Cider

Did you know that October is National Apple Month?! The humble apple is great for snacking — and can be used in so many recipes. Dishes can be sweet, savory, or anywhere in between. Crunchy, sweet, and tart, apples become nice and soft when cooked or baked with. And apples are known for being nutritious — They’re full of fiber, vitamins, plus carbohydrates and a low amount of sugar. Here in Washington, we’re all about apples! Many varieties of the state fruit grow in orchards far and wide. And as we settle into autumn and the harvest season for apples, it’s time to celebrate the season’s favorite fruit.

October is National Apple Month

National Apple Month fits perfectly into Washington’s harvest season! It’s a great time to try a variety of fresh apples and celebrate the fruit. Tacoma Boys offers a variety of apples and apple products, from Fisher Northwest Apple Cake Baking Mix, to Eden Organic Apple Butter Spread, Santa Cruz Organic Apple Sauce, and much more. This month, celebrate apples a few different ways:

1. Apple picking: Some local apple orchards offer apple picking to the public. Bring the family and experience picking ripe apples straight from the trees they grow on!
2. Cider making: Cider pressing makes apples into juice. Like apple picking, you can find some cider pressing events or spaces near you during the harvest season.
3. Taste test of apples: Grab a few different varieties of apples and slice them up. Try a taste test to compare the flavors and you may even find a new favorite!
4. Sweet apple recipes: Baking sweet recipes with apples is a go-to for many since they’re already so sweet.
5. Savory apple recipes: Get creative cooking with apples in savory dishes, like braised chicken or salads.

Local Apples at Tacoma Boys

It’s easy to come by local apples around here. In fact, it may be hard to find much else! The majority of the nation’s apples are grown in Washington. Several varieties of apple crops grow in orchards across the state — It’s common to find most of these for sale, but not all are the same. Some apples are more tart and crisp, like granny smith, while other varieties are known for being extra juicy and sweet, like the honeycrisp. Depending on how you want to eat or cook these local apples, you might prefer one over the other.

Different varieties of apples at Tacoma Boys include:

• Honeycrisp
• Cosmic crisp
• Red delicious
• Pink lady
• Gala
• Jazz
• Ginger gold

Apple Recipes to Try

Celebrate National Apple Month by trying out new apple recipes! Apples are quite versatile and can be used in many different cuisines and types of dishes. Apple recipes can be sweet, savory, or somewhere in between — Read on for a few examples of each. If you’re one to enjoy simply snacking on apples, try this tip: Squeeze some lemon juice over the sliced apples to prevent them from browning. And don’t forget that you can drink your apples, too! Try Ryan’s Honeycrisp Apple Cider or some hard apple cider. Tacoma Boys has a wide selection of hard apple cider, much of which is local to Washington and Oregon. 

Sweet Apple Recipes

Some of the simplest apple recipes can turn out to be the most delicious! One example of this is the granola-stuffed baked apple: Core an apple of your choice and place it in a baking dish. First, mix ¼ cup Made Good Crispy Light Granola with 2 tsp melted GloryBee Organic Coconut Oil and 1 tbsp Wholesome Organic Dark Brown Sugar. Then, press the granola mixture into the center of the apple. Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 35-45 minutes or until the apple is soft and the granola is crisp. Enjoy warm with Umpqua Vanilla Ice Cream! 

Some other examples of sweet apple recipes include:

• Apple Cinnamon Bread by Plated Cravings.
• Gluten Free Apple Pancakes by Something Nutritious.
• Apple Crisp Parfait by Joyful Healthy Eats.
• Tacoma Boys’ own Apple Rhubarb Crisp.

Savory Apple Recipes 

Savory apple recipes are fun to experiment with — You can sometimes use apples in dishes as you would vegetables for added flavor and moisture. For one, try an apple brie prosciutto panini: Build the sandwich like you would a grilled cheese, with a layer of sliced Marin French Traditional Brie Cheese, Boar’s Head Prosciutto, and sliced honeycrisp apples surrounded by buttered Seattle Sourdough Bread. Then, grill the panini in a skillet on medium heat, flipping once, until the brie is melted and the bread is crispy. 

