Somersby Apple Cider

Price $2.95 per 500ml can
Where: LCBO
Made in: Denmark
By: Carlsberg Breweries A/S
Ciders
4.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Website:  www.somersbycider.com






Somersby Apple cider is made from fermented apple juice and natural apple flavouring. According to the website it is made with no artificial sweeteners, flavours or colourings.   As normal, I didn't drink this cider over ice.  I prefer my cider chilled than diluted with ice as you can experience the true natural flavours.

I happened to come across this cider on one of my trips to the LCBO.  I am always looking to try new products so I thought I would give this one a shot.  I started reading the can and discovered it was a cider made from one of the big boys.  I know I am not a professional by any means but I am noticing a difference in taste and colour between ciders made by big companies and the local craft ciders (I say I am preferring the local ciders).  Normally I write a blog entry after having sampled only one can/bottle of the product but this entry is being written after trying the product three times. There was a reason and the answer will be found in the section called The Taste.

The Pour:  With the first time trying this cider, I thought wow...very little carbonation and no head.  Second time:  More carbonation and a slight head formed as you can see with the picture included.  I noticed with my second and third time pouring, after a few minutes of sitting in the glass you can continue to hear the "sizzle" of the little bubbles.  Every time the glass was tilted it made the carbonation pick up more.

The Aroma: When the can is first opened you get this very refreshing smell of fresh apples.  As if it was just picked from the tree and sliced.  The smell of apples is present from the first to last drop.

The Taste: This is the reason why I had to try this product more than once because the flavour of this drink was very confusing.  I am not an apple professional, but the first time I tried this cider my first thought that it was made from the yellow delicious apple as it had that distinct flavour.  After a while I thought it tasted like the Northern Spy.  Can number three saw me come to the conclusion it was made from the apples (Macintosh?) that you buy in a bag at the grocery store.  I envisioned that instead of biting into the little red apple I was drinking the juice instead (of course with a kick).  My fellow friend and cider drinker Jo, had also purchased this cider and she believed that the apples used were Fuji.  Go figure, two opinions and no conclusive answer.  Overall the taste of this cider was very refreshing and crisp.

The Verdict:  I have to say I enjoyed this cider.  I found it way more refreshing than Alexander Keiths entry into the cider market.  If you are looking to shake up your routine to go from local or Canadian Cider to an international cider, than this one is worth a shot.

8.9 out of 10

PS.  The link which is posted above takes you to a very entertaining but informative website.

Cheers!

Laurie