When it comes to hops, more often than not, you’ll find them in beer. Hops are small, green seed cones that are introduced during the brewing process to provide flavor, create balance through bittering, and to add stability to the brew. But hops aren’t just reserved for beer.
When hops are introduced to cider, it can truly kick the drink up a notch. Different types of hops provide different characteristics, with some introducing citrus flavors, while others introducing floral or even pineapple notes. And for those looking for a hard cider that’s a bit more akin to beer, or for those interested in something a bit different, hopped ciders are the ideal answer.
Castle Hill Cider | Dry Hopped Hard Cider | Keswick, Va. | 6% ABV
A blend of estate-grown fruit meets three types of hops in this cider. Cascade, Citra and Zappa hops bring notes of citrus and tropical fruit to the mix, creating a semi-sweet cider for easy sipping on warm spring days.
Pinball Cider | Hopped Pink Lady | Seattle, Wash. | 7% Abv
Pink Lady apples make for a bright, fresh cider — and hops make it that much more complex. Citra and Amarillo hops are added to this cider to bring forward a floral nose thanks to the hop bouquet, not to mention a hint of citrus. It’s exceptionally dry with just a touch of haze, making it perfect for warm-weather sipping.
Citizen Cider | The Lake Hopper | Burlington, Vt. | 6.2% ABV
This offering from Citizen Cider starts with freshly pressed apples. Local Cascade hops are then introduced as a celebration of local farmers and landscapes. It’s crisp and dry, with notes of grapefruit and thyme for a refreshing sip.
Union Hill Cider Co. | Hopped & Hazy | East Wenatchee, Wash. | 7.8% ABV
This cider combines Snowdrift Crabapples, Muscadet de Lens and Rave — a Honeycrisp and MonArk hybrid — to create a unique blend. Mosaic and Liberty hops are added in to bring notes of citrus into the mix with a hint of bitterness on the finish.
Stormalong | Light of the Sun | Sherborn, Mass. | 6.5%
Looking for a punch of tropical fruit? This cider features Citra and Ekuanot hops for a hit of citrus. Guava is added to round out the flavor, creating a wildly refreshing cider just on the edge of dry and semi-dry.
Swift Cider | Pineapple Hop | Portland, Ore. | 6.2% ABV
Fresh-pressed apples are combined with pineapple juice, along with Centennial, Chinook and Ekuanot hops, to make this zippy cider. It’s semi-dry with juicy notes of pineapple, citrus and pine for light, aromatic drink.
Chain Yard Cider | Hopped Up | Halifax, Nova Scotia | 6% ABV
This dry cider is taken to the next level with the addition of Cascade and Centennial hops. Floral aromas and notes of citrus create a complex, yet easy drinking, cider.
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