Top 10 Favorite Ciders in 2023

The Winter Solstice has come and gone but we’re still in the dark days of the year but hopefully accompanied by good friends and festive meals with delicious ciders. I can scarcely believe that this is my 11th year of sharing a list of my favorite ten ciders to celebrate the coming of a new year. No matter what sort of year it’s been, I do enjoy settling in to think about the ciders that have delighted and surprised me the most. 

Here are all of my earlier gatherings of favorite ciders, year by year.

2022: https://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2022/12/

2021 Top 5: https://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2021/12/my-favorite-5-ciders-of-

2021.html

2021: My 10-5 countdown: https://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2021/12/5-of-my-favorite-10-ciders-of-2021.html

2020: http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2020/12/my-10-favorite-ciders-of-2020.html

2019: http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2019/12/my-10-favourite-ciders-of-2019.html

2018: http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2018/12/my-favourite-10-ciders-of-2018.html

2017: http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2017/12/my-10-favorite-ciders-of-2017.html

2016: http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2016/12/my-10-favorite-ciders-of-2016.html

2015: https://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2015/12/my-10-favorite-ciders-of-2015.html

2014: http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2014/12/my-10-favorite-ciders-of-2014.html

And the one that started it all, 2013: http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2013/12/my-10-favorite-ciders-of-2013.html

Here’s a short recap of how it works. I only choose one cider per company, because my tastes are consistent enough that there would be many fewer cideries celebrated otherwise. I’m only human! My tastes belong to me, and I don’t think everyone would make the same choices. Still I want to spread the love to as many different cideries each year as I can. I can choose any cider I’ve reviewed in 2023. Lastly, I’ll quote from last year, “I want to reiterate that these are my favorites; these are just ten ciders that wowed me the most this past year.”  

Let's start with something different. For the first time, I want to give an Honorable Mention to Portland Cider Co.'s Cranberry Mule.

https://www.portlandcider.com/

https://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2023/12/cider-review-portland-cider-cos.html

This cider got edged out of my top ten, but just barely. It’s also really different from the profiles I tend to like most consistently. The Cranberry Mule marries ginger spice, apple fruitiness, cranberry zing, with just a kick of lime. This is a fun seasonal that I highly recommend! 

10. Western Cider’s Dry and Dandy

https://westerncider.com/

https://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2023/10/cider-review-western-cider-cos-dry-and.html

The Dry and Dandy had me excited from the first whiff of aroma. I loved it’s floral bitterness, complexity, and green wood finish. 

9. Alde Cider from Hardanger

https://www.aldesider.no/

https://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2023/07/yesterday-i-weeded-in-garden.html

What a treat, trying two ciders from Norway! The Alde Cider from Hardanger was sweet without being simple, and I found it totally beguiling with it’s tropical fruit notes and creamy mouthfeel. 

8. Seminary Hill: Delaware Dry

https://www.seminaryhill.co/

https://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2023/12/cider-review-seminary-hill-ciders.html

Seminary Hill Cider has found a fan in me. I love the style of restrained, tannic, high acid ciders that come from this place. The Delaware Dry was utterly fantastic with it’s austere minerality and edge of bitterness. I can’t wait to taste more.

7.Aga Sideri’s Bøddel Sider

https://www.agasideri.no/

https://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2023/05/cider-review-sider-aga-boddel.html

My Norwegian battle axe cider! This felt like one of the biggest unknowns when I reached for this cider and yet it was completely rewarding. It was part of our rescue from an unexpectedly snowy cold night on our visit along with Norwegian pizza. The cider brought awesome dryness, fresh fun acidity, and some complex tannins into the mix. I think this cider would be a big hit here! 

6. Big Fish Cider Co.’s Monterey Maple

https://www.bigfishcider.com/

https://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2023/02/cider-review-big-fish-cider-cos.html

This cider was part of my winter holiday celebrations with the Tall One and my father last year. I think it’s my favorite maple cider ever. It utilizes apple brandy barrels as well as maple to beautiful effect. I loved the hints of apple butter and baking spice as well as the aromas contributed by the maple and barrel.  

5. Runcible Cider's Idyll Acres

https://www.runciblecider.com/

https://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2023/05/cider-revew-runcible-ciders-idyll-acres.html

The Idyll Acres was a barrel-aged beauty I tasted this Summer. It was refreshingly dry while still managing to brim over with ripe fruit notes. Check out the full review to see the amazing list of apples that made up this sophisticated and delicious cider. 

4. Snow Capped Cider’s Dabinett

https://snowcappedcider.com/

https://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2023/02/cider-review-snow-capped-ciders-dabinett.html

This semi-sweet cider brought gorgeous overripe apple and yeast notes to my glass and just enough funk to keep things interesting. I loved the leathery finish and high acidity.  It was a real treat with takeout Ethiopian food, but would pair well with a lot of spicy dishes!

3. Haykin Family Cider’s Method Ancestrale Jonathan 2018

https://www.haykinfamilycider.com/

https://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2023/10/cider-review-haykin-family-ciders.html

This is Haykin Family Cider’s second time landing a third place spot in my favorites list, but this time it’s for their Method Ancenstrale Jonathan cider from 2018. This cider was all about acidity, ripe apple, and floral notes. It reminded me of citrus and honey in the best possible ways. Delish!

2. Troddenvale’s Countryside Farm (100% Harrison)

https://www.troddenvale.com/

https://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2023/02/cider-review-troddenvales-countryside.html

My dearest brought me this cider (I am so lucky), because it uses 100% Harrison apples. The scent was powerfully woody and enticing. It had a full mouthfeel, subtle barrel character, and beautiful phenolics. I guess I should stop second-guessing single varietal ciders!

