TASTING NOTES

CIDER IS A MASSIVELY POPULAR DRINK IN SOUTH AFRICA. AT THE BEACH, AT BRAAIS AND MUSIC FESTIVALS ALL OVER THE COUNTRY, PEOPLE ENJOY IT IN THEIR THOUSANDS. CHEERS TASTE TESTED THE MOST POPULAR COMMERCIAL BRANDS AS WELL AS A FEW CRAFT CIDERS FOR COMPARISON PURPOSES. IT MUST BE NOTED THAT ALL OF THESE EXAMPLES SHOULD BE ENJOYED WELL CHILLED TO EXPERIENCE THE FULL FLAVOUR IMPACT.

Hunter’s Gold The original commercial cider in South Africa this showed notes of bruised apple and even a hint of pepper. The apple flavour comes through well and the drink offers bags of refreshment. It has notable sweetness on the palate.

Hunter’s Export Interesting ginger nuance to the nose and palate. Another sweeter, distinctly apple flavoured drink.

Hunter’s Dry Bruised apple aromas on the nose which is quite typical of a cider. No mistaking the apples in this one! Textured with far less sweetness and more dryness than its Hunter’s stablemates.

Hunter’s Edge The newest extension to the Hunter’s range, Edge has a bold hops and beer aroma. Its colour is also deeper and darker than the rest. As one taster noted, this is a great crossover or transitional drink – for men who don’t usually drink cider or women who don’t like beer, this is ideal! It manages to offer the best of both worlds.

CIDERS TASTING

Strongbow Gold Apple Freshly grated apple aromas with sweet, rich, golden apple flavour in the mouth. The sweetness was less pronounced and more gentle than on the Original Dry version.

Strongbow Red Berries Frivolous and light with bags of sweet, slightly confected red berry flavour this is hardly like a cider at all. It is juicy and will appeal to a market that enjoys alcopops.

Strongbow Original Dry No mistaking the apples here! Big, bold Golden Delicious apple nose and flavour. Juicy and sweet but no cloying. It’s fresh and juicy with a dry finish.

Panel Choice! Cluver & Jack “Made from real apples” – and you can almost taste the tang of a freshly crunched Granny Smith with every sip. Notably drier than the others with distinct tannin reminiscent of biting into apple skin. Good length.

CIDERS TASTING

Cider’s market share has doubled in the past five years and South Africa is home to the world’s second-largest cider producer in Distell.

Redd’s Original Light-bodied, crisp when chilled and less sweet than some of the others, this is the odd one out in that it’s billed as a ‘flavoured alcoholic blend’ rather than cider. It’s like a gently apple-flavoured shandy.

Savanna Dry Crisp spicy apple with a light ginger nuance. Dry with ample fruity crunch on the palate, it offers up ample refreshment – especially when paired with its traditional lemon segment in the neck adding a touch of acidity.

Savanna Loco The panel commented on the appealing packaging but was somewhat disappointed by the lack of apparent tequila flavour. It still offers generous apple notes but the tasters were expecting more of a distinct tequila taste.

Savanna Blackbeard Seduction starts with the caramel, vanilla and maple syrup spice nose which is immediately apparent – and quite obviously rum! The flavour follows through too with the sweet rum notes quite distinguishable alongside the apple notes.

SS Maori Dry Cider Peppery edge to bruised apple aromas, this cider was very tangy – almost tart – with obviously high acidity. Focussed, clean and fresh, it’s made by the Urban Brewing Co. in Hout Bay.

CIDER TASTING