A few more examples of savory apple recipes include:

• Waldorf Chicken Salad by A Mindful Mom
• Apple Cheddar Quiche by Hip Foodie Mom.
• Apple Cider Braised Pork Shoulder by The Modern Proper.
• Curried Butternut Squash and Apple Soup by Farm Flavor.

Stop by Tacoma Boys for a variety of different apples and apple products to celebrate National Apple Month! And to stay up to date on insider deals and specials, sign up for Tacoma Boys’ text list. Just text (253) 246-1661 to tell Paul you want to be on the list!

Hard apple cider is a cold and slightly sweet bubbly beverage: The alcoholic drink is growing in popularity and availability all over the state, country, and world! Washington-produced cider is especially popular because of our state’s prolific apple trees and orchards. As more people become cider fans, it’s even easier to find different kinds of cider to enjoy and places to enjoy it — Cideries are popping up more and more as destinations to produce and taste cider, similar to wineries or breweries. They may also be referred to as a cider house or taproom. Some cider houses serve several different craft ciders from different producers right on tap. “Flights” of cider at such places are a great way to taste a few different kinds to see what you like!

All About Hard Apple Cider

Crisp and refreshing hard apple cider is the perfect accompaniment to Washington summers. It’s a great way to enjoy the apples of the Pacific Northwest, where the growing regions are rich and the apple trees abundant. Some apple orchards are especially grown for cider-pressing apples. Like wineries with vineyards, some cideries have their own orchards for growing apples to press into juice for hard cider; Meanwhile, some cideries buy apples elsewhere to press them into cider. Since cider is simply fermented apple juice, it can be made anywhere! There can be as many hard apple cider varieties as there are varieties of apples: Some can also be a mix of many types of apples and other fruits or flavorings.

At Tacoma Boys, you’ll find a wide range of different varieties of dry, sweet, flavored cider, and more!

Dry Versus Sweet Cider

When shopping for hard apple cider, it’s common to see “dry,” “semi-sweet” or “semi-dry,” and “sweet,” labels. This refers to the amount of residual sugars and therefore sweetness remaining in the cider. The less residual sugar, the less sweet the cider will be. “Dry” ciders tend to be less sweet than a bite into a standard apple, whereas “sweet” ciders may taste a touch sweeter. Dry ciders may taste a bit like hopps and alcohol fermentation in general.

Flavored and Infused Cider

Several ciders are infused and made with other fruits or herbs for an added complex flavor and color. It’s common to see berries in ciders produced in Washington because both apples and berries grow so well here. Some examples of flavored or infused ciders you’ll find at Tacoma Boys include Locust Honey Pear, Schilling Grapefruit, One Tree Huckleberry, and Tieton Cranberry Cider. Some craft cider can be made with all pears and no apples! These are generally referred to as a “perry” and tend to be sweeter than a hard apple cider— But many pear ciders are made with a mix of both pears and apples.

Varietal Cider

Heirloom apples, imperial apples, honeycrisp apples, cosmic crisp apples… These are a few of the apple varieties that are used to make hard apple cider. A single varietal cider means it was made specially with only one type of apple— Unlike other ciders that are produced with a variety of pressed apples, single varietal ciders have a very distinct apple taste.

Pacific Northwest Cider

It’s easy to get your hands on Pacific Northwest cider locally and at Tacoma Boys. Craft cider is very popular in the United Kingdom and is known as the largest cider-producing country in Europe. But here in the Pacific Northwest, there’s a ton of darn good cider available to enjoy! While the taste depends on the cider’s tannins, acidity, and effervescence, most craft ciders have a similar overall apple taste.

