When I talk about cider to friends, most only know of two ciders off the top of their head.

A. Strongbow – The cider available at pretty much every bar.

B. Growers – The cider you had when you were 17, at some bush party in Northern Alberta.

I will make a bold statement right now, that if I had my choice of both, I’d probably pick B.

There are caveats, of course… Like if there was Guinness to turn that Strongbow into a Crown Float or if the Growers’ flavour was a colour not regularly found in nature.

Mocking Growers will not end with this post. But I have to give them credit. It’s a Canadian company (I hope). They read this blog (and offered to send me some cider – which I had planned to use in a blind taste test – but never received – liquor laws?). But namely for providing a varied range of ciders. For every sweet blueberry cider there’s an extra dry. (Shown above, consumed at a local legion on karaoke night.)

Is extra dry actually extra dry? No!

(In the next week or so, I’ll post a review of the driest cider I’ve ever tried.)

But is it tolerable? Yes!

Would I buy a 6-pack to take home with me? No!

But is it a viable choice when I’m out? Yes!

For a cider that is often too sweet, I’m giving borderline positive reviews to both the Extra Dry and the Granny Smith Apple.  If I didn’t have to buy a full six pack, I’d try a few more! They should have a mix pack.

I hope this post proves I’m pro-cider industry, not just a snob drinker. Though I’ve come to realize I’m pretty much “Anything But Strongbow”.

Even this…