Posts tagged “PNW cider”

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!

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!