COMPARATIVE LIT ESSAY:
In many ways blackcurrants are an underappreciated fruit as they are not widely eaten raw, and in the case of the U.S. they aren’t even widely known because they primarily grown in Europe and Oceana. But people there know these small black berries produce a big tart taste and can be found flavoring all sorts of foods. While it is no surprise that Irish Magners would add it to their Berry cider, it is more surprising to see a Texan cider maker feature it so prominently. Indeed, Bishop Cider Company put that tart and astringent flavor more front and center (which I appreciated and enjoyed).
In comparing the two, the colors contrast pretty sharply. Berry is a bright bubblegum pink when poured where Bishop’s The Dark Cide is thick, opaque and brooding. If it is blackcurrant you are after it is definitely more prominently featured in the Dark Cide which has a tart, almost bitter, flavor. Magners’ Berry has a light and sweet cordial-like nose with a lighter, smoother mouthfeel. It is really sweet. The Dark Cide is sharper and heavier. After a sharp start the drink really comes alive in the finish with a rich jammy tartness that is well balanced. Even though the finish isn’t long, it gives plenty of tartness. (I also recommend letting this one breathe a bit first to really open up those flavors)
The verdict then is in favor of the Dark Cide. At one level doesn’t make much sense because what do Texans know about blackcurrants? But at another level it makes sense because, though not bad, Magners’ Berry is essentially the alcoholic version of a cordial, and you know that no one really loves cordial, but they serve it at events because it is cheap and tastes a bit better and is ever so slightly fancier than serving plain water. (Americans, this is the equivalent of serving Kool-Aid or powdered lemonade at a potluck) So, is Berry nice and drinkable and maybe a tad too sweet? Yes. So, if you want more of a grown up drink and can handle some sophisticated tartness that is simultaneously immature and irreverent, try the Dark Cide.