COMPARATIVE LIT ESSAY:
Sadly, peach season is coming to an end as the summer begins to wind down in late August. I hope you’ve had your share of dribble-down-the-chin moments with fresh peaches this summer, but if you haven’t I have three peach ciders that can be enjoyed beyond the bounds of summer if you can find a bottle or can online or at your local. They come from the three northwestern-most states in the US—Washington (Incline’s White Peach), Montana (Western’s Whiskey Peach), and Oregon (Bauman’s Peach Bellini)—which I don’t typically think of as peach states, but they are definitely cider states so let’s let them make their case. And even though they are all peach flavored, the creativity of the cidermakers is on show as all three are incredibly different and hopefully the diversity of peach ciders will produce something perfect for you.
In breaking them down, the White Peach has the best glass appeal with its deep blurry gold color where the Bellini and Whiskey are more standard straw and pale gold colors. The Incline also has the strongest aroma, a deep peach flavor amplified by the hops. Western’s nose clearly smells of old whiskey barrels with some peachiness, but I actually preferred the smell of the Bellini which was slightly sweet and very inviting. The Bellini is clearly the sweetest of the three with Incline the driest. Whiskey Peach probably has the most peach flavor, but it is competing against the smokiness of the whiskey—which wins out as this beverage drinks more like a spirit than a cider. Though Incline has a deep peach aroma, the taste really drops out in the middle phase and the finish is marked by a slightly sour and bitter taste. In this case the hops have overpowered the delicate peach flavor. The Bellini is most like cider of the three and probably has the best mouthfeel and is the easiest to drink.
All of these were good, though none were truly excellent. (Although, maybe I just have a bias against peach ciders?) Even though the Western is technically the best—it’s innovative, well-crafted and earned the highest grade—in choosing the right cider of the three for you, it will come down to your mood as they are all so diverse. Incline’s White Peach is a good drink, but it doesn’t completely come together in a special way. It is not a bad peach cider, but got blown too far off course with the particular hops used. When it comes to the other two, which are very good to outstanding, they can not be more different. Bellini is light, airy and sweet and tastes more like an apple cider. It is kind of like watching a light-hearted comedy show on a Friday night after a long hard week—something simple, fun and easy before bed. On the other hand, Whiskey Peach is a proper drink. Stiff. While the peach is a nice fruity balance and contrast with the clear notes of whiskey and smokiness, you need to be in the mood for a serious drink. And though the world seems to be pressing down on my shoulders at the moment, or maybe be because of it, tonight, I just want the Bellini. May you find the peach cider that best suits your occasion.