Like the so-called premium beer category, Australia's booming cider market can be divided into the real thing and the fancy labels. Bland beer under a "premium" label and sugary cider, bearing little resemblance to apples or pears, simply don't cut the mustard for many drinkers.
Committed cider drinkers want the taste of the apple or pear, and perhaps a bit of farmyard grunge in bold styles like scrumpy. And near Canberra we can find it at Reidsdale, just 20 minutes southeast of Braidwood.
Sully's at the Old Cheese Factory makes a range of all-fruit ciders. Says its website, "The apples that we use are genuine cider apples, local heritage cider apples, and local feral seedlings that have been especially selected for their cider qualities".
Sully's cellar door, at the old cheese factory, Reidsdale, opens 11am–4pm Sundays (see braidwood.com.au).
Murray's Rude Boy Pilsner
★★★★
330ml $5.50
Brewer Shawn Sherlock models Rude Boy on the full-bodied, bitter Czech Pilsen style but gives a "new world twist" by adding New Zealand Motueka hops late in the brewing process. This gives the brew a highly aromatic citrus and herb character – a high note that harmonises with the rich and bitter palate.
4 Pines Citrus IPA
★★★½
500ml $9
Not satisfied with the potent, high-alcohol, ultra-hoppy, malty IPA style, the brewers at 4 Pines added "fresh blood orange, grapefruit and lime". However, hops remain the dominant aroma and flavour in this big beer. The lingering, drying, slightly astringent hops finish will appeal to hop heads.
