Apple Cider in the US?

[pegbert64 0]

I've googled, I've hunted, I've searched high and low..... Grower's Apple Cider doesn't seem to be available in the US - at least not out here in the south east. I've tried something that was labelled "apple cider", only to find that it's actually a flavored *malt beverage* and tastes pretty revolting compared to the real thing. (And I'm talking about the cold, bottled stuff, not the mulled stuff!)

Has anyone found anything down here that comes close to REAL apple cider? (or any flavor cider for that matter - just had pommegranate cider in Vancouver - YUM!) With the temp in NC hovering around 100*, I would sure love a crisp, ice-cold cider from time to time. Any suggestions? Is there any hope at all for this former Vancouverite???

[T.O_2_FL 0]

I haven't seen anything along this line either....ahhhh the good ole days of summer in Toronto with Mike's hard Lemonade...he he he

[BH45 0]

Peg....it might be easier to make your own. Think of the possibilities if people in your area get a taste of it - you can sell it....

[Kathryn41 3,205]

I have seen real apple cider in Michigan but here in the South, only around Christmastime at Kroger's. It appears to be a seasonal product only.

[Levi_Heather 0]

Have you tried the local apple orchards? You can find it all over here but I'm in Missouri:) We have Mike's hard lemonade too:)

[pegbert64 0]

I've tried the Mike's down here, but nothing seems to taste the same. The bottle label also claims it to be a "malt beverage", whereas I *think* the Mike's in Canada is actually vodka and lemonade. To get the "fruit flavored" beverages, I think I'd have to delve into the world of coolers.... but even they are "malt beverages", not true wine coolers.

The selection of adult beverages in Greenville is abysmal..... I did see some unfamiliar brand of "apple cider" in the cooler section of the Lowe's the other day, but it was close to $10 for a six-pack - not what I'm willing to shell out for something that may be no better that that Woodchuck stuff that I dumped down the drain. I think that next time i'm in Raleigh, I'll stop by Total Wine N More and see if I can't get a selection of single bottles of various "ciders" and whatnot..... do a taste test at home. Hmmmmm..... I may be able to make a party out of this!!

Grower's Cider is just so unbelievably good - someone needs to import the stuff......

L

[T.O_2_FL 0]

Ohhh Grower's! That stuff is nice.....chilled real cold....YUM!

[pegbert64 0]

I broke down..... I bought a six-pak of "Harpoon Cider......made from pure apple juice, freshly pressed from a blend of local apples. Enjoy!" There is no indication of *malt* anything on the bottle, and they appear to have breweries in MA and VT.

The first problem is that it's only 4.8% alc, compared to the venerable 7% of Grower's cider..... so I'm gonna have to drink a few of these babies

Chilled it and poured it over a mug full of ice....... first impression: this is NOT Grower's!!! But it's also not a *malt beverage*, which is a promising step in the right direction, albeit still not what I'm used to. Tastes kinda like really cold, sweet apple juice. However, I came up with an idea...... threw in a teensy splash of Rose's Lime...... et voila! Much better!! I may get industrious and try extracting and adding some juice from some Granny Smith apples. Of course, that will only water it down that much more

The night is young....... my imagination is geared up..... and the rest of the... ahem, "cider", is chilling.....

[k34 0]

I have come to the conclusion that some of the alcoholic beverages we have are maybe not allowed in the US in their proper form, or at least in some states, because as someone pointed out about Mike's being malt-based in the US, I have noticed that same thing about other coolers and similar. Even beverages branded by Bacardi or Smirnoff or whatever don't contain rum or vodka there, but malt instead.