Day 9 of the 6th Annual Advent-ure Calendar
Day 9: Shacksbury Deer Snacks IV Cider
Surprise, this one is a cider! While we really try to limit the calendar to beers, we just could not pass up a Shacksbury cider. They truly make the best ciders on this planet, plus it has a real cute name. Deer Snacks is “a labor of love. Each year we blend wild foraged apples from the Lost Apple Project with orchard fruit to bring you a complex but fun loving cider. For the design, we partner with a different artist each year to give the new vintage a fresh look. This year, that artist is Always With Honor.”
Reflections
Ben: Ok, this cider is super funky. I can already tell that some of our friends will not like this. It’s even funky by Shacksbury standards, but I’m into it. It’s not surprising since it’s fermented with wild yeast, and wild yeast means sourness and funkiness from bacteria too. It mellows a bit as it opens up, so if you find yourself in possession of a can, definitely give it a bit to breathe. It’s not my favorite cider from Shacksbury, but it’s incredibly unique and I will for sure seek it out again.
Julia: I was so excited to add a rogue cider to this year’s calendar, especially because it’s from Shacksbury. I have never had a bad cider from Shacksbury, in fact, they’re the only cider I drink. I was a tad nervous to try this because we received a few reviews before we drank this from some who did not like this at all. Upon first smell, it smells boozy and applely. Upon first sip, it really hits you in the face. It’s wild and funky. It tastes like a sour cider, like a sour beer cider. It takes a second to get used it but I liked it. I could only drink one of these but I appreciate how truly unique it is. It’s more powerful and potent than other Shacksbury ciders. It’s definitely worth a try if you like funky, sour or unique drinks.
Adam: I THINK we’re pushing the limit on calling this a holiday beer seeing as how it’s neither holiday flavored nor beer. That said… it ain’t bad! It’s literally a dry, carbonated apple cider. I could drink a bunch of this (and then be super hungover from the sugar). I want to be drinking it out of an apple shaped container though.
Alex: I honestly normally don’t like ciders. I actually can’t name one that I do like nor do I ever seek them out. That’s why Shacksbury surprised me in that I think I actually like it. It is pretty dry, so I think that’s why I enjoy it. I can’t claim that this strikes me as a holiday beverage. However I can claim that it tastes like apples with some carbonation, it isn’t too sweet, and that’s good enough for me.
Scott: The Dear Snacks IV was completely out of left field. I don’t usually associate ciders with holiday beers but I’ll never turn down a good milked apple drink. It might have been the shock of not realizing this was a cider, but I wasn’t crazy about the first sip but it’s growing on me. I don’t associate this at all with the holidays but it’s pretty refreshing and half a can is just enough for me.
Christa: This beer kind of reminds me of a incredibly spicy wing or pepper (for my veg friends). I take a sip, I cringe. I push it away. But then…I’m kind of interested again and the cycle starts over. I think I like it? As promised, it’s incredibly dry. It’s also quite bitter. But I like it? I don’t know. It hurts in a weird way, guys. Try it for yourselves. For once in 2020, choose what hurts you.
Tony: I’m a little out of my element on this one because I don’t really drink hard ciders so I can’t really tell the difference between a good or bad one. That being said, I didn’t really enjoy this one. I’m just not into the flavor. It says on the can that it finishes “bone dry” and I’d say thats accurate. Its very dry, which is fine, I like dry, but its also very tart and sour. Again, all could be hallmarks of a good hard cider, its just not my thing. It might be better hot? I am a fan of hot mulled wine so maybe it would resemble that if you heated it up? Anyway, if you like hard ciders you may like this but if you’re looking for a holiday cider there was nothing that really said “holiday” to me about this one. I didnt get much spice, it just tasted like an apple hard cider. Its a no-go for me.
Megan: I was looking forward to a cider to spice things up but yikes, no thanks. I appreciate this is a dry cider because sometimes ciders can be too sweet. I also like that there is no sugar added but this is a hard pass for me. If you like sours, maybe give this a try but I think it’s too sour and leaves an unpleasant after taste. You can’t see my face while I drink this, but it isn’t pretty. Sorry friends, I don’t like this one and I don’t think the deer would either.
Brad: I’m confused why this is called Deer Snacks IV. Were the first 3 not good enough to keep the recipe? If that’s the case, they have a lot of work left. This is just not good in my opinion. If I take a sip of a beverage and I can’t stop making weird mouth expressions, I’m not going to force myself to finish the can. I normally enjoy a cider or two but this just isn’t for me which is surprising, because i love apples. Can art is good at least.
Heather: Omg get this out of my mouth. I get ciders. I love ciders, usually. This. Is. Not. Good. It seriously tastes like rotten apples dipped in sweat. I don’t understand what just happened.