JoeSponge
Well-Known Member
Well, I racked off my first batch last night at home, and set it up for aging, and I started another batch using a gallon of Motts, 1 # of dark brown sugar, and Nottingham.
I haven't looked at the second batch in the apartment (store-brand apple juice w/ brown sugar and Montrachet), other than to make sure it hasn't caught fire or turned into a sentient being. It still has a ways to go, so I'm trying to be patient by not looking at it. Fail.
Anyway, I stopped by Whole Foods Market in our area, and wandered over to the beer section. I am not a beer-liker, so I looked for some cider to sample. At home, I have a hard time finding anything over than Woodchuck -- and usually have a hard time finding even that. Here, in NoVA, they have several brands that I have never seen. I tried to talk to one of the clerks, and as knowledgable as he was, nothing made sense to me. Descriptions like "fine" and "bright" mean nothing to me... Heh.
Here's a simple list of their offerings.
J K Scrumpy (what I originally wandered over for)
Black Thorn
Strong Bow
Hardcore (described as an upscale Woodchuck)
Aspall
Etienne Dupont Cidre Bouche
Samuel Smith's Organic Cider
Harpoon
Floris Apple (not really a cider?)
The clerk also recommended Duchess do Bourgogne Flemish Brown Ale, which he said tastes like apple wine, but sure sounds like beer to me!
I don't doubt that there are hundreds of ciders out there, but I am pretty impressed that they had this many (including a couple that were out of stock, so I didn't get names).
Anyway, I got a Scrumpy, and also picked up the Samuel Smith's and the Aspall (a Normandy-style cider).
I am always surprised at the large variety of beers that the local grocery stores carry, and it's a pity that I don't like beer. I love to look at the labels and names. Pretty clever. They even had several local beers, including one from Richmond, Va (close to where I live).
I poured a glass of the Samuel Smith's and am sipping it now... it had a very acid smell on pouring. It was pretty plain and drier than I like, so I added a packet of Splenda. I am glad that I added the Splenda to a GLASS of cider, and didn't pour it into the bottle. Have you seen the "add Mentos to Coke" videos on youtube? :-D
I haven't looked at the second batch in the apartment (store-brand apple juice w/ brown sugar and Montrachet), other than to make sure it hasn't caught fire or turned into a sentient being. It still has a ways to go, so I'm trying to be patient by not looking at it. Fail.
Anyway, I stopped by Whole Foods Market in our area, and wandered over to the beer section. I am not a beer-liker, so I looked for some cider to sample. At home, I have a hard time finding anything over than Woodchuck -- and usually have a hard time finding even that. Here, in NoVA, they have several brands that I have never seen. I tried to talk to one of the clerks, and as knowledgable as he was, nothing made sense to me. Descriptions like "fine" and "bright" mean nothing to me... Heh.
Here's a simple list of their offerings.
J K Scrumpy (what I originally wandered over for)
Black Thorn
Strong Bow
Hardcore (described as an upscale Woodchuck)
Aspall
Etienne Dupont Cidre Bouche
Samuel Smith's Organic Cider
Harpoon
Floris Apple (not really a cider?)
The clerk also recommended Duchess do Bourgogne Flemish Brown Ale, which he said tastes like apple wine, but sure sounds like beer to me!
I don't doubt that there are hundreds of ciders out there, but I am pretty impressed that they had this many (including a couple that were out of stock, so I didn't get names).
Anyway, I got a Scrumpy, and also picked up the Samuel Smith's and the Aspall (a Normandy-style cider).
I am always surprised at the large variety of beers that the local grocery stores carry, and it's a pity that I don't like beer. I love to look at the labels and names. Pretty clever. They even had several local beers, including one from Richmond, Va (close to where I live).
I poured a glass of the Samuel Smith's and am sipping it now... it had a very acid smell on pouring. It was pretty plain and drier than I like, so I added a packet of Splenda. I am glad that I added the Splenda to a GLASS of cider, and didn't pour it into the bottle. Have you seen the "add Mentos to Coke" videos on youtube? :-D