Last week, I covered four local fall beers that are now on tap. But, what about those of us with a sweet tooth for hard cider? Thank Mother Nature and Michigan for coming in clutch with fresh apples and more, perfect for making hard cider. Here are six places serving up hard cider to all of us who love their sweet tooth, but are too old to still go trick-or-treating.
Kuhnhenn Brewing Co.
What began as a hardware store in 1972 is now a full-scale brewery in Warren. Founded by Bret and Eric Kuhnhenn, Kuhnhenn Brewing Co. has been serving craft beer since 2001. Not only that but the Kuhnhenn brothers also own a brewing supply store across the parking lot from the brewery. As far as hard ciders go, Kuhnhenn brews its cider with Michigan apples, cinnamon, roasted pecans and vanilla. If you don’t make it out to Kuhnhenn this fall, don’t worry. Kuhnhenn brews their cider year-round.
Hopcat Detroit
HopCat Detroit has quite a few offerings from several breweries when it comes to hard cider. In fact, there are currently six hard ciders on tap at the Detroit location:
- Perry from Uncle John’s Hard Cider
- Octorok from Starcut Ciders
- Nitro Blue River and Habanero Lime Cider from Northville Winery & Brewing Co. (more on that below)
- Ginger Perry from Argus Cidery
- Blueberry Cider from Sierra Rose Ciders
Townhouse
Not only is Townhouse one of Detroit Free Press/Metro Detroit Chevy Dealers’ best new restaurants of the year, but it also carries a couple of ciders for the fall season. Pulsar is a semi-dry cider from Starcut Ciders with a 6.9% ABV. Zombie Killer is a cherry cyser from B. Nektar.
The Beer Grotto — Ann Arbor
The Beer Grotto in Ann Arbor has a pub-style atmosphere that reflects the passion the staff has for craft beer, wine and more. When you go to The Beer Grotto, you’ll be presented with the opportunity to taste something new and then take it home with you in a growler, howler or bottle. The Beer Grotto carries two hard ciders currently: Raspberry Cider from Sierra Rose and the aptly named Hard Cider from Vandermill.
Cellarman’s
Cellarman’s does three things: cider, mead and beer. The former is what we’re concerned about, though. All drinks are brewed in-house and use only real, fresh ingredients. For example, the ciders only use fresh Michigan apples and raw honey. Cellarman’s currently has four ciders available:
- Traditional Dry: Fermented until completely dry and then carbonated
- Semi-Sweet: House cider sweetened with a bit of Star Thistle honey from Petoskey, MI
- Pineapple: Fresh pineapple from the Philippines and Star Thistle honey
- Ethiopian Limu Coffee Cider: Made with Ethiopian coffee roasted at Chazzano Coffee in Ferndale, MI
Northville Winery & Brewing Co.
As the next-door neighbor to the popular Parmenter’s Cider Mill, Northville Winery & Brewing Co. has been around since 1982 and over time has expanded its operations to include a tap room, microbrew, a stage for live music and more. Currently, there are five hard ciders (and one non-alcoholic cider) available and brewed in-house:
- Cherry Cyser Slushie: cherry apple honey wine slush
- Rockin’ Cock: hard apple cider
- Scary Spice: cinnamon & nutmeg seasonal hard cider
- Ciderita Slushie: margarita-style cider
- Imperial Infared Vibrations: sparkling cranberry apple