Follow Sean Inman to the best in craft beer
One resolution for 2021 is to sample other pursuits coming from breweries. Be it cider, seltzer or coffee. Mostly the first and third items on that list. Which is why, I was excited to see this new coffee from Chapman Crafted. I will be interested to see how snap chilled compares to cold brewed which does not fit my particular taste.
I am a side cider connoisseur and when I saw Ogopogo was launching a line, I knew I would be trying them. And I decided to start with this highest price entry in their range. Heaven Hill Bourbon Barrel aged. And though, I generally prefer “clean”, plain cider. This is a really well balanced drink. It is more barrel than bourbon to me, the cider shines through and it still has enough bubbles in it to make it a bit crisp as well.
Almost missed this one, but you still have a few days to order some cider sincerely Cidercon 2021 will be virtual this year. Below are the days emails:
“Since 2013, Cider Summit has been the unofficial culmination of the annual cider industry gathering – CiderCon. Both events have had to pivot this year but we’re still working together to celebrate our amazing cider community. We’ve created two festival to-go tasting kits, featuring many of our closest cider friends from around the country:
Festival Favorites – Our Festival Favorites kit includes an assortment of eight ciders from Vermont to California. You’ll also receive two Cider Summit logo 6-ounce stemless tasting glasses, apple & pear stress balls, access to the guided virtual tasting on February 6 and small promotional items from participating cidermakers. The base price is $54.95 (plus taxes/fees).
Artisanal Import – Our Artisanal Import kit will include offerings from British Columbia, England, France and Spain. You’ll also receive two Cider Summit logo 6-ounce stemless tasting glasses, apple & pear stress balls, a Cider Summit bar towel, access to the guided virtual tasting on February 6, and small promotional items from participating cidermakers. The base price is $59.95 (plus taxes/fees).
Shipment is available throughout the U.S. via our friends at Press Then Press. Please visit our Producers page for product selection details.”
Lost in the shuffle of the hellstorm of 2020 was the hyped then disappearance of the Cosmic Crisp apple. Well, it is back, in cider form….
2 Towns Ciderhouse is adding a Cosmic Crisp to their portfolio. I wasn’t much impressed with the apple but that doesn’t mean that it won’t make a good cider.
Cellador Ales has dabbled in cocktail beers and their new beer, Verboten, is a beer “riff” as the call it, on vermouth. Here is their description, “ It’s blended from several of our base beers, including some with wine grapes, and layered with botanicals to mimic the aromatics of sweet vermouth.”
If you haven’t had cider that has been aged in a spirit barrel, well, you are missing out on a unique flavor pairing. You can see what apples and Heaven Hill bourbon barrels can do together with this new release from Ogopogo Brewing.
CAMRA wants to educate us on British Cider through the years. Their books division is Kickstarter-ing a “book that will look at how cider has formed an integral part of the UK’s landscape, with a heritage dating back at least 2,000 years. Today, cider faces a new change in the drinking landscape of Britain — the rise of craft and modern, discerning drinkers with different needs, habits and spending opportunities.”
Those choosing to crowdfund Cider “the book for £15 to demonstrate interest in the subject, which will also give them the opportunity to take part in a personal online tasting, and get limited edition T-shirts and signed editions of the new title.”
Lastly, CAMRA adds, “This is a unique opportunity for CAMRA books to gauge interest prior to a book’s publication, which can, in turn, allow us to offer a far wider selection of books in the future and potentially increase our publishing portfolio.”
I dabble in wine. Ranks below gin and bourbon in my personal book but when you add a Trailblazer into the equation, well, wine gets a boost so I was excited to see foodie and podcaster and shooting guard C.J. McCollum branching out to wine with Adelsheim….
“As the Chehalem Mountains’ first winery, we believe it is our duty to be steadfast stewards of this abundant land and to rally our community in support of equity and education. CJ McCollum’s curiosity of wine and love of learning made it easy for us to help turn his hobby into a passion. We are so honored and excited to bring his first wine to life—McCollum Heritage 91: 2018 Pinot noir!”
I have noticed a micro-trend in brewers adding vintners to their job description. Patrick Rue at the The Bruery was the first one that I noticed and now two more are entering the wine world.
Ogopogo Brewing dipped into cider first but also have wine coming soon under the Hartlam banner.
Lastly is Silva Brewing…
…which is starting up with Amok Wines in Paso Robles.
There are quite few breweries in the cider space, but maybe it is time to let a winemaker in. I have had a few Thacher wines and their spread in Paso Robles is so calming. And if we get back on track by June next year, maybe I will be buying wine and cider.