Artisanal Cider (American Varieties or Imports)

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