With just shy of two million check-ins, "Imperial / Double" stouts ranked as the seventh highest beer style on Untappd in 2021. And for good reason. Recognized for its rich, strong style, the imperial stout typically pours black in color with a sweet, malty profile. And lately these imperial versions have just become boozier, darker, and more indulgent.
Some of the highest-rated versions on the app include: Goose Island's Bourbon County Brand Reserve Blanton's Stout (2021), Dogfish Head's Utopias Barrel-Aged World Wide Stout (2021), and Perennial Artisan Ales' Abraxas.
So it's really no surprise that our Untappd Insiders chose the "Imperial / Double" stout to represent the next "Super Style" badge available ONLY TO UNTAPPD INSIDERS.
Remind Me, What Are the "Super Style" Badges?
Last year, Untappd released its Top Ten Styles of 2021. Based on this list, we made six badges from these top styles. Our "Super Style" badges get a golden Insider makeover before we release them at various points throughout the year.
As an Untappd Insider, you'll have the exclusive opportunity to earn these "Super Style" badges by checking in that style of beer during the time it's live.
Lagunitas doesn't brew ordinary, and their latest release proves exactly that.
Introducing hard tea brewed the hard way from Lagunitas master brewers.
Disorderly TeaHouse is made from real Guayusa Tea leaves punched up with fruit flavors.
100 calories, 0g sugar, and gluten-free. Nothing artificial. Pure Lagunitas rebellion. Word.
WTF is Guayusa? Guayusa (gwai • yoo • suh) is an Ecuadorian tea that comes from a tree that actually helps rehabilitate damaged rainforests. Lagunitas works with small farmers that sustainably farm the trees by hand.
Lagunitas is rollin' out with three delicious flavors: Mixed-Up Berries, with a minor infraction of sweet raspberry and blackberry fruitiness; Yuzu Lemon Squeeze, which puts a way-more-refreshing spin on the classic iced-tea-with-lemon combo and adds a whisp of aromatic, tart Yuzu citrus; and Peach Slice, with just enough slightly-sweet, summery-spree peachiness. All of that on top of Guayusa's crisp, tart, and herbal earthiness.
Boldly brewed. Subtly sweet. Ready for your Untapping!
To earn each of these three badges: Check-in one (1) each of Lagunitas Disorderly TeaHouse - Peach Slice, Mixed-Up Berries, and Yuzu Lemon Squeeze between July 1 and August 1, 2022 to earn the related badge.
But overall, we wanted to "check-in" and see what you all consider the top-rated beers in the first six months of 2022 (i.e. Jan. 1st, 2022, to June 31st, 2022).
You'll find some heavy hitters along with a few surprises below…
There is something so poetic about a farmhouse ale. Sipping on one evokes visions of fields of golden grain waving in the wind and bucolic farms filled with rolling hills, pastures, and meadows.
Which isn't too far off, considering that farmhouse ales gained their name from those very places.
Traditionally, brewers in France and Belgium made these beers in the winter, storing them until they were ready during the hot summer months, when laborers would drink them throughout the day as they tended the crops.
Often referred to as saisonniers in French, these farmhands drank beer for the people. We're not talking about expensive ingredients and crazy adjuncts here. Local town folk made these beers with whatever they had on hand, often crops leftover from the previous year.
These are simple beers reminding us of simpler times.
French vs. Belgian Farmhouse Ales
Photography courtesy of Journal Le Soir
Throughout history, farmhouse ales picked up nuances based on where they were brewed.
For example, in France farmhouse ales became known as bière de garde ("beer to keep" in French). Capturing more of the funkiness of farmhouse ales, French bière de gardes were also a little sweeter.
On the other hand, in Belgium, saisons (literally translating to season) dominated. These beers run a bit more of the flavor spectrum, fluctuating from crisp and hoppy to tart and sweet.
What Defines a Farmhouse Ale?
Photography courtesy of John A. Paradiso
More of a category than a single style of beers, farmhouse ales usually encompass a variety of beers such as saison, bière de garde, grisette, and sahti. But in general, farmhouse ales have similar features. Mainly, these beers are effervescent and sunny with a touch of funk often described as hay.
Hey, another farmhouse reference. See what we did there?
We tend to drink farmhouse ales in the warmer months because they're thirst-quenchers—dry, but crisp and light, yet packed with flavor. Consider farmhouse ales like the goldilocks of beers—they're just right.
