St. Patrick’s Day and a Cider Tasting

The day before St. Patrick’s Day this year we were at a friend’s house for a St. Paddy’s Day meal and a cider tasting. I was hoping to get some more local ciders, but due to some unfortunate news I had more important things to do.

That said, there was a lot of cider. So much so that I don’t think we even opened it all. That’s the first time I’ve ever done a cider tasting and I will happily do it again. As someone that used to be a big beer drinker I just got fairly burnt out. I started feeling crazy full if I had two or three beers. With cider…I don’t feel that way.

Before I go on, thanks to Megan and Brock for hosting. Megan and Kelly, the food was amazing. We’ve been good friends with the Baldal/Veillette family for many years and have ‘broken bread’ with them a lot of times. We always feel welcome, taken care of, and go away feeling happy and fulfilled. It was another terrific experience!

That being said, here’s what we tasted:

Ace Pineapple Cider by California Cider Company in Sonoma County

Finnriver Cider Black Currant – Olympic Peninsula, Washington

Crispin Natural Hard Apple Cider – Honey Crisp

Henry Hotspur’s Hard Pressed Cider

Henney’s Dry Cider – Frome Valley

Crispin Natural Hard Apple Cider – Belgiun Trappist Yeast and Pure Maple Syrup

Dan Armor Cuvee Speciale Cidre Brut – Apples grown in Brittany, France

Angry Orchard – The Muse

Jean Marie Cidery (local)

The favorites seemed to be both of the Crispin’s, the Henry Hotspur’s, and the Henney’s. I had never had these before but I’m eager to do it again. It proved to me that I am definitely a big cider fan.

And here’s what was on our plates (Annie writing this, again, thanks to Megan and Kelly for the food):

Corned Beef, Boiled-then-broiled Cabbage, Colcannon, Roasted Potatoes and Carrots, Irish Soda Bread, and LOTS of delicious Cider!!! Traditional Corned Beef and Cabbage is definitely one of my favorite meals. Not sure why…there’s just something about the combination of the rich, salty meat slathered in mustard with all the trimmings that just really hits the spot! It was amazing, thanks all for a great night!!!