I love the change of seasons so much, and here we are again at the start of autumn. A change of seasons heralds a change of wardrobe, recipes, activities, colors in the valley… and beverages?
Before we get started, let me begin by saying “Cider is not Beer.” Cider is a kind of wine. It is not a kind of beer. Just like wine is made from fermenting grape juice, cider is made from fermenting apple juice. With all this being said, beer lovers like myself are drawn to a cider for a variety of reasons. Some ciders are made with ingredients like hops, botanicals, or salt that are reminiscent of beer styles. Different production methods are used to achieve a desired flavor profile. Some ciders are barrel-aged, while others are fermented in stainless steel. Ciders embody a fruitier drier taste profile, with notes of acids and tannins from the apples.
Hard ciders are a popular and refreshing alternative to the bitter, hop-heavy flavor profiles of many types of beer. It’s time for us to cater to our customers who may not be beer fanatics. Cider can be a gluten-free or lower-alcohol alternative to beer. Many ciders can function as an alternative for people who need a cold one but can’t partake in your typical wheat beer or IPA.
Ciders feel extra special during fall; the flavor profile complements the season, plus we are nearing the peak of apple harvest. The best way to celebrate the leaves falling is with a perfectly-spiced cider. No one does it better than The California Cider Company, and this September they are rolling out their ACE Pumpkin Cider. Ace Pumpkin is a limited fall release cider. It contains fresh pumpkin juice, clove, cinnamon, and nutmeg to create a refreshing duo of crisp and warming holiday beverages. Perfect to start off this season!
If ciders aren’t your thing because they are “too sweet,” remember that some ciders are similar to sour beers, being cloudy, vinegary, and tart. ACE Guava is the perfect cider for the job. This drink blends Brazilian Pink Guava Juice with a tart, semi-sweet apple cider blend. It was inspired by a trip to Brazil, where the House Brothers (co-founders of ACE) enjoyed a Guava Caipirinha on Ipanema Beach. This cider is bold, juicy, and unfiltered. It is absolutely delicious! Fresh guava flavor, a little more tart than our other selections, and not too sweet.
Closing off our list, this flavor-packed cider lets you know that when it comes to fruity sours, the sky is the limit. Based of the popular show House of Dragon, ACE cider has forged an imperial carbonated cider with natural dragonfruit & pomegranate. It’s a refreshing blend of natural tart pomegranate and sweet dragonfruit flavors blended with signature imperial style cider. While different, these three families of flavor come together into an unstoppable and delicious refreshment. The front of your palate is washed with a crisp, bright taste and a sour finish that brings you back in for more. This cider is as addicting as the show it’s inspired by.
The days are getting shorter, the mornings brisker, the evenings are calm, and in the garden, the flower beds are messy, as they give us what is left to bear before we cut everything back for the winter. The seasons have changed in a blink of an eye. If you are yearning for a little additional comfort right now, you’ll be happy to hear that Mellow Mushroom is stocked with these powerhouse ciders! The flavors of these ciders vary. Ciders can be classified from dry to sweet. Their appearance ranges from cloudy with sediment to completely clear, and their color ranges from almost colorless to a rainbow of hues. ACE Ciders offer such a great selection that there is something for everyone in their catalog. Fall is here, so take advantage of this opportunity to stop by Mellow Mushroom and get your hands on one of their unique fruited sours. You don’t want to miss out.
-by Maeve Black
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