The Rise and Fall and Rise of Farmhouse Ales
Photography courtesy of John A. Paradiso
As one can imagine, the popularity of farmhouse ales correlated directly with the rise and fall of farming.
With the advent of the industrial revolution and the regression of farming, farmhouse ales...well, almost bought the farm.
But today, the modern craft beer industry has breathed life back into this country craft. Sure, brewers no longer make farmhouse ales for those out picking crops and toiling in the fields, but that doesn't mean we can't enjoy them out on the back patio or in a beer garden.
Many breweries around the world have hung their hat on these homesteading beers, but two in particular have perfected this pastoral pastrime: Hill Farmstead Brewery and Side Project Brewing.
Unsurprisingly, you'll see the list below dominated by these agrarian beasts.
Whether it's a saison or a bière de garde, sipping on one of these brings us back to a simpler time.
Summer time is time to celebrate. 2022 gives us even more to toast since the United Nations is recognizing 2022 as the 'International Year of Glass' (IYOG).
Glass beer bottles are made of four simple, natural ingredients – silica sand, limestone, soda ash, and recycled glass. It's '100% recyclable', over and over, and can go from curbside recycling back to the shelves as a new bottle in as little as thirty days. Glass' pure ingredients mean it protects the beer inside. It tastes the way the brewery intended – no metallic aftertaste.
Since summer gives you so much to celebrate, we're launching a new badge dedicated to the International Year of Glass. After some much-deserved fun in the sun, you and your friends can raise your beers high to make a toast. There's no better sound than the clinking of glass bottles.
Join us this summer to raise a cold glass bottle of beer as we say "cheers" to glass! There's no better way to celebrate than with a 100% recyclable bottle that keeps beer cold, fresh, and delicious.
To earn this badge: Check-in any two (2) beers with the serving style of Bottle, levels up every 2 check-ins up to Level 5. Check-in between June 21 and August 9, 2022.
As part of the Next Glass commitment to promote equality, diversity, and inclusion at our company and within the tech and alcohol industries, we are happy to sponsor* one student's attendance at the Fermentation Short Course Program at Appalachian State.
Taught from August 8-12 2022 of this year, the program is "intended for those working within the Brewing Industry and the Advanced Home Brewer; specifically, those considering starting a business or intent on increasing their proficiency and understanding of Fundamental Brewing Principles and Technologies."
We invite those interested to apply by following the steps outlined below. We are sharing the message across all of our social media channels with the hopes of getting a diverse group of people to apply – so feel free to share this message!
Please submit your application by July 6, 2022. The winner will be notified by email.
*cost of course, travel, and lodging.
Application Requirements:
First and Last Name
Email Address
City and State of Residence
Available to attend Fermentation Short Course Program at App State in Boone, NC between August 8 and August 12, 2022. Y/N
Current Employer & Role:
Please Describe Your Current Level of Brewing Experience:
Questions - both questions should be answered in short essay format (500 words or less per response):
How has the beer industry/community impacted your life?
How will this scholarship help you in furthering your career in the brewing industry?
Astonishingly in our list of "The Top Ten Styles of 2021," beers in the Sour - Fruited category clocked in fourth overall with just a hair over 3M check-ins. Interestingly enough, these tart renditions, known for leveraging a cornucopia of different fruits, were the only "non-IPA" style to make it into the top five of the year.
The normal brewing rules do not apply when it comes to sour, so it seems these often tongue-twisting and cheek-puckering beers are continuing to attract craft beer fans.
You probably won't be surprised to see sour pros topping this list including Evil Twin Brewing NYC and Mortalis Brewing Company.
These are breweries who have perfected the pucker.
But First, What Is a Fruited Sour?
Image courtesy of Evil Twin Brewing NYC
Sour beers in general leverage natural microflora like Brettanomyces (often known as just Brett), Lactobacillus (often referred to as "lacto"), or Pediococcus (sometimes known just simply as "pedio") to create the incredible funky and intense flavors.
Brewers can introduce that bacteria themselves, making the beer a kettle sour. Or they can let nature do the work by introducing the beer to the wild, open air, often called spontaneous fermentation.
But it's the crucial act of adding fruit that makes a fruited sour.
Did we mention that fruited sours often incorporate a myriad of produce? We've seen everything (and we mean everything), including: peaches, blackberries, raspberries, blueberries, mango, plums, passionfruit, pineapples, lychee…the shopping list goes on and on.
We've only scratched the surface of possibilities here. But we'll let breweries like Evil Twin and Mortalis, who dominate this list, continue to wow us with their wonders.
