Cider of the Week

The cider: 1911 Maple Bourbon Barrel Aged Hard Cider

The cidery: Beak & Skiff Apple Orchards, Lafayette, New York

Description (from Untappd): "Maple Bourbon Barrel Aged Hard Cider is the first limited release in our elevated Masters’ Series. Patient attention to detail was the key ingredient to creating truly unique flavor profiles in this line up of ciders. MBBAHC is a sweet cider that has been years in the making."

Would I buy it again? It may only be the first weekend in August, but the fall beers are already coming out. Of course, this isn't a beer, but you try to tell me that a maple-flavored hard cider isn't at least a little autumnal. 

Anyway, I'm glad I didn't wait any longer, because this thing is absolutely incredible. Quite possibly the best hard cider I've ever had. The maple hits instantly, and the sweet cider flavor follows it up perfectly. And best of all, since it's a cider and therefore relatively light, it doesn't even feel bad to drink it on a hot summer day. I really hope I can find more of this, because I'd buy more in a heartbeat.

Cider of the Week

The cider: Apple Pie

The cidery: Coyote Hole Ciderworks, Mineral, Virginia

Description (from the website): "Apple Pie is the iconic autumn dessert, along with hot apple cider. Leaning on our Dutch heritage, we had to bring this iconic fall flavor into one of our hard ciders. Blending a unique mixture of our green apple hard cider with Dutch apple pie spices, bringing you a wonderful autumn flavored treat."

Would I buy it again? I'm not convinced on this particular cider, it sounded better than it actually is. It's extremely sweet, but there's a slight bitter aftertaste to this cider as well, and the two tastes do not play very well together. Somehow, instead of them covering each other up, you get both distinct flavors at the same time. I would pass on this particular cider in the future.

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.

Not-a-Beer of the Week

The cider: Black Widow

Brewed by: Original Sin Cider, New York City

Description (from the website): "The black widow is fruit-forward, yet tart, with a tantalizing complexity, made with blackberries and freshly pressed New York apples"

Would I buy it again?: Unlike last week's cider, this one actually does taste like blackberries, rather than a regular hard cider with a little bit of blackberry flavor thrown in. So because of that, I prefer this one. I would buy this again, but it wouldn't be a very common purchase. Hard cider is okay from time to time, but overall I prefer beer.