1. Albemarle Ciderworks’ Brut D’Albemarle Hewes Crab

https://www.albemarleciderworks.com/

https://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2023/09/cider-review-albemarle-ciderworks-brut.html

What a cider! I knew when I tasted it in September that it would be on this list, and I’m not surprised that it remained unsurpassed for the final months of the year. Ths cider managed to bring gorgeous fruitiness, tannins, and perfect bubbles together in a way that simply sang. It was a complete winner in every regard. I loved it. There is nothing like the concentration of beautiful flavor possible with skillful fermentation of crabapples! 

Looking back, this is an astonishingly strong line up. Two Virginia single-varietals at the top of my list! That tells me I might be overdue for a trip to explore Virginia cider country.

Thanks so so much, cider friends! I didn’t get to see nearly enough of you in person this year, but know that I’m so grateful for everyone in our little corner of the world. May your Winters be peaceful with time for rest and may Spring come gently this year. I hope our paths can cross in 2024. Until next time, cheers!

Cider Review: Big Fish Cider Co.'s Monterey Maple

I’ve been saving my notes on Big Fish Cider Co.’s Monterey Maple since December 27th. I got to enjoy this cider with the Tall One and my dad during our holiday get together. My dad’s awesome cat KB is in one of the pictures. Today is a day that reminds me that while Winter is here, Spring is coming. I thought it only right to share this cider that connects those seasons as well, with its hearty winter-friendly warmth and maple’s nod to Spring’s running of the sap. 

For more background information on Virginia’s Big Fish Cider Co. I recommend looking to my earlier reviews. I’ve enjoyed reviewing these ciders for a few years now. Here’s a list of all of this blog’s previous reviews of Big Fish Cider Co. ciders. There’s a very high ratio of these ciders’ appearances on the blog and in the yearly favorites list. It’s not a coincidence, as Big Fish Ciders tend to be absolutely delicious. 

Wassail: https://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2023/01/cider-review-big-fish-cider-cos-wassail.html

Punk and Henry (my #2 Favorite cider of 2022): http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2022/03/cider-review-big-fish-cider-cos-puck.html

Virginia Hewes Crab(my #1 favorite cider of 2020!): http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2020/10/cider-review-big-fish-cider-co-virginia.html

Wild Meadow: http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2020/05/cider-review-big-fish-cider-cos-wild.html

Allegheny Gold (my #3 cider from 2019): http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2019/01/cider-review-whitewood-cider-company.html

Highland Scrumpy (my #3 cider from 2018): http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2018/08/cider-review-angry-orchard-ciders.html

Church Hill Blush: http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2018/05/very-perry-may-aeppeltreows-orchard.html

Check out all of the ciders that Big Fish Cider has available by visiting them on the web: https://www.bigfishcider.com/

Here’s the cidery’s official description for the cider.

Sparkling gold clear Off-Dry cider featuring Stayman, Gold Rush, Winesap and Pink Lady. This cider is fermented with local Maple Syrup, and then barrel aged in apple brandy barrels, 8.4% abv.

We grow amazing apples here in Highland, but we are better known for our maple syrup; this cider is a perfect marriage of the two. In the olden-days, cidermakers would add extra sugar to their cider to boost the alcohol content in order to make a more stable drink (with our long, cold winters, who could blame them?), and at one time maple syrup was inexpensive and readily available. They would ferment the cider in barrels, and with the maple flavors, this would add complexity to the cider. We used apple brandy barrels, which add another dimension to the flavors of this cider.

The Oak of the barrel comes through on the nose, but the first sip soon gives way to the brandy and flavors including vanilla and caramel notes, from the barrel, and when swallowed the essence of the maple is left on the palate, along with the tannins from the oak. Less maple flavor than most expect, and not sweet. We didn’t want the Maple to dominate, only be a supporting flavor in this cider.

Monterey Maple goes well with smoked meats and particularly grilled foods.

Appearance: bright jeweler’s gold, brilliant, bubbly

I love how intense and bright the jeweler’s gold color is in the Monterey Maple. Otherwise the cider is plentifully bubbly and brilliant.

Aromas: barrel, baking spices, maple, botanical notes, apple butter

The Monterey Maple cider smells of a gentle aged spiciness of the brandy barrel. I also get notes of concentrated apple butter, baking spices, and one thread of wildness.

Dryness/Sweetness: Semi-sweet

This cider is described as off-dry, but the maple adds presence to its sweetness, so it may function like a semi-sweet if your tastes are like mine.

Flavors and drinking experience: brandy, creamy mouthfeel, medium high acid, maple, 

Big Fish Cider Co.’s Monterey Maples tastes fantastic. Bubbles caress the thick boozy mouthfeel. The cider brings medium high tannins and medium high acid. The acidity stands out as high profile for a barrel-aged cider; I appreciate the effect tremendously. The maple is nicely integrated, but the brandy barrels speak just as clearly. The cider awakens the salivary glands. 

I love how this cider tastes warming and bright at once. The maple speaks with additional clarity  in the finish and aftertaste, which is a great place for it to show up. I also get floral notes as the cider leaves my senses. The one note of wildness from the aroma does persist, adding a burr of texture. The bubbles are a joy. Overall a perfect delight for Winter or Spring. 

Cider Review: Big Fish Cider Co.'s Wassail

Let’s start off this year’s cider coverage with Big Fish Cider Co.’s Wassail! A Wassail is a celebration and collective ritual to create community and bring good harvests, so it seems an auspicious way to begin a new year! Here’s to many good and delicious things for all of us.

