It seems like just a few weeks ago, but back in Nov 2011 we featured three different ciders on the WILK Friday BeerBuzz. Our guest was Woodchuck President & CEO Bret Williams and our ciders were Woodchuck Crisp, Amber and Winter. The ciders were great and it was an amazing contrast to be able to sample them all side-by-side. For anyone who may still think all ciders are the same…try the Woodchuck blends and you’ll see they are each very unique.
A few weeks ago mybeerbuzz.com broke the news that Woodchuck would be bringing their famous Private Reserve Pumpkin Cider to Pennsylvania. The story is here from just a few weeks ago, and much to our pleasure, the Private Reserve Pumpkin Cider was in the studio today for us to sample.
I was really curious to taste a pumpkin cider, and I’ll admit I had a lot of preconceived notions about what it would taste and feel like. It just seemed to me that cider and pumpkin didn’t seem to be a natural combination…but boy was I wrong.
Woodchuck Private Reserve Pumpkin is a wonderful balance of fall pumpkin flavors and the light dryness of a traditional cider. As Woodchuck states, “This is not a pumpkin spiced cider. This is a cider born from real pumpkins. When that natural pumpkin character is balanced against a crisp apple backdrop, the resulting cider is truly one of a kind” and I’ll agree with every word. This is a really nice blend and a really tasty cider so be sure to try it for yourself before it’s all gone.
It was a lot of fun talking to Woodchuck Cider-Maker John Matson today. John really knows a lot about the process of making and blending ciders so he was a really interesting guest. It was also very exciting to hear John explain that Woodchuck Private Reserve Pumpkin was never available in PA prior to this year because the ABV of 6.9% was too high for PA law. We should all be thankful that Bret and everyone at Woodchuck brewed two entirely different batches of their Private Reserve Pumpkin this year. One at 6.9% ABV and another batch at 5.5% ABV for PA and Tennessee.
Be sure to get out and try Woodchuck Private Reserve Pumpkin Cider as well as the rest of their great line-up of ciders TONIGHT @ KRUGELS!! Look for Woodchuck Private Reserve & Amber BOTH ON DRAFT, with some cool giveaways from Woodchuck @ Krugel’s Georgetown Deli & Beer tonight!. I’ve found some new favorites and I suspect you will too.
Thank you to John Matson from Woodchuck
, Nancy, John & Joe for yet another fun Friday.
The Friday BeerBuzz…bringing good beers and good people together.
As always you can ef="http://fridaybeerbuzz.com/">check out the video on-line at the WILK Friday BeerBuzz page by clicking HERE
I was thrilled to find out on www.woodchuck.com that the main ingredient in all their ciders is apples and not, in fact, woodchucks! lol
ReplyDeleteBoth the Private Reserve Pumpkin and Fall Ciders were delicious. Get some of these for after dinner (PERFECT for after Thanksgiving!) or anytime. They're very tasty! Not overly sweet, just right. Fall is the time and Woodchuck is the cider!
Thanks to John Matson from Woodchuck for joining us, to Bill from MyBeerBuzz.com for making it happen once again this week, and thanks to you for listening!
Best,
John
webster@wilknewsradio.com
And be sure to get up to Krugels Georgetown Deli tonight from 5-7PM and sample Woodchuck Private Reserve Pumpkin Cider (And Woodchuck Amber) ON DRAFT!
ReplyDeleteHow do you keep making me want to buy your beer of the day? And today it's cider? This one sounded good so I'll try it tonight at the big cow too. You all have a way of describing a beer that makes me want to drink. Beer magic perhaps? Thank you!
