Archive for June 16th, 2009

Winery: Warwick Valley Winery
Location: Warwick, NY
Style: Hard cider

Every so often, Mrs. Ohabeer returns to her roots and picks up a hard cider. I have to say, I spent many a pub evening with cider in London not to mention a brief flirtation with cidre breton – so I’m usually up for the occasional cider as a change up from beer. Doc’s Draft has long been an OAB HQ fave not only for being from New York state but also due to the quality of it’s cider.

We have had all of the Doc’s line until we ran into the Doc’s Draft Black Currant Hard Aplle Cider on a recent cellar stock up. I’m a big black current fan – actually dig dried black currents over raisins – so it was a no-brainer to pick up a bottle. This is a lovely rose color cider with great clarity and only a slight carbonation. There is a big scent of cassis and apples. While I pick up the current on the scent, I am not really getting it in the flavor. It’s more of a tone in the overall flavor – cutting the usual cider sweetness with a bit of tartness on the back end.

Still, another success from Doc’s. It went quite nicely with a bit of grilled chicken on the deck during an evening of outdoor drinking. With a 6% ABV, it is a bit higher than the usual Doc’s Cider, but still nothing to take down the seasoned craft beer drinker. A perfect spring/summer change from the usual evening beer.