Let’s start off strong with this shimmering, dry cider by Buffalo, Minnesota’s Number 12 Cider House. The first of three ciders produced, this is English-style, tart, and sparkles like Champagne. Rumor has it Number 12 may open a tasting room in a hip neighborhood of Minneapolis soon, too. Grab this cider and become a true fan before the bandwagoners pile on.
Brewed for Minneapolis Cider Company, Lion Heart Hard Apple Cider offers a balanced apple profile, honed in for those seeking a lush, crisp, and clean drink. Look for a hint of fruit-forward notes that land in the familiar comfort of apple juiciness. Bonus: Since these are packaged in a four-pack of tall cans, they’re perfect for your fall weekends out of town or just hanging out in the backyard after raking up those leaves.
A mouthful of California sun and plenty of apple substance — think tannins in wine, but crispy apple texture in Boonville Cider House’s Hard Apple Cider. Look for a bite of citrus and fresh apple crunch in the finish. Grab this one before it gets too chilly, or maybe you’ll need a reminder of the sunny coastline later in the fall as Minnesota winter approaches. Either way, stock up.
Sapsucker Farms, located in Mora, Minnesota, makes a variety of ciders under the name Yellow Belly Small Batch Hard Cider, including ginger, barrel-aged, and lemon basil. But of course, they have a classic semi-sweet you probably ought to pick up — and it’s even gluten-free. If you’re ever in Mora, swing by the farm, which also features maple syrup, Minnesota wildflower honey, wild rice, and yes, certified organic apples. Talk about a one-stop shop for the road-tripper.
Minnesota’s fertile, beautiful landscapes and affinity for apple production may be compared to Oregon’s Willamette Valley, where you’ll also find delicious apple ciders. To get a taste for the West Coast bounty, try Traditions Ciderworks’ Amity Rose Dry Cider. Bittersweet apples with tannins for texture make it more complex than your average cider, but that’s a good thing. Can you find the touch of honey notes?
Now that you have a few hard apple ciders to get you started, all you need is your flannel, boots, and weekends cleared to experience the best of beautiful autumn in Minnesota.