Cider - The Beer Alternative

Though cider is not usually a go to at Swigknowledge.com, it is a great alternative to beer any time of the year. How is cider different then beer? Well, beer is made by brewing and fermenting malted barley and is mostly flavored with hops. Cider that is alcoholic is produced from fermenting apple juice which provide antioxidants.

When it comes to the flavor and variety, cider comes in dry and sweet varieties. Beer is also classified into two categories based on the temperature of brewing. If the brewing takes place in a low temperature, then it is lager and when brewed at high temperature it is ale.

Cider production is popular in most countries of the world. Though the United States, Canada, Central and South America and Australia are growing in production, the history of cider can be traced back to Western Europe—in particular, France, Spain, Ireland and Britain.

I have tried several European ciders while traveling. Some of my favorites include Strongbow from Ireland, and Bulmers and Magners from the UK. Today, the US is rapidly becoming a large producer of cider as an alternative to beer. Let us look at some of America’s top cider houses:  

Crispin Cider (Minneapolis, Minnesota)

The newer cider house “Crispin” offers seven different (all gluten free) varietals: classic European styled crisp clean ciders (Original, Light and Brut), an imported classic English dry cider (Browns Lane), and a line of unfiltered "cloudy" ciders called  Artisanal Reserves (Honey Crisp, The Saint and Lansdowne). My favorite is “The Saint” at 6.9% ABV - it tastes of bright apples, full crispness and is extremely easy to drink on a warm day.

Fox Barrel (Colfax, CA)

Fox Barrel produces several gluten free ciders that include Pear, Hard Apple, Black Currant, and my favorite - Mulling Cider at 6.9% ABV. The Mulling cider is to be served warm (but cold is just as good) and tastes like grandma’s apple pie with its full, lush apples, cinnamon and nutmeg, and golden amber color. It has a deep, long lasting finish that would be great for autumn.

Woodchuck (Middlebury, VT)

Woodchuck began as a small winery producing several apple wines and limitedly produced ciders. Today, it is one of the fastest growing cider houses in the US. Woodchuck offers five “Core Ciders” (Pear, Amber, Raspberry, Granny Smith, and Dark & Dry which is made with caramelized sugar), four Seasonal” (winter, spring, summer and fall), and one “Private Reserve” (pumpkin). My favorite is the original classic Amber (5% ABV) which is sweet (but not too sweet) with a nice golden color and crisp finish.

Hornsby’s (Modesto, CA)

Hornsby’s Hard Cider was the first cider I every had while in college. Its clean crisp taste was perfect for a sweltering evening in Alabama while tending the grill with friends. Hornsby’s offers two selections: its original Amber Cider (6% ABV) and a newer Crisp Apple. The Amber Traditional dark and dry cider with a medium-light body and a smooth apple finish is still my favorite of the two to this day.

The Drinks of Ireland

The national holiday in the Republic of Ireland is the Feast of Saint Patrick's (March 17^th) and is marked by parades and festivals in cities and towns across the island of Ireland, and by the Irish around the world. The festival is in remembrance to Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland (though born in Britain). Pious legend credits Patrick with banishing snakes from the island, and teaching the Irish about the concept of the Holy Trinity by showing people the shamrock, a 3-leaved clover, using it to highlight the Christian belief of three divine persons in the one God.

St. Patrick's Day was first celebrated in America in Boston, Massachusetts in 1737, and is now celebrated nationwide as an opportunity to wear green and consume green libations. The celebration in Ireland is more of a religious matter, whereas in the U.S., it is a festive occasion. There are about 800 pubs listed on the Irish Abroad site, listed by town, and Irish adults drink an average of 490 pints -- or 129 bottles of wine -- a year.

I spent a lot of time in Ireland. The first part of my book (The Right to Release: A trail of empty bottles across Europe) covers a week in Dublin, traveling to several counties and trying most of the beverages listed in this blog.

Irish whiskey is the most popular drink of choice worldwide and here a few of the most popular:

Jameson Irish Whiskey
The world's best selling Irish Whiskey, Jamison sells over 20 million bottles annually. It is matured in old bourbon and sherry casks which creates a smooth and well-balanced whiskey full of almonds and vanilla on the nose and gentle toasted wood on the palate with a very pleasant dry finish. The Jameson family also includes Jameson 12-Year-Old Special Reserve and 18-Year-Old Limited Reserve, Jameson Gold Reserve and Jameson Rarest Vintage Reserve.

Bushmills

This is the base of the distillery's portfolio and it is a great bottle to have in stock for "everyday" use. Bushmills Original is a blend of triple distilled malt whisky and a light Irish grain whiskey that is aged for at least 5 years in used American bourbon and Spanish Oloroso sherry casks. The inviting whiskey is rich with spicy vanilla and oak notes that beg to be mixed in an Irish Coffee.

Midleton Very Rare
A deluxe whiskey from Midleton and every year since 1984 a new vintage has been produced.   Bottled in limited quantities, every vintage is a collectors and connoisseurs’ whiskey and slightly different from the previous year.  The box contains a certificate and each purchaser is entered into the Midleton Very Rare book.

Powers Irish Whiskey
For a long time, this was Ireland's best selling whiskey and it still remains extremely popular.  Power’s (only matured in old bourbon casks) is a blend of triple distilled pot still and grain whiskeys. On the palate, you will find warm cereal notes, lots of spice, touch of honey and a long finish with plenty of spice. It is also available as a 12 Year Old, which is actually aged 12-17 years.

