Number 82

Cider Works Apple Cider: Dry

Australian; 6.5% Alcohol Content.

$3.95 (AUD); The Re Store (Leederville, WA)

"That is bad." That was my honest initial reaction; I can't even figure out what Cider Works Apple Cider: Dry (CWACD) tastes like, but it's not good. I had to check the expiration date to make sure that my drink was not rotten (it wasn't); the taste is so sour and bitter, but not like a scrumpy; I can deal with a bottle full of scrumpy cider, but not CWACD.

Rating 6.3

#81

Elephant's Rock Cider Company: Scrumpy

Australian; 8% Alcohol Content.

$4.95 (AUD); The Re Store (Leederville, WA)

Scrumpy Warning! Elephant's Rock Cider Company: Scrumpy (ERCCS) is slightly better than the average scrumpy cider because of the dash of carbonation and the gentle sweetness in the apple flavor. Sadly, I cannot recommend this cider to anyone who is not already a scrumpy connoisseur because the harshness of the bitter vinegar tones of ERCCS cannot be overlooked.

Rating 6.6

Hard Apple Cider 80.

Thatchers Cox's Somerset Cider

English; 5.3% Alcohol Content.

$7.50 (AUD); The Re Store (Leederville, WA)

80 ciders... 80% of the way to the ultimate goal; there are still three full months in the year, but I just don't know if I'll make it to 100, nevertheless, here's to number 80!

Thatchers Cox's Somerset Cider (TCSC) is an interesting cider. I think I like it, but something is holding me back from fully committing. The initial taste is very nice; pleasant apple flavor and moderate carbonation. The aftertaste lets TCSC and me down; a hint of bitterness can be acceptable especially when it's on the tart apple side, but this aftertaste is just unpleasant.

Rating 7.2

Cider 79.

Dirty Granny

Australian; 5.5% Alcohol Content.

$3.50 (AUD); The Subi Liquor Store (Subiaco, WA)

Dirty Granny (DG) is a great cider! It has the perfect amount of apple tartiness without bitterness or hints of vinegar (with that said, there is a slight bitter aftertaste, but hardly worth complaining about). It has a wonderfully refreshing amount of carbonation and is an excellent cider overall. HUGE bonus points for the branding and Made-In-Perth cred.

Rating 9.4

76, 77, 78...

Reef Donnybrook Apple Cider: Mull, Dry, and Scrumpy

Australian; 4.5%, 5.8%, and 8.1% Alcohol Content Respectively.

$3.17 (AUD Each); The Real River Company (Donnybrook, WA)

Mull- This is a very interesting tasting cider that I think might be best served hot on a cold winters day. As one might expect from the name, there are strong cinnamon flavors mixed in with the bold fresh apple burst in each sip. In fact, in the words of my wife, it tastes like you are biting into a slice of apple pie. A good novelty cider and like I said, would be great in a specific context, but definitely not an all purpose cider. Rating 7.5

Dry- Sadly, the dry cider in this series was the one for which I held the highest hopes, but it failed me. This 'dry' should be labeled a 'dry scrumpy' or maybe just 'drumpy,' that captures the mood of the drink; slightly better than the scrumpy, but only slightly. Rating 6.3

Scrumpy- What more can I say about scrumpy ciders? Apple-Vinegar flavor (heavy on the vinegar), no carbonation, and high in alcohol; this one even has sediment at the bottom which is reassuring from a natural production standpoint, but I suppose that I just enjoy a more modern cider. Rating 6.1

Cider Number 75!

St. Hellier Apple Cider

English; 5% Alcohol Content.

$7 (AUD); The Bottle-O (East Victoria Park, WA)

In the words of Cate, St. Hellier Apple Cider (SHAC) is, "drinkable; I could drink it." That about sums it up for SHAC, nothing too special, but it's by no means a "bad cider;" below average carbonation levels, pretty good apple flavor, slightly bitter aftertaste, moderately sweet.

Rating 7.6

Cider Seventy Four

Kingstone Press Cider

English; 5.3% Alcohol Content.

$6.99 (AUD); Corker's Cellars (East Victoria Park, WA)

Kingstone Press Cider (KPC) is pretty good; nice carbonation levels, apple overtones and the only drawback is a slight weakness in overall flavor, but generally refreshing and great if you want to share.

Rating 7.4