Cider 33

Kelly Brothers Sparkling Cider

Australian; 7% Alcohol Content.

$4.20 (AUD); Cellarbrations (Ardross, WA)

Kelly Brothers is, without a doubt, the most bizarre cider I have ever consumed. Now, I love a nice crisp cider with plenty of carbonation, but I honestly thought there was a defect in the manufacturing of the bottle. When I tilted the bottle back to drink, I could not taste a thing, my mouth instantly overflowed with carbonation. I took my next sip and the same thing happened; it happened throughout the whole bottle! I honestly cannot tell you how this cider tastes. It was as if someone had shaken a bottle of champagne and then asked you to identify the flavors as you attempted to keep the liquid/ foam in your mouth. Just a weird experience; truly the champagne of ciders, but not in the way that they would like.

Rating 6.5 (I guess?)

Hard Apple Ciders 31 and 32

Hunter's Gold; Hunter's Extra Dry

South African; 4.5% and 5.5% Alcohol Content Respectively.

$2.99 (AUD) Each; Thirsty Camel (Maddington, WA)

Hunter's Gold: I tried this one first, and I was not blown away, but also not disgusted. Hunter's Gold (HG) has a pretty solid taste, but is a bit on the sweet side; in fact, it almost has that synthetic/ processed/ sour-apple-skittle taste when it first hits your mouth and a bit of an unpleasant aftertaste. With all that said, it's not a bad cider, but probably not one I would go out of my way to buy. And by go out of my way, I mean reach that little bit higher or lower in the fridge.

Rating 7.3

Hunter's Extra Dry: Hunter's Extra Dry (HED) is in fact extra dry, although I am not quite sure of the difference between "dry" and "extra dry." At any rate, HED is an improvement on HG; as I have stated many time, I enjoy drier ciders, so if given a choice, I will always go dry because of the added crispness. Sadly, HED has the same flaw(s) as HG and that knocks it down a bit.

Rating 7.5

30!

Wychwood Green Goblin

English; 6% Alcohol Content.

$7.90 (AUD); Dan Murphy's (West Perth, WA)

Green Goblin is striking in appearance and quantity, but unless you prefer a scrumpier, less carbonated cider, it's probably not for you. The taste is good, maybe even bordering on very good, but just when you are expecting a carbonated zing of refreshment to hit your tongue... you get nothing. Your taste buds walk off the edge of the metaphorical cliff and fall into a soft, slightly bitter apple mattress one inch below; nothing exciting at all.

Rating 6.5

29...

Cidre Breton

French; 5% Alcohol Content.

$4.99 (AUD); Dan Murphy's (West Perth, WA)

This cider certainly has a unique color and taste. I actually cannot quite put my finger on the flavor of Cidre Breton; there is a bit of scrumpiness and the corresponding aftertaste that is somewhat bitter/ sour-like-vinegar, yet something about this drink is refreshing. I think this cider is just packed full of apples and very natural tasting. Overall, it's an interesting pick that is probably just a one-time affair for me, but not bad if you are in a pinch for a fancy sounding European cider.

Rating 7.4

The Twenty-Eighth Cider.

Lindemans Apple

Belgian; 3.5% Alcohol Content.

$6.50 (AUD); Beaufort Street Merchant (Highgate, WA)

Upon finding this cider I was doubly excited because of its Belgian-ness and the fact that it was so expensive for a relatively small amount of beverage. Sadly, Lindemans Apple is one of those unfortunate ciders that falls into the 'sour apple candy' range. In the wise words of my wife, "It tastes like a sour apple Skittle... and I would like it much better in Skittle form." I could not agree more; however, if you are the type of person who likes a sickly sweet apple cider with a bit of sour Skittle twist, go for this one.

Rating 5.9

#27

Thatchers Katy Medium Dry Somerset Cider

English; 7.4% Alcohol Content.

$5.90 (AUD); Beaufort Street Merchant (Highgate, WA)

'Katy' is a high quality hard apple cider. It is sweet, but not too sweet; just a kiss of carbonation and very drinkable. I don't have a bad thing to say about 'Katy,' and if you happen to come across it, I would recommend picking it up!

Rating 9.0