I’m so into cider right now. As fall approaches, its a great time to embrace the many micro-cideries popping up all over Sonoma County. Each cidermaker has their own approach, but the days of sickly-sweet apple wine coolers are over. Instead, companies like Sonoma Cider are taking a more wine-like approach by cutting the sweet (some are bone dry), aging in oak barrels and simply letting the apples do the talking.
Sonoma Cider’s Crowbar goes a step further, kicking your tastebuds in the face with one-two punch of lime and habanero infused into the dry cider. This seasonal brew was a summer release, and will only be around another month or so. Admittedly, its not for everyone. The habanero is h-o-t. But it’s a great late-summer drink to sip by the pool or sneak into a picnic basket before the winter doldrums are upon us.
Not into the burn? Sonoma Cider’s Anvil is dry cider aged in bourbon barrels. It’s as amazing at it sound, and is available all year long. The Coddingtown Whole Foods, which has an expanding cider selection and an in-house taproom, also carries The Anvil.
The Crowbar Cider, $8.99 per 4-pack, Whole Foods (390 Coddingtown Mall, Santa Rosa, 707-542-7411).