Drink #14 Woodchuck Amber Cider
2.3.2012
I used to dance randomly in public, a lot. Like, all the time. Music in the grocery store? I’m dancing while shopping for Corn Pops. Music coming from cars driving down the road? I’m dancing in the cross walk. Music in the bathroom? I bop my head so as to not dribble on the floor. No music? There is always a song in my head. Dancing, dancing.
You get the point.
But my point to the point? I don’t random-dance like that as much anymore. But I found that it’s still very much a part of how I physically react to foods and experiences I really like. Sometimes before I even get a chance to exclaim “This is a really great steak!” I’d doing a little jig in the steakhouse booth.
It’s like a tell. If I ever played poker, I’d probably Walk Like An Egyptian before calling “Uno!”
I’ve never played poker.
Ok, my point to my point to my point? (thanks for sticking with me) I was damn-near treating my cider bottle like a microphone as I krumpt’d moonwalked through my kitchen after just my first sip. Because tonight I tried my firstdrink of Woodchuck Amber Hard Cider.
You know, I think I could literally swig cider all night. Its a really delicious, refreshing drink. You can taste the tangy apples, a touch of lemon, its mulled aspect of the cidering with some slight warm spices - a tiny hint of cloves? pepper? brown sugar? And it’s crisp, warm, and sweet with a slight alcohol flavor more similar to the wines I’ve tried than the beers.
It’s not complex, but it’s familiar and it’s got some depth.
If you’re not familiar with cider–and honestly, I wasn’t other than knowing my husband loves it–its a fermented apple drink that used to be more popular than beer back in the day.
And I was surprised to learn it’s more closely related to wine in it’s formation than beer. Maybe its the size and shape of the bottle that brings the beer references, but I could dance taste the slight similarities.
[Do I boast that the virgin could tell slight differences in a drink drawing lines between beer and wine? No, patience. The mountains of fanmail will speak for itself.]
DANCE BREAK!
(yes, that’s really me)
This was another drink I was just having at home by the way, chilling out watching network tv, cooking some fish and snuggling in with the husband and cats. I am a wild man: you don’t have to tell me.
But let’s talk about the cider again for a moment. Part of my will power is being heavily tested on this journey. While I may break the rule of having more than one drink per drink now and again, I really am committed to leaving each new drink behind for the next Adventure as the year continues. It just makes sense in my head for the project.
Amaretto sour, Corona w/ lime, Old Fashioned, Magic Hat #9 and now Woodchuck are making that difficult, I won’t lie. But, I exercised my will power for many many dry years. Waiting until I’m done with 2012 before enjoying a particular drink again should be a snap–assuming I even drink again after the end of the Adventure.
But, as always, the cider is finished, I’ve broken a sweat from all my dancing and it’s time to rest up before my next firstdrink that happens to be taking place tomorrow in Annapolis, MD for a friend’s birthday dinner. I’ll be trying my first gin drink with a Tom Collins. And then drink #16 will be a New Castle during the Super Bowl.
Until then–Cheers my friends, Ben
PS: Don’t forget to check out details for my #firstdrinkHappyHour for charity this month in DC and also be looking out for my upcoming request to help me pick out my 20th drink for the Adventure–I’m looking for something unique, different, regional or original.