This is a story of two Joe’s. Based out of Castleton, New York, Joe Ciccolella and Joe Molesky teamed up under the guidance of Brookview Station Winery to produce Joe Daddy’s Hard Cider, a brand titled for Ciccolella’s nickname. For more than 35 years, Ciccolella has made sweet and hard cider for the winery, and after many test batches, the Joe’s have taken their cider out on the road.
The Hoppin’ Joey is a triple-hopped cider that packs the aroma of an India pale ale with aromas of straw, citrus and white flowers but its tangy, bitter bite of a grapefruit still allows the apples to shine through. If you’re not a lover of IPA’s, don’t shy away – the hoppiness from these New York-grown hops do not resemble the puckering bitter found in a lot of leading hoppy ales, but an affable juicy citrus that matches the crunch apple and leaves you with one satisfying sip.