Citizen Cider Apple Pie

Citizen Cider's Apple Pie is a Vermont-made cider at 5.2% ABV, built to taste like the dessert it's named after. The brand's own description points to crisp apple flavor with a warming spice character. In a flavored cider like this, expect baking-spice notes such as cinnamon, and possibly nutmeg or clove, over a fresh apple base. The spice is usually the first thing you notice. Cider in this style is generally not dry, so expect some apple sweetness to carry the dessert idea. At 5.2% it sits in the middle of the cider range, strong enough to have body without the weight of a stronger bottling. Serve it well chilled, around 38 to 45°F, which keeps the apple bright and stops the spice from turning heavy. Straight from the refrigerator is fine. If it warms in the glass, the sweetness and spice become more pronounced. A tulip or stemmed beer glass suits it, because the narrowed rim holds the cinnamon-and-apple aroma. A standard pint glass or a wine glass also works. Pour gently, since ciders in this style can foam. The flavor profile points to autumn food. Roast pork loin, pork chops with mustard or apples, and roasted chicken all play off the apple and spice. Sharp aged cheddar and other firm, nutty cheeses cut through the sweetness well. Squash soup, roasted root vegetables, and sausages with sauerkraut or grainy mustard make good savory matches. For dessert, vanilla ice cream, a plain shortbread, or a slice of actual apple pie echoes the flavors. Pairing it with a very sweet dessert tends to make the cider taste thinner, so choose something with some tartness or salt to balance it. Beyond the glass, a few ounces of this cider can go into a pan sauce for pork, or be warmed gently with a cinnamon stick for a seasonal drink. Heat it slowly, because boiling dulls the apple character. Served cold, it's easy to drink on its own, with its dessert-style sweetness and spice.