It's the Summer of Sippin'! Meet Sippin' Lemonade - our newest year-round, delightfully effervescent, and refreshing Sour Ale. Brewed with real lemons and cane sugar, the flavor swings between sweet and tart to create a perfectly balanced brew that soaks up the sun.
Grab some big summer energy and enter the Sippin' and Grillin' sweepstakes for your chance to win an Odell Summer Prize Pack that includes a TRAEGER TAILGATER PELLET GRILL. Enter at WWW.ODELLSIPPINANDGRILLINSWEEPS.COM or text ""SIPPIN"" to 855-933-4223. Sweepstakes ends July 31, 2022.
Find all three Sippin' brands - Pretty, Tropical, and now Sippin' Lemonade Sour Ale - on draft or in 6-pack cans near you: Beer Finder
To earn the "Odell Sippin' Summer: Sippin' Lemonade" badge: Check-in one (1) Sippin' Lemonade from Odell Brewing Co between June 13 and August 24, 2022
To earn the "Odell Sippin' Summer: Sippin' Tropical Sour" badge: Check-in one (1) Sippin' Tropical Sour from Odell Brewing Co between June 13 and August 24, 2022
To earn the "Odell Sippin' Summer: Sippin' Pretty" badge: Check-in one (1) Sippin' Pretty from Odell Brewing Co between June 13 and August 24, 2022
Do you enjoy getting beer shipped right to your door? According to state law, California breweries have always had the ability to ship Direct-to-Consumer (DtC).
But now, that opportunity may be in jeopardy.
Under the Supreme Court's 2005 Granholm v Heald opinion, a state cannot constitutionally allow in-state producers to ship directly to consumers while denying that same right to out-of-state brewers.
The California Craft Brewers Association (CCBA) wants to harmonize state law with federal law to protect our existing privileges.
SB 1198 (McGuire) protects the longstanding privileges of the craft beer industry to continue to ship beer Direct-to-Consumer. Without this legislation, beer clubs could be forced to shut down, beer tourism would come to a halt, and beer deliveries won't make it to your door.
The bill has already made it from the Senate to the Assembly. It just needs a little more love for the legislature to officially pass it.
The California craft beer industry needs our help!
Today, we enjoy virtual happy hours and read beer news on mobile devices. And while you can find beer apps that share homebrewing techniques, and others that allow you to "check-in" and keep track of beers (our personal favorite), there previously hasn't been a way to brew virtual beer.
Until now.
Set to release this year on the popular Steam platform, Brewmaster is a simulator designed by Auroch Digital and published by Sold Out that captures an authentic homebrewing experience.
When it releases later in 2022, the game will focus on all parts of the beermaking process, from recipe construction to mashing in, the boil, and yeast and hop additions. You'll even bottle and label your beer and enter it into competitions.
"Within Auroch Digital, there are a bunch of us that are into beer…we also have some homebrewers…so we're interested in the many different types of beer, the history of brewing, and the craft of how you brew beer," says Tomas Rawlings, studio director at Auroch Digital. "As game developers, we tend to view our interests through the lens of video games. This got us thinking: 'How can a video game help us to express that interest? How can we make the craft of brewing in a form that is true to the art but also opens it up to new people?'"
Photography courtesy of Auroch Digital
Brewmaster offers two options to help players realize their brewing dreams. First, the story-led Brewmaster mode lets you build a home brewery from the ground-up. You'll create your own recipes and enter them into friendly competitions, building brewer cred by winning beer tokens that you can use to unlock upgrades–that range from advanced equipment to BeerAdvocate and Untappd glassware and Hop Culture festival posters. In Creative Mode, users experiment in a sandbox with everything unlocked.
"For me the broader goal of the game is to teach people about homebrewing and get them into the hobby in an accessible and fun way," says Matt Bone, principal designer. "It's about lowering the barrier of entry to the homebrewing world. In the game itself, the player will be working their way up from a novice brewer by completing jobs and entering competitions, until they're a fully-fledged Brewmaster working with local breweries to release their homebrewed concoctions."
Prior to Brewmaster, the Auroch Digital team worked with the European Space Agency to create Mars Horizon, a simulator that allows players to start their own space agency and lead a mission to Mars. With Brewmaster, the same team has built an entire virtual world of realistic beer brewing to help players become the ultimate brewmaster.
Photography courtesy of Auroch Digital
Within the game, users leverage state-of-the art equipment and real-world ingredients, following recipes to craft their best beers. The best part? Users don't need a PhD in chemistry or biology to play.