If you’re not familiar hard apple cider, we recommend trying a Pacific Northwest cider like one of these brands available at Tacoma Boys:

• Incline Cider (Tacoma, Washington)
• Tieton Cider Works (Yakima, Washington)
• 2 Towns Ciderhouse (Corvallis, Oregon)
• Finnriver Cider (Chimacum, Washington)
• AVID Cider Co. (Bend, Oregon)
• Snowdrift Cider Co. (Wenatchee, Washington) 
• Dragon’s Head Cider (Vashon, Washington)
• Bauman’s Cider Company (Gervais, Oregon)

Easy Cider Cocktails to Make at Home 

While drinking cider on its own is great, it’s easy to make cider cocktails to sip on, too! Cider’s sparkly nature and deep flavor makes it a great base to cider drinks and cocktails. Cider should be enjoyed at a temperature similar to that of white wine. This means slightly warmer than the temperature of your refrigerator: It’s generally recommended to let the cider sit at room temperature for a few minutes before drinking. This best releases the cider’s aroma and apple flavor. Next, think of a fruit juice, herb, or other flavoring that would work well with your cider of choice. This recipe for a Hard Cider Moscow Mule by Joyful Healthy Eats is a great example of a tasty cider cocktail! It’s easy to enjoy a cool glass of cider or cider cocktail alongside your favorite summer meal, like a Grilled Corn & Zucchini Salad with Goat Cheese.

Or, try our recipe for Rosemary Rosé Grapefruit Cider Cocktails:

Ingredients – makes two

• One 12 oz can Two Towns Two Thorns Raspberry Rosé Cider
• 1 cup Santa Cruz Organics Grapefruit Juice
• 2 sprigs fresh rosemary, plus more for garnish
• 1 grapefruit, sliced into wheels, for garnish 

Directions

1. In a cocktail shaker, muddle together the grapefruit juice and fresh rosemary sprigs, bruising the leaves with the muddler to release the aroma.
2. Fill the cocktail shaker with ice and shake vigorously for 30 seconds. Fill two serving glasses with ice.
3. Pour the grapefruit rosemary mixture into the two serving glasses (through the cocktail shaker strainer). Top each with half of the can of the raspberry rose cider.
4. Stir, garnish with extra rosemary and grapefruit wheels, and enjoy!

Come On In

When you’re ready to get your cider drinking started, come on in to Tacoma Boys to check it out! You’ll find a variety of craft cider next to the beer and wine. And to stay up to date on insider deals and specials, sign up for Tacoma Boys’ text list. Just text (253) 246-1661 to tell Paul you want to be on the list!

Now that the fall season is officially here, that means Tacoma Boys’ favorite fall beer and beverage options hit the shelves. That’s right, we’re talking pumpkin beer, spiced pear margaritas, wine, cider, and so much more to round up the ultimate fall beer and beverage lineup. If beer and cocktails isn’t your jam, have no fear! Tacoma Boys has everything you need to whip up fall inspired mocktails that are perfect for the whole family. 

The Ultimate Fall Beer and Beverage Lineup

Beer

First up on the ultimate fall beer and beverage lineup is… drumroll please… pumpkin beer! Why? Because it’s that time of year! The first pumpkin beer dates back to 1985 at Buffalo Bill’s Brewery located in Hayward, California. Little did they know they would create a beer so good it leaves avid beer drinkers patiently waiting for fall each year. Tacoma Boys is team pumpkin which is why you can find multiple versions of pumpkin beer on the shelves this time of year. If you’re not a fan of pumpkin we still have you covered. Check out our Oktoberfest beer picks for this month!

Elysian Brewing Company – Pumpkin Ale

Elysian has created their classic pumpkin ale with pumpkin puree, pumpkin juice, and fall’s favorite spices: ginger, nutmeg, cinnamon, allspice, and cloves. The result is, in their words, “a very drinkable pumpkin ale” that is sure to please.

Elysian Brewing Company – Pumpkin Stout

To take their pumpkin brewing to the next level, Elysian created a pumpkin stout with pumpkin puree, roasted pumpkin seeds, and chocolate, resulting in a rich and smooth stout.

Wine

Tarantas Sparkling White Wine

This sparkling wine is organic, affordable, and embodies flavors from fall’s favorite fruits – apples and pears! This sparkling white comes from Spain, is dry, effervescent, with hints of citrus, cream, green apple, and pear. Can you say YUM?! Try using this sparkling wine in one of the Homemade Food Junkie’s four fall mimosa recipes for the ultimate fall brunch cocktail. 

