Is cider more like wine or more like beer? Our take? It depends. Cider can be seen as falling somewhere in between the two categories, often occupying a unique position. While it may be regarded and marketed more akin to beer in many cases, from the perspective and practice of the producers, cider shares many similarities with wine..extended macerations, time spent in barrels, natural fermentation, etc. Regardless, cider is a category we think is very much worth exploring...especially in the summer months. We carry many fantastic ciders at Hop City. Below are a few on the shelves our staffers are currently loving.
Shacksbury The Vermonter (6.0%) - Inspired by the surrounding Green Mountains, The Vermonter is a dry, gin botanical cider made by slowly fermenting apples with juniper essence. It’s a dry cider with a moderate amount of carbonation. We love the woodsy, different taste it brings… it's definitely a bit reminiscent of a sparkling gin cocktail. $10.99 / 12oz 4-pack; available at Krog & Fayetteville
Atlanta Hard Cider Cherry Pie (5.9%) - Local cider using apples from North Georgia! Cherry Pie uses a blend of sweet and tart cherries and just a hint of cinnamon to bake in a balanced and deliciously flavored cider. $13.99 / 16oz 4-pack; available at Krog, West End & Fayetteville
Anxo Sidra Verde (6.5%) - Sidra is a Spanish cider traditionally produced in the in northern region of Spain (Basque and Asturias counties). Anxo, out of Virginia, pays homage to the style in their Sidra Verde, using natural fermentation and a blend of French and American heirloom apples. It’s a low carbonated, dry cider that is tart, funky and super versatile with a range of foods. $19.99 / 12 oz 4-pack; available at Krog & West End
Blake’s Peach Party (6.5%) – Blake’s Hard Cider comes from a family farm in Michigan that has been growing apples for over 6 decades. For Peach Party, their ‘backyard born’ apple cider base is blended with peaches and blackberries. It’s fruity and sweet in all the right ways and is a perfect summer refreshment. $10.99 / 12oz 6-pack; available at Krog, West End & Fayetteville
Rekorderlig Passionfruit (4.0%) - For the hard core cider lover, Sweden’s Rekorderlig line might spark a heated discussion as their ‘ciders’ are technically fruit wines as defined by the US/FDA labeling standards. Don’t let this semantic stop you from giving them a try though, as they’re darn delicious. The Passionfruit version will transport you to a Caribbean island with it’s light tangy taste and tropical notes. $10.99 / 12oz 4-pack; available at Krog & West End
NEW STUFF!
HOPS
- Equilibrium/Other Half: Dream Wave Fluctuation (8.1%)
- Equilibrium: Fulcrum (8%)
- Equilibrium: Mmm…Osa (4.8%)
- Hop Butcher: Reply Hazy Try Again (7.5%)
- Hop Butcher: Still Undefeated (8%)
- Hop Butcher: Halogen Farmed Fresh (8%)
- Pontoon: Cream of the Hop (8%)
- Steady Hand/Pontoon: Stoned Otter Our Minds (8%)
SOUR
- Prairie: Thai Delight (5.1%)
- Prairie: Watermelon Girlfriend (5%)
DARK
- Equilibrium: Churro Puffs (11%)
- Equilibrium/Great Notion: Macademics (11%)
