OnTap Magazine

40 | Autumn 2019 | ontapmag.co.za AGAINST THE GRAIN travelling to Canada, I was also not a fan of cider and simply saw it as a sweet apply alcoholic beverage in the same category as alco-pops,” he says. “But in Vancouver and other parts of the Paci c North-West I tasted plenty of dry, complex and simply delicious ciders, which completely changed my perspective.” MAKE CIDER SEXY AGAIN Back in South Africa however, he believes that cider is consumed as a default rather than a cognisant choice by people looking to enjoy the wonders of fermented apples, “I think cider is di cult here because most cider drinkers drink it because they don’t like beer, not because they like cider. Without a passionate cider community, price and availability will almost always trump avour and complexity” William is a ghter and an optimist and sees a positive future “with the right education and marketing of the category as a separate entity as from mass produced bulk RTD ciders”. William continues to push the boundaries, and with his winemaking background creates limited edition and barrel aged ciders that have incredible complexity, such as his latest release – a pear and quince version. New kids on the block have emerged with increased vigour in an attempt to make craft cider sexy again. Loxtonia is an “orchard to bottle” operation based on a farm in the Ceres Valley. ey are innovating with di erent avour pro les and seem to be targeting current mainstream cider consumers. Cape Town Cider House, produced at Drifter Brewing Co. in Woodstock, has created a tasty cloudy style cider that states on the bottle, 100% fresh pressed juice from apples...No other BS. It will be up to the main industry players to educate the market as to what is ‘BS’ and what is cider. Beer has piqued consumers’ interest in variety and consuming for complexity of avour rather than just refreshment. Cider needs to learn from beer and box clever in a market that is not exactly ripe for the making. LITTLE WOLF HIBISCUS CIDER 6% ABV While some of the other ciders lacked acidity, this one leans towards it. A wonderful brunch option, you could easily see a bubbly drinker reaching for a bottle on a sunny morning. The hibiscus is subtle but lends a low perfume note and a gorgeous pastel pink hue. CAPE TOWN CIDER HOUSE HARD CIDER 6.5% ABV Aromas of bruised apples lead you into a fairly full bodied, opaque cider with a pleasing note of apple sauce but a marked absence of tannin or acidity. LOXTONIA SPARKLING APPLE 5% ABV Our favourite of Loxtonia's variants certainly lives up to its name with very high, champagne-like carbonation. There's a whiff of tropical fruit and subtle flavours of kiwi and green melon in this cider that's slightly drier than many local versions. DE GRENDEL THREE SPADES 5% ABV This latest addition to the cider scene is a subtle introduction to cider, with an ephemeral aroma, a champagne- like quality when you sip and just enough tannins to keep things interesting. EVERSON’S PEAR & QUINCE 4% ABV Everson’s latest limited release is a dance of delicate fruity pear that is balanced with tannin from the quince. It finishes dry and delicious – a well-formed cider that introduces a refreshing dryness that is all-too-often missing from South African ciders. ALPHA BERRY CIDER 4% ABV The colour of candy floss and with an aroma of strawberry candy, this one will appeal to those with a sweeter tooth. There's very little apple character other than a tartness at the back of the tongue that makes you think of those sour jelly sweets you enjoy at the movies. CIDER TASTING NOTES