemarle Ciderworks. We’re cruising into Summer quickly, and this cider was my reward after a huge day of garden work and exercise. I wanted nothing more than peaceful relaxation on my porch and this is what I enjoyed with it. 

I’ve reviewed a few Albemarle Ciderworks beverages before. You can find more information about this Virginia based cidery in the earlier reviews. Here’s the full list. 

Brut D'Albemarle Hewes Crab: https://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2023/09/cider-review-albemarle-ciderworks-brut.html

Wickson: http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2023/07/dryciderjuly-cider-review-albemarle.html

Brut D’Albemarle Harrison: http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2023/03/cider-review-albemarle-ciderworks-brut.html

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

Ragged Mountain: http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2013/10/cider-review-albemarle-ragged-mountain.html

Royal Pippin: http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2013/08/cider-review-albemarle-ciderworks-royal.html

Pomme Mary (a Top Ten cider from 2013): http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2013/09/cider-review-albemarle-iderworks-pomme.html

This is where you can find the most up to date info on Albemarle releases and tasting room events: http://www.albemarleciderworks.com.

Here’s what Albemarle’s website has to say about Jupiter’s Legacy.

Jupiter's Legacy

Jupiter’s Legacy has a bright acidity with notes of citrus. Made from a blend of classic cider apples that changes yearly with the variation of the apple harvest, this cider has a nicely astringent tannin and a tart apple finish. Elegant with chicken and cream finished dishes.  8.2% ABV

Tasting Notes

As our most complex blend, Jupiter's Legacy displays a nuanced depth of body and flavor that reveals itself slowly, over the course of a glass.  Some warm tannins give this cider a rounder mouthfeel and longer finish, while the balancing acidity keeps it lively.  Jupiter's Legacy really shines when paired with complementary foods: chicken and cream-finished dishes, game meats, steak au poivre, and of course pork.  Sweet, apple-based desserts can also offset Jupiter's tartness nicely, such as an apple tatin with caramel sauce, or simply a cider donut.

Why we like it

This is our flagship cider incorporating our best traditional cider apples.  We believe that this blend which will vary from year to year as we are able to grow more traditional American cider apples.  We believe it represents the best of what American cider was and will be.

The cider’s label makes clear that Albemarle Ciderworks named this cider to honor an enslaved man and cider maker: Jupiter. His last name is thought to be Evans, but sources aren’t entirely confident. I’ll link to two sources of information about the cider’s namesake.

From the Monticello research center: https://www.monticello.org/research-education/thomas-jefferson-encyclopedia/jupiter-evans/

Civil Eats Article: https://civileats.com/2019/05/10/american-cider-in-black-and-white/

Appearance: brilliant, bubbly, intense saffron color

This cider’s color reminds me of saffron yellow, which is warm and leans toward apricot. It’s brilliant and bubbly as well.

Aromas: overripe apple, baking spices, grilled peach

Initially, Jupiter's Legacy’s aromas bring to mind applesauce and baking spices. A gentle ghost of cinnamon is decidedly present. Repeated sniffs unlock overripe apple and grilled peach notes too. Very inviting. 

Sweetness/dryness: off dry

This one is a bit debatable. When I first had a glass, it tasted off dry. A second glass the next day, and after a meal, tasted drier. I’d be curious to learn the cider’s residual sugar. 

Flavors and drinking experience: high acid, high tannins, soft leather, sweet orange

Albemarle Ciderworks has crafted something special in Jupiter’s Legacy. This cider has high acidity and medium tannins, but those words do not capture what’s special about it.  I love that it reminds me of old supple leather softened by time and handling, overripe apples and sweet orange. It’s stony with a fine active bubble.

Drinking it, I found the cider both balanced and beautiful. It’s one I was so happy to enjoy two nights in a row as I watched the evenings stretch out long and golden. 

Cider Review: 2 Towns Ciderhouse Sidekick Pacific Pineapple

My posting has been off schedule lately. I’m not going to say that life keeps getting in the way, because life is the way and the blog must fit into it to continue. And that’s how everything goes, certainly including cider. Which leads me to this week’s review. I’m reviewing a non-alcoholic cider for the first time. The timing is perfect for me to share my thoughts on 2 Towns Ciderhouse Sidekick Pacific Pineapple.

Things have been hectic and difficult lately in such a way that I sometimes want the flavor and experience of having a cider without the buzz or effects of alcohol. And I’m seeing a ton of new non-alcoholic beverages out in the world. I was thrilled to accept some samples for review by 2 Towns Ciderhouse. As always, my reviews are my own opinions and completely unpaid.

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

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

Find out what 2 Towns has been up to lately on the website: https://2townsciderhouse.com/

And here’s how the ciderhouse describes this new release. 

