Time and time again, in this world of immediate excellence and innovation, we see creators of other ferments come to cider. Such is the case with Starcut Ciders in Northern Michigan, the fresh juiced progeny of Short’s Brewing in Bellaire. The two-year-old cidery sources apples from its own property as well as across the state, including other tree fruit goods like peaches. Phuzz, a peach-infused cider labeled as semi-sweet, does its name justice. Aromatically, the cider is redolent of the fragrance released by those gentle fleeces that coat a peach’s skin, sweetly melded with cinnamon, ripe apple, peach and tropical fruit. A slightly yeasty tone wafts through the amber-hued cider, like a pastry fresh out of the oven, still a little doughy on the inside. Bringing all of that onto the palate, this cider is bright and refreshing, with a surprisingly dry (for the semi-sweet indication) and light-bodied finish. As the liquid in the glass warms up, fruit blooms and widens on the palate, fleshing out the peach juice and flavors of cinnamon bun.
