Looking for something refreshing and tasty for your next poolside BBQ?
We’ve got the scoop on three local ciders to try. Including flavor profiles, where to taste them, and what to eat when drinking them!
But first, what is cider? Or more specifically, a hard cider? Not be confused with the kid-friendly apple cider enjoyed in the fall, hard ciders are basically alcoholic drinks made from fermented crushed fruit. The result is a slightly fizzy brew, with varying alcohol contents based on how sweet or dry the cider is. Most American ciders are made from apples or pears and are the perfect alternative to beer on a hot summer day. They are well balanced, food friendly, and light on the palate. The beverages featured below are small batch ciders that began with quality fruit to create something special for locals to enjoy!
William Tell, Hard Apple Cider
- Flavor Profile: This dry apple cider is the perfect sipper for summertime. Dry, crisp, with tart apple and lightly effervescent.
- Pair it with: Baked Brie and Apple Tart
- Where to Taste? Scotto Cellars. Located in downtown Lodi, visit the industrial yet rustic tasting room and chat it up with tasting room manager Janice Lucas. She can guide you through a tasting of a flight of ciders or you can settle on your favorite flavor to savor. In warmer weather, Scotto’s opens their sliding doors and you can enjoy the springtime while sipping.
William Tell, Hard Apple Cider with Strawberry
- Flavor Profile: Ripe with strawberries, refreshing, and seriously delicious. Sweet, with hints of tart apple. The ultimate summertime sipper for poolside!
- Pair it with: Sweet Memphis Style Smoked BBQ Ribs
- Where to Taste? Scotto Cellars
Apple Pear Cider
- Flavor Profile: Light, crisp apple with roundness from the pear. The cider is perfectly balanced, sweet but with a dry finish, the result of using Champagne yeast to ferment the cider. Made from locally sourced apples and pears, this golden-straw colored beverage is available on draft.
- Pair it with: Grilled BBQ Chicken and an Ambrosia Salad.
- Where to taste? Located on Elm Street in Downtown Lodi, Five Window Beer Co. is a boutique brewery serving up a slew of small batch beers and one cider, the Apple-Pear Cider. Check out the impressive facility where you can play jumbo Jenga, shuffleboard or cornhole while snacking on popcorn and wood fired pizzas.
You can also try a ton of ciders from outside our region at a slurry of restaurants throughout the county. Taste more ciders while dining at Dancing Fox Restaurant, Midgley’s Public House, Towne House Restaurant, and Market Tavern.