Hop'n Mad Cider

How do you make cider better? The answer is hops and in Angry Orchard’s latest release Hop’n Mad Apple, it is specifically the process of dry hopping.

Just as with beer, “dry hopping” is the adding of hops post fermentation. This process adds additional flavors towards the finish and with Hop’n Mad, it’s pretty profound.

The hops used in Hop’n Mad are a blend of Strisselspalt and Galaxy. Both contribute more subtle flavors, such as citrus, herