Feeling kind of autumnally festive, Dan samples Left Bank Ciders Wild Duchess, a native yeast cider made from a unique apple variety.

Left Bank Ciders Wild Duchess

STYLE: Natural Apple CiderINGREDIENTS: Duchess of Oldenburg apples harvested mid-season; fermented in stainless steel with native yeast ABV: 8.0%AVAILABILITY: 750ml bottles, Draft (Limited)Stats above taken from the brewery’s bottle.

Appearance

Super clear and light yellow/golden in appearance.

Aroma

The native yeast gives this a bit more of an Asturian cider feel, with notes of straw, a bit of funk, after the spiced, bright fruit character hits your palate.

Taste

Sweet apple meets a binding acidity for great balance with a hint of funk and a tannic note/structure behind it all.

Mouthfeel

Residual carbonation enhances the mouthfeel, and when moved around one’s mouth, the effervescence flows back.

Overall

This is definitely my kind of cider, since it blends acidity and funkiness along with a great expression of the unique apple’s qualities. Not sure how mid-season picking compares on the sugar/acid balance, but would love to know. I think this would be a festive choice on the afternoon before your autumn or Thanksgiving dinner.

Cheers and remember:

Life’s a tap…drink up ’til it’s dry.

All music on this show came to us from the now defunct Music Alley.Intro: “Meet Me At The Bar” by The Beer Drinking FoolsOuttro: “Bubblegum and Beer” by The Supersuckers