New England Cider Company

There is something special about this small cidery in Wallingford. I love hard cider and they make some quality stuff. This place does an outstanding job sourcing apples from a number of orchards in Connecticut, as well as surrounding states, and working their magic to make them into delicious hard cider. 

One of our perennial gripes about cider results from it being the refuge of the person who doesn’t like beer and wants a refreshing, effervescent beverage. Nearly all available varieties in your local package store are tooth-achingly sweet and we were often in search of an alternative. NECC does a great job of offering the gamut, from juicy sweet to dry and crisp.

On my first visit, I tried what they called a CranBarrel Cider. This was a hard cider mixed with cranberry juice, and aged in whiskey barrels. This whiskey barrel aging is not like that normal, “Oh I guess it has some whiskey notes.” This very nearly tasted like a mixed drink. It smelled like spirits, sweet apple and tart cranberry. It finished like there was a splash of whiskey in the glass. I've also had their mint cider, which might be the most fragrant beverage I have ever consumed. The herbascious aroma is so powerful that, straight from the tap, it smells like a handful of mint has been muddled in my glass.  

On my last visit to the cider company I tasted 2 ciders that were so great on their own but even better together. The first was their fresh blend. A balanced cider that is back sweetened with some unfermented cider. The other is called their Sumac which is a slightly sour and tart cider that is much more dry. Each are very different and yummy on their own. However, when blended in a glass they are out of this world. The dry, sour, and tart of the sumac which can be a bit strong, are all subdued by the sweetness of the fresh blend, which can be a little too ‘applejuicy’ for some. I purchased a swing top growler of each and spent an evening experimenting with blends.

I found that an even balance of both was really good, but I favored a glass with a little bit more sumac then fresh blend. If you go, do a tasting and do some mixing of your own. It is worth the trip. 

The taproom is small but the staff is friendly and the cider is on point. Also, right down the street is a new brewery called Front porch and not too far away is Cliffside brewing. Make a little trip of it and this place is a no-brainer. Cheers!

Bob and his wife celebrating his Birthday at New England Cider Company back in June 2017