Angry Orchid Knotty Bunch Variety

Knotty Bunch Variety is a mixed pack of hard ciders from Angry Orchard, listed here as an Ohio-based producer. It's a variety pack, so the ciders inside differ from one another, and the 5.0% ABV applies to the pack as listed. The exact flavors in the box aren't given in the details I have, so check the carton for the lineup. Angry Orchard's range is generally built around dessert-apple character, and a pack like this usually spans crisp, tart, and mellower fruit-forward profiles. Expect ciders at this strength to be light-bodied and easy-drinking. They typically show fresh-apple aroma, a clean acidity that keeps the finish bright, and a touch of residual sweetness that varies from one cider to the next. Unlike a hopped beer, there's no real bitterness here, and IBU isn't a meaningful measure for this category. The tartness and carbonation do the work that hops would do in a beer, cutting through richness and refreshing the palate. Serve these well chilled, around 38 to 45°F (3 to 7°C), which keeps the acidity crisp and stops the sweeter bottles from tasting heavy. Colder than that can mute the apple aroma. A tulip glass or a stemless wine glass works best, since the narrowed opening gathers the apple notes. A standard pint glass or the bottle itself is fine for casual drinking. If you're comparing the different ciders in the pack, pour each into a clean glass and taste from driest to sweetest, so the sweeter ones don't dull the palate for the tart ones. On the table, apple cider at this strength suits salty and fatty foods well. Try the drier, tarter ones with sharp cheddar, roast pork, bratwurst, or fried chicken, where the acidity cleans up the richness. The sweeter ones pair with spicy dishes such as barbecue ribs or Thai-style curries, because a little sugar tempers the heat. Any of them also work alongside apple-based desserts, or with a cheese board that includes a soft cheese and sliced pears.