I Think About Cider

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 

Ciderday's Alright For Pressing

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.

Read More

French Cider Reviews

Le Leiu Chéri Cidre Fermier Brut

Le Leiu Chéri Cidre Fermier Brut

The lands where Le Leiu Chéri have been producing cider apples since at least the 16th century according to local...
Read More
Kinkiz Cornouaille Cidre

Kinkiz Cornouaille Cidre

Manoir du Kinkiz is smaller "craft" cidre producer located just outside Quimper in Bretagne (Brittany). Kinkiz is a small grower-producer...
Read More
Christian Drouin Poiré

Christian Drouin Poiré

If you haven't tried a poiré or perry, you owe it to yourself to seek on out. Be sure to...
Read More
Cyril Zangs Ciderman

Cyril Zangs Ciderman

Ciderman by Cyril Zangs is unusual in both its packaging and the product within it. Very few serious or traditional...
Read More
Jerome Dupont of Famille Dupont Cidrerie Passes Away at Age 48

Jerome Dupont of Famille Dupont Cidrerie Passes Away at Age 48

It is with great sadness that I must report that on August 15th, 2018 famed Cidre and Calvados maker Jerome...
Read More
Etienne Dupont Cidre Triple

Etienne Dupont Cidre Triple

Domaine Dupont is one of the leading names in French Calvados and cidre. Calvados is the famed northern French apple...
Read More
Manoir du Grandouet Cambremer Cidre AOP Pays d’Auge

Manoir du Grandouet Cambremer Cidre AOP Pays d’Auge

The Grandval family of Manoir de Grandouet makes several Cidres, including an AOP Pays d'Auge. The Pays d'Auge is a sub-region...
Read More
Le Brun Organic Cidre

Le Brun Organic Cidre

Traditional French cidre is a product of the farm and orchard. Some cidres are made from orchards owned by the...
Read More
Daufresne Poire

Daufresne Poire

Poires and Perries have became my new passion. I've had pear ciders and not generally been that fond of them....
Read More
Etienne Dupont Cidre de Givre

Etienne Dupont Cidre de Givre

Ice cider is a rare and fun treat when done well. It can be made several ways. In the rarest...
Read More
Le Pere Jules Cidre Brut 2015

Le Pere Jules Cidre Brut 2015

Le Pere Jules' cidres and poirés are entirely estate grown and made from their 100ha of apples and 25ha of...
Read More
Manoir de Grandouet Cidre Fermier Brut

Manoir de Grandouet Cidre Fermier Brut

Three generations of the Grandval family have been producing traditional cidres in the heart of the Pays d'Auge region of...
Read More
Christian Drouin Cidre Pays d’Auge

Christian Drouin Cidre Pays d’Auge

In the scheme of European family owned alcohol producers, 3 generations is practically a brand new business. The Drouin family...
Read More
Eric Bordelet Poiré Authentique

Eric Bordelet Poiré Authentique

Eric Bordelet is one of the most admired orchardists and cider makers in France and the world. His unique perspective...
Read More
Domaine Dupont Pommeau de Normandie

Domaine Dupont Pommeau de Normandie

Pommeau is a step between Cidre and Calvados (apple brandy). If you were to give it an equivalent in the...
Read More
Etienne Dupont Cidre Bouché Brut de Normandie 2014

Etienne Dupont Cidre Bouché Brut de Normandie 2014

Domaine Dupont is one of the leading names in French Calvados and cidre. Calvados is the famed northern French apple...
Read More
Minotière Cidre Fermier Bio Brut

Minotière Cidre Fermier Bio Brut

Domaine de la Minotière is small, organic orchard and cider producer creating rustic, farmhouse-style French Cidres. Minotière farms 15 hectares...
Read More
Francois Sehedic Extra Brut

Francois Sehedic Extra Brut

Since 1950, the Sehedic family has been producing cidres from traditional Breton apple varieties starting with Francois. Today, Marie Laure...
Read More
Bordatto Basa Juan

Bordatto Basa Juan

Bordatto is French Cidery, but not from the more well-known cider regions of the North (Normandie & Bretagne). They're part...
Read More
Daufresne Brut Cidre De Normandie Artisanal

Daufresne Brut Cidre De Normandie Artisanal

Cidrerie Dausfresne has had a successful start to 2017 with their recent Médaille D'Or (Gold Medal) at the prestigious Paris...
Read More
Beau Soleil Cidre Fermier Bio

Beau Soleil Cidre Fermier Bio

Thomas Renouard has been growing apples on his family's 8 hectares since 2002. The orchards are full of traditional apple...
Read More
Eric Bordelet Poiré Granit 2014

Eric Bordelet Poiré Granit 2014

In about 3 weeks, I'll be roaming around Northern France and checking out cideries. I'm highly excited that one of...
Read More
Aval Cidre Artisanal

Aval Cidre Artisanal

When you work in the beer and cider business, you try a lot of products and sometimes you do get...
Read More
Comte Louis de Lauriston Cidre Bouche Brut