SIDEKICK - PACIFIC PINEAPPLE

NON ALCOHOLIC PACIFIC PINEAPPLE

Juicy and tropical, Pacific Pineapple rolls ripe Costa Rica golden pineapples into fresh-pressed Northwest apples. Refreshingly juicy and easy drinking, no matter your locale! 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!

Here’s what I thought of 2 Towns’ Sidekick Pacific Pineapple.

Appearance: Hazy, buttery yellow, bubbly

This cider has a consistent haze that makes me think of lemon curd. The color is a pale buttery yellow, and the Pacific Pineapple doesn’t lack for bubbles. Apologies for the lack of a picture. I was drinking this in the yard with my cat. Here's a picture of the cat instead. This is Braeburn.

Aromas: fermentation, apple, pineapple, bread yeast

I wasn’t quite sure what to expect for this cider’s aroma, considering that it’s non-alcoholic. It certainly smells fermented, with an inviting blend of clean bread yeast, fresh apple, and pineapple. I would have no notion that’s anything other than 2 Towns Pacific Pineapple (the with booze version) by aroma.

Sweetness/Dryness: Sweet 

This cider is sweet, but it’s not maximally sweet. What’s there is balanced by body, bubble, and acid. It’s a good level, and I’m so glad it’s not sweeter.

Flavors and drinking experience: Super fresh, vivid, light fermentation flavor, medium high acid, bubbly, full body

The Sidekick Pacific Pineapple smelled like cider and pineapple, and that comes through in its flavors as well. The cider is sweet and lightly fermented tasting  but largely the experience is super fresh and vivid. I appreciate that it’s just a bit yeasty! That gives the experience a hint of warmth and a reminder that I’m not drinking soda. I love that there’s a tiny hint of bitterness in the mid palate.

The cider starts of reminding me of citrus, blooms into pineapple, and ends with an apple finish. I appreciate that it’s complex, offering up loads of flavor, a full body and strong bubble.

I enjoyed this tremendously, and I don’t really want to share my 6 pack with anyone, but I suppose I’ll have to. I know everyone will want to try it! Way to go, 2 Towns Ciderhouse.

One more cat picture, because I cannot help myself.

Cider Review: Rootwood Cider Co.'s Harrison

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I found out about Rootwood Cider Company through the Northwest Cider Club. This is a wonderful way to get access to a mouthwatering array of ciders from that region. I would not find out about a fraction of the Northwest ciders I’ve enjoyed without them. 

Here’s a link to the club for the curious: https://nwciderclub.com/

This introduction to Rootwood Cider Co. came through a delivery in 2021, so it has waited a while in my cellar. Here’s what I can say about the cider producer. This Washington State cidery was founded in 2014 in the Koenig family’s 5th generation of orcharding. The cidery is now owned by Emily, Kate, and Anna Koenig. A short quote from the about page on the cidery website gives a sense of the cidery’s breadth of style.

“Rootwood will continue to produce a combination of traditional and modern ciders - both heirloom apple blends and single-varietal products, and small-batch experimental ciders such as the syrah-infused Rosé, honey infused Pollinator, and ghost chili pepper infused Golden Ghost.”

This will be my first ever review of anything by Rootwood. I was excited to try the Harrison on a recent spring evening, because of the mystique surrounding the varietal. Here’s how Rootwood Cider Co. introduces it.

Tasting notes

HARRISON - SINGLE VARIETAL - juicy apple brightness with a warm sherrylike finish

Once thought to be extinct, a single Harrison apple tree was rediscovered in 1976 in New Jersey, allowing for the reintroduction of this variety through grafting and budding. This cider was produced with apples from our estate cider orchard, where more than 500 Harrison trees grow today. 6.9% ABV.

Appearance: Orange,  bubbly

I was shocked initially by the Harrison’s intense shade of orange. I admit, it left me curious about what to expect from this cider. The cider is brilliant, bubbly, and bewitching with its unusual hue. I’ve seen a few UK or French ciders with shades of orange for color, but it’s not usual for an american cider or a cider with this level of clarity. 

Aromas: Ripe apples, pear, and peach

As surprising as I found this cider’s appearance, the Harrison smells familiar and wonderful. The enticing notes center on ripe apple, pear, and peach.

Sweetness/dryness: sweet

What a treat! Often single varietal ciders are fermented to total dryness. I like that. It’s a good way to make a considered cider, but it’s not the only way. Rootwood has crafted something lovely approachable and delicious in the sweet but not simple Harrison.

Flavors and drinking experience: Tannic, juicy, golden raisins, apricot finish and bubbly

The sweet and tannic cider does not strike me as typical of any sort of American cider. It’s not always easy to get apples that will make a tannic cider, but Harrison is one. The cider sings with high acidity and notes of golden raisins.

The Harrison’s mid-palate is peachy, juicy, and bubbly. It finishes with a pleasant apricot and seasoned wood drift of flavor.