Big Fish Cider Company makes its home in Monterey, Virginia. The cidery was founded in 2015, though the cidermaker Kirk Billingsly had more than twenty years of home cidermaking to his credit before starting Big Fish. 

Here’s a little about how the cidery is introduced on the website.

We make ciders using locally-grown apples and traditional techniques to create completely new flavors. Our cider is available in a range of off-dry to semi-sweet blends, as well as seasonal offerings.

Big Fish has won multiple best in class, gold, silver, and bronze awards at the Great Lakes Cider and Perry Competition. We have also won both the Good Food Award and a Made in Virginia Award.

More snippets of background appear in all of my earlier reviews of Big Fish Ciders, going back to the cidery’s first appearance in 2018. Here’s the full list. 

Punk and Henry (my #2 Favorite cider of 2022): http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2022/03/cider-review-big-fish-cider-cos-puck.html

And in case you didn’t see the favorites list: http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2022/12/my-favorite-10-ciders-of-2022.html

Virginia Hewes Crab(my #1 favorite cider of 2020!): http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2020/10/cider-review-big-fish-cider-co-virginia.html

Wild Meadow: http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2020/05/cider-review-big-fish-cider-cos-wild.html

Allegheny Gold (my #3 cider from 2019): http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2019/01/cider-review-whitewood-cider-company.html

Highland Scrumpy (my #3 cider from 2018): http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2018/08/cider-review-angry-orchard-ciders.html

Church Hill Blush: http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2018/05/very-perry-may-aeppeltreows-orchard.html

One of the best ways to find out more about Big Fish Cider is to visit the homepage here: https://www.bigfishcider.com/

If you’d like to read more about wassailing, I recommend Dr. Maria Kennedy’s excellent blog post about Wassails old and new: https://ciderwithmaria.com/2022/12/19/wassail-a-how-to-for-new-traditions/

Here’s what Big Fish Cider has to say about the Wassail.

Still gold naturally cloudy Medium Sweet cider featuring Jonagold, Pink Lady, York, and Stayman apples, 8.5% abv.

From Old Norse “ves heil” literally meaning “be you healthy.” Mulled cider was traditionally drunk as an integral part of wassailing, a medieval English drinking tradition to ensure a good cider apple harvest the following year. Wassail is made with traditional mulling spices, but not so much as to eliminate the apple’s essence and taste. It’s a great wintertime drink.

Appearance: hazy, turmeric, bubbly 

The Wassail looks like a mulled cider. The color is a rich turmeric with plenty of haze. I can barely see my fingers on the other side of the glass. There are some bubbles that gather at the edges of the cider where it rings the glass.

Aromas: clove, ginger, cinnamon, minerals, cranberry, apple and cherry

Big Fish Cider Co.’s Wassail smells immediately like cinnamon, clove, ginger, orange, and wet apples. It’s tremendously enticing. Secondarily, I get notes of minerals cranberry, and cherry.

Sweetness/dryness: semi-sweet

This is a deliciously sweet cider whose sweetness feels fruity and tastes like brown sugar. The sweetness is completely welcome in this drink. Read on to see how it fits in with this gorgeous cider. 

Flavors and drinking experience: still, spices, citrus, medium acid, some tannins

Wassail delighted us on a wintry holiday evening. All of the flavors promised by the cider’s aromas came through in the flavors beautifully. Big Fish chose to make this cider still with a bloom of warmth, fruit, and spice. The cider needs to be sweet but what I appreciate about the sweetness is how it tastes quite real: nothing fake or out of balance. It’s just so very good! 

This spiced cider not only has the spice notes of clove, cinnamon, and ginger I noted in the aromas; it also uses citrus—orange juice notes quite effectively. The cider uses medium acids and immediate tannins that commingle with the clove flavor especially. Though it's plenty spicy, the cider never feels hot, pointed, or bitter. All notes play in concert beautifully. My mom described it as liquid apple pie. The apple speaks with ripe warmth, but all elements are necessary to the overall experience. What an amazing treat. 

Wassail!

My Favorite 10 Ciders of 2022

Finally! We’ve been holidaying for weeks; its time to wind down the year. Only a few more days remain in 2022. That means it’s also time for me to round up my favorite 10 ciders of the year. And though this isn't a year I expect to look back on fondly, I have some very happy cider memories. Mostly, I'm glad to that I got to see more cider friends than I have in a while and that I became a Pommelier in 2022. 

This favorites list is one of my favorite year-end traditions: the tenth time I’ve gathered such a list. I’m so happy to share again. But first, here are all of the earlier cider countdowns I’ve made. 

2021 Top 5: https://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2021/12/my-favorite-5-ciders-of-2021.html

2021: My 10-5 countdown: https://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2021/12/5-of-my-favorite-10-ciders-of-2021.html

2020: http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2020/12/my-10-favorite-ciders-of-2020.html

2019: http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2019/12/my-10-favourite-ciders-of-2019.html

2018: http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2018/12/my-favourite-10-ciders-of-2018.html

2017: http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2017/12/my-10-favorite-ciders-of-2017.html

2016: http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2016/12/my-10-favorite-ciders-of-2016.html

2015: https://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2015/12/my-10-favorite-ciders-of-2015.html

2014: http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2014/12/my-10-favorite-ciders-of-2014.html

First ever cider countdown from 2013: http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2013/12/my-10-favorite-ciders-of-2013.html

And here’s a little bit about how it works. I choose only cider per company.  That’s not because no cider produces more than one absolute champion per year but I want to highlight ten different ciderys each year. Any cider I’ve reviewed in 2022 is eligible. I want to reiterate that these are my favorites; I have no illusions that my tastes are objective or universal. These are just ten ciders that wowed me the most this past year.  