Comte Louis de Lauriston Cidre Bouche Brut

Comte Louis de Lauriston definitely has a fun and interesting past that lends flavor to this traditional Norman cidre. Located...
Read More
Le Pere Jules Poiré

Le Pere Jules Poiré

Jules Desfrièches returned to Normandy in 1919 after serving France during WWI where he'd earned the nickname "Père" Jules. Raised...
Read More
Christian Drouin Poiré Acide “Sour Pear” 2015

Christian Drouin Poiré Acide “Sour Pear” 2015

Poiré is made using 100% pears and fermented into a beverage like cider. Although a maker can use dessert pears...
Read More
Eric Bordelet Argelette Sydre 2013

Eric Bordelet Argelette Sydre 2013

Eric Bordelet's ciders are amongst the most coveted French ciders by connoisseurs. Meeting him on my trip to Northern France...
Read More
Minotière Cidre Fermier Bio Doux

Minotière Cidre Fermier Bio Doux

Domaine de la Minotière is small, organic orchard and cider producer creating rustic, farmhouse-style French Cidres. Minotière farms 15 hectares...
Read More
Les 3 Freres Brut

Les 3 Freres Brut

There's something special about vacation drinks. You're in a new place and try a local product in a wonderful little...
Read More
Eric Bordelet Sidre Brut Tendre

Eric Bordelet Sidre Brut Tendre

Amongst Poiré enthusiasts, Eric Bordelet's interpretations are highly coveted.  He also applies his same rigorous attention to orcharding and varietals...
Read More

Other Cider Reviews

Dunkertons Organic Perry

Dunkertons Organic Perry

Dunkertons Organic Ciders got its start in 1980 when Ivor and Susie Dunkerton fled the hectic city life in London to...
Read More
Ruwet Cidre Brut

Ruwet Cidre Brut

Belgium makes cider. Bet you didn't know that? There are a grand total of two cidreries left where once there...
Read More
Guzman Riestra Sidra Brut Nature

Guzman Riestra Sidra Brut Nature

Guzman Riestra Sidra Riestra Brut is part of the new wave of modern and experimental ciders coming out of northern Spain....
Read More
Sandford Orchards Straw and Oak 2013

Sandford Orchards Straw and Oak 2013

Sandford Orchards is located Devon, England which lies in the southwest of England between Cornwall and Somerset. Sandford produces all...
Read More
Gututzeta Sagardoa  Naturala

Gututzeta Sagardoa Naturala

Gurutzeta Sagardotegia has been producing artisanal Basque cider (sagardoa or sidra) since the end of the 19th Century and has...
Read More
Dunkertons Dry Organic Cider

Dunkertons Dry Organic Cider

Dunkertons Organic Ciders has been producing fine English ciders for nearly 40 years. They produce many different apple ciders and a...
Read More
Once Upon A Tree Marcle Ridge Dry Cider 2014

Once Upon A Tree Marcle Ridge Dry Cider 2014

Once Upon A Tree is one of Herefordshire’s newer cider producers with a history dating back a decade. Founded in 2008,...
Read More
Dunkertons Black Fox Cider

Dunkertons Black Fox Cider

The Tale of The Black Fox From the earliest times rural communities have told stories of many fantastic and unusual...
Read More
Pilton Somerset Keeved Cider

Pilton Somerset Keeved Cider

Pilton Somerset Ciders are made using the very traditional keeving method. Keeving is reasonable common amongst the artisan cider makers...
Read More
Fuchshof Most Classic German Cider

Fuchshof Most Classic German Cider

Located near Lake Konstanz (Constance) in the south of Germany in the foothills of the Alps near the borders of...
Read More
EZ Orchards Cidre Semi Dry

EZ Orchards Cidre Semi Dry

Kevin Zielinski of EZ Orchards is one of America's most respected Orchardists and cider makers despite a short career on...
Read More
Sarasola Sagardoa Sidra Natural

Sarasola Sagardoa Sidra Natural

I'd like to start my entrance into the world of cider blogging with a review of one of my favorite...
Read More
Mayador Limited Production

Mayador Limited Production

Today marks the first Asturian cider I've reviewed at ithinkaboutcider.com.  I've long been quite passionate about Basque cider but haven't...
Read More
Once Upon A Tree Kingston Redstreak 2014

Once Upon A Tree Kingston Redstreak 2014

Once Upon A Tree is one of Herefordshire's newer cider producers with a history of less than a decade. Founded...
Read More
Worley’s Red Hen (Premium Vintage 2013)

Worley’s Red Hen (Premium Vintage 2013)

It's always nice to meet the makers of the products you enjoy. I got the chance to meet Neil Worley...
Read More
Hecks Vintage Dry Cider 2013

Hecks Vintage Dry Cider 2013

It's been an interesting week in Britain, that's for sure. While I usually refrain from talking much about politics on...
Read More

Submit Your Cider for Review

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.