38: Brad Page: The Colorado Cider Company

Denver Wine Radio

This week, Brad Page from Colorado Cider Company in Denver joins Paul to try ciders from his esteemed cidery. Colorado Cider Company is the oldest operating cidery in the state. Owners Brad and Kathe Page have also been planting cider and heirloom variety apples and pears at their property in Hotchkiss since 2012. Some of their most well-known products include the Glider, Dry Glider and Ol' Stumpy, produced in 2011, but they're also known for our unique lemon grass/dry hopped Grasshop-ah as well as other botanical favorites such as Pome Mel (Cyser with rosemary and Lavender) and their session cider Radl'ah.

The first cider on the list is the Colorado Cider Company's Block One Radler. This cider is made from the first planting (2013) of eleven plus cider and heirloom apple varieties at their orchard in Hotchkiss, Colorado. CCC are trying to determine what traditional apples will grow at altitude and produce unique flavorful ciders. They are happy with this first Block One harvest and think you’ll like it too! The 11 heirloom apple varieties are: Yarlington Mill, Golden Russet, Ellis Bitter, Major, Michelin, Kingston Black, Dabinett, Northern Spy, Foxwhelp, Brown’s Apple, and Wickson Crab. For more info and purchase options, click here.

The second option Paul and Brad tasted in this week's episode is Colorado Cider Company's Grasshop-ah. Aromas of lemon zest and cut grass lead to flavors of light hops and a citrus kick of lemongrass. An award winning gateway cider for beer lovers and unique thrill for cider adventurers. A hoppy cider! For purchase options, click here.

Third on this week's tasting list is the Kingston Black Cider. The classic single variety cider apple is considered a ‘bittersharp’ - it has the right balance of tannin and acid. No need to blend with other apples! This is the first single varietal from their orchard in Hotchkiss, Colorado. For information and purchase options, click here.