Stella Artois Cidre (Apple Cider)

With so many bottles, tasting notes and notebooks in the Institute’s South Coast branch, it is not surprising that sometimes things go missing; such was the case with this article. The tasting notes and photographs were taken approximately one year ago, but, as these records were never formalised, you lovely folk never got to the results.

The subject in question was the launch of Stella Artois Cidre (Spring 2011), which was slightly marred, because there was a product recall (some of the bottles had a tendency to explode in people’s fridges; an issue which has now thankfully been resolved). I won’t go into the finer details of their advertising campaign, as they are well set-out in this article on the new Pear variety.

Stella Artois Cidre is made using hand-picked apples and is made to a Belgian recipe. It is bottled at 4.5% ABV.

The Taste

Colour: Bright orange colour, somewhat akin to the artificial glow of Magners or Bulmers.
Taste: Rather effervescent, with an initial dryness which was followed by the sweetness of freshy-pressed apple juice. Served out of the fridge, this is very refreshing and one of the better bottled sparkling ciders available.

With Ice: I don’t think Stella Artois Cidre (apple) improves with ice, as it loses a lot of its flavour, is less fizzy and, ultimately, provides less refreshment.

In Conclusion

A rather good product once you get past the cidre/cider marketing pap; good value for money and worth a punt.