"We want Brewmaster to be a space that both brewers and non-brewers will enjoy immersing themselves into to relax and unwind," says Rawlings. "This means that the game strives to authentically represent the chemical processes that go on when you're brewing beer. So it's not just 'click to add hops'- it's about selecting the right type of hops for the beer you want to brew, putting in the right amount, at the right temperature, and at the right time."
Playing Brewmaster is the perfect way to dabble in homebrewing, hone skills, and understand the business and science of an awesome hobby. The only missing piece? Getting to drink your homemade creations at the end. But you can still pour your beers in a virtual taproom and you won't need to endure the hassle of equipment storage, or an intense cleanup!
Photography courtesy of Auroch Digital
Brewmaster will be available on Steam for Windows PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and Nintendo Switch this year. If you want a sneak peek, check out the FREE demo at Steam Next Fest, which is taking place from June 13th to June 20th. And then stay updated on the official release date by joining the Brewmaster mailing list, following on Twitter, and joining the Discord chat.
Please Note: Videos and images on this page are from an early build still in development and are not reflective of the final quality. Follow the game to stay updated as development of Brewmaster progresses.
Photography courtesy of Jesse Levi Hummel of Throvv
Grab a hatchet, take a deep breath, cock your arm behind your head, and propel an axe forward toward a target. You've just become an axe thrower.
Urban axe throwing has taken the world by storm. In 2015, Mario Zelaya, the founder of Bad Axe Throwing, one of the largest urban axe throwing companies in North America, decided he wanted to take axe throwing to a competitive level.
Zelaya created the World Axe Throwing League (WATL) to formalize rules around axe throwing and start a league where players could compete globally.
Since then, axe throwing has exploded.
Photography courtesy of Jesse Levi Hummel of Throvv
"Once you hit that first bullseye, you get this adrenaline rush," says Mike Morton, the current commissioner of WATL. "Even just landing on the board for the first time, it was like, 'Wow, I can do this.'"
WATL itself now has over 400 individual venues and 350 companies and organizations that are members. In the course of one year, the organization will host three major competitions including The Canadian Open (on pause due to COVID), the World Axe Throwing Championships, the U.S. Open, which will be broadcast on ESPN on July 17th, 2022.
And most recently, the league recorded 5,600 throwers in their latest season. Up from around 1,000 members a couple years ago.
"Axe throwing is something everyone should experience at one time," says Morton. "It's a combination of fun, family, and community all together. With maybe a bit of competition thrown in there for spice at times."
What Is Axe Throwing?
Photography courtesy of Jesse Levi Hummel of Throvv
The concept of the sport itself though is fairly simple: Throw a hatchet towards a target and attempt to hit the board.
Depending on where the axe lands, you receive a certain number of points. Similar to the game of darts or archery.
Beyond the board though, axe throwing has become an activity that inspires camaraderie for those who truly jump down the rabbit hole.
"It's a group that is so accepting of everybody no matter where they're from, no matter who they are, no matter their gender, race, religious or political beliefs," says Morton. "Ultimately, what it all comes down to is everyone is an axe thrower."
And whether you're a seasoned axe thrower, a budding pro, or you haven't even heard of the sport yet, consider International Axe Throwing Day a great time to celebrate this unique sport.
What Is International Axe Throwing Day?
Photography courtesy of Jesse Levi Hummel of Throvv
Taking place this year on June 13th, 2022, International Axe Throwing Day celebrates all aspects of the sport.
WATL officially hosts the holiday that is, "For those around the globe who share our passion for axe throwing," writes the organization on its website. "The World Axe Throwing League celebrates International Axe Throwing Day to raise awareness and unify axe throwing as a bonafide sport. As fun and offbeat as this sport is, axe throwing is an inclusive activity everyone can enjoy. We bring together all WATL Axe Throwing Clubs from around the world to celebrate the sport."
In years past, WATL has attempted to break world records. For example, in 2020, WATL set a World Record for the Most Axes Thrown Simultaneously at a Target with over 400 throwers contributing to the monumental event.
But this year, WATL wanted to take a different tact.
"[We wanted to] communicate to the world that we're not all big beer-drinking, bearded men," says Morton.
To that end, WATL will be hosting a series of one-on-one interviews over the course of the day featuring three axe throwers from the Women's Axe Council.
What Is the Women's Axe Council?
