Artisanal Cider (American Varieties or Imports)

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