La Playa Estate Series Red Blend

This organic wine is made in the Colchagua Valley and embodies hints of cherries, coffee beans, nuts, and mint. This deep wine is a great option for a fall inspired sangria recipe that is sure to impress. We recommend this fall inspired sangria recipe by Kitchen Swagger. The recipe uses apples, oranges, pure maple syrup, and cinnamon sticks. If you want to take it up a notch you can substitute Tacoma Boys’ very own Apple Cinnamon Syrup in place of the maple syrup for the ultimate cherry on top!

Cider

Seattle Cider Co. – Pumpkin Spice Hard Cider

Seattle Cider Co. has created a semi-sweet cider that embodies one of fall’s favorite flavors – pumpkin. This cider is made with a wide variety of apples: Fuji, Granny Smith, Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, and Gala. The result is a cider with notes of cinnamon, cloves, allspice, nutmeg and a hint of pumpkin. 

Fall Inspired Cocktails

If you’re looking to spruce up your cocktail game for fall parties, Tacoma Boys has your back. We’ve taken some of our favorite products and whipped up recipes that will blow your holiday guests away. 

Product: Stonewall Kitchen Apple Cider Jam

Cocktail: Apple Cider Whiskey Sour

Never considered using jam in a cocktail before? Tacoma Boys is here to tell you that you have been missing out. This is a game changer, friends!

Ingredients – makes 2 cocktails

• 5 oz whiskey
• 1.5 oz freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 2 tbsp Stonewall Kitchen Apple Cider Jam
• 2 egg whites – optional
• Ice

Directions

1. In a cocktail shaker, add the whiskey, lemon juice, jam, and optional egg whites. Place the lid on and dry shake for 10-20 seconds.
2. Add a handful of ice to the shaker and shake for another 5-10 seconds until chilled. 
3. Strain and pour into your serving glass and enjoy!

Product: Tacoma Boys Toasted Pecan Syrup

Cocktail: Toasted Pecan Old Fashioned

Ingredients – makes 1 cocktail

• 3 oz rye whiskey
• 2 tsp Tacoma Boys Toasted Pecan Syrup
• 2 dashes pecan bitters
• 1 large ice cube
• Orange peel to garnish

Directions

1. In your serving glass combine the whiskey, toasted pecan syrup, and bitters.
2. Add your large ice cube, stir, garnish, and enjoy!

Product: Looza Pear Juice

Cocktail: Spiced Pear Margarita

Ingredients – makes 2 cocktails

• 4 oz tequila
• 4 oz Looza Pear Juice
• 1 oz triple sec or pure orange juice
• ¼ tsp cinnamon
• Pinch of nutmeg
• 1 lime or lemon – juiced

Directions

1. Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice and shake until completely chilled. 
2. Strain and pour into a serving glass filled with ice. Garnish as desired. 

Seasonal Beverages for the Whole Family

Juice – R.W. Knudsen

Tacoma Boys carries a wide variety of R.W. Knudsen juices! Some of our favorites for fall include: pear, apple ginger, and classic apple. These juices are great for mocktails or to simply have by themselves. Regardless, they do not disappoint!

Ginger Beer – Reed’s Craft Ginger Beer

Ginger beer is a great non-alcoholic beverage that is wonderful on its own or great in many mocktail recipes. Below is the perfect seasonal mocktail recipe that makes enough for the entire family. 

Pumpkin Spice Moscow Mule Mocktail

Ingredients – makes 5 mocktails

• 3 bottles Reed’s Craft Ginger Beer
• 6 oz lime juice
• 6 oz pumpkin spice syrup

Directions

1. Mix everything up in a pitcher. 
2. Divide into 5 servings and enjoy!

Drinks for All!

Whether you’re a beer drinker, cocktail mixer, or mocktail fan, Tacoma Boys has everything you need to make the ultimate fall beverages! Swing by and ask one of the associates to help you find a product that suits all of your fall beverage needs!

Washington’s two greatest passions–apples and alcohol–collide in the country’s best hard ciders. 

Do you enjoy reaching for a cold one, but beer isn’t really your thing? Or maybe you just want to mix it up a little now and then! There’s something about long summer nights on the patio that make a grown-up long for a cool, refreshing drink. Lucky for you, Washington has a budding hard cider industry that’s just getting started. And we’re already pretty great at it! It’s no surprise given our long held national reputation for phenomenal apples and our deep love for craft beer. It was just a matter of time before the two passions came together, and they’ve done so beautifully. 