ReplyDeleteEric
My hubby is gluten-intolerant and he practically had his ear pressed to the radio today after getting your beer-club text about Woodchuck coming on. He loves Woodchuck and he never heard of their Pumpkin. I swear he's already sitting outside Krugels waiting for them to tap it. Nice job WILK. Cheers to Woodchuck's John Matson too. Kristen K
ReplyDeleteI started drinking cider after your last Woodchuck show. I think you featured their Winter cider and it was amazing. I've now converted half of my family from wine to Woodchuck and my wife buys it for me almost every weekend too. Cheers to Woodchuck. Keep it coming to PA. Ray (Bear Creek, PA)
ReplyDeleteI'm a hop lover but you have me curious. I'll be @ Krugel's tonight to try the Pumpkin. It sounds good. Mark
ReplyDeleteI know John & Bil are hop lovers too. So how was Pumpkin guys?
ReplyDeleteGuilty as charged. I love hoppy beers BUT I really did enjoy both the Woodchuck Private Reserve Pumpkin and the Fall was really nice too. The pumpkin flavor is subtle, but there is a "gourdy" flavor as John said that is pleasing. The Fall cider it a lot like apple pie in a glass....really nice and spicy and I suspect it will taste even better on a cool fall night....(I'll let you know on that one!)
ReplyDeleteFirst time listener last week. I really love the show and I'll be back. After hearing Mitch Steele from Stone and now Woodchuck's John Matson I'm hooked. You covered both of my favorites in just two weeks! Nice job WILK radio.
ReplyDeleteJen
As you said on your very first show, "Keep an open mind and try it." I've been trying your show beers ever since. I loved the last cider you did from Woodchuck and I am anxious to try the Pumpkin cider. Nice job. Jerry Lemont
ReplyDeleteI love Woodchuck. Thank you for having them on the show. JJ
ReplyDeleteI'll have to try this one for myself. I know you get all the exclusives so I bet it's good. Heny
ReplyDeleteBe sure to try the Woodchuck Private Reserve Pumpkin for yourself @ Krugel's tonight...and yes a big thankt you to Nate & John @ Woodchuck for allowing me to not only break the news of this upcoming special cider, but also be the first to premier it on the radio. Thanks guys!
ReplyDeleteI just found the comments section on your site. Just wanted to say I enjoyed the show today and I already do like Woodchuck. Jenna
ReplyDeleteThanks Jenna. And to everyone...I will be posting comments (yes I do have to moderate them to eliminate the heavy spam load). I have lots more awaiting moderation and I'll get to them asap!
ReplyDeletePrivate Reserve cider. You guys are the best. Will Krugel's have bottles? Ryan
ReplyDeleteRyan...YES Krugel's will have bottles of the Private Reserve Pumpkin. Get it while it lasts!
ReplyDeleteNice show buzzers! I never had a cider yet but I want to try this one. Cheers to Woodchuck.
ReplyDeleteRob
Lost of fun again on the WILK show today. I'll give the cider a try even though I love beer.
ReplyDeleteJess
Nice show. Me too.
ReplyDeleteI'm waiting outside Krugels to get in and try it. I wanted to go at lunch but couldn't. Pumpkin cider sounds great.
ReplyDeleteYour video is great. I like the show even better when I get to watch it back again. In fact I watched it twice to pick up on the Hop Bine versus Vine detail. Nice details Bil!
ReplyDeleteChris
Hey another great guest! Nice show!
ReplyDeleteJim
Thanks everyone. We had a lot of fun today and my apologies for the Honey Boo-Boo reference! ;)
ReplyDeleteNice show and amazing news on the Rhizing Bines Sierra Nevada & Dogfish Head IPA beer. You know too much! TJ
ReplyDeleteToo much fun. I love the show.
ReplyDeleteDave
Woodchuck is my favorite cider. I like their 802 and their Amber too. We buy it all the time so it was exciting to hear them today. Nice job John.
ReplyDeleteGary (Archbald)
This show should be on TV and it should be MY JOB! Thom from TV-land
ReplyDeleteRocking good stuff!
ReplyDeleteNice show guys. I agree on TV. I'd love to see this live. I'm guessing it's a lot of fun to do and I think you do wonderful things for the market too. I too love Woodchuck.
ReplyDeleteWalter J
Thanks everyone. We have a lot of fun every week, and as frightening as TV may be, I'm sure I'd find a way to embarrass myself even more ;)
ReplyDelete