Smash an apple or a pear, let the natural yeast on the fruit's skin go to work and you get cider. More akin to wine in production, made from a year's harvest, but less respected compared to it's grape-y cousin. Cider has been around as long as people have interacted with apples and makes it one of the oldest alcoholic beverages. Those who've kept the traditions of their cider heritage going deserve to have their wonderful products discussed and shared. At I Think About Cider, we'll be doing just that: celebrating the wide, wonderful world of ciders made from cider varietal apples. Join me as I explore the worlds best ciders from its traditional cider regions as well as the new world ciders pushing the envelope of traditional and innovative. (Organizational Notes: There are more French Cider reviews than any, they will organized separately from the other ciders)

French Cider Reviews Other Cider Reviews Reviews by Country 

Small Changes, New Content, Expanded Focus (slightly)!

Over the first week of February, the United States Association of Cider Makers hosted their annual convention, CiderCon, in Portland, Oregon. I had a chance to attend several events, classes, and even spoke on one of the panels. I also had the chance to attend the inaugural Cider Certification Program class. Once it’s ready, I’ll be in the first group to take the CCP test and become a level one certified cider professional. What this week of cider has really done has crystallized my growing love affair with cider.

In that vein, I’ll be expanding the scope of ithinkaboutbeer.com to include cider. But this doesn’t mean I’ll be going crazy reviewing every cider under the sun, my focus will remain largely focused on traditionally produced and imported products. I love traditional European beers. I also love traditional European ciders. I’ll be looking at the ciders, cider makers, production methods, and styles from the great cider regions of Northern France (Normandy & Brittany), Northern Spain (Asturias & Basque Country, including Southern France), and the British Isles (mostly Southern England). Of course, I’ll also try American made ciders that are made in these traditions, especially ones using heirloom cider apple varietals.

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If you'd like to have me review your cider, please use the contact button below to arrange details. If you're outside the United States, please have your importer contact me. When submitting samples for review, please indicate whether you'd like the review posted publicly or if you're seeking a private review. Also please include any time sensitive information if it's a seasonal or one-off item.