kjoyce4This morning, after Chloe and I spent an hour driving north to go hiking, only to decide that it was snowing and way too icy to climb a mountain. But I reminded that sometimes our travels aren’t just about hiking.
I’ve never been a fan of beer (unless is has citra hops or more water than beer), so instead of pretending to like beer, I usually order the one cider that a bar has on tap. That has turned into a never ending quest to try new and unique ciders.
I’ve lived in the Northeast my entire 24 years, and spent five of those years in Ithaca, NY and Burlington, VT, two places with a strong craft beer culture, and in Burlington’s case, a less strong but growing craft cider culture.
So here’s a list and some opinions on the ciders I’ve tried so far and which ones I think you should try too.
Craft Ciders: Top Tier
Best Semi-Sweet Cider: Barn Dance from Cold Hollow Cider – Barn Dance was one of the first ciders I tried from a smaller producer. It’s still one of my go to ciders if I’m looking for a solid, classic cider. Not too sweet, not too dry and with enough complexity to make you feel like you aren’t just drinking adult apple juice.
Best Seasonal Cider: Downeast Winter Blend – Downeast is one of the more widely available ciders and for good reason. Their winter blend is my favorite from their line. The unfiltered cider is on the sweeter side and has hints of nutmeg and cinnamon, a perfect reminder of the holidays.
Other top tier ciders:
Rural Recess (Cold Hollow Cider Mill) – Hops give it a unique flavor that isn’t overly reminiscent of beer.
Quince (West County Cider) – This cider is made with apples and quince, giving it a unique depth but still a sweet and very drinkable flavor.
Tulsi (Citizen Cider) – Basil and apple cider sounds like it wouldn’t pair well, but they really work together to create a delicious cider.
Tuned Up (Stowe Cider) – This wins the award for best can design. I may have only bought it for the beautiful gondola painting, but the cranberry and orange give it a more complex flavor perfect for winter (which is when it’s available).
Feels Like Home (Artifact) – A close runner up for best seasonal cider, Feels Like Home really does feel like a cozy night in front of the fire with an oaky and cinnamon-y taste.
Apple Haze (Stowe Cider) – Unfiltered and sweet. This is what I would guess an apple soda would taste like.
Pine Hill (Artifact) – My favorite and the sweetest Artifact cider I’ve tried.
Rekorderlig Ciders – These aren’t technically apple ciders, but they’re all so good. The Passionnfruit and Mango/Raspberry are my favorites. They’re sweet and fruity, and if you can pronounce the brand name please tell me so I stop embarrassing myself trying to find them.
Second Tier, Just a Good Solid, Cider (4/5 stars):
Unified Press (Citizen Cider) – This cider is the poster child for middle tier. A good semi-sweet cider. Usually found on tap at a Church Street bar in Burlington. Very solid choice.
Classic/Double Blend (Downeast) – These two ciders are grouped together because I really can’t taste a huge difference between the two, but the Double blend has an ABV of almost 7%, so make sure you read the label or you might end up drunker than your were planning to be.
Northern Spy (Citizen Cider) – This is my second favorite from Citizen. It’s on the acidic side and has a good bite to it.
Tips Up (Stowe Cider) – Another Semi-dry, but very good cider. It also blends into the pack of can’t go wrong for your first ciders.
Magic Hour (Artifact) – This is one of Artifact’s sweeter ciders, it’s still dried and more acidic than your average semi-sweet cider though.
White Blend (Downeast) – A light and citrusy unfiltered cider. Easy to drink and perfect for summer.
Juniper Sessions (Stowe Cider) – I tried a couple of these while at the Stowe taproom and they were really good. Unfortunately, there are 11 of them and I can’t remember which ones I tried. They’re all made with a mix of botanicals giving them the sophistication of gin, but the base of a solidly good hard cider.
Not Bad, but Not my Second Choice (3/5 stars):
There’s nothing overtly wrong with this tier, but it’s just not my favorite.
Soul Shifter (Cold Hollow) – Soul Shifter has grown on me as my taste matures, but it’s still a little dry for me.
Secret Squirrel (Artificat) – I tried this at their Cambridge taproom a couple months ago, a dry and funky flavor made from mixing a bunch of different batches together. It’s not for the first time cider drinker unless you’re a big fan of bone dry drinks.
Good Altitude (Cold Hollow) – On the other end of the spectrum is Good Altitude, a sweet cider with an ABV to rival Downeast’s Double Blend. There’s nothing wrong with these ciders and I would add either one to a flight, but wouldn’t go home with them.
Dirty Mayor (Citizen Cider) – I’m not a ginger person, but this cider makes ginger taste better.
Pumpkin Blend (Downeast) – This is really good the first couple times you have it, but like a Pumpkin Spice Latte, you drink too many and it gets a little old.
Aloha Friday (Downeast) – One of Downeast’s summer ciders, this fittingly has pineapple, adding to the acidity. A fun cider, but not a go to.
Catastrophic Hard Pair Cider (Incredibrew) – I love a good cause and a portion of the profit from this cider goes to New Hampshire animal shelters. It wasn’t anything special, but a fine pear cider.
Shandy (Stowe Cider) – Half lemonade, half cider, this is another good and acidic summer seasonal.
Wolf at the Door (Artifact) – Very dry.
I won’t be buying this again (2/5 stars):
New England Batch No.3 (High Limb) – Hands down the strangest cider I’ve ever tasted. Not the worst, but the weirdest. It’s fermented with raisins and brown sugar which gives it a syrupy vibe. Points for creativity, but won’t be buying it again.
For Shore (Citizen Cider) – A gose style cider. Dry profile. I got four and it took me months to get through them, even after pawning one off to my dad (who also didn’t like it).
Big Juicy (Citizen Cider) – I was drawn in by the addition of local maple syrup, but honestly didn’t make it past a couple sips. I left them behind in Burlington with some friends who drank them without complaint.
Cider Donut (1911 Cider) – I really wanted to like this one because I’m a big fan of ciders with cinnamon in them, but was not a fan.
Gold and Delicious (Night Shift Brewing) – Green apple taste? Not a fan.
Field Blend (Artifact) – This was one of the limited batch ciders I picked up at their taproom. This one is dry, like double brut Champaign dry.
Less Craft, More Common:
Woodchuck – I didn’t know Woodchuck was local to Vermont until I lived there, they’ve been around for a while, and can be found pretty much anywhere (at least in the Northeast). If you’re looking to switch it up from the classic ciders try the Pearsecco.
Angry Orchard – You’re sweet, basic cider. Pretty much in every grocery store. Good, but nothing special.
I’ve Had it, but Don’t Remember the Taste:
Strongbow and Magners – Both of these I had while studying abroad and didn’t really know what I was looking for in a cider.
1911 Original – I ordered this at a restaurant in college once and called it “9-11”cider before immediately realizing why that sounded bad. Don’t remember the flavor though.
Shacksbury – Rose and Dry. I’ve had both. I think they were both good, but really don’t remember the specifics.
Nine Pin – Light Cucumber Lime? I couldn’t find it on their website anymore, but remember it being a good, light cider.
ADK cider – Another one I had at a bar one time and remember drinking and not hating.
Wild Thing (Artifact) – I found this can in the returnable a few days ago, but don’t remember drinking it.
So what did I forget? Any ratings you disagree with? What are your favorite or least favorite ciders? Wha should I try next? Let me know in the comments.