= Brewpub91 Wyder’s Dry Pear Cider, Wyder’s Cider Co. (VT). 4% ABV (1/10)
Very pale platinum straw color. Aroma of pear raisin chutney follows through on a crisp, frothy entry to a fruity light-to-medium body with tart citrusy acidity and a hint of sweet vanilla custard. Finishes with a tangy, mouthwatering lemon-spritzed pear and mineral water fade. Tasty.
90 Perronelle’s Blush Cider, Aspall (England). 5.7% ABV (12/09)
Deep brilliant copper color with a blue violet cast. Aromas of yeasty bread dough, crushed apples and blackberry skin follow through on a round frothy entry to a dryish, tangy medium body with tart green apple flavors and blackberry nuances. Finishes with long refreshing, earthy apple leaf-accented fade. An excellent combination of flavors with a unique appeal.
90 Organic Cider, Samuel Smith’s Old Brewery (England). 5% ABV (1/10)
Attractive golden amber color. Vibrant, dimensional crushed apple and mild waxy honeycomb aromas follow through on a round entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body with tart apple slice, lychee and light grassy earthy notes in support. Finishes with a long, vibrant and complex mélange ripe and unripe apple and mineral-accented flavors. Brilliant.
89 CuvéeChevallier Double Fermented Cyder, Aspall (England). 11% ABV (1/10)
Pure golden color. Heady, complex aromas of baked, grilled and brown apples have savory, cheesy, flinty, medicinal edges and follow through on a round entry to a dryish medium-full body with dense waves of apple cider vinegar, green pineapple and mossy earth notes. Finishes with a long, apple, mineral and hay fade with a touch of iodine. Very intriguing and food-affined.
88 Woodpecker Premium Cider, Bulmers America (VT). 4.2% ABV (1/10)
Pale straw color with a silver cast. Sweet apple custard pie aromas follow through on a supple entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body with a creamy vanilla note. Finishes with a crisp, mineral and tart, honeyed apple fade. Nice and easy drinking.
88 Woodchuck Draft Amber Cider, Green Mountain Cidery (VT). 5% ABV (1/10)
Pale golden color. Mild honeyed apple aromas follow thorough on a crisp entry to a fruity medium body with juicy sweet red apple flavors and a tangy, mouthwatering finish. A very clean, rock-solid cider.
88 Dry Raspberry Cider, Wyder’s Cider Co. (Canada). 4% ABV (1/10)
Pretty, pale pink silver color. Aromas of raspberry coulis and mulberries follow through on a crisp entry to a tangy fruity-yet-dry medium body with good depth and a pleasing tart and mouthwatering raspberry and citrus peel-accented fade. Nice fruity vibrancy.
88 Crisp Cider, HardCore Cider Co. (MA). 5.5% ABV (1/10)
Deep old gold color. Mild raw applewood smoked bacon and golden raisin aromas. A vibrant entry leads to a tangy, fruity-yet-dry medium-to-full body with tart and crunchy apple and delicate cinnamon sugar flavors. Finishes with a sweet juicy apple and dusty talc-accented fade.
87 Woodchuck Granny Smith Draft Cider, Green Mountain Cidery (VT). 5% ABV (1/10)
Pale silver straw color. Bright baked green apple aromas follow through on a round, crisp entry to dry-yet-fruity medium body with lemon and pineapple acidity. Finishes with a tart petite green apple fade. Nice balance of fruit and tartness for sipping or food.
87 Woodchuck Draft Pear Cider, Green Mountain Cidery (VT). 5% ABV (1/10)
Pale straw silver color. Bold, floral aromas of lychee and white potpourri follow through on a round entry to a fruity-yet-dry medium body with a distinct fruit cocktail quality. Finishes with a hint of pear custard tart and bath talc. Not very pear-like but attractive in a feminine sort of way.
87 New England Traditional Cider, The Boston Beer Co. (MA). 5.6% ABV (1/10)
Bright old gold color with no head. Aromas of overripe muddy apples on the grass and wild yeast follow thorough on a fruity-sour light-to-medium body with tart, green and red apple flavors and a tart, earthy leafy finish. A very rustic traditionally styled cider for cider-heads.
87 Crisp Apple Cider, Hornsby’s Pubdrafts Ltd. (CA). 5.5% ABV (12/08)
Pale golden color with big bubbles. Honeyed golden apple and delicate spice aromas follow through on a crisp, brisk entry to a fruity sweet light-to-medium body with a pleasing apple-pie-filling-like quality. Finishes with a sugared baked apple fade. A simple, attractive, crowd-pleasing cider that may be a little too sweet for purists.
86 Strongbow England’s Dry Cider, Bulmers America (VT). 5% ABV (1/10)
Golden amber color. Honeyed apple tart aromas follow through on a frothy entry to a dryish light-to-medium body with very tart and puckering green apple skin flavors with a mealy edge. Finishes with a crisp, tangy lightly tannic fade. A nice U.K. scrumpy-styled cider and will work well with food.
86 Irish Cider, Magners (Ireland). 4.5% ABV (1/10)
Pretty rosy amber color. Slightly charred aromas of grilled apples have a flinty, charcoal cooked meat edge and follow through on a direct entry to a dryish light-to-medium body with baked apple tart and delicate spiced papaya notes. Finishes with a minerally apple bobbing spa water fade. Interesting, try with BBQ.
86 Amber Draft Cider, Hornsby’s Pubdrafts Ltd. (CA). 6% ABV (12/08)
Honeyed yellow and green apple aromas with a dash of spice follow through on a soft entry to a fruity light-to-medium body with apple core and pewter tinged finish.
85 Woodchuck Dark & Dry Draft Cider 802, Green Mountain Cidery (VT). 5% ABV (1/10)
Bright amber color. Tangy spiced apple and apple taffy-like aromas follow through on a soft, lightly frothy entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium body with tart apple skin and core notes. Finishes with a terse, dusty apple basket-accented fade.
84 Pear Cider, Original Sin Cidery (NY). 4.5% ABV (1/10)
Pale silvery straw color. Lightly perfumed aromas of pear and peach cocktail follow through on a round, foamy entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium body with sweet cream. Finishes with a fleeting, pear bobbing water, peach and pineapple yogurt fade.
82 Cider Jack Hard Cider, American Hard Cider Co. (VT). 6% ABV (1/10)
Bright golden straw color. Yeasty, poached egg aromas mask any apple character on the nose and follow through on a brisk entry to a dry light-to-medium body with faint apple spritzer and soda flavors in the background. Finishes with a wet mineral and apple stem-accented fade.
80 Cider, Harpoon Brewery (MA). 4.8% ABV (1/10)
Pale golden color. Bold cinnamon poached apple and apple-vanilla scented candle aromas have a holiday air to them and follow on a brisk entry to a somewhat thin and under-carbonated tart light body with a hint of rubber. Finishes with a quick, tart apple core and stem and talc-accented fade. A bit of a fleeting nose-dive.
