Woodchuck Amber Hard Cider

Woodchuck has several variations of hard (draft) cider available including seasonal brews as well, Amber being the original. Kristine and I were at the Sugarbush Brewer's Festival last weekend and we found ourselves hovering around the Woodchuck table as we hit recovery mode towards the end of the day. When we got back to Burlington that night a six pack of Amber landed in our hands. We simply couldn't handle another beer after the long day.

Alcohol Content: 5%

Price: $8/ 6-pack?

Medium: Pint Glass

Aroma: Sweet apple goodness! The nose picks up on deep, long lasting fruity sweetness and distinct apple tartness. Carbonation finds its way scrubbing the nose with deeper inhalations. Alcohol is well hidden. Clean and refreshing

Appearance: I poured it straight down the middle knowing that there would need to be agitation to see any foam develop. I wasn't surprised to see a fizzy white head build up and release lots of carbon dioxide as if pouring a sprite. This settled out quickly. Color is of light golden amber with brilliant clarity. Effervescent bubbling continues for a couple of minutes and clings to the (dirty) glass that I used. Sounds and looks similar to a deeper colored champaign. 

Flavor: Its initially light sweetness turns into a full-on force of sweet and tart apple flavors. Its tart qualities become even stronger in the finish and aftertaste, where you would typically find bitterness in beer. I also perceived some ginger ale soda-like qualities. I found it to be sweeter than the Woodchuck Pear. May also be perceived as a low alcohol white wine sweetness (alcohol provides further sweetness). Acidic finish and moderately dry aftertaste.

Mouthfeel: Tannins coat the mouth leaving a puckering feeling. I thought of it as a power struggle between sweetness and sourness, both of them strong and neither one of them fully winning over the other. Carbonation falls out of the drink. Moderately thin to medium bodied. Not much viscosity/ easy to drink.

Overall Impression: Woodchuck cider has always been an approachable beer of choice for many. I will note that it should be served colder than you would normally serve other beer styles. This washes down the sweet/ tart apple flavors and tannins more easily and leaves a more refreshing finish and aftertaste. Served its purpose well as a recover drink on our beautiful day at the Sugarbush Brewer's Festival.

Woodchuck Winter Hard Cider - Limited Edition

Woodchuck Hard Cider is a naturally gluten free common cider beer. This limited edition winter session beer is crafted with Premium French and Traditional American Oak. Special thanks to Kristine for giving me this to sample.

Medium: 12oz bottle poured into a standard pint glass
Price: Complements of my special lady

Aroma: Sweet apples hide any oak aromas that I expected to find. It actually reminded me of the sweet aroma from Manischewitz wine in the similar sweet/ somewhat dry nose. There is also a degree of acidity clearly present.
Appearance: Presents itself like a sparkling grapefruit juice that loses its "fizz" rather quickly. Pours for a very small, powder-white head that is slow to form and then quickly disappears. A brilliant, crystal clear gold/ brass color.
Flavor: An overall sweet profile with a slightly oak finish and some hints of vanilla. Only a minimal amount of dryness along with a somewhat cloying sweetness. The bitterness hits about mid-taste and finishes characteristically sour or tart.
Mouthfeel: Highly carbonated and smooth, this draft cider presents a "mouth-watery" effect that keeps you thirsty for more. Some tannins give it that wine-like puckering effect that makes me think of Manischewitz again.
Overall Impression: Perhaps I served this a bit too cold; However, this beer is definitely sessionable and is one that I would actually expect to serve in the winter time. This easy-drinking hard cider is another greatly crafted brew - I wouldn't expect anything less from Woodchuck.