Hard cider is no longer the cloyingly sweet younger cousin to beer. Drawing from a history that goes all the way back to rich European roots, cider makers have found ways to draw out variety and nuance you may find to be delightfully unexpected. Washington is home to many great cideries, so we’ve compiled a list of some of our favorites. They’re all locally owned and operated, all use apples sourced right here in the PNW, and all found right here at your local Tacoma Boys and H&L produce.

Tacoma’s Best Summer Ciders

One Tree Hard Cider

One Tree–based in Spokane, WA–specializes in hard ciders made from apples grown right here in Washington. What started with a home cider kit grew into one of Washington’s premier cider makers. Now, you can find their ciders in Idaho, Montana and Illinois. But the easiest place to find it? Right here at your local Tacoma Boys and H&L Produce. On our shelves right now, you’ll find Lemon Basil, Huckleberry, Orange Creme, Caramel Cinnamon, and Staycation. Try them all, and be on the lookout for their seasonal ciders as well. One Tree Hard Cider makes our list as a refreshing addition to any summer outing!

Avid Cider

Avid Cider is family owned and operates out of Bend, OR. The founders of Avid were tired of ciders that were too sweet or too dry, so they struck out to create a well balanced cider. Why should you try Avid cider? Because they perfectly represent the PNW. They take inspiration from the landscape and culture of the Northwest and try to do their patrons proud. As a result, their apples are locally grown and processed sustainably. With no sugar added, Avid ciders are “just right.”  They were also voted 2018 Oregon Cider Producer of the year. So swing by and try one of the four Avid flavors we offer–Apple Stardust, Black Apple, Acai Lemonade, and Apricot Cider.

Locust Cider & Brewing Co.

Locust Cider and Brewing is a business with a cause! Brothers Jason and Patrick Spears founded the company in 2015. Around that time, Jason’s learned his daughter Lucy had a condition called Hydrocephalus, which requires multiple brain surgeries to treat. For every bottle of Locust Cider sold, they donate a portion of the profits to the Hydrocephalus Association. In addition to supporting a great cause, you’ll enjoy a bottle of locally produced cider from a small (but growing!) family business.

With production sites in Woodenville, WA and taprooms in Seattle, Tacoma, Walla Walla, Spokane, and Vancouver, you have options when it comes to trying their beer and cider. And of course, you can pick it up right here at your local Tacoma Boys and H&L Produce. We carry their Honey Pear, Dark Cherry, Vanilla Bean, and Mojito flavors. Try their cider today, and support a local family owned business and a great cause!

Alpenfire Cider

When they were 19, the founders of Alpenfire traveled to Canada (where they weren’t underage) and fell in love with the taste of hard apple cider. As they grew, so did their appreciation for the history of hard cider and the way it has developed in countries much older than ours. Thus, their heritage apple cider was born. Alpenfire’s cider making process harkens all the way back to their experiences in Europe. And it’s all made with apples plucked straight from their organic orchard in Port Townsend, WA! Their commitment to an organic process comes with difficulties, but also keeps them connected to the land and the changing seasons. At your local Tacoma Boys or H&L Produce, you’ll find their “2017 Rosy Pommeau” (a single varietal dessert cider), “2018 Traditional Cuvèe” (a dry heritage cider), “Calypso Apples and Blackberry” (a barrel aged fruit cider), and “Kingston Black” (and estate single varietal cider). Grab one today, and experience the rich history of hard apple cider from fresh Washington apples. 

Find This Summer’s Best Ciders at Tacoma Boys

We’ve only scratched the surface of the variety of hard ciders we carry at Tacoma Boys and H&L Produce! The list could go on and on, including 2 Towns Ciderhouse, Whitewood Cider Co., Incline Cider Company, Portland Cider Company, and more! With ciders ranging from sweet to dry and everywhere in between, we know you’ll find one (or a few) to satisfy your taste. Stop by one of our locations today, and ask one of our friendly and knowledgeable store associates for a recommendation!