WALDEN, N.Y. -- Boston Beer Co.'s Angry Orchard cider aims to capture the taste of tradition in a new limited-time-offer (LTO) line extension available through April.
The cider maker has launched nationally Angry Orchard Tapped Maple, which blends American culinary apples with a hint of maple syrup from Vermont maple trees for a not-too-sweet cider with a bright apple taste.
Because cider making follows a seasonal path alongside apple tree harvests, cider makers are especially tuned into the seasons, according to the company. Angry Orchard Tapped Maple takes inspiration from the late-winter tapping of maple trees to make something completely new.
The base cider is made from culinary apple juice and is quite dry. The maple syrup, rich in flavor and natural maple sweetness, adds a delicate balance and gives the cider a strong maple-forward aroma, the company said.
“Like apples, not all maple syrup is created equal. The flavors can vary significantly from season to season and depending on production techniques,” said Ryan Burk, head cider maker at Angry Orchard, Walden, N.Y. “My team and I visited maple farmers from across the Northeast to dive deeper into the qualities that make maple syrup unique, then took those findings back to our cider house to incorporate this natural sweetener into a dry cider we’d been working on. Ultimately, we found a nice combination with Tapped Maple.”
Angry Orchard Tapped Maple is 5.0% alcohol by volume. It's available now in six-packs and the Winter Orchard Sampler Variety Pack through April 2017. Spiced Apple also is available as a limited release in the Winter Orchard Sampler Variety Pack through April 2017. Suggested retail price for a six-pack is $8.99 to $9.99, and $15.99 to $18.99 for a variety 12-pack.
Members help make our journalism possible. Become a CSP member today and unlock exclusive benefits, including unlimited access to all of our content. Sign up here.