Cider Rite of Spring - Left Bank Annex
Hit the Cider Rite of Spring again this year, at a larger venue than the last time I went. This time there were two floors of tasting tables and a variety of seating and tables along with the usual bottle shop option, and two food trucks out in the parking lot for the food optio:ns. There was also a VIP area with additional tasting options and "Meet the Maker" spots on a third floor in the space.
This year, I attended with my good friend Anita again, and ran into some of my favorite cider makers and a few other friends along the way. I managed to get in a bunch of different tastes with some extra by sharing with Anita as well!
There were over 30 Cider Makers this time, serving 100 different cider options. Here's an alphabetical listing of the Cider Makers:
12 Bridge Ciderworks
1859 Cider Co.
2 Towns Ciderhouse
Alter Ego
Art + Cider
Bad Granny
Bandon Rain
Bauman's Cider
Carlton Cyderworks
Dragon's Head Cider
Finnriver
La Familia Cider
Locust Cider
Lucky Lab Applegate
McMenamin's Edgefield
New West Cider
Oregon Mead & Cider
PearUp
Portland Cider Co.
Queen Orchard
Red Tank Cider Co.
Reveille Ciderworks
Runcible Cider Co.
Seattle Cider Co.
Snowdrift Cider
Spire Mountain
Square Mile
Steelhead
Stone Circle Cider
Swift Cider
Tieton Cider Works
Tumalo Cider Co.
Wildcraft Cider
Woodbox Cider
I was lucky enough to taste over 20 ciders. Started out with one of the higher ABV options at the event.
Woodboox Cider - Double Barrel Ice Cider, 15.2% ABV. This was absolutely delicious, and aged in Wild Turkey Barrels. There was a smoky, rich flavor, deep golden color, and about liquor strength.
Snowdrift - Cornice Cider, 7.5% ABV. This cider is aged in Oak barrels, has a light gold color, mellow, roasted apple flavor, semi-sweet, and a crisp finish.
Tieton Ciderworks - Lavender Honey Cider, very rich honey scent, with floral notes, it's mildly sweet and very flavorful.
Tumalo Cider - Herloom Tart & Dry - 6.5% ABV. bright and refreshing flavor. light, and tasty. This cider was just kegged a few days prior to the event, on 3/5/18.
Apricot Plum Cider - Dark golden color.
La Familia Cider - Tamarindo 6.9% ABV, Made with tamarinds, gorgeous golden-orange color. tasty and very flavorful.
Alter Ego Cider - Dark Royale - Black Currant cider
12 Bridges Ciderworks - Broadway Cran-Pom - medium red color, lightly tart cranberry taste
Maple Haze - darker gold color, semi-sweet, light flavor, maple nose.
Finnriver - Pommeau - 18.5% ABV. Gorgeous gold color, absolutely delicious.
Bad Granny - In The Flesh, made with Red Wave apples that have red flesh. light pink/rose color
Bandon Rain - Peachy - 6.9% ABV. delicious, peach nose, very tasty.
Blackberry Storm - 6.9% ABV. berry nose, very tasty.
Bauman's Cider - Loganberry, made with Blackberry, and Raspberries. Reddish gold color. mellow and on the sweeter side.
Runcible Cider - Cheery Twang. 7.3% ABV. light red color, cherry and floral nose, semi-dry.
Locust Cider - Honey Pear - pale lemony-yellow color. VERY HONEY nose. very honey taste. Sensed that there were some mulling spices.
Steelhead Cider - Chimera Cherry Apple Cider 0- made with cherries from their orchard, harvested in July. Deep dark red color. cherry nose, tart flavor, semi-dry style. Very tasty!
Peargatory - rich pear taste.
Stone Circle Cider - Farmhouse Sour Cherry Cider
Farmhouse Sweet Cider
They're in Estacada, Oregon and hope to have a tasting room open by the summer. They also mentioned that they have a Black Raspberry Seasonal cider.