Portand Sangria: Sweet, Mixed Fruit Cider Goodness

Disclaimer: The following review may have been compensated in goods and/or services, but the opinions expressed are 100% those of Great Beer Now.

Craft beer is responsible for spawning many new companies, with everything from new beer distribution businesses to beer themed apparel stores sprouting up across the country. Craft beer has also inspired other, established adult beverage industries to revive, and one of them is cider. I have recently expanded my horizons in a fruity direction and I have discovered some tasty ciders along the way. One happens to be Portland Sangria, a tropical fruit cider.

Seven Different Fruits

Portland Sangria is a pinkish/red- hued cider made with the juices of seven different fruits: Apple, strawberry, elderberry, pear, passionfruit, orange, and lime. The nose on this product is one of tropical fruit and the body of the cider is clean and clear.

With the taste, Portland Sangria is exactly what you would expect. It reminds me of a bowl of party- mixed fruit punch but with added apples and modest alcohol. The passionfruit flavor is the one I noticed first, but the other six fruits certainly make their presence known. Sangria is sweeter than most other ciders, but not excessively so, making it a good choice for those who don’t prefer the mouth- puckering sourness so common to other cider products.

Portland Sangria is light to medium in body with a moderate 5.5 percent alcohol by volume and 180 calories per 12 oz. serving. It is packaged and sold in 22 oz. bomber bottles and in kegs.

Sweet is Good

Portland Cider Company is a relatively young business. Founded in 2012 by husband and wife team Jeff and Lynda Parrish, Portland Cider draws its influence and inspiration from English traditions and from the craft beer culture that is so commonplace in the state of Oregon and surrounding areas.

I have grown increasingly interested as of late in ciders of all types and when I was asked to try this cider as part of the Local Goes Global Campaign, sponsored by Velour Imports, I was happy to oblige. As a beer lover, I am already fully aware of the strong presence of craft beer in the Portland, Oregon area and I wasn’t surprised at all that a cidery would open there, given the already established craft culture and the tendency of locals to prefer adult beverages that are unique and home- brewed.

Portland Sangria is different from other ciders in several ways. First, it is one of the very few ciders I have tried that includes the juices of seven different fruits. Second, it is sweeter than the average cider. This latter distinction is great for those who prefer their beverages a little sweeter than average- a group that often includes newbies to the cider fold. More seasoned cider aficionados will likely say this cider is too sweet for their more mature palates, but I found it okay. I’m actually not a huge fan of the sour ciders out there, but I realize that my tastes may change in the future as I further develop my cider drinking skills and experience.

Sangria mixes up many fruits and I found the balance to my liking in most ways. The passionfruit flavor seems to stand out the most and at first, I wasn’t even sure there were any apples in the mix. I figured there almost had to be some apples, but I wasn’t completely sure until I checked the Portland Cider web site and confirmed. The other fruits tend to drown out the flavor of the apples, even though Portland Cider does use apples- 5 varieties, to be exact- in the production of Sangria.

America’s adult beverage industry has come a long way in the last few decades. Craft beer started it all and still dominates, but it’s nice to see that other beverages are getting in on the action. Portland Sangria is a well- crafted mixed fruit cider and one that deserves a place on your table. It’s a good choice for those who prefer their cider a little sweeter than average and it’s a cider I recommend trying if you get the chance.

 

Rating: 7 cheers out of 10