Need a break from beer? Not interested in alcoholic beverages made from grapes or others called “spirits”? Maybe this weekend you should go with some of Vermont’s fine hard ciders. Stowe Cider, on Maintain Road in Stowe, Vermont, has been crafting their ciders for more than five years, and they have an excellent knack for turning the dull into the fascinating. They ship all around New England and down to New York and Washington, D.C.
I selected four of the ciders on tap that day and sat down to savor them; here is what I found:
Safety Meeting (6.5% ABV) One of Stowe Cider’s classics … dry-hopped with Citra and Galaxy hops. Interesting mix of sweetness and hops. Nice aroma.
Appearance: 4.6 | Aroma: 4.6 | Feel: 4.5 | Taste: 4.5 | Overall: 4.6
The Daze Between (7.5% ABV) A rose-style cider; this looked great in the sampler; with subtle flavors and just a hint of sweetness.
Appearance: 4.7 | Aroma: 4.4 | Feel: 4.4 | Taste: 4.4 | Overall: 4.4
Apple Haze (5.5% ABV) Made with unfiltered apples … certainly a hazy appearance. Very nicely done!
Appearance: 4.7 | Aroma: 4.5 | Feel: 4.4 | Taste: 4.5 | Overall: 4.5
Strawberry Fields (5.5% ABV) Hard cider infused with just a slight amount of strawberry, lime and mint. The appearance was a little bland, but the flavors were just right!
Appearance: 4.2 | Aroma: 4.4 | Feel: 4.4 | Taste: 4.6 | Overall: 4.5
The Cicerone says: Stowe Cider’s new location provides ample room for you and your friends to hang out and drink these interesting hard ciders. Best of all, it’s welcoming for your four-legged friends as well!