Read: Irish Examiner | Five Irish craft ciders to try
My recommendations in the Irish Examiner, complete with incredibly styled (aka photoshopped!) hair do.
Summertime? Cider time! While I do know that cider is a year round drink, there’s just something about the sunshine that brings out the cider lover in me. And there’s lots of sunshine yet in store this summer, isn’t there?
These recommendations are from a text box piece I wrote for the Irish Examiner to accompany an article by Caroline Delaney.
Five to try from Caroline Hennessy
Cockagee Pure Irish Keeved Cider
Well balanced, elegant and presented in a 75ml bottle, serve this in Champagne glasses to make the most of its delicious natural sparkle.
cockagee.ie
Dan Kelly’s Fiona’s Fancy
Aged and bottle conditioned, Fiona’s Fancy is a limited edition with a long, somewhat spicy finish.
dankellyscider.com
Longueville House Cider
A clean, snappy medium dry cider with a fine tannic finish that works brilliantly with food, particularly anything of a piggy persuasion.
longuevillehouse.ie
Stonewell Esterre Sparkling Prestige
This premium cider from an innovative producer is made from Elstar apples, comes in a black 75cl bottle and has a sophisticated dry and crisp finish.
stonewellcider.com
Tempted? Strawberry Irish Craft Cider
Ignore clumsy mainstream efforts at putting fruit and cider together. This is what you want – a delicate blend of cider, apple juice and strawberry wine. Just the thing with a lemon tart.
temptedcider.com
I’ve just scratched the surface with this list so make sure you look around and check out your own local cider. Plenty to be found nowadays!
Try some Irish craft cider at this weekend’s Big Grill BBQ and beer festival in Dublin – Dan Kelly’s Cider, McIvors and Craigies will all be there, along with beers from the likes of Blacks of Kinsale, Rascal’s Brewing, Eight Degrees, Metalman, Kinnegar and Trouble Brewing.
I’ll also be there, talking about The Drinks Revolution at Jim Carroll’s Banter at The Big Grill with Cameron Wallace (Eight Degrees), Kevin Hurley (Teeling Whiskey) and Dave Morrissey (The Portherhouse, Dingle Whiskey).