10. Stormalong Cider - Pearman Quince (Massachusetts) 

https://www.stormalong.com/

https://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2022/08/cider-review-stormalong-ciders-pearmain.html

I remember tasting the Pearman Quince on a sweltering summer evening while exploring a space perhaps not strictly intended for cider exploration. The cider was barely bubbly but featured medium levels of tannins, aquatic flavor notes, a healthy dose of funk and fruity acidity. Stormalong created a fun and unusual cider in the Pearman Quince with lots of excitement brought by the addition of quince.

9. Wild Arc Farm - Apples (New York) 

https://www.wildarcfarm.com/

https://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2022/09/cider-review-wild-arc-cider-and-news.html

This Hudson Valley cider uses a blend of apples and pears, a natural fermentation, and very limited interventions like filtering or fining. Many of those choices increase the risk level when making a cider, and this cider still managed to end up incredible. The fruit, the time spent in oak plus all of the factors I mentioned above created a beautiful alchemy for deliciously balanced and integrated cider with a gorgeous strong sparkle. What a win!

8. West County Cider - Quince / Redfield Cortland (Massachusetts)

http://westcountycider.com/

http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2022/07/cider-review-west-county-ciders-quince.html

Lemon curd, pineapple, and homemade applesauce, what’s not to love here? The Quince Redfield Cortland is a semi-sweet cider with lots of aromatic quince in the mix,  bringing sparkling vivacity, high acidity, all supported by a solid base of medium tannins. 

7. Montana Ciderworks - Hopped Up Heritage (Montana)

http://montanacider.com/index.html

https://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2022/05/cider-review-montana-ciderworks-hopped.html

This hoppy cider benefitted from taking hops seriously. The hops included add multiple dimensions of aroma and flavor. So much citrus aroma! The cider maker also chose to make this hopped cider semi-sweet, with notes that remind me of super-ripe apple, honey, and peach. I feel like many cider folks have tasted some unbalanced hopped ciders or don’t see the point of hopped cider, but a good one can really be a beautiful and complex beast. That’s exactly what I smelled and tasted in Montana Ciderworks Hopped Up Heritage.

6. Redbyrd Orchard Cider - Tompkins King / Stoke Red (New York) 

https://redbyrdorchardcider.com/

https://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2022/07/cider-review-redbyrd-orchard-ciders.html

I love a small blend. To me it seems the most logical stopping place for a cider maker who wants to show off the natural qualities of a few specific apples while also presenting a balanced beverage that’s complete and enjoyable on its own. This 5050 blend of Tompkins King and Stoke Red apples illustrates this wisdom amazingly. It’s got all the tannins, acidity, and aroma that one could want. I loved that this cider brings both gorgeous fruit notes and solid minerality. 

5. Absolem Cider Company - Ferryman (Maine)

https://www.absolemcider.com/

https://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2022/10/cider-review-absolem-ciderys-ferryman.html

The Ferryman by Absolem uses time spent in port barrels and pressed red wine grapes to create a shockingly soft cider. Both the flavors and the mouth feel were beguiling with complex tannins that sent along with some gentle fruit notes as well. This off dry cider is one shows off that use of port barrel and grape must in the aromas and flavors both, but without losing a distinct sense of apple stems and cores.

4. Big Hill Ciderworks - Barrel Aged Reserve (Pennsylvania)

https://www.bighillcider.com/

http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2022/12/cider-review-big-hill-ciderworks-barrel.html

Barrel aging can change everything about a cider. I’ve had ciders that lose a lot of apple characteristics because they are so dominated by barrel qualities, but Big Hill Barrel Aged Reserve doesn’t lose sight of the cider at all.  The cider’s aromas are all about ripe apples and the blunt clean woody side of barrel aging. This off-dry cider is zingy with medium tannins and tons of flavor. 

3. Black Diamond Cider - Perry (New York)

https://www.blackdiamondcider.com/

https://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2022/10/cider-week-new-york-moosewood.html

This pear cider is from one of my favorite local cideries: Black Diamond. I enjoyed this as part of the Black Diamond and Moosewood pairing dinner during New York Cider week. This pear cider does everything I love in a perry or pear blend: lively bubbles, grapefruit citrus notes, softness and high acid.

2. Big Fish Cider Co. - Punk and Henry (Virginia) 

https://www.bigfishcider.com/

http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2022/03/cider-review-big-fish-cider-cos-puck.html

It’s no surprise that Big Fish makes some fantastic ciders. (I already have two sets of notes that will go live in 2023 that I’m very excited about.) Punk and Henry is all about softened autumn fruit in semi-dry cider that delivers high levels of fruity acids, along with high tannins, and notes of golden raisins, ripe apples and caramel. It is a glorious cider.

1. Snowdrift Cider Company - Red (Colorado) 

https://www.snowdriftcider.com/

https://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2022/06/cider-review-snowdrift-cider-cos-red.html

Everything about the Red works for me. Actually, that’s underselling it, I love everything about this cider from Snowdrift. Its aromas of under-ripe strawberries, booze, and sweet orange were intriguing. It sparkles with verve and acid while still presenting fruity sweetness and some low but present tannin. The Red is a gorgeous cider that plays tremendously well with food. 

This was a hard list to create because I tasted far more than 10 delicious ciders this year. Thanks so much to all of the cider makers, apple growers, and other folks in the industry who work hard to help get utterly fantastic ciders from the tree into our glasses. May next year be even more sparkling with good times and good tastes. 

