With a rich past ruled by beer barons to a diverse brewery scene Milwaukee is a city synonymous with beer; there’s not a corner you can’t turn without running into a bar, but it’s cider season, so we’re talking to Cache Cider and Pomona Cider Co. about their recommendations if you stop by.
Cache Cider, located in Bay View, opened in fall 2020. Owner Ethen Keller opened the cider brewery to shine a light on Milwaukee’s rich orchards – placing them at the forefront of the brewery as each cider is made from a single apple. His love for apples shines through the unique flavors that patrons can enjoy.
“I guarantee no other cidery on earth sells some of the ciders I sell, because no one offers some of these extremely rare apples turned into single varietal ciders,” said Keller.
It’s time to pick your Milwaukee favorites for the year!
With an extensive list of ciders to choose from here are just four of Keller’s personal recommendations that are available in bottles and on tap.
The Redfield is a cross between a Wisconsin Wolf River apple and a Russian Niedzwetzkyana apple. With notes of raspberry, mild acidity and a slight tartness, this cider provides a rustic flavor rich in fruit.
The Pink Pearl, made with an apple from California, provides a sweeter candylike flavor with little bitterness following it.
The Winter Redflesh, from South Dakota, brings a dynamic set of flavors. This cider is on the sweeter side, but has hints of smokiness, acidity and bitterness making for a hearty profile.
The Burford Redflesh is made with a 300 year old apple type that comes from Virginia and is older than the constitution. This cider has a cranberry profile backed by a strong tart bitterness.
Pomona Cider Co. opened its doors to the public in April of last year. The brewery shares an orchard with Island Orchard in Door County, giving the East Side brewery ample access to high quality ingredients.
“Our cider business is special because we have our own orchard and we grow the fruit that we make into cider,” said co-owner Bob Purman.
Pomona Cider Co. offers plenty of its own brews along with Island Orchard’s award-winning drink list. Here are some of their recs:
The Oloroso is made from brut apples aged for eight months; this cider offers a full body flavor profile with hints of raisin and wood.
The Wailer is made with an apple base steeped with Bittercube Jamaican No. 1 Bitters and sweetened with agave. This cider is dynamically sweet, spicy and bitter offering a sweet punch of a flavor profile.
The True North is brewed from a northern spy apple through the Charmat Method which is used for prosecco. Where the cider is fermented in a pressure tank allowing for natural carbonation from the CO2 released from the fruit, the cider is then kegged once the process is finished. This cider is simple and fresh, allowing for the apple to shine.
The Kingston Black, from Island Orchard, this English cider apple is renowned for its full body, high tannin and balanced flavor. This is a lively and full cider that highlights the quality of apples that call Island Orchard home.
