ATOT Lushes, tell me about cider

[mmntech]

Well, autumn is about ready to get under way here. I'm looking for a more seasonal alcoholic beverage to go with my usual beer this Thanksgiving. Which quite shockingly is only three weeks away!

So this season, I'm going to try cider. It's getting pretty popular. BUT, I know next to nothing about it besides it contains apples. Not sure what makes a good cider and which brands are rotgut. What can our resident lushes teach me about this age old beverage?

The liquor store sells about 38 different kinds. Give or take.
http://www.lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/lcbo/p..._CNAME=*&PRODUCING_REGION_N=*&SELLING_PRICE=*

 

[lxskllr]

Dunno how it compares to the rest, but I like Woodchuck ok. Cider is kind of like a wine cooler. The occasional one is ok, but too much is too much. It's just too sweet for me to drink a lot of.

 

[effowe]

I usually just buy a good local (plain) cider, add a bottle of spiced rum, and put in a spice packet. Spice packet is basically a cinnamon stick, some cloves, allspice berries, maybe an orange peel wrapped up in some cheesecloth. Mix it all together in a crockpot and serve warm.

 

[jagec]

Dunno how it compares to the rest, but I like Woodchuck ok. Cider is kind of like a wine cooler. The occasional one is ok, but too much is too much. It's just too sweet for me to drink a lot of.

The commercial ciders are usually too sweet, I agree. Although "Angry Orchard" is a bit better than Woodchuck in that regard.

But that's why you have to make your own. Here's a good thread using commercial apple juice, with a recipe that can be scaled down to a 1-gallon batch.

OP, you could buy one of the dry ciders from your link, and a sweet cider like Woodchuck or Strongbow, and blend them to see what sweetness level you like.

 

[shortylickens]

Everclear.
Goes great with everything.

 

[MisterJackson]

My preferences are:

Crispin (that shit is awesome)
Strongbow
or Apple Pie Moonshine for hot cider

I fucking love Fall/Winter

 

[Hacp]

I like woodchuck cider. Its nice and sweet.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Well, autumn is about ready to get under way here. I'm looking for a more seasonal alcoholic beverage to go with my usual beer this Thanksgiving. Which quite shockingly is only three weeks away!

So this season, I'm going to try cider. It's getting pretty popular. BUT, I know next to nothing about it besides it contains apples. Not sure what makes a good cider and which brands are rotgut. What can our resident lushes teach me about this age old beverage?

The liquor store sells about 38 different kinds. Give or take.
http://www.lcbo.com/lcbo-ear/lcbo/p..._CNAME=*&PRODUCING_REGION_N=*&SELLING_PRICE=*

Time tripper!
Make your own hard cider, it's very easy.

 

[WelshBloke]

Cider covers probably more taste than any other drink.

You can get dry scrumpies that feel like they are taking the enamel off your teeth right down to sweet ciders that are too sickly for anyone old enough to drink.

 

[RKS]

Strongbow is good but all ciders can be too sweet.

 

[WelshBloke]

Strongbow is good but all ciders can be too sweet.

Strongbow is sweet cider.

 

[alkemyst]

definitely after a night of drinks you want to be in Cider.

 

[WelshBloke]

definitely after a night of drinks you want to be in Cider.

:biggrin:

Boooooooo.

*throws rotton fruit at alkemyst*

 

[Born2bwire]

Magner's is a classic, that's Bulmer's you lads across the way. I'm not a big fan of Woodchuck. I usually prefer the British or Irish ciders as they tend to be drier and crisper. Surprisingly enough though, I have found Angry Orchard to be very good.

For something different, try to find a French cider. Check the ingredients to make sure you get one that was fermented in the bottle without having carbonation added (I think those have more flavor). My local Binny's carries a good French cider.

 

[mmntech]

Time tripper!
Make your own hard cider, it's very easy.

Lol. 'Mericans. Thanksgiving in Canada is October 8th this year.

 

[CrackRabbit]

Strongbow and Crispin are the best, but Hornsby's and Woodchuck will do and they are much easier to find.

 

[Kwatt]

I have allways preferred a Hot Dicken Cider.


.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Lol. 'Mericans. Thanksgiving in Canada is October 8th this year.

Everyone knows the only 'real' Thanksgiving is Nov. 25th!

 

[Dedpuhl]

Every time I go to EPCOT, I stop at the Rose & Crown for a Strongbow off the tap. Woodchuck (Amber and Dark & Dry) is great. Kelley's Irish Cider is really good as well.

 

[eldorado99]

Everyone knows the only 'real' Thanksgiving is Nov. 25th!

I like Canadian Thanksgiving better, more time between giant turkey based meals to recover from turkey hangover.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

I like Canadian Thanksgiving better, more time between giant turkey based meals to recover from turkey hangover.

As a Chef, it makes me totally crazy that the entire North American continent seems to think there's a law that says, thou shallt only eat turkey in November and December. Ham, other than on sandwiches, seems to have a similar law.

 

[lxskllr]

As a Chef, it makes me totally crazy that the entire North American continent seems to think there's a law that says, thou shallt only eat turkey in November and December. Ham, other than on sandwiches, seems to have a similar law.

I could go the rest of my life without turkey, and be completely happy. I'm indifferent regarding ham, but am nominally a fan.

 

[Rhoxed]

Crispin, Strongbow, and Kelly's Irish Cider are all good choices.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

I could go the rest of my life without turkey, and be completely happy. I'm indifferent regarding ham, but am nominally a fan.

See, that's just sad. There's a world of great foodstuffs out there and America only eats a handful. Goat, mutton, rabbit, pheasant, goose, bison, antelope and many others tasty critters are all but, unknown in the U.S. I think if we educated people to care about what they eat a little more, there'd be a much wider variety of foods available and less corporate control.

 

[lxskllr]

See, that's just sad. There's a world of great foodstuffs out there and America only eats a handful. Goat, mutton, rabbit, pheasant, goose, bison, antelope and many others tasty critters are all but, unknown in the U.S. I think if we educated people to care about what they eat a little more, there'd be a much wider variety of foods available and less corporate control.

I like pheasant and mutton good bit. I haven't really had anything else on your list, but would be willing to try them. For atypical food I've had squirrel, and dove. I like both. I've often wondered why poor city people don't invest in an airgun. Pigeon would be tasty, free, and plentiful. A good way of supplementing the store bought groceries.