Cider Review: Big Fish Cider Co.'s Punk and Henry

This past week I saw coastal redwoods, the Marin Headlands, and a sea glass beach. I wish I hadn’t needed a springtime escape so much, but I did. It was a lovely trip filled with natural beauty, good food, and a few tremendous friends. I’m so grateful. Because I wasn’t up for cider multi-tasking, I didn’t reach out to any of my CA cider peeps, but I promise I'll come back and hopefully be more ready to geek out about cider next time.

Almost immediately upon my return, I got to celebrate a dear local friend on her birthday. That celebration involved attempting to make and decorate cake pops when I’d never eaten a cake pop before. It went interestingly, as one might expect. But I brought a special cider to review, Big Fish Cider Co.’s Punk and Henry, and here are those notes.

I’m a big fan of Big Fish Cider! This Virginia Cidery was founded by Kirk Billingsley. The cidery has a tasting room in Monterey, Virginia that looks to be open on Fridays and Saturdays at present. Big Fish Cider is tremendously decorated, winning at least one Good Food Award and plenty of medals in various cider competitions.

 

Previous reviews include all of these delightful ciders from Big Fish Cider Co.

Virginia Hewes Crab: http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2020/10/cider-review-big-fish-cider-co-virginia.html

That was my #1 favorite cider of 2020!

Wild Meadow: http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2020/05/cider-review-big-fish-cider-cos-wild.html

Allegheny Gold (my #3 cider from 2019): http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2019/01/cider-review-whitewood-cider-company.html

Highland Scrumpy (my #3 cider from 2018): http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2018/08/cider-review-angry-orchard-ciders.html

Church Hill Blush: http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2018/05/very-perry-may-aeppeltreows-orchard.html

I recommend visiting Big Fish Cider online here: https://www.bigfishcider.com/

This week, I’m so excited to share what I thought of Punk and Henry. Here’s the official description from Big Fish Cider.

This cider pays homage to the cidermaker's neighbors he knew while growing up in the Allegheny Mountains of Virginia. It is entirely made of fruit within a 3 mile radius of Punk & Henry's Farm west of Monterey, and using apple varieties that Punk & Henry used to make cider. Northern Spy, Grimes Golden, Winesap, and Arkansas Black among others. The amber color of this cider is typical of ciders made from old apple trees that are not sprayed and fertilized. The aromas of caramel, and ripe apples hit the nose before taking a sip. Bright acidity is the first sensation upon taking the first sip, quickly warming to an earthy, but fruity vanilla notes, and ending with a soft caramel finish that lingers on the palate.  Alcohol by volume: 7.42%.

This cider has an introduction video from Big Fish! That’s tremendously unusual and quite fun: https://www.bigfishcider.com/insider-tips/punk-henry/ My favorite part has to be when Kirk says that both the best and the worst ciders he’s ever had were from wild fermentations. I’ll raise a glass to that!

Appearance: Bright popcorn kernel, brilliant, small bubbles

This cider pours with obvious sparkle; the bubbles form a ring around the edge of the cider where it touches the glass. The color reminds me of unpopped popcorn kernels: intense harvest gold. The cider’s clarity is brilliant, easily.

Aromas: overripe apple, nectarine, and peach

What an inviting set of aromas. The Punk and Henry smells mellow like overripe apples apples. The effect is all roasty and autumnal, but there are sparkles of brighter flavors in the mix as well, like nectarine or peach.

Sweetness/dryness: Semi-dry

That feeling of softened autumn fruit translates from this cider’s aromas to its level of sweetness. There’s enough sweetness to feel welcoming and soft, but nothing artificial, sticky, or cloying.

Flavors and drinking experience: high fruity acids, high tannins, golden raisins, apples and caramel

This cider is something special! I knew I could bring this to a birthday party, and it would be enjoyed by close friends. Thankfully, Big Fish Cider Co. came through for me and surpassed even my high expectations! This is a beautifully balanced, inviting, scrumptious cider!

The first impression I get from Punk and Henry is golden raisins. It’s that high fruity acid that wakes up every part of my palate without being punishing. Lovely! The cider is both medium-high tannins and high acid, so the whole beverage feels just lively and high definition. There’s no way to sleep through this cider!

I love the bubbles. They open up layers of flavor beautifully! It turned out to be such a special cider and a wonderful pairing with Yachae Kimbap and homemade cake pops. Kimbap is a Korean sushi roll, and Yachae Kimbap is a more veggie-oriented version of the dish. The ripe apple notes are a striking contrast against the crisp carrots, peppers, and crunchy veggies of the roll. The toasted sesame aroma from the sushi was also a perfect complement to the cider's richness. 

There are so many ways you could pair this cider. I think I’d really like to try it with something spicy next time. If you try it that way, let me know!

My 10 Favorite Ciders of 2020!

It’s been a year, folks. I’ve been tremendously lucky, and this year has still been a slog and a struggle much of the time. And it’s not been lucky for much of the cider, hospitality and arts industries that each mean so much to me. I look forward to supporting them all as best and safely I can in 2021, and I hope you’ll do the same. 

My tradition in the final days of the year is to round up my favorite 10 ciders from the previous twelve months and share them as a top ten list: countdown style.Here’s a list of all of my previous year’s top 10s! Please go back and find your favorites!

