Artisanal Cider (American Varieties or Imports)

So I've been on a major cider kick for the last couple of years, not really the Strongbow or imported variety and was wondering if anyone out there could educate me further.

One big favorite is Crispin, I believe they're out of the Twin Cities, any other brands that are accessible in the Midwest?

Or alternatively decent British or European imports.

Save me from drinking too much Angry Orchard. And Woodchuck is mostly too sugary sweet.

There are a couple of older threads but they're not incredibly helpful.

"hard cider" c/d?

http://www.crispincider.com/images/crispin-cider.gif

I've liked most of the stuff I tried from them, although they sort of lack body. Its the dry white wine of ciders.

http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2012/11/08/164599735/americans-rediscover-the-kick-of-hard-cider

Wasn't really aware of the long history of cider in the US, suppose I should blame my German ancestors for beer's ascendance in the first part of the 20th century.

http://images.letspour.com/deal/de_1003_lg.jpg

Tried this one tonight, it's pleasant but overly sweet and not really feeling the spices.

Yeah, Crispin is ok but it's pretty thin. Angry Orchard's all right, at least not quite as sweet as a lot of American stuff. I'm a cider fan in theory, but find most of what you can get in the U.S. just too cloying. A couple stores around here carry Blackthorn, which I like. (I've sold some cider skeptics on it.) I haven't yet found any "real cider," but I think some American brewers are making it. A wine store in town here does carry Oliver's Perry, which is good.

Last year on vacation in Bilbao, we had some Basque cider in a restaurant. It was great -- non-sparkling, really pleasant -- wish we'd brought some home.

we have this stuff in new england which i thought was really good:

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X3xM3OibxpQ/UI2tBU1M13I/AAAAAAAAAtI/JMHOZsmailI/s1600/wunderkind.jpg

x-post Crispin is absolutely great sitting outside in the middle of July, preferably with the sun shining and possibly eating a salad.

But in January it's just not really enough. I keep on seeing small label stuff and trying it on a whim, maybe I'll luck out eventually.

Will check for the Blackthorn if I get a chance.

Interesting thing about Blackthorn is that the (British) producers outraged their UK devotees a few years ago by making it a little sweeter -- and it's still hugely less sweet than most U.S. ciders.

That Bantam looks intriguing.

I also would love to track down some Quebecois ice cider:

http://newinfood.files.wordpress.com/2012/10/417556_1.jpg

Virtue Cider (http://virtuecider.com/) is the newish cider maker in town here. It was started by Greg Hall, former Brewmaster of Goose Island. I've only had the Red Streak, and it was pretty good. I believe it is only available in the Chicago area and on draft though. Waiting for them to come out with some more varieties.

Other than that, I've really liked Vander Mill (http://www.vandermill.com/) out of MI. Their Totally Roasted is very good, nutty and roasty. Also have enjoyed their Ginger Peach Cider.

Blackthorn now has a different Bristol version, which is the original more dry version. I don't think you even get it anywhere else in the West - it only turned up after the Great Blackthorn Boycott where people refused to buy it.

I think the only US one I've ever drunk is Woodchuck, which was horrendously sweet and I like British sweet cider.

the best cider i've had recently was original sin:

http://thebeerfan.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/originalsincider.jpg

I went through a phase where it was just cider for me, it must be cider always for me for a couple years. Crispin's real good, they have a lot of varieties (the "sake barrel" one is quite good I think) but it was stuff whose name I don't remember in England - in Nottingham and in Somerset, stuff they had on tap, whole bunches of it - that was just heartbreakingly delicious. Think I'll grab some American stuff from Sam's today and report back on the brand names, I am horrible at remembering brand names

i think the samuel smith cider is good too

After not drinking cider for years, I did a lot of cider drinking over the weekend. Was drinking in the daytime and it seemed somehow more palatable than beer.

Also, I bought this Basque cider because the bottle was beautiful and I was curious. It was super interesting tasting (the parts that were left over after my attempted pours from high above).

http://drinks.seriouseats.com/images/20110515_151201_Sarasola.jpg

My favourite is
https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQ1amJTSMZ6e1_BeisDDI_uihfFzDbNyzmBJV7VoXYfjb1mqL1lMw

and I avoid the sugary flavoured ones like the plague but have just tried Norcotts (very local) ones and they are v good. Will rep for Samuel Smith in US. Prefer Strongbow to Blackthorn myself and won't drink Magners (these were often the only options in the US)

i had some good j.k.'s solstice hard cider this weekend. pretty delish.

http://images.letspour.com/deal/de_1003_lg.jpg

lol i see josiah posted the same pic above!

Had an amazing cyser last night, Vander Mill Founders Keepers, which I guess is cider that is fermented with honey? I had never heard of it. Anyway, it had been aged in Founders Backwoods Bastard barrels for 8 months, so it definitely had a bourbony taste to it. Also kind of sweet, but not cloyingly so. It was top notch.

bump!

i am now drinking a lot of angry orchard why because i see it every time I go to the store
planning to expand my horizons

Place nearby has Original Sin on tap. I dig it. Angry Orchard and Crispin's taste pretty good but I've been trying to avoid ciders with too many ingredients (concentrates, extra sugar etc.).

Crispin's sells a big bottle that doesn't have concentrates or sugar added etc., it's pretty good.

I had this Basque cider (below, not my own photo) and it was basically like crabapple cider--completely dry and tart and funky, but also really intriguing and good.

http://blogs.houstonpress.com/eating/isastegi.JPG