Tonight’s Bushwhacker Board.
Blue Mountain “Estate Winesap”
Drier than the Dry Creek (a regular on tap here), but still has that crisp, refreshing taste, but less “wine-like”. More to my liking. Apparently “Winesap” is an apple varietal. The single varietals are always curious because they really bring out the flavor of the individual apple that can get lost in blends. You cannot go wrong with anything by Blue Mountain as far as I’m concerned.
Two Rivers “Bourbon”
Not for the novice cider drinker, almost non-cidery. Crisp, dry and smoky. I love it and will be sad when it’s off tap. My favorite by Two Rivers by far.
Bushwhacker “The Gin Barrel One”
This is the bar’s home brew. They have several, all worth trying.
Someone at my birthday described it as “almost like water.” It does not have a very strong flavor, and I would say it does taste more like an essence flavored water than typical cider. Also almost totally flat. Still, I really enjoyed it. Very refreshing and surprisingly complex for the weak flavor. I don’t mean to dis it by calling it “weak” but I can’t think of another good word. Also, I don’t pick up the Gin flavor as much as I do the Bourbon in the one above or Bushwhacker’s “Whisky Barrel.”
I should also add that Jeff (the owner) is working with local fruit, none of which is from cider apples: the varietals traditionally grown for making cider. If you get a chance, the Cyser is my current favorite. That’s a cider with a little honey added for sweetness, and he uses Meadowfoam honey, which I guess is from the Meadofoam flower. It’s delightful.
Bushwhacker “The Gin Barrel One’s Bastard Son”
This is served room temperature straight from the cask. I actually prefer it to “The Gin Barrel One.” It has a slightly viscous texture (that I’m not sure the other wouldn’t have if served at room temp), a bit more flavor and complexity to my taste. I could drink this all day long.
Original Sin
I think this would be what most people would think of when they think of cider. A good balance, but a bit sweet to my taste. Very “American” tasting, if that means anything to anyone else. If you’ve had cider and liked it, you will probably like this, but I would put it under the category of “good but not exciting.”
Finnriver “Black Currant”
Someone at my birthday described this as “cough-syrupy.” It’s not just sweet, it also has a bit of a funky aftertaste. Not thrilled with it. For the record, I’m often down with the fruit flavored ciders, but this had a distinct “desserty” taste to it. I really enjoy the Tieton “Apricot” and “Cherry” way more for complexity and tartness.
Two Rivers “Pomegranate”
I’m a huge fan of pomegranate as a fruit, but once again this is a miss for me. Just too sweet and I didn’t even really get pomegranate as a flavor as much as just fruity and sweet.
Snowdrift “Semidry” and “Cliffbreaks”
I enjoyed the “Semidry” as a good, straight ahead, crisp, dry and slightly sweet cider. It is well named. If you want something a little drier than the Original Sin, this is a great glass. I thought the “Cliffbreaks” was pretty similar in flavor profile to the Original Sin: tasty and a little sweet. Maybe a little more complex. I’d have to try them right next to each other to be sure.
EZ Orchards “2010 Cidre”
Again, a very nice, straight ahead cider. A bit more complex and subtle than the Original Sin or “Cliffbreaks” (and probably a little drier, though I’m having a little trouble remembering right now). Excellent, well balanced, easy to drink cider.
Trabanco
Now, this is a Basque cider. They have a totally different concept of cider from the rest of the board. Basque ciders are unfiltered (at least all the ones I’ve had are), are much more sour and, to the back of my throat at least, have almost a light tingling burn. Someone else said “olives” which I can taste now. I’ve described them as “cheese-like.” Think Blue. They can be almost bracing. I REALLY love these suckers, which is funny to me since I hate olives. I thought the Trabanco was almost an “entry level” Basque. It had the whole flavor profile, but was milder than some of the others I’ve had at Buswhacker. This is not to speak ill of it at all. It had great balance and wonderful flavor and I can’t recommend it enough.