Cider of the Week

The cider: Maple Stout

The cidery: Cobbler Mountain Cellars, Delaplane, Virginia

Description (from the website): "Red Delicious apples ware warmed up with cinnamon and given a smooth Maple finish for this full-bodied, you-know-you-want-it, cider."

Would I buy it again? This isn't quite as good as the maple bourbon barrel–aged cider I reviewed last year, but that stuff was actual ambrosia, so I won't hold it against this cider, which is also very good. Maple and apple cider just work very well together. I'd happily buy this again.

Beer of the Week

The beer: How 'Bout Them Apples

Brewed by: Idiom Brewing Company, Frederick, Maryland

Description (from Untappd): "The ladies at Idiom got together to craft another female brewed beer! Loaded with Apple, vanilla, and cinnamon this Apple Cider Donut brew is the perfect way to bring in the fall season."

Would I buy it again? Even if this beer wasn't very good, it's just nice to see a fall-themed beer that isn't an Oktoberfest or pumpkin beer. Happily, this beer was very good. It's got apple, it's got cinnamon, and it's even got a bit of breadiness to evoke the donut part of the apple cider donut. It's definitely better and more interesting than the apple cider donut cider from a couple weeks ago, mostly because of the beer part of the beer. It provides contrast for the apple taste. I hope Idiom brings this back in the future, because I'd absolutely buy this again.

Cider of the Week

The cider: Baker's Dozen

The cidery: Citizen Cider, Burlington, Vermont

Description (from the can): "Sometimes the best part about visiting an orchard isn't the apples ... it's the cider donuts. In fact, we love them so much that a dozen just isn't quite enough. We want a Baker's Dozen! This delicious cider, inspired by our own house cider donuts, combines a fresh, fruity nose with aromas of cinnamon, vanilla, and allspice. It's so good, we think you'll agree and want just one more."

Would I buy it again? That's right, we have a hard cider inspired by a donut which is made using cider. Cider has truly come full circle. Now, I like a good cider, and I like a good cider donut. That made buying this a no-brainer. As for taste ... well, what do you think it tastes like? It tastes like cider. This is what happens when you make a hard cider inspired by something made from cider. And you know what? That works for me. I'd buy this again.