2019: http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2019/12/my-10-favourite-ciders-of-2019.html

2018: http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2018/12/my-favourite-10-ciders-of-2018.html

2017: http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2017/12/my-10-favorite-ciders-of-2017.html

2016: http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2016/12/my-10-favorite-ciders-of-2016.html

2015: https://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2015/12/my-10-favorite-ciders-of-2015.html

2014: http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2014/12/my-10-favorite-ciders-of-2014.html

First ever cider countdown from 2013: http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2013/12/my-10-favorite-ciders-of-2013.html

And I'll quote my own rules again. “As in earlier years, I have two rules: I'm not listing more than one cider from any company, and I am going to limit myself to ciders that have coverage in the blog. Beyond that, my only caveat is that these are my personal favorites that I wrote about in 20[20]. These may or may not be your favorites, but I encourage you to taste them and make up your own mind.”

There are always so many more delightful ciders that deserve high honors than can fit into a Tope 10 list, but this year perhaps even more than I expected because I’ve stopped saving special bottles of cider for special occasions. Enjoying a good cider makes any occasion special, and I’ll stand by that.

10. Raging Cider & Mead Co.’s Them Pet-Nat Southern Apples 

https://www.ragingcidermead.com/

http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2020/09/cider-review-raging-mead-and-cider.html

This California cider snuck up on me. I’d never heard of the company, and I only got the chance to sample the cider through the kindness of my cider community. I love this type of cider; Pet Nats can be the best kinds of exciting, bubbly, dry, and just a bit funky. This is was all of that and a delightful surprise!

9. Once Upon a Tree’s Wild Flight

https://shop.haygrove-evolution.com/collections/once-upon-a-tree-cider

http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2020/06/cider-review-once-upon-tree-wild-flight.html

I love so many UK ciders, but I admit that I’ve grown very accustomed to high acidity ciders too. I don’t always run across ciders that suit my love of leathery barnyard warmth along with my craving for taut zingy acidity. Luckily the Wild Flight gives me that great combo.

8. Bauman’s Cider Mountain Rosé 

https://www.baumanscider.com/

http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2020/04/cider-review-baumans-cider-mountain.html

This is my third in a row for ciders appearing in the blog for the first time and making it into my top 10! This is great news for the cider company at large. We can all be discovering really great cider companies all the time, like Baughman’s Cider out of Oregon. This Rosé completely hit the spot for me. I loved everything about it, and I love to be able to buy it more easily and often!

7. Kite and String’s King of the North Reserve 

http://www.fingerlakesciderhouse.com

http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2020/11/cider-review-kite-and-strings-king-of.html

From the aromas of honey and overripe apples to the lovely tannic structure and lingering finish, this was a completely impressive cider. I may have bought this local cider from Kite and String for the bubbles, but I got so much more from it. The King of the North Reserve is completely beguiling.

6. Stormalong Esopus Spitzenburg 

http://stormalong.com/.

http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2020/08/cider-review-ravens-moon-craft-ciders.html

Stormalong ciders appeared in the blog more often this past year than some earlier times. The whole rare apple series was a delight from Massachusetts. I love that instead of strictly single varietals, these were unusual apple forward blends. Many cider makers love to chase a single apple cider, but blends give the cider maker so much more control to craft the final beverage. I’m always going to cheer for great blends that still highlight special apples like how this cider makes the Esopus Spitzenburg sing.

5. Eden’s Deep Cut 

https://www.edenciders.com/

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

Eden Specialty Ciders has me figured out. I’m not embarrassed to say that each new cider shipment could contain a new favorite. I’m already excited to share a review of something new and delightful in the new year. But I want to highlight this dry yet full bodied and fruity canned cider. So many cideries are chasing exactly this, and Eden has perfected it. This is the quaffable and well balanced cider for serious cider drinkers. We don’t have to lug glasses and a 750ml bottle to a secluded picnic spot and hope we’ve not broken anything. The Deep Cut offers up fantastic aroma and wonderful mouthfeel in a canned cider!

4. Black Diamond’s 2018 Rosé 

https://www.blackdiamondcider.com/

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

It isn’t kind of me to include a cider in my top 10 list that is this difficult to acquire, but I didn’t start blogging because I’m kind. I do this because I have so many opinions. One of those opinions is that Black Diamond makes fantastic ciders. Usually Black Diamond ciders are strictly apples, but this cider uses black currants, blueberries and plums as well as Porter’s Perfection and Kingston Black apples. The 2018 Rosé was part of one of my personal highlights of 2020. It’s a scintillating cider that was an excellent kick off to my apple CSA from Black Diamond. 

3. Foggy Ridge Cider's Final Call 

https://foggyridgecider.com/

http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2020/03/cider-review-foggy-ridge-ciders-final.html

When I first reviewed this cider at the very beginning of March, I said that I was “utterly entranced.” That hasn’t changed in the months since those lovely creamy bubbly glasses. Final Call has to be one of the best ciders not just of this year but of the decade. This cider was both elegant and fruit forward. Should be lucky enough to come across a bottle, nab it!

2. Tilted Shed Ciderworks Love's Labor 

https://www.tiltedshed.com/

http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2020/06/cider-reviews-grisamore-cider-fillmore.html

Tilted Shed makes fantastic ciders in California, but I rarely see them in New York. I joined the cider club for better access. This has been my favorite of that selection thus far, but my cellar still has many more waiting for their day in the glass. The Loves Labor includes Gravenstein apples and wild blackberries. It’s sparkle, acidity, and tannins are perfectly balanced and delightfully pleasing!

