Cider overcame its reputation as a beer alternative for the gluten-averse in the past few years. Sweet and rich or dry and crisp, craft ciders are more complex and experimental than ever. More and more, cideries are playing around with spontaneous fermentation and adding unusual and rarely used ingredients to brews, making for unexpected flavours. The warm autumnal flavours of honey, caramel and butterscotch make these ciders perfect for fall.
Revel Cider Good Evening
This cidery is known as much for gorgeous hand-painted labels as for unconventionally exciting ciders. Good Evening is made from Cortland apple cider, skin contact vidal wine, honey and honeycomb. Cortland apples are sweet and tart, often used for baking apple crisp, and in this cider they balance the funkiness that comes from the honeycomb breaking down during fermentation.
Guelph, Ontario. Get it at Revel Cider (62 Dawson Rd, revelcider.ca) for $20 or at Grape Crush (1166 Dundas West, grapecrush.wine) for $21.99. 750 ml bottle, 7.8% ABV. Both offer Toronto shipping.
West Avenue Cider House Honey Monster 2016
Wildflower honey, lychee, lime zest and quince round out the flavour of this cider and titillate the palate. This full-bodied and rich cider packs a punch, as far as ciders are concerned, being on the higher end of alcohol percentages.
Freelton, Ontario. $16.50. Get it at West Avenue Cider House (84 Concession Rd 8 E, westavenue.ca). 750 ml bottle, 9.5% ABV. Ontario-wide shipping available.
Duntroon Cyder House Standing Rock
Despite the flavours of baked apples, butterscotch and some citrus, this cider is off-dry and crisp. Try serving it with squash soup or roast pork for a classic autumn dinner.
Duntroom, Ontario. $3.30. LCBO (lcbo.com). 473 ml can, 4.3% ABV.
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