Downeast Cc Black Cherry

Downeast's Black Cherry cider is a fruit-flavored take on the unfiltered, cloudy style the Boston-area cidery is known for. The details supplied for this listing don't include an ABV, tasting notes or a label description, so what follows describes what to expect from a black cherry cider of this type, not measured figures for this bottle or can. Ciders flavored with black cherry usually show a deep fruit character. Think dark cherry skin, a little almond-like stone-fruit note, and a tart edge that stops the apple base from tasting flat or syrupy. Unfiltered ciders also tend to look hazy and feel softer and rounder on the palate than clear, filtered ones. Expect a medium-bodied cider with fruit-forward aroma, modest acidity and no hop bitterness. Sweetness varies by producer, so check the can or bottle for any dry or semi-sweet designation before you commit to a pairing. Serve it well chilled, around 38 to 45°F (3 to 7°C). That range keeps the cherry tartness bright without dulling the apple. If it's too cold, the fruit aromatics close up. If it warms past about 50°F (10°C), the sweetness can come across as heavy. A tulip glass or a stemmed white wine glass gives the aromas room to gather and shows off the cloudy, ruby-tinged color. A standard pint glass works fine for casual drinking. If the cider is unfiltered, pour gently and decide whether you want the sediment in the glass. Leaving it behind gives a cleaner taste, and mixing it in gives a fuller body. For food, cherry-forward cider suits rich, salty or smoky dishes where the fruit and acidity cut through fat. Good matches include roast pork, glazed ham, charcuterie boards with cured meats and aged cheddar, and baked brie with a nut crust. It also works with barbecue, where the cherry plays against smoke and spice much as a cherry glaze would. For something lighter, try a soft goat cheese or a tart salad with walnuts. Dark chocolate desserts and almond-based pastries echo the cherry-and-almond note, but if the cider is on the sweeter side, keep desserts less sugary so the drink doesn't taste thin by comparison.