Dukes Dry Apple Cider

Made in: Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada
By: Tree Brewing Company

Available:  LCBO in Ontario
Price: $10.95
6 x 355ml cans

5.0% alc./vol



This cider became available at the LCBO at the beginning of May 2012.  I had been waiting for this release from  when my footie and craft beer enthusiast James had sent me the information that it was coming to Ontario.  As soon it was released, my friend picked up a case and gave me a couple to try as she is a cider drinker as well.  I ended up buying a 6 pack myself a couple of days later.  My friend Jo and I ended up trying this cider for the very first time together so we could discuss the taste.

First of all, the serving instructions say to serve over ice.  As I always mention, I like to try it without ice so I can enjoy the natural flavours.  I did have the cider in the fridge so it was nicely chilled.  So here we go with my review:

Pour:  When you first open the can there isn't an overpowering smell of apples.  I poured the cider into a glass and a white head formed but disappeared quickly.  The carbonation (tiny little bubbles) subsides but never disappears.  There is only a slight smell of apples.

Colour:  Golden yellow

Taste:  My friend Jo pointed something out after she had her first sip....she said this cider almost tasted like the ciders over in England.  Jo had her first cider experience last year when she was in the UK. so for her to pick that out was a good call. 

As for me, I found there was a subtle apple flavour..not overpowering.  Let's just say I couldn't tell you or guess what type of apples were used as no distinct flavour stands out.  Now, something unique happened as I was enjoying this drink.  It didn't happen right away but I swear there was a creamy undertone to this cider.  On one of my sips I could taste cream soda (not actual cream soda).  Cream soda leaves a creamy taste on the palate and this happened with my first cider I tried from Dukes.  I asked my friend Jo, so she took another sip, and thought about it and she said yes it had a creamy undertone to it.  It wasn't present with every sip, but every once and while I would get that creamy taste. 

I have had 6 Dukes before I wrote this blog and each time I have had at some point experienced the creamy texture of this cider and I like it.

Rating:  I give this cider a 9.3 out of 10.  This cider is for you if you like a crisp, clean dry finish cider.

Go to www.treebeer.com for further information on Dukes Dry Apple Cider or on twitter @dukescider

Cheers!

Laurie

Somersby Apple Cider

Price $2.95 per 500ml can
Where: LCBO
Made in: Denmark
By: Carlsberg Breweries A/S
Ciders
4.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Website:  www.somersbycider.com






Somersby Apple cider is made from fermented apple juice and natural apple flavouring. According to the website it is made with no artificial sweeteners, flavours or colourings.   As normal, I didn't drink this cider over ice.  I prefer my cider chilled than diluted with ice as you can experience the true natural flavours.

I happened to come across this cider on one of my trips to the LCBO.  I am always looking to try new products so I thought I would give this one a shot.  I started reading the can and discovered it was a cider made from one of the big boys.  I know I am not a professional by any means but I am noticing a difference in taste and colour between ciders made by big companies and the local craft ciders (I say I am preferring the local ciders).  Normally I write a blog entry after having sampled only one can/bottle of the product but this entry is being written after trying the product three times. There was a reason and the answer will be found in the section called The Taste.

The Pour:  With the first time trying this cider, I thought wow...very little carbonation and no head.  Second time:  More carbonation and a slight head formed as you can see with the picture included.  I noticed with my second and third time pouring, after a few minutes of sitting in the glass you can continue to hear the "sizzle" of the little bubbles.  Every time the glass was tilted it made the carbonation pick up more.

The Aroma: When the can is first opened you get this very refreshing smell of fresh apples.  As if it was just picked from the tree and sliced.  The smell of apples is present from the first to last drop.

The Taste: This is the reason why I had to try this product more than once because the flavour of this drink was very confusing.  I am not an apple professional, but the first time I tried this cider my first thought that it was made from the yellow delicious apple as it had that distinct flavour.  After a while I thought it tasted like the Northern Spy.  Can number three saw me come to the conclusion it was made from the apples (Macintosh?) that you buy in a bag at the grocery store.  I envisioned that instead of biting into the little red apple I was drinking the juice instead (of course with a kick).  My fellow friend and cider drinker Jo, had also purchased this cider and she believed that the apples used were Fuji.  Go figure, two opinions and no conclusive answer.  Overall the taste of this cider was very refreshing and crisp.

The Verdict:  I have to say I enjoyed this cider.  I found it way more refreshing than Alexander Keiths entry into the cider market.  If you are looking to shake up your routine to go from local or Canadian Cider to an international cider, than this one is worth a shot.

8.9 out of 10

PS.  The link which is posted above takes you to a very entertaining but informative website.

Cheers!

Laurie

Crispin Natural Hard Apple Cider - Artisanal Reserve Honey Crisp

ALC/VOL

6.5%

Calories

200

Gluten Free

Carbohydrates

12g

Serving: 650ml

This cider from Crispin Cider Company was the last of the treats that were given to me a month ago.  It was purchased in the USA and is currently not available in Canada.  I was intrigued by the title and the fact that honey was the unique flavour that was added to this cider. 

Before I opened this cider I googled the product to find out more information about the cider and company.  There was no need too as the bottle contained instructions on how to pour this drink.

"Smooth Operator-----Give a full bottoms-up tilt and swirl to disperse unfiltered apple-wine sediment evenly."  So I did as it suggested and this is what happened.

As I poured the cider into the glass, you could see it was a cloudy cider and very little to no head formed. I let the cider sit for a minute to see what would happen to the colour....nothing changed it remained a cloudy dark yellow.

The Smell:  On the pour there was no overpowering smell of apples or honey.  After a few minutes the apple and honey aroma's started to appear but in subtle ways.  There is no dominate aroma to this cider.

The Taste:  My original thought was that maybe this would taste like mead (which by the way I love). With my first sip I thought it was really bland.  No specific taste popped into mind.  Which I thought was strange but then unique.  With most ciders regardless if it is pear or apple there is always one dominate flavour.  With this cider nothing. I didn't know what to think.  So I continued to drink away and occupy my time with reading when it hit.  At first it was the apple....not overpowering but subtle....but where was the honey.  Well they say patience is a virtue and it is.  There it was....a taste of honey (not quoting a song recorded by the Beatles).    So now I stopped doing my tasks I was involved with to concentrate on the taste.  This cider has hints of apple and honey but it isn't overpowering.  You may get it on one sip and not the next.  But this drink is smooth and creamy...a creamsicle for adults.  The complexity is something to behold.

If you are interested in the dietary side of things or want more information on the company and other products they make you can visit their website at www.crispincider.com 

I can confirm this cider is gluten free in fact all the ciders this company produces is gluten free.  So if you are ever in the USA, and you want a treat look for this cider.

Rating:  I will give this cider a rating of 7.9 out of 10.  I enjoyed it and I would have it again.  I would like to try their other brands as I would like to see if they have a dominate flavour as the complexity of this cider just.....no to words to explain.  This is a cider that if a group of people were drinking it all would have a different opinion on the taste.  I can't see myself drinking this during the hot summer months but during those cold winter nights that is a different story. 

Cheers!