Aspall cider
Alright, we trekked down to the Wine Gallery trying to find something to quench our sweet tooth tonight. Therapy stops serving dessert when they stop serving dinner and I really wanted some cake. We couldn't go anyplace in the car still, so we were limited to the places in the Cannery below our loft. I tried to convince Brian just to have a cocktail at Therapy Cafe, but he wanted to try the Wine Gallery because we see people eating in there fairly late.
We walked in and, as always, I felt underdressed to be there, it always seems so fancy. The owner was sitting by the door and greeted us and asked what we were in for. We said just some dessert to go and maybe some beers to go as well. He recited the dessert menu and we decided to get two slices of chocolate chip cheese cake. While waiting, we looked over the beer selection, it's only high end there, as it's mostly a wine store, so they have tons of fine wines, a VERY small rack of liquors and a few rows of high end beers.
Brian picked out an Avery Imperial Ale and a couple of bottles by the bar grabbed my eye. Aspall Hard Cider. Imported from England. There were two types, dry and medium. I asked the owner if he knew much about them and he explained that how I liked my champagne would determine which of them I would like. If I liked a dry champagne, I would enjoy the dry, but if I like a medium bodied champagne, I would like the medium. At $7 for a little over a pint, I was very intrigued and decided to go for it. I grabbed the medium. Set it up in an ice bath for an hour while I watched Ghost Hunters International which I'd tivo'ed earlier and waited.
Aspall Medium Cider, Aspall has been making cider in Suffolk, England since 1725.
Pours a light yellowy amber. Slightly darker than Original Sin. Tons of carbonation! No head at all, not even a thin one that instantly dissipates. Has a smooth LOOK to it, even as it carbonated consistently from the bottom, much like champagne.
The smell is fantastic! I can smell both red and green apple in the nose, possibly a hint of cinnamon. Bubbles pop on my nose, again, much like champagne.
I held the first sip on my tongue. Wonderful carbonation which does not hinder the way it settles on the pallet at all. Very sweet, but in no way sickly sweet as many hard ciders are. Somewhere near the back of my tongue, that cinnamon pops into mind again. Extraordinarily smooth. Almost dangerously drinkable at 7% alcohol. I've been sitting here drinking this glass for about ten minutes now and it continues to carbonate. I can taste a distinct tangy mash of red and green apples. As soon as I swallow it, my mouth is left completely salivating. This is an interesting characteristic in my opinion! Does not leave the back of my tongue dry at all, as most hard ciders do.
I find nothing dis-pleasing about this cider. It's absolutely delicious. It's refreshing, mouth watering, sweet and tangy. Amazing mouth feel and great nose. Finish is perfect and leaves you wanting more. Alcohol flavor, in my opinion, is completely hidden, though as I near the bottom of this glass here, I can feel a slight buzz kicking in already.
This is, to date, my favorite cider. though at $7 a pint, I probably won't be indulging in it as often as my old standby Original Sin which runs $9 a six pack.
Delicious!
We walked in and, as always, I felt underdressed to be there, it always seems so fancy. The owner was sitting by the door and greeted us and asked what we were in for. We said just some dessert to go and maybe some beers to go as well. He recited the dessert menu and we decided to get two slices of chocolate chip cheese cake. While waiting, we looked over the beer selection, it's only high end there, as it's mostly a wine store, so they have tons of fine wines, a VERY small rack of liquors and a few rows of high end beers.
Brian picked out an Avery Imperial Ale and a couple of bottles by the bar grabbed my eye. Aspall Hard Cider. Imported from England. There were two types, dry and medium. I asked the owner if he knew much about them and he explained that how I liked my champagne would determine which of them I would like. If I liked a dry champagne, I would enjoy the dry, but if I like a medium bodied champagne, I would like the medium. At $7 for a little over a pint, I was very intrigued and decided to go for it. I grabbed the medium. Set it up in an ice bath for an hour while I watched Ghost Hunters International which I'd tivo'ed earlier and waited.
Aspall Medium Cider, Aspall has been making cider in Suffolk, England since 1725.
Pours a light yellowy amber. Slightly darker than Original Sin. Tons of carbonation! No head at all, not even a thin one that instantly dissipates. Has a smooth LOOK to it, even as it carbonated consistently from the bottom, much like champagne.
The smell is fantastic! I can smell both red and green apple in the nose, possibly a hint of cinnamon. Bubbles pop on my nose, again, much like champagne.
I held the first sip on my tongue. Wonderful carbonation which does not hinder the way it settles on the pallet at all. Very sweet, but in no way sickly sweet as many hard ciders are. Somewhere near the back of my tongue, that cinnamon pops into mind again. Extraordinarily smooth. Almost dangerously drinkable at 7% alcohol. I've been sitting here drinking this glass for about ten minutes now and it continues to carbonate. I can taste a distinct tangy mash of red and green apples. As soon as I swallow it, my mouth is left completely salivating. This is an interesting characteristic in my opinion! Does not leave the back of my tongue dry at all, as most hard ciders do.
I find nothing dis-pleasing about this cider. It's absolutely delicious. It's refreshing, mouth watering, sweet and tangy. Amazing mouth feel and great nose. Finish is perfect and leaves you wanting more. Alcohol flavor, in my opinion, is completely hidden, though as I near the bottom of this glass here, I can feel a slight buzz kicking in already.
This is, to date, my favorite cider. though at $7 a pint, I probably won't be indulging in it as often as my old standby Original Sin which runs $9 a six pack.
Delicious!