Woodchuck Launches New ‘Cellar Series’ Hard Cider Line
“The cellar series is a really exciting project for us,” said Cider Maker John Matson. “It gives us the opportunity to take some of our most experimental, previously unreleased ciders, and put them in the hands of our fans. Dry Hop is a great balanced cider and it represents just the tip of the iceberg for the Cellar Series.”
I’ve made no secret about my distaste for Woodchuck’s too-sweet ciders, but give them credit for experimenting with different flavors and styles. This new offering hasn’t made its way to Bushwhacker Cider yet, but when it does, I’ll be sure to begrudging sample it and feel guilty about wasting money when there are far better ciders available within easy reach.
Cider Summit Seattle Expands to Two Days
The owners and cidermakers will be on hand to inform and guide guests through the samplings which will be available in 4-ounce tasting portions. In addition to the superb range of ciders, the event will feature live music, specially paired food selections from Whole Foods Market and Capitol Cider along with specially designed filled chocolates from Smitten Truffles. New for 2013 is a “dog lounge” water station.
It’s almost time for more cider! The weekend after Labor Day will bring TWO entire (almost, anyway) days of cider drinking to the South Lake Union Discovery Center in Seattle. If you went to the Oregon event in June don’t be surprised to see many of the same companies, but there will be a few ciders exclusive to the Seattle event. Easily accessible via bus or light rail, and then the South Lake Union Trolley (SLUT!) if you choose, I’m planning on trying everything I can.
My (current) favorite ciders
No link for this one because, well, I’m just making this up as I go along. But, based on quantity consumed and times recommended, my current favorites are:
1. Uncle John’s Draught Apple Cider
2. Schilling Cider’s Oak Aged
3. Outcider’s Wild
4. 2 Town Ciderhouse’s Rhubarbarian
This first two are my go-to take home ciders (they’re canned and cheap), while Outcider is consistently on tap at Bushwhacker Cider, so I’ll drink that if nothing super-special is behind the counter. Rhubarbarian is their summer seasonal, so I like to have that often to save a Corvallis trip for more.
Happy Labor Day weekend.