Review: Woodchuck Lazy Hazy Lemon Crazy
Woodchuck Lazy Hazy Lemon Crazy hard cider is the fifth in their limited release, Out On A Limb series of ciders. After creating Hopsation, their Cascade hops infused cider to compete with the IPA’s, they have now brewed a lemon apple cider to take on the popular shandy style beers. Lazy Hazy Lemon Crazy is crafted in small batches with hard cider made with McIntosh, Empire and Cortland apples. The cider is then infused with fresh lemon juice and lemongrass. Read more 
Review: Johnny Appleseed Vanilla Hard Apple Cider
Johnny Appleseed Vanilla Hard Apple Cider was just introduced. It is available in their new Seasonal Variety 12 packs that also include 4 bottles of Caramel Apple and 4 bottles of their Original. It replaces the Spiced Apple flavor from last years variety pack. Their Vanilla flavor is made with hard cider with natural and artificial flavors added. It is bottled in Baldwinsville New York at a brewery originally built in 1976 to brew Schlitz beer. Read more
Review: Angry Orchard Hop n Mad Apple Cider
Angry Orchard Hop n Mad Apple Cider was just introduced in six packs. It has been available on draft. This is their fifth year round core cider flavor. They start with apples picked fully ripe and then stored for up to one month in porous boxes to increase the sugar content. The apple are then washed and shredded. Electric hydraulic presses are used to press the pulp into juice. Wine yeast is added to the juice and then a lengthy fermentation process follows where the cider is wood aged. Strisselspalt, and Galaxy Hops are added post fermentation in a process known as dry hopping in craft beers. They claim this provides all the hop goodness and none of the hop bitterness. Read more
Review: McKenzies Seasonal Reserve Hard Cider
McKenzies Seasonal Reserve Hard cider is one of six hard ciders they brew with cider from Mayer Brothers in West Seneca New York. Sourcing apples should not be an issue as New York State is the second largest producer of apples in the US. Seasonal Reserve is crafted with natural nutmeg and cinnamon and bottled at 5% alcohol. Read more
Review: Seattle Cider Semi Sweet Hard Cider
Seattle Cider Semi Sweet hard cider was introduced with their Dry cider September 2013. It is made by the founders of Two Beers Brewing Company. They start with hand picked Granny Smith, Fuji, Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, and Gala apples from Eastern Washington. They add white wine yeast, and pure cane sugar. After fermentation it is filtered for clarification before aging for at least two weeks in a tank. They sell this cider on draft and in 16 Oz. cans. Read more
Review: Woodchuck Spitter Splinter Hard Cider
Woodchuck Spitter Splinter hard cider was just introduced as part of their limited release Out on a Limb Series of hard cider. This is the second variety, their first was a chocolate raspberry flavor. Each of these ciders will be available for 45-60 days. Spitter Splinter features European bittersweet apple varieties. The fermented juice from these apples is aged in bourbon barrels for six months. Woodchuck describes the flavor as dry with woody vanilla oak notes. Read more
Review: Woodchuck Winter Chill Hard Cider
Woodchuck WInter Chill Hard Cider was the first of their four seasonal ciders when it was introduced in 2008. It is shown here in their new rebranded bottle. Winter Chill is available November-February. It is made with locally grown fresh pressed apples and Champaign yeast. Once fermented it is cold filtered. Winter Chill is aged with premium French and traditional American oak chips until it is ready for bottling. Read more
Review: Woodchuck Hopsation Hard Cider
Woodchuck Hopsation Hard Cider was introduced July 2014. This is Woodchuck Ciders third hop included cider. The previous one’s were Dry Hop, which is still available in their Cellar Series line, and Hopped Apple, which was only available as a draft. Hopsation is Woodchuck’s sixth year round cider, and it is part of their Core line of ciders. It is made with their original small batch hard cider and it is infused with Cascade hops before bottling at 5% alcohol. This compares with their Dry Hop cider which weighed in at 6.9% alcohol. Read more
Review: Johnny Appleseed Caramel Apple Hard Cider
Johnny Appleseed Caramel Apple Hard cider was just introduced along with their Spiced Hard Apple Cider. It is only available in their new seasonal variety 12 packs that also include four bottles of their Original cider. While their Original was my highest rated hard cider, when you publish a daily alcohol blog, you have few opportunities to enjoy your favorite beverages. I was very excited to hear that Johnny Appleseed would be brewing 2 new flavors each season. Caramel Apple is made with hard cider with natural and artificial flavors added. It is bottled in Baldwinsville New York at a brewery originally built in 1976 to brew Schlitz beer. Read more
Review: Ciderboys Grand Mimosa Cider
Ciderboys Grand Mimosa cider will be introduced in November. I was lucky enough to get my hands on a bottle a little early. It is one of six seasonal ciders created at the Steven Point Brewery in Stevens Point Wisconsin. They also brew two year round ciders. Grand Mimosa blends pure apple juice from Washington state apples, orange juice, natural flavors, along with a special hard cider yeast from France. The mix is fermented at cool temperatures for two weeks in stainless steel tanks and then filtered before bottling at 5% alcohol. Read more