This previous week I noticed coastal redwoods, the Marin Headlands, and a sea glass seaside. I want I hadn’t wanted a springtime escape a lot, however I did. It was a stunning journey crammed with pure magnificence, good meals, and some super buddies. I’m so grateful. As a result of I wasn’t up for cider multi-tasking, I didn’t attain out to any of my CA cider peeps, however I promise I will come again and hopefully be extra able to geek out about cider subsequent time.
Virtually instantly upon my return, I obtained to have fun an expensive native buddy on her birthday. That celebration concerned making an attempt to make and adorn cake pops after I’d by no means eaten a cake pop earlier than. It went apparently, as one may count on. However I introduced a particular cider to overview, Massive Fish Cider Co.’s Punk and Henry, and listed below are these notes.
I’m an enormous fan of Massive Fish Cider! This Virginia Cidery was based by Kirk Billingsley. The cidery has a tasting room in Monterey, Virginia that appears to be open on Fridays and Saturdays at current. Massive Fish Cider is tremendously adorned, profitable a minimum of one Good Meals Award and loads of medals in varied cider competitions.
Earlier opinions embody all of those pleasant ciders from Massive Fish Cider Co.
Virginia Hewes Crab: http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2020/10/cider-review-big-fish-cider-co-virginia.html
That was my #1 favourite cider of 2020!
Wild Meadow: http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2020/05/cider-review-big-fish-cider-cos-wild.html
Allegheny Gold (my #3 cider from 2019): http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2019/01/cider-review-whitewood-cider-company.html
Highland Scrumpy (my #3 cider from 2018): http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2018/08/cider-review-angry-orchard-ciders.html
Church Hill Blush: http://alongcameacider.blogspot.com/2018/05/very-perry-may-aeppeltreows-orchard.html
I like to recommend visiting Massive Fish Cider on-line right here: https://www.bigfishcider.com/
This week, I’m so excited to share what I considered Punk and Henry. Right here’s the official description from Massive Fish Cider.
This cider pays homage to the cidermaker’s neighbors he knew whereas rising up within the Allegheny Mountains of Virginia. It’s totally manufactured from fruit inside a 3 mile radius of Punk & Henry’s Farm west of Monterey, and utilizing apple varieties that Punk & Henry used to make cider. Northern Spy, Grimes Golden, Winesap, and Arkansas Black amongst others. The amber shade of this cider is typical of ciders comprised of previous apple bushes that aren’t sprayed and fertilized. The aromas of caramel, and ripe apples hit the nostril earlier than taking a sip. Shiny acidity is the primary sensation upon taking the primary sip, rapidly warming to an earthy, however fruity vanilla notes, and ending with a gentle caramel end that lingers on the palate. Alcohol by quantity: 7.42%.
This cider has an introduction video from Massive Fish! That’s tremendously uncommon and fairly enjoyable: https://www.bigfishcider.com/insider-tips/punk-henry/ My favourite half must be when Kirk says that each the very best and the worst ciders he’s ever had had been from wild fermentations. I’ll elevate a glass to that!
Look: Shiny popcorn kernel, sensible, small bubbles
This cider pours with apparent sparkle; the bubbles kind a hoop across the fringe of the cider the place it touches the glass. The colour jogs my memory of unpopped popcorn kernels: intense harvest gold. The cider’s readability is sensible, simply.
Aromas: overripe apple, nectarine, and peach
What an inviting set of aromas. The Punk and Henry smells mellow like overripe apples apples. The impact is all roasty and autumnal, however there are sparkles of brighter flavors within the combine as nicely, like nectarine or peach.
Sweetness/dryness: Semi-dry
That feeling of softened autumn fruit interprets from this cider’s aromas to its stage of sweetness. There’s sufficient sweetness to really feel welcoming and gentle, however nothing synthetic, sticky, or cloying.
Flavors and ingesting expertise: excessive fruity acids, excessive tannins, golden raisins, apples and caramel
This cider is one thing particular! I knew I may carry this to a birthday celebration, and it will be loved by shut buddies. Fortunately, Massive Fish Cider Co. got here via for me and surpassed even my excessive expectations! This can be a fantastically balanced, inviting, delicious cider!
The primary impression I get from Punk and Henry is golden raisins. It’s that top fruity acid that wakes up each a part of my palate with out being punishing. Beautiful! The cider is each medium-high tannins and excessive acid, so the entire beverage feels simply energetic and excessive definition. There’s no strategy to sleep via this cider!
I like the bubbles. They open up layers of taste fantastically! It turned out to be such a particular cider and a beautiful pairing with Yachae Kimbap and do-it-yourself cake pops. Kimbap is a Korean sushi roll, and Yachae Kimbap is a extra veggie-oriented model of the dish. The ripe apple notes are a putting distinction towards the crisp carrots, peppers, and crunchy veggies of the roll. The toasted sesame aroma from the sushi was additionally an ideal complement to the cider’s richness.
There are such a lot of methods you possibly can pair this cider. I feel I’d actually prefer to strive it with one thing spicy subsequent time. When you strive it that method, let me know!
