Bean Blossom Strawberry Hard Cider

This week's cider was a gift from a friend, picked up on their vacation in Tennessee! Bean Blossom Hard Cider comes from Oliver winery in Indiana. It is 8% ABV, which is high for a cider. All of their ciders come in aluminum bottles or cans. Their full line of ciders can be shipped to most U.S States and can be found here: http://www.oliverwinery.com/ciderstore?orderby=PXPC.DisplayOrder%20Asc,%20P.ProductName%20ASC&startrow=1

Color:
We were both surprised that this cider boasts a very light golden color. No traces of red can be found. This cider is very clear and slightly carbonated. Hawke rates the color with a 5/5 apples. Bailey also gives it a 5/5 apples.

Smell:
Hawke commented that the odor of this cider is overwhelmingly strawberry. He could not detect any apple smell, but it was very pleasant. He rates it with a 4/5 apples. Bailey loves the smell of this cider. It is very sweet, most definitely all strawberry, and all together pleasing to the senses. She gives it a 5/5 apples.

Flavor / Complexity:
Bailey was a bit disappointed that this cider was very sour to her palate. Because the apple and strawberry flavors had mixed completely, it tasted more like an ambiguous berry. She was hoping that the two flavors would stand alone from each other. She rates the taste with a 3/5 apples. Hawke thought this cider was very bitter. He tasted mostly strawberry with a tiny bit of apple, but all together the taste was a bit off-putting. He also rates it with a 3/5 apples.

Aftertaste:
Bailey didn't get much of an aftertaste from this cider. There is some of the berry flavor that lingers, but only for a second. She gives it a 2/5 apples. Hawke did not get an aftertaste either, but the bitter flavor did remain on his tongue. He rates it with a 1/5 apples.

Price:
$7-9. Hawke thinks that this cider is of a low quality for the price. The smell is very promising, but the flavor does not deliver. He gives it a 2/5 apples. Bailey also feels that the quality of this cider is a bit low, although you do get a decent amount of cider per bottle. She gives it a 3/5 apples.

Overall:
Hawke does admit that the smell of this cider is tantalizing, but it was much too bitter for his tastes. If you do enjoy bitter or sour flavors, this cider is for you. Bailey felt that either they could have done a better job of balancing the flavors, or they just do not mix well together. She also wonders if this cider is allowed to age to maturity or if it is rushed by the presence of sulfates.
Overall Hawke gives this cider 15/25 apples or a yellow apple.

Bailey gives this cider 18/25 apples overall, or a yellow apple.

Woodchuck Farmhouse Select

This particular Woodchuck Cider came to us as a surprise. As we had not seen it on the local shops until recent. Then Hawke researched it and found it was available year round. The cider promises a taste of the original Woodchuck Cider back when it was first made. They use Vermont apples and Belgian beer yeast to produce the flavor. Information about this and other Woodchuck ciders can be found at : www.woodchuck.com

Color:
Bailey thought highly of the champagne gold color. Not quite the usual tinge we have seen from the other Woodchuck products. She rates it with a 4/5 apples. Hawke was delighted by the slight yellow tinge and slight cloudiness of the drink. He gives it 4/5 apples.

Smell:
Bailey detected a smell of sweet apples, but it was very faint. It was almost masked completely by a more alcohol smell. The smell was however very crisp. She gives this cider a 2/5 apples for lack of a pleasing smell. Hawke smelled the alcohol that was strong but not quite overpowering. Under this was a slight apple smell, but it wasn't very prominent. Hawke wished the apple smell was more present. He rates it with a 3/5 apples.

Taste:
Bailey felt that this was a very light cider. She delighted in a sweet apple taste, with the alcohol taste not overpowering. This cider doesn't have a jaw-dropping powerful flavor, but Bailey did like it. She gives it a 4/5 apples. Hawke found the flavor extremely light filled with a mix of apples and alcohol. He also gives it a 4/5 apples.

Aftertaste:
Bailey detected a strong sour apple aftertaste. It reminded Bailey of fermenting apples, yet it did not linger for a long time. She very much enjoyed the short lived sour contrast to the sweet flavor. She gives it a 4/5 apples. Hawke felt a sweet aftertaste that does not linger but a minor alcohol flavor accompanying it. He rated it with a 3/5 apples.

Price:
$11-13. This bottle contains 750ml, the same as a wine bottle. Bailey felt one would get 4 generous glasses worth of cider. For the price it is a good quality cider.She gives the price a 4/5 apples. Hawke thought that it was a decent cider. He thought it was reasonable for those that want a change from the usual Amber cider. He rates it with a 4/5 apples.

Overall:
It is a good cider for summer or spring. The flavors are not necessarily as robust as the other ciders that have been sampled thus far, but it is still a high quality cider. Also, because it is so light, it can be paired well with a lot of different food.

Overall, Hawke gives this 18/25 apples or a yellow apple!

 Bailey also gives this cider 18/25 or a yellow apple!