What do you get when you find a wooden nickel for a free pour? You plan a short trip and day drink. On a random Friday (or last Friday to be specific) afternoon, we did just that.
Sacrilegious Ciderworks is an extension of a winery (Vine Street Cellars) right in the middle of the town square. It was a comfortable and well-kept establishment with a decent wine selection. We didn’t go there for wine, which gives us a reason to go back.
Bitter Melon
6.0% Abv
This one has just the tiniest taste of tart with a melon flavor.
Black Cherry
5.0% Abv
Slightly sweeter than the Bitter Melon, but also slightly drier.
Grandma’s Butter Cookie
5.5% Abv
You won’t taste the cookies that you anticipate, but you can get a hint of butter.
Jalapeno
6.0% Abv
You can definitely smell the jalapeno, and the flavor is there without the heat of the pepper. We tried these in order from dry to sweet, but this one seemed to take a step back.
Peach Fuzz
5.0% Abv
Super sweet! Good strong peach flavor and aroma, but you can tell this was accomplished by adding syrup.
Strawberry Basil
6.0% Abv
Great aroma and strong flavor. Not sure I tasted the basil, but there were bits of strawberry floating in the cider (hopefully on purpose).
Overall Score: 89 for taste and 75 for the process. I would have appreciated their process more if these were infused flavors (even though I’m not a huge fan of that process), but instead, they took their base cider and added a variety of syrups. This makes a HUGE difference, and I probably expected more from a winery. Mainly because the process is not that much different.
Keg Creek Brewing is gearing up for a big move (9/18), so I’m glad we were able to visit the current location (old Kizzier Fuel Station). Dave gave us the 25¢ tour, and it was awesome! He simply talked about all the beers on tap, but his enthusiasm and hospitality made it great! Thanks, Dave!
Sharp Street Stout
5.3% Abv
Overall Score: 91
Dave told us that once you taste this one you won’t want any other stout. He was right about! No bullshit flavoring…very robust flavor that almost tastes like roasted or burnt (on purpose) coffee.
Waseya Cream Ale
4.8% Abv
Overall Score: 90
This was their lightest beer, clear and very light cream taste and creamy texture. Good light beer…refreshing choice if you need a beer after doing yard work.
Barrel Age Breakdown Brown
7.8% Abv
Overall Score: 87
Bourbon barrel roasted plain brown…decent beer with a strong alcohol taste, but nothing special.
Apricot DIPA
9.44% Abv
Overall Score: 96
Oh man, that’s good! Cloudy, sweet and slightly tart. Thicker texture and apricot funk…Damn, that’s good! IPA’s are among my least favorite beers and this DIPA has stolen the show. Get this one!
Jake’s Big Honey
8.7% Abv
Overall Score: 92
A saison that has twice the honey and is stronger than the normal saison batch. This was an apprentice mistake with an amazing result. It’s so smooth you’ll get drunk and forget that you were even drinking beer. Farmhouse honey sweetness!
…a few others to mention.
Citrafiable Pale Ale
6.02% Abv
Dry and bitter
Overall Score: 89
Bunny Style IPA
6.6% Abv
Tastes like a pale ale or super light IPA. Easy drinking but nothing distinguishing.
Overall Score: 86
Bespoke IPA
8.5% Abv
Malty finish, perfect bitterness…good IPA.
Overall Score: 88
We’re looking forward to the grand opening of the new location! I think mostly because Dave gives great tours!
Mimi Confidential 