Photography courtesy of Jesse Levi Hummel of Throvv
Started by Rachel Rowell, who also owns an axe throwing venue called Blades and Boards, the group includes nine women working in axe throwing to identify barriers and provide recommendations on how to overcome any potential hurdles in the industry. Top of mind will be empowering women at axe throwing venues and competitions.
"We want a safe space, not a room filled with testosterone," says Katelyn Garrow, a member of the council and competitive axe thrower. "All these ladies want to get together and talk about our problems in our community and [explore] how we can build up our own base of women in each venue. We all come from around the world, so how do we bring this home?"
To that end, the Women's Axe Council will be starting a variety of initiatives this year to create safer spaces in axe throwing. Such as hosting tournaments that will raise money to give back to the community and running clinics hosted by big name axe throwers (both men and women) that encourage women to come out and try picking up an axe no matter their skill level.
"We all want a lot more women in the sport, we want to grow the women already in the sport, and we want to bring in new women who want to make sure it's an inclusive environment," says Garrow.
Tune in to WATL's broadcast during International Axe Throwing Day on June 13th, 2022, to hear more from Garrow about the Women's Axe Council and their upcoming events.
International Axe Throwing Day Badge
In the spirit of celebrating the incredible axe throwing community, Untappd will be celebrating with a special Untappd Badge.
To earn this badge: Check-in any one (1) beer from June 11, 2022 to June 13, 2022, to unlock the International Axe Throwing Day (2022) badge.
But if you're looking to do more than just earn a badge and perhaps pick up an axe, a great place to start is WATL's website, where you can find an entire interactive map of axe throwing locations.
"All it takes is checking out a venue, finding out when they're open, walking in, and saying, 'Hey, I want to learn how to be an axe thrower,'" says Morton. "They're going to take you in, they'll teach you how to throw safely, and they'll teach you how to rotate the axe so you hit the board and you get that rush of amazement when you hit the bullseye and your kill shot."
Photography courtesy of Tired Hands Brewing Company and Omnipollo
While Cold IPAs, hard seltzers, and dessert-inspired sours have taken the industry by storm, undoubtedly one of the most trendy and talked-about beer styles of the past decade is the hazy IPA. In April, we drilled down the data on the "The 20 Best Hazy / New England-Style IPAs of 2022". And while the OG style is certainly one of our favorites, the milkshake IPA is perhaps the most intriguing interpretation of this category.
Classic hazy IPA producing breweries include New England-based breweries The Alchemist, Tree House, and Trillium, but these beers have popped up all around the world, leading to new riffs and remixes.
For instance, we've seen hazies doubled, tripled, and even quadrupled.
We've seen New England-style IPAs dry-hopped, double dry-hopped, triple dry-hopped, and cryo-hopped.
However, one of the most exciting continuations of the style is the milkshake IPA.
What Is a Milkshake IPA?
Photography courtesy of Great Notion Brewing
Originating from Stockholm's Omnipollo as well as Philadelphia's Tired Hands, the milkshake IPA has a few key components.
Mainly, a combination of unfermentable milk sugar (lactose), fruit, and hops define the style. All those ingredients contribute to a velvety smooth sip, similar to that of a milk stout…or a milkshake.
But, it's truly the addition of fruit and fruit purees that contribute to the flavor of a milkshake IPA. No produce is off limits here. You'll find all kinds of fruits from pineapple and peach to raspberry and lime to even lychee and mango.
It's these kaleidoscopes of fruits that give milkshake IPAs a unique tartness or sweetness.
If you haven't already, it's worth pulling up a stool and ordering a milkshake IPA. Straws optional.
Untappd's 15 Highest-Rated Milkshake IPAs of 2022*
The Firestone Walker Invitational Beer Fest returns on June 4, 2022 with a curated all-star cast of more than 55 breweries from around the world.
"The Firestone Walker Invitational Beer Fest was born from a dream of creating a world-class festival featuring some of the best brewers in the world," said Brewmaster Matt Brynildson. "This is a day when we can set the sales pitches aside and simply share our beers and stories with passionate craft drinkers."
One of the features that makes the Firestone Walker Invitational Beer Fest unique is that the brewers themselves come to the event to personally share their creations, ensuring that the experience is steeped in craft beer culture.