1.  Big Fish Cider Virginia Hewes Crab 

https://www.bigfishcider.com/

http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2020/10/cider-review-big-fish-cider-co-virginia.html

Every cider from Big Fish Cider Co is different from it’s previous releases, and I’ve never tried one that wasn't exceedingly above average. They make wonderful cider. And I tend to love crab apples in cider. Yes, this is a single varietal, but it does so much that most single varietals don’t. The Virginia Hewes Crab brings luscious aromas of spices, overripe apples, and citrus. The cider tastes even better than it smells! The cider has body, acidity, tannins, fruit, and intense bubbles. I love it!  I knew it would be in my favorites list from the moment I first sipped it. Congratulations and thanks for making this cider!

And now that I’m thanking folks. Thanks so much to my cider friends and community near and far. We weren’t able to gather for most of this year, but we’ve toasted each other across the miles. Hopefully we can raise glasses together safely next year! Cheers!

Cider Review: Big Fish Cider Co. Virginia Hewes Crab

Of all of the things that are very much on my mind, I want to think about making Halloween fun and spooky and safe this year. So much of the rest of the world feels much too big for me to tackle. Part of my plan this year is a virtual Spooky Storytelling Gathering with some family. Thank you to my sister-in-law Karen for this great idea. I’ve already scared myself just doing research for what story I’ll tell. During this gathering across the miles, I know I’ll be sipping a cider. It’s no bonfire bash, but I do like cider with my scares!

One night last week, I had the pleasure of coming home from a sunset walk to home cooked lasagna. My only job was to choose a cider for accompaniment. I chose Big Fish Cider Co. Virginia Hewes Crab. This cider was shared with me, but my opinions remain my own. Before I get into the review, I want to share a bit of background about this cidery.

Big Fish Cider Co. is based in Virginia. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting and chatting with the founder and cidermaker Kirk Billingsley. Big Fish Ciders often do well at competitions like GLINTCAP. I appreciate the range of styles and apples both present in the cidery’s lineup.   

Here’s the rundown of my earlier Big Fish reviews:

Wild Meadow: http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2020/05/cider-review-big-fish-cider-cos-wild.html

Allegheny Gold (my #3 cider from 2019): http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2019/01/cider-review-whitewood-cider-company.html

Highland Scrumpy (my #3 cider from 2018): http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2018/08/cider-review-angry-orchard-ciders.html

Church Hill Blush: http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2018/05/very-perry-may-aeppeltreows-orchard.html

There’s a video about this cider: https://www.bigfishcider.com/insider-tips/virginia-hewes-crab/

You can visit Big Fish Cider Co. online here: https://www.bigfishcider.com/

Here’s the official description for Virginia Hewes Crab.

This is our first single varietal ever at Big Fish Cider. And quite honestly it was destined to go into our heritage blend, until we tasted this after fermentation. The fullness of body, the intensity of flavor, and the tannins, quite honestly blew us away. So I gathered up more of the same fruit, did several small batches utilizing different wine yeasts, and the result for each batch was similar, so I blended it all together, and we feel this is the best cider we have ever produced at Big Fish. A touch of sweetness, partially due to the unfermentable sugars in the cider due to the water core in the apples produced by our hot dry summer of 2019. Notes of citrus, butterscotch, stone fruits, come through. A truly delightful, intense, cider. Drink at cellar temperature for depth of flavor. Alcohol 8.40%

Appearance: transparent, deep harvest moon color, lots of bubbles

The Virginia Hewes Crab has an amazing seasonal color. It reminds me just exactly of a Harvest Moon. That deep reddish orange appears with good transparence and oodles of quick bubbles.

Aromas: Citrus, floral, spice, overripe apples

This cider smells citrusy, floral, with a waft of spice aromas too. It reminds me of Constant Comment tea, cardamom, and overripe apples too. There’s a lot of very tempting aroma here.

Sweetness/dryness: barely off dry

This cider is very fruit but mostly dry. There’s just a lick of sweetness in the mélange of impressions I get from this cider.

Flavors and drinking experience: Tart, creamy mouthfeel, full body, amazing fruit and spice notes

Wow! I knew I wanted to reach for a special cider, but this is shockingly good! The Virginia Hewes Crab tastes tart, acidic, but there’s so much more to it than acid. The cider is wonderfully fruity and spicy too. The bubbles keep it lively but that hint of sweetness and higher ABV also mean that it’s simultaneously thick! I love a bubbler with lots of body! I’d even call this cider creamy!

It’s extremely good! My cotasters and I agree that this cider with its well-balanced combination of zesty tartness, beautiful fruit, intense sparkle, and luscious mouthfeel is a total winner. The acidity really helped pair it with the lasagna as well. This is a combo to try!

Cider Review: Big Fish Cider Co.'s Wild Meadow and Aeppeltreow's Siskin Scrumpy

In upstate NY, We had a teaser of incredibly warm sunny weather for two days, but now we’ve headed back into unseasonable chill and the possibility of snow this week. Spring can be so fickle. I’m keeping my fingers crossed for my orchardist friends this week. We’re also still living in a strange and scary world without much certainty. That’s why I’ve been choosing to bring out more ciders that I have extra high hopes for than usual, and this week is no exception. I’m really excited to share my thoughts on Big Fish Cider Co.'s Wild Meadow and Aeppeltreow's Siskin Scrumpy.

Let’s start with Big Fish Cider Co.’s Wild Meadow. This is a small cidery in Monterey, Virginia. I’ve had fewer than a handful of Big Fish ciders, but each one has been something special. I received the kindest gift last week when a box of three ciders arrived in the mail for me along with a nice letter from Kirk.

This cidery is all about the orchard and all about apples. 