Redbreast Pure Pot Still
Redbreast is a 12-year-old, pure pot still whiskey from the Midleton Distillery, made from malted and unmalted barley in the traditional pot still method.  On the palate there is a touch of oilyness and fruitcake and long sherry notes on the finish. Redbreast is also available as a limited edition 15 year old at (46% ABV).

Paddy Irish Whiskey
Also from the Midleton Distillery, Paddy’s is one of Ireland's favorite whiskeys.  Triple distilled, it is a blend of pot still and grain whiskeys from Midleton and malt whiskey from Bushmills. It is a young and light whiskey, which also opens up quite nicely with a little water. The notes of honey, vanilla, toasted wood on the nose and palate. Mellow maltiness and mild woody notes on the finish. A friend recently gave me a bottle from Ireland and I can barely keep my glass full.

Beers are a close second most popular beverage in Ireland as most pubs fill with early morning pint drinkers. Here are some of the most popular Beers of Ireland:

Guinness

Possibly the most famous Irish beer worldwide, Guinness is a dry stout known for its dark color and thick, creamy foam. While the drink appears black, it is actually a deep crimson. Known in Ireland as the “Black Stuff” this beer is the staple of Irish diet and drinkers often compare the taste to coffee or bitter chocolate. Roasted barley, hops, and brewer's yeast are all part of the Guinness recipe. According to the brewer, over 10 million glasses of Guinness are consumed worldwide each day.

Murphy's

Murphy's Irish Stout, while also a dry stout, is hailed as a lighter, slightly sweeter alternative Guinness. While the foam is extra creamy, the taste differs from Guinness and other stouts, displaying a caramel-like taste.

Beamish

Another popular stout is Beamish, manufactured by Beamish and Crawford. It is also nearly black in color, with a thick, tan-colored head. It has a coffee-like taste and slight licorice finish.

Smithwick's

Smithwick's (pronounced "Smidd-icks") is Irish red ale with a beautiful copper color thanks to roasted, malted barley. The taste is rather sweet, with a hint of molasses and caramel. It has an easy, light finish and is not too bitter. This was actually the first beer I ever had in Ireland.

Harp

Harp is a pale lager, one of the most popular types of beer worldwide. Like all lagers, Harp relies on slow-acting yeast and cold fermentation, and has a dry, clean taste with a highly carbonated texture. It is an excellent drink for those new to beer, as it has a light finish and low bitterness.

Kilkenny

Kilkenny is an Irish cream ale, which usually has a reddish color darker than a lager. Like stouts, cream ales or red ales use roasted barley, but in lesser quantities. It is noted, like Guinness, for its creamy, thick head. I had a few of these in Ireland.

I am going to end this post with an Irish joke and an old Irish toast. Enjoy and feel free to use them at your St. Patty’s Day party:

Joke:

As good as this bar is," said the Scotsman, "I still prefer the pubs

back home. In Glasgow, there's a wee place called McTavish's. The

landlord goes out of his way for the locals. When you buy four drinks,

he'll buy the fifth drink."

 "Well, Angus," said the Englishman, "At my local in London , the Red

Lion, the barman will buy you your third drink after you buy the first

two."

 "Ahhh, that's nothin'," said the Irishman, "back home in me favorite

pub, the moment you set foot in the place, they'll buy you a drink, then

another, all the drinks you like, actually. Then, when you've had enough

drinks, they'll take you upstairs and see that you get laid, all on the

house!"

 The Englishman and Scotsman were suspicious of the claims, but the

Irishman swore every word was true. They asked, "Did this actually

happen to you?"

 "Not to meself, personally, no," admitted the Irishman, "but it did

happen to me sister quite a few times!!!"

Toast:

If you cheat, may you cheat death.
If you steal, may you steal a woman's heart.
If you fight, may you fight for a brother.
And if you drink, may you drink with me!

Wine for the grilling season!

With warm weather approaching, it is time to uncover and dust off the old grill that has been collecting snow all winter. In a few weeks, many of us will be firing up the old open pit for afternoon cookouts with family and friends. What better to pair grilled foods with then medium to full bodied red wines at value driven prices.

Two of the most emerging regions in California for the American wine market (according to SwigKnowledge) are located south of Sacramento, CA, in Lodi, CA, and further south in Paso Robles, CA. I love the regions so much that we recently added two of the wines to our wine list at Blackfinn American Saloon in Washington, DC. So far, sales continue to do very well for us, so I thought I would share them.

The first wine comes from Jessie’s Grove Winery located in Lodi, CA. Earth, Zin, and Fire Old Vine Zinfandel (14.8% ABV, around $12) hosts bold flavors of blackfruits and cranberry. There are underlying tones of spicy cinnamon accompanied by tealeaves and an oaky finish. In preparation for winemaking, the grapes are cold-soaked for 48 hours after crushing, before it is ready to ferment.  The juice is then aged in French and American oak casks for 10 months before bottling. This wine will pair well with grilled foods (pork, poultry, beef, and venison), cheese (asiago and aged gouda), and even spicy seafood stews.

The second wine is from J-K Estates in Paso Robles, CA. J-K Crossfire (14.3% ABV, around $10) is a blend of Merlot, Cabernet, and Syrah. Cabernet’s coffee, cassis, black licorice and dark chocolate carry the backbone of this wine. Merlot’s dark fruit scents, chocolate, vanilla and cherry blend well to hold the wine together. Syrah’s smooth plum, black pepper, blackberry and black cherry mellow out the finish. This is a lovely wine to have with grilled items as listed above or even as a standalone.

Check these wines out for the upcoming grilling season and let me know what you think.