This time of year—the season of harvest–sippers often times match their drinks to mirror the sights at the grocery store. Think a bounty of apples on display at the entrance of the produce aisle (cider) or squash set up surrounding the sliding front doors (pumpkin beer), cocktails transition to include spices and brown liquor, seasonal wine drinkers merge into reds with Pinot Noir and other light-bodied warmers. In the height of harvest, hops also are reaped for their bittering agent in not just beer but cider also. Like Portland-based Square Mile Cider Co. and their Spur & Vine, a “classic” cider recipe laced with hops. Using Oregon picked and pressed Red Delicious, Yellow Delicious and Jonagold apples, the cider company ferments with a lager beer yeast then adds a “generous amount” of Galaxy hops during cold conditioning. Spur & Vine is a tart and crisp light-bodied scrumpy, showcasing citrus, slight pine, white peach, juicy apple and a touch of honey.
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