Visit Big Fish Cider online to read about the ciders and the Virginia shipping special! 

https://www.bigfishcider.com/

Here are my previous Big Fish reviews:

Allegheny Gold (my #3 cider from 2019): http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2019/01/cider-review-whitewood-cider-company.html

Highland Scrumpy (my #3 cider from 2018): http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2018/08/cider-review-angry-orchard-ciders.html

Church Hill Blush: http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2018/05/very-perry-may-aeppeltreows-orchard.html

Now for Big Fish Cider Co.'s Wild Meadow.

Here’s the official description for the Wild Meadow:

Wild Meadow is one of the most traditional ciders made at Big Fish Cider, Co. because we actually forage for wild apples in the fields and forest edges of Highland County. These are apples from trees that have grown up from seed, are higher in tannins and acidity, and typically have more depth and body that commercially grown apples.  The cider goes through a slow, cold fermentation, which also helps to retain those fruity esters and tannins. While fruity, it is not a sweet cider. You’ll find that it pairs well with pork dishes and cheese, particularly blue or sharp cheese.

Because we rely on a crop of wild apples to make this cider, and most years we cannot harvest enough. We are grateful for the farmers that allow these trees to grow. 7.7% ABV.

Appearance: brilliant, bubbly intense corn color

The Wild Meadow looks very bubbly on pouring. This cider shines with brilliance like champagne; it’s so bubbly and active! The color reminds me of ripe corn kernels. It’s a vibrant shade of gold. 

Aromas: cooked apples, spring blossoms, cherry and minerals

The Wild Meadow smell good and golden, like cooked fruit and spring apple blossoms. The notes remind me of flowers on trees. As I sit with these scents a bit longer, pie cherry notes unfurl. The last thing I noticed was some good minerality.

Sweetness/dryness: Off Dry

This cider has the ideal level of sweetness for this specific cider, which is to say not very much. The Wild Meadow’s sweetness that is present serves a role in the overall drinking experience; I’ll explain below.

Flavors and drinking experience: high acid, high tannins, great balance, Superb

The Wild Meadow tastes amazing! It soars on ear-curling high acid but brings heft and structure with high tannins. We need this cider to remain off-dry because it's so intense in other regards. There are so many flavors dancing through the experience. I get notes of light butterscotch and a plethora of fruits including: ripe apple, peach, apricot, and raspberry.  

The bitterness and tannins are pleasantly tactile but very integrated with the acid; they hit second and fate in the mid-palate.  I love that the Wild Meadow has a great big mouthfeel.  The sweetness, though slight, speaks clearly throughout the finish (amid a bit of spiciness).  This cider is superb.

I enjoyed mine with the first take-out I’ve had in two weeks. It went beautifully with my Broccolini and garlic sauce, veggie fried rice, and homestyle bean curd. I highly recommend setting this pairing up for yourself!

Next up, I’m so excited to share my notes on Aeppeltreow's Siskin Scrumpy.

Aeppeltreow is a Wisconsin based cidery, distillery, and orchard. Ordinarily, you can visit in Burlington, Wisconsin. Now, you can call them for a pick up appointment or order your ciders and perries shipped. The company is a family business with a deep fascination with all things fermentation science. I’ve studied cider faults with Charles McGonegal and had many a wonderful meal with him and Milissa. 

You can visit the site online here and learn about all of Aeppeltreow’s products and access the online shop: http://aeppeltreow.com/.

Here are my previous reviews of AeppelTreow Ciders. There are quite a few:

Scarlett Rosey Cider: http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2019/07/cider-review-aeppeltreow-scarlett-rosey.html

Sparrow Spiced Cider: 
http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2019/01/cider-review-aeppeltreow-sparrow-spiced.html

Blackbird  Berried Cider: http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2018/06/cider-cans-crush-it-aeppeltreow.html

Orchard Oriole Perry: http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2018/05/very-perry-may-aeppeltreows-orchard.html

Appley Brut: http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2015/09/cider-review-appeltreow-winerys-appley.html

Sparkling Perry: http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2017/05/very-perry-may-pt-1-aeppeltreow.html

Kinglet Bitter: http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2014/09/cider-review-appletreow-kinglet-bitter.html

Barnswallow Draft Cider: http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2014/03/cider-review-appeltreow-barnswallow.html

Now for Aeppeltreow’s  Siskin Scrumpy. Here’s how the folks at Aeppeltreow describe it, 

Siskin is our flavored cider named for English-style countryside ciders. Semi-sweet with a tickle, a tang, and some smoke. 5.5% ABV.

Appearance: bubbly, deep muted orange

This cider poured with a very tall head! This is not usual for cider. The color is a deep muted orange, and I see tons of bubbles just zooming through the Siskin Scrumpy.

Aromas: leather, orange, overripe apple, twigs

The Siskin Scrumpy smells both leathery and like sweet citrus. The apple notes are overipe and accompanied by zippy woody notes. I am reminded of twigs.

Sweetness/dryness: Semi-sweet 

This is a semi-sweet cider, just exactly as its official description described.

Flavors and drinking experience: low acid, spicy, oxidized, cooked fruit 

This cider has lots and lots of tannins and relatively low acidity.  It does indeed remind me of an English style cider, but the funk is milder than in some. I do get notes that remind me of apple cider vinegar. Other flavors I got include: maple, wet twigs, earth and rain. 

Somehow, this feels like a very autumnal cider to me. Like some English and english influenced ciders, it tastes caramelly and gently oxidized. This is very true to its style. I love that there’s both funk and spice. I can taste cinnamon and bacon in this cider. I had this one with a simple meal of rice and two kinds of beans with sauteed kale and cherry tomatoes. The sweetness and richness of the cider were an excellent counterpoint to the healthy and high acid meal.

Both of the ciders I tried this week can be purchased online and shipped to most states. If you like the sound of them, try them!