It’s apple harvesting time in the Gallatin Valley, and if you like your cider kicked up a notch you’ll love the assignment we recently completed. Angry Orchard sent out three varieties of hard cider for us to compare; their newest variety Easy Apple is a less sweet, refreshing and easy-to-drink hard cider, we compared it to Angry Orchard’s Crisp Apple and Stone Dry flavors.

Easy Apple is an unfiltered apple cider with fruity and tart layers ending with a tangy bite on the tongue. We found it refreshing and liked the unfiltered aspects. Easy Apple 6-pack bottles are currently only available in: RI, WA, OR, ID, MT, AK. It’s 4.2% alcohol by volume makes it the least alcoholic of this sampling.

Crisp Apple has a bright, crisp apple flavor. Angry Orchard compares it to biting into a fresh apple, we compared it to enjoying a glass of apple juice. It’s natural flavor and fruity tones reminded us of a mead or wine, it is sweet-smelling and has a smooth finish, and has a hint of Green Apple Jolly Rancher. Crisp Apple is available year-round and carries a 5% alcohol by volume.

Stone Dry is Angry Orchard’s twist on a traditional English dry cider, and it was our favorite of the three. We enjoyed it’s bubbly effervescence and it’s balance of sweet and tart. With 5.5% alcohol by volume it packs the biggest punch and is also available year-round.

All Angry Orchard ciders are gluten free and a good alternative to the many heavier alcoholic beverage options. Give Easy Apple or another Angry Orchard variety a try the next time you stop at a local spot for drink, or pick up a 6-pack at your favorite beverage retailer.

Cheers, and happy Oktober!