Ciders

Heineken Buys Cider Maker Stassen

Heineken has just acquired Belgian cider producer Stassen from its current management for an undisclosed amount.

Stassen is based in Aubel, Belgium.  There are three important units to their operation – the cider making, an R&D unit (new product pilot plant), Continue Reading →

Dogfish Head Positive Contact Drops 6/18

The above are bottles of Positive Contact on the line at Dogfish Head in Milton, Delaware.  The beer infusion is a collaboration between Deltron 3030′s Dan the Automator and Dogfish Head.  Deltron 3030 is a hip-hop collaboration between Dan and Del the Funkee Homosapien.

Positive Continue Reading →

Woodchuck to Plant 12,672 Trees (PR)

MIDDLEBURY, VT – American Forests® will plant 12,672 trees on behalf ofWoodchuck Hard Cider, and our fans.  It’s the result of an Earth Week campaign in which Woodchuck agreed to plant two trees for every new Facebook ‘Like’ received between April 16th and April 22nd.

Gaining 6,336 fans in Continue Reading →

Woodchuck Now Shipping Amber Cider In Cans

Woodchuck Hard Cider’s flagship Amber is coming to cans.  The canning line is already up and running, and Amber is already shipping.

Couple of details from the recent press release:

The canning line has been running pretty much 24/7 to meet first orders.   The Continue Reading →

Virtue Cider Officially Debuts

Greg Hall, formerly of Goose Island Brewing has officially debuted his newest project – Virtue Ciders.  The first offering -RedStreak is now available.

RedStreak is a proper English style draft cider. With its hazy lemon hue, scent of ripe apples and just a Continue Reading →

Posted in Heineken NV

Heineken Buys Cider Maker Stassen

Heineken has just acquired Belgian cider producer Stassen from its current management for an undisclosed amount.

Stassen is based in Aubel, Belgium.  There are three important units to their operation – the cider making, an R&D unit (new product pilot plant), and a de-alcoholisation facility.    The move will bring Heineken branded ciders to Europe.

Recently, Heineken alluded to the purchase at the national expo in Atlanta, Georgia. The Dutch-based brewery not only highlighted its current brands, but R&D brands like the cider pictured above.  (We’re assuming the samples given were from Stassen.)  Each of the test brands come from products already in production somewhere in the world.

Heineken NV has recently introduced other ciders – like Strongbow Gold.

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Videos, Woodchuck Cider

Inside Woodchuck’s New Ginger Cider [Video]

Woodchuck’s new summer offering is Woodchuck Ginger. The ginger lends the cider a spicy “zing.”  John Matson of Woodchuck wanted to source organic ginger. That was easier said than done.  As it turns out, there is only one place in the United States that grows organic ginger – that’s Big Island, Hawaii.  Once the ginger was procured, getting the ginger into the cider was no picnic either.

 

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Coming Soon, Dogfish Head

Dogfish Head Positive Contact Drops 6/18

The above are bottles of Positive Contact on the line at Dogfish Head in Milton, Delaware.  The beer infusion is a collaboration between Deltron 3030′s Dan the Automator and Dogfish Head.  Deltron 3030 is a hip-hop collaboration between Dan and Del the Funkee Homosapien.

Positive Contact is a 9% ABV hybrid of beer and cider brewed with wood-pressed Fuji apples, roasted farro, a handful of cayenne peppers and fresh cilantro. Described as a “sweet-and-sour Belgian-ish brew”, light straw color with fruity, cider-like notes. Cayenne and alcohol give it a warming finish.

Positive Contact’s expected street date is 6/18/12

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Anheuser-Busch

Michelob ULTRA Light Cider Launches Nationally

Anheuser-Busch has officially made their foray into the cider world with Michelob ULTRA Light Cider.   The low-cal cider is officially making its national debut this week, touted as a refreshing alternative to white wine, champagne and heavy ciders.  This is the first cider that AB has ever produced in the United States, at the Baldwinsville, New York plant.

Per the recent press release:

“As more people continue to discover cider, we’ve found that many view traditional ciders as either too heavy, too sweet or both,” said Ryan Moore, vice president of premium lights, Anheuser-Busch.“This perception has often times limited ciders to a seasonal beverage during fall and winter, but we saw an untapped potential to expand the category as a year-round option for adult drinkers. Michelob ULTRA Light Cider fills this void with a lower calorie cider with a milder, but distinct, sweetness that can be enjoyed straight or over ice.” 

Style: Cider
Availability: 12 oz bottles.  Nationwide, except CO, UT, WY, OK

Below… we tried the test batch.  Big green apple smell. Very light flavor.


 

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Press Releases, Woodchuck Cider

Woodchuck to Plant 12,672 Trees (PR)

MIDDLEBURY, VT – American Forests® will plant 12,672 trees on behalf ofWoodchuck Hard Cider, and our fans.  It’s the result of an Earth Week campaign in which Woodchuck agreed to plant two trees for every new Facebook ‘Like’ received between April 16th and April 22nd.

Gaining 6,336 fans in one week is a testament to our fans commitment to a better planet.  Throughout the rest of 2012, wildfire ravaged areas in California, Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, and Oregon will be replanted.  Additional trees will be planted in Arkansas to repair severe tornado damage.

This marks the 3rd year of Woodchuck’s partnership with American Forests — and their Global ReLeaf program.  In those three years Woodchuck has donated a total of 34,722 trees!

These campaigns are at the core of our commitment to environmental stewardship. We are honored that so many fans are aligned not only with our products, but our values as a company.

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Beer News, Woodchuck Cider

Woodchuck Now Shipping Amber Cider In Cans

Woodchuck Hard Cider’s flagship Amber is coming to cans.  The canning line is already up and running, and Amber is already shipping.

Couple of details from the recent press release:

The canning line has been running pretty much 24/7 to meet first orders.   The cidery has a 4,650 gallon tank feeding the cider into the canning line.  The cans will come in 12 packs only, ERP: $14.99.  Amber will still be available in bottles as well.

About Amber:

The original Woodchuck. People liked it so much we made four more styles. The Amber is sweet (but not too sweet) with a nice golden color and crisp finish.*


 

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in New Breweries

Virtue Cider Officially Debuts

Greg Hall, formerly of Goose Island Brewing has officially debuted his newest project – Virtue Ciders.  The first offering -RedStreak is now available.

RedStreak is a proper English style draft cider. With its hazy lemon hue, scent of ripe apples and just a touch of oak, RedStreak has a crisp, tart finish that pairs perfectly with your favorite mature cheddar. First discovered in Herefordshire in the 1630s, the Redstreak bittersharp apple produced a cider so delicious it was deemed to be ‘fit for kings.’ Whether paired or on its own, RedStreak Cider is your next drink.

St. Julian Winery (Paw Paw, Michigan) produced the cider, a blend of apples from Michigan and Illinois.   There is a cider house build in planning, to be built in Michigan.

Look for two new cider varieties in the fall: Lapinette, & The Mitten.  Pics from the launch at Timeout Chicago.

 

 

by Reid Ramsay