Spirit Tree Hop Cider

JeffPorter · Post by **JeffPorter** » Sun Jun 01, 2014 8:00 am

I wasn't actually at the Volo event, but was sent by my wife to Spirit Tree to get some bread and I had forgotten about the event this weekend.

One of the staff who recognized me promptly brought me over a small glass of the stuff that they had just tapped.

It's pretty great and I have to say, I was sceptical especially when I remembered what last years experimental attempts were like.

The hops are chinook and cascade from a neighbouring farm. The best way to describe it is that the hops seem to temper the barnyard-y aroma and flavour of the cider and really dries it out even more. There's definately some bitterness in the finish, but the way it mingles with the cider it comes across as more of a spiciness.

The surprising thing is how seemless it all tastes. The hops really seem to be a part of the cider.

They had tried some batches where the hops just simply did not work, and made the cider a little unpalatable and the hops stood out like a sore thumb, but the flavours are really well blended. I think it tastes drier than West Avenue's dry cider but I'd love to do a side by side.

It came out at 7% but it's extremely refreshing and quaffable.

It'll be in bottles (bombers, I think) in the LCBO but the staff I talked to yesterday wasn't sure how much it was going to be, but given the price of their regular cider, I'd expect it to be pretty steep.

I'd be interested to hear what people thought who were at the event. I was quite impressed with it.

Belgian · Post by **Belgian** » Sun Jun 08, 2014 2:13 am

I don't mind Spirit Tree. The hops in this were undetectable, it was like the regular Pub Cider they make. I look forward to re-trying another batch.

icemachine · Post by **icemachine** » Mon Jun 09, 2014 11:54 am

Tried the Hopped cider at Volo yesterday - not a big cider guy, but thought I'd give it a try. I can see how some people would enjoy it, but it's not for me

lister · Post by **lister** » Mon Jun 09, 2014 1:41 pm

Belgian wrote:I don't mind Spirit Tree. The hops in this were undetectable, it was like the regular Pub Cider they make. I look forward to re-trying another batch.

Had it at Bar Hop on Thursday. I could detect the hops but they were quite faint. I guess I was expecting something approaching an English IPA.

The real winner that night for me was the blood orange cider.

saints_gambit · Post by **saints_gambit** » Tue Jun 10, 2014 12:40 pm

It's like I said to the cider maker: Adding anything to the regular pub cider is practically a non starter given how good it is to begin with. I'm not sure that the hops really add anything and while it's interesting as an experiment, I'm not sold on the outcome. It's a little like putting a flatbed on a ferrari.

Torontoblue · Post by **Torontoblue** » Tue Jun 10, 2014 3:16 pm

saints_gambit wrote: It's a little like putting a flatbed on a ferrari.

Not such a bad idea....those crazy Brits

chris_schryer · Post by **chris_schryer** » Fri Jun 13, 2014 12:09 pm

Man I love the internet some days

El Pinguino · Post by **El Pinguino** » Thu Jun 19, 2014 9:01 am

Had this at Bar Hop last week, just tried it...better than most ciders in that I do not like overly sweet nor overly sour ciders. It had a better, heavier body to it, but still not my think.