Attending breweries at the 2022 event include:
3 Floyds Brewing - United States
Alvarado Street Brewery - United States
Bagby Beer Company - United States
Bale Breaker Brewing Company - United States
Bamberg Bier - Brazil
Beachwood Brewing - United States
Beavertown - England
Blackberry Farm Brewery - United States
Boneyard Beer - United States
Boulevard Brewing Co. - United States
Brewery Ommegang - United States
Brouwerij 't IJ - Netherlands
Burial Beer Co. - United States
Casey Brewing & Blending - United States
Cellarmaker Brewing Company - United States
Cervecería Antares - Argentina
Chuckanut Brewery - United States
Cigar City Brewing - United States
Cloudburst Brewing - United States
Cloudwater Brew Co. - England
Creature Comforts Brewing Company - United States
Crooked Stave Artisan Beer Project - United States
PLUS - Don't miss the 2022 FWIBF welcome beer "Parrotphrase", a dry-hopped grisette made in collaboration with Green Cheek Beer Company. This limited release beer will be poured for all fest patrons, along with limited availability at Firestone Walker's three locations – Venice, Paso Robles and Buellton.
To earn this badge: Check-in any beer from one of the participating breweries at the Paso Robles Event Center during Firestone Walker Invitational Beer Fest 2022 (June 4 through 10, 2022) to claim your limited release badge!
What was the first craft beer? We don't know. But we do know it's been 20 years since craft beer found its home in the now-ubiquitous aluminum can.
Twenty years ago, Oskar Blues Brewery founder Dale Katechis replied to an unsolicited fax for a used hand-seamer. Who knew that would lead craft beer into a new frontier? Dale canning his eponymous pale ale quickly set Oskar Blues apart as a boundary-pushing brewery that doesn't follow convention.
Even though Dale wasn't about pleasing the masses, the beer has become a cult favorite. And while cans shattered convention, Oskar Blues managed to turn heads again with their next production beer, an aggressive 8% Scotch Ale, Old Chub. And if that wasn't enough, Oskar Blues sent it even further by following up Old Chub with 10.5% imperial Stout that still stands up as the best can of stout money can buy. With that beer, Oskar Blues wanted to do things corporations couldn't and prove what the craft beer scene could be, so the stout was named to reflect that spirit. Ten FIDY is a reference to the beer's 10.5% ABV but also an acronym: "Fuck the Industry, Do it Yourself".
After twenty wild years, it's hard to find a craft beer that doesn't come in a can. And since 70% of all aluminum ever produced is still in use to this day, there's a chance you've held a beer with trace amounts of that first 6-pack of Dale's or maybe an original Ten FIDY can.
This year, we celebrate not just Dale's Pale Ale as the first craft beer in a can, but twenty years of drinking our favorite beers straight from the can. Cheers!
To earn this badge: Check-in any one (1) Oskar Blues beer from June 1 to 30, 2022 and celebrate the 20th anniversary of craft beer in cans!
You know the old adage: An apple a day keeps the doctor away. That's especially true every June 3rd when we celebrate World Cider Day.
Considered a favorite beverage in many different countries from Japan to America to Spain, cider can be enjoyed in both alcoholic and non-alcoholic forms. In most countries though cider automatically means the boozy version, while in the United States there is a specific distinction between cider (straight-up unfiltered apple juice) and "hard" cider (apple juice with an ABV).
However you drink your apples in a glass, World Cider Day recognizes one of the globe's tastiest and historical drinks.
A Quick History of Cider
Photography courtesy of Worldciderday.com
We can trace the roots of cider pretty far back. In fact, by the time the Romans invaded England around 55 BCE, they discovered the Celts who lived there making and drinking cider from local crabapples. Later, the process of fermenting and distilling cider spread throughout Southern England, France, and Spain.
Fast forward a bit and, of course, in America the lore of John Chapman, aka Johnny Appleseed, tells the tale of a man traveling the country planting apple trees in the early nineteenth century.
Historically, the word cider originally meant everything from "strong liquor" to "liquor made from the juice of fruits." Today though, when one uses "cider," it's specifically to reference a "fermented drink made from apples."
Why Do We Love Cider?
Photography courtesy of 2 Towns Ciderhouse
Because it's tasty and delicious! From dry to juicy to herbed, spiced, and hopped to sweet and even rosé, hard cider runs the entire gamut of flavor and aroma.
Today, you can find cider made everywhere. Coinciding with the modern craft beer movement, cideries have exploded across the globe. In fact, last year alone drinks in the "Cider - Traditional" category notched an incredible 1.6 million check-ins on the app.
Now whether drinking a cider a day can actually keep the doctor away is up for debate. But what's undoubtedly true is that cider deserves its own day of recognition.
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