Crispin Brewing Co.

Des Moines is creeping out of the dreary winter days and dancing into those long awaited, warm summer days. That means it’s time to drop the stouts and amber beers and grab something more seasonally festive. Most people first think of a shandy or a lager for summertime, but there is another seasonal staple to be considered. Ciders are a great alternative to heavy beers and dark liquors, and the best way to get a great cider this year is with Crispin. Crispin ciders are gluten-free and don’t contain any malt, grape wine or spirit alcohol. Even better is the fact that the company’s fresh-made ciders use fresh-pressed apple juice instead of heavy fermented apple juice concentrate, which means you’re drinking exactly what your bottle says you are. “This is all part of our continuing goal to educate drinkers about what’s in their ciders, how they’re made and how our attention to those details ensures that we create and sell the highest quality, best-tasting, craftiest hard ciders in the United States,” explains Perry Reas, the Distribution Sales Manager of Crispin Ciders.

Crispin Original

The company’s original hard cider delivers exactly what it says it will. With Crispin’s favorite saying at its heart, this cider puts the fruit forward with fresh and crisp apple flavors that leave your taste buds wanting more. It’s developed in a classic way but features a unique apple taste and an it’s-so-fresh-it’s-almost-crunchy apple mouth feel. “Our ciders are not styled as traditional ‘sweet beers;’ they are not old-fashioned sweeter alternatives to beer, but sophisticated and crisp. Not sweet, dry and not ‘sticky’ on the palate. And totally delicious over ice,” explains Reas.

ABV: 5 percent
Availability: Year-round

The Saint

If you are a non-believer and still declare that you “hate ciders,” The Saint might just prove you wrong. This cider is built with fresh apple juice and Belgian Trappist beer yeasts. What sets The Saint apart from the rest is the organic maple syrup folded into the recipe to create a smooth and silky mouth feel. The maple flavors bring a rare complexity to the cider without overextending the palate, so The Saint has enough of a beer kick while still tasting like a fresh apple cider to appeal to the masses.

ABV: 6.9 percent
Availability: Year-round

Pacific Pear

With apples getting so much attention, Crispin felt that the pears needed some much-deserved attention. Pacific Pear leads with a refreshing pear punch and hints of woody undertones. It’s developed using 100 percent pear juice and filtered cold. This cider is for the most elegant cider connoisseurs, as it boasts a sparkling finish. Reas explained that this cider is very popular, and most people don’t know that this is the same cider that was previously called Fox Barrel Pacific Pear. So for those of you thinking your pear fix was over, it hasn’t gone anywhere.

ABV: 4.5 percent
Availability: Year-round

Crispin Cider proudly supports Soles 4 Souls, a national charity that collects shoes and money to give to those in need. Visit soles4souls.org to join Crispin Cider and the cause. Crispin is located at Mickey’s Irish Pub, Ducktail Lounge, Old Chicago, HyVee Wine & Spirits, Whole Foods, Americana, Proof, Django, Hessen Haus, Royal Mile, The Lift, Fong’s Pizza, El Bait Shop, Zombie Burger, HoQ, Up Down and more. Visit www.crispincider.com for more details. CV

Define:

Cider. Cider is a fermented drink that is developed by the use of straining unfiltered apples. Alcohol content can vary anywhere from 1.2-8.5 percent ABV. Different parts of the world have different requirements for beverages to be considered a cider, but in the United States we require drinks to be at least 50 percent fresh apple juice.

Pairings

Tasting the subtle sweetness of apples is one of the best ways to wake up in the morning, so what better way to enjoy a Crispin Cider than in tomorrow morning’s pancakes? Head over to the Cider Kitchen at Crispin’s website and find the Wit Pear Pancakes. Make the recipe just as describes, only be sure to use Pacific Pear Cider to accent the pears in the compote. This breakfast features cinnamon and vanilla flavors and crisp, fresh apples and pears on the top. After you finish up this recipe, be sure to scroll down and find the cider donut recipe. Trust us, you won’t regret it.

But if you’re looking for a delicious dish past breakfast time, try out a tasty pie recipe instead. Go to the Cider Kitchen and locate the Apple Cider Cream Pie recipe. Make the crust and topping just as you normally would. The creamy filling calls for sugar, salt, eggs, almond extract, baking spice, sour cream, you know, the basics. But the final kicker is to add Crispin’s The Saint to the filling and it makes a regular apple pie into a magnificent creation that everyone will love.

Crispin Ciders are gluten-free, and that means they know how to make a delicious combination of gluten-free foods. Some recipes include candied bacon, roasted turkey, and blackberry beef tenderloin. Don’t like any of those recipes? Watch the Food Network! Crispin is featured on the Food Network and is “one of the best ciders for cooking,” according to Reas.

Calendar

March 26 – Stitch and Bitch, 7-9 p.m., 515 Brewing Co., 7700 University Ave., Clive, http://iowacraftbeertent.com/wordpress/event/stitch-and-bitch/?instance_id=418

March 28 – 515’s Terrible Twos Birthday Bash, noon to 11 p.m., 515 Brewing Co., 7700 University Ave., Clive, http://iowacraftbeertent.com/wordpress/event/515s-terrible-twos-birthday-bash/?instance_id=698

April 1 – Founder’s KBS Release and Mini-Tap Takeover, 5 p.m., Up Down, 500 E. Locust St., Des Moines, http://updowndsm.com

April 2 – Social Run, 6 p.m., Fitness Sports, 7230 University Ave., Windsor Heights, http://iowacraftbeertent.com/wordpress/event/social-run-with-fitness-sports-and-515-brewing/?instance_id=516

April 11 – King of Cade Tournament and Founder’s Mini-Tap Takeover, Up Down, 500 E. Locust St., Des Moines, http://updowndsm.com