Angry Orchard today announced the launch of Tall Tails, a brand-new line of ciders inspired by cocktails and inspirited by local Hudson Valley legends. The four ciders in the series are now available at the Cider House in Walden, NY and can also be purchased online for shipping directly to customers.
“We’re especially excited about the launch of this cider series because not only is it made with Hudson Valley apples, but it’s also infused with Hudson Valley mythology,” said Joe Gaynor Head Cidermaker at Angry Orchard. “The series highlights the versatility of cider and our very own Cider House, and we can’t wait for current and future fans of cider to discover something new to enjoy!”
The Tall Tails series is a slight departure from the brand’s classic cider creations. Like liquor-based drinks, each Tall Tail can be plussed up with tonic and bitters and classifies as a “ready to drink” cocktail—but despite its cocktail look and feel, the series remains a line of hard ciders.
“With Tall Tails, we wanted to see what lines we could blur between ciders and cocktails,” said Gaynor. “Cider doesn’t have to be simple—and this series is a fun yet inventive reflection of the possibilities for innovation in the cider category.”
Each cider in the series varies in flavor and fairytale. Inspired by the Stone Fence cocktail, the Old Growth cider features notes of brandy, rum, and overcooked apples, a testament to its inspiration drawn from the Balmville Tree legend. With spiritus and floral aromatics and an ABV of 15.56%, Old Growth is sure to make for the perfect beverage for a late summer evening.
Lightest of the bunch is the Ichabod Spritzer, inspired by a Perry Spritzer, with an ABV of 8.0%. Emulating one of the Hudson Valley’s most loved ghost stories with its autumnal notes of pear and apple, the Ichabod Spritzer is named for Ichabod Crane and his ghostly encounter with the infamous Headless Horseman of Sleepy Hollow.
Rounding out the series are the Long Nap and Mountain Lights ciders, inspired by an Old Fashioned and an Elderberry Blossom cocktail, respectively, putting a new twist on old classics and ensuring that there’s a Tall Tail for every palette. Long Nap has an ABV of 11.34% and pays tribute to Washington Irving’s Rip Van Winkle, while Mountain Lights has a similar ABV of 11.75% and makes nod to the old sailors’ legend of Storm King, where the sight of fireflies meant spirits were afoot.
The ciders are now available for purchase in bottles to-go at $35 per bottle, or on draft for on-premises consumption at the Cider House in Walden. The series is also available for shipping direct to consumers through VinoShipper in the following states: AK, AZ, CO, DC, FL, GA, HI, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, LA, MA, MD, ME, MN, MO, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV, WY.
About Angry Orchard Cider Company:
The Cidermakers at Angry Orchard have been experimenting with apple varieties, ingredients and processes to develop hard cider recipes for more than 20 years. The cider makers have travelled the world to find the best apples for cider making and chose specific varieties based on each cider’s desired flavor profile. In fall 2015, Angry Orchard opened a new home for research and development on a historic 60-acre apple orchard in Walden, NY. There, the cider makers will continue to drive experimentation at the Innovation Cider House, and drinkers are welcome to visit for samples of exclusive ciders made on-site. Despite the recent growth of hard cider in the US, the category is still small and relatively unknown. Angry Orchard is committed to drinker education and awareness-building to help grow the category for all craft cider makers.