Cider Review: Eden Cidery's Cellar Series Franklin Pet Nat

Things change all the time. The seasons cycle through (though less predictably than in the decades gone by), and we all grow and change. Recently, I completed a first draft of a novel manuscript. This is a first for me, and I’m excited to jump into editing. And I’ve accepted an exciting offer of a different role within the larger organization of my day job. That will start next week. I still love apples and cider, so I celebrated the good job news with a special bottle.  Today I’m sharing my thoughts on that celebratory beverage: Eden Cidery’s Cellar Series Franklin Pet Nat.

If anyone reading isn’t familiar with the term Pet Nat, that’s totally fair. It’s short for Petillant Naturel. That’s a specific fermentation technique used for wine and cider that leverages the yeast’s transformation of sugar into carbon dioxide to create naturally bubbles in the bottle with just one round of fermentation and no disgorging. Here’s a link to a better explanation by the illustrious Beth Demmon: https://www.wineenthusiast.com/culture/beer/cider/pet-nat-cider/. 

I love a good Pet Nat. They are dry and often taste super fresh, slightly funky, high acid, and bubbly. This is a huge part of what I want from cider. It’s not the only profile, but it’s a trustworthy one!

Eden Ciders are some of my favorites. This small Vermont cidery experiments and creates new delicious ciders all the time while remaining truly orchard and harvest focused. There aren’t enough cideries that can make that claim. I’ve amassed quite the collection of reviews of Eden ciders. Here’s the list.

Fuzz Ball: https://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2023/09/cider-review-eden-ciders-fuzz-ball.html

Cobble Knoll: http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2022/08/cider-review-eden-ciders-cobble-knoll.html

Sorciere: http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2022/07/cider-review-eden-ciders-sorciere.html

Oliver’s Twist Foxwhelp Cider: http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2021/11/cider-review-eden-ciders-olivers-twist.html

Brut Rose: http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2021/07/cider-review-eden-ciders-brut-rose.html

Benjamin: http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2021/06/cider-review-eden-ciders-benjamin-and.html

Deep Cut: http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2020/08/cider-review-eden-specialty-ciders-deep.html

Peak Bloom: http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2020/09/cider-review-eden-ciders-peak-bloom-and.html

Ezekiel: http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2019/01/cider-review-eden-specialty-ciders.html

Extra Sec: http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2019/03/cider-review-angry-orchard-super.html

Eden Heritage Cider: http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2018/06/cider-cans-crush-it-eden-heritage-and.html

Siren Song: http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2018/12/cider-review-eden-ciders-siren-song-and.html

Brut Nature: https://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2018/02/cider-con-2018-pt-1-eden-specialty.html

Imperial 11 Degree Rose: http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2017/03/the-january-2017-cidrbox-and-edens.html

Sparkling Dry: http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2015/06/cider-review-eden-sparkling-dry-cider.html

The Sparkling Dry supported my Thanksgiving & Birthday celebrations in 2016: 

http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2016/11/pick-cider-for-thanksgiving-and-my.html

http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2016/11/happy-to-pickcider-for-thanksgiving.html

I suggest visiting Eden Cidery’s website. That’s the best place to read about the harvest ciders, aperitifs, and ice ciders available along with the sister brands Eden is now affiliated with: https://www.edenciders.com/

Here’s how the label describes the Cellar Series Franklin Pet Nat.

Franklin is Vermont's own cider apple variety. Propagated from a wild seedling tree found at the edge of a small orchard in Franklin County, Vermont. It is a high volume apple, producing a dry sparkling cider that balances mouth-watering acidity and robust tannins. We were privileged to pick the fruit of the mother tree for this special small batch. Abv 7.2% Residual sugar 0 grams/liter

Appearance: intense butter yellow, brilliant, lots of active fine bubbles

This is a lovely cider! The color just radiates like welcome spring sunshine in a pure buttery shade of yellow. There are tons of bubbles present, all tiny and active!

Aromas: Nutty farmy lemon and moss and grape skin

The Franklin Pet Nat smells nutty and farmy upon first whiff. As I let the aroma notes unfurl, I get lemon, moss, and grape skins. It feels so appropriate for Spring!

Dryness/sweetness: Dry!

Eden’s Franklin Pet Nat is a completely dry cider, and it tells no lies about that. Dry cider fans, rejoice!

Flavors and drinking experience: high acidity, lemon fluff, funk, bubbly

I love the mouthwatering high acidity on this cider.  Eden has released something super gorgeous and bubbly with the Franklin Pet Nat. This dry cider comes across with citrus zest, lemon fluff, and some farmy wildness.

The mouthfeel is Austere and spiky with tannic weight. The cider is more indebted to minerals than fruit, but the fruit that is present is firmly citrusy. The gentle notes of funk from the Franklin Pet Nat’s aromas remain present in its flavors. They aren’t out of control, but they remind us that we’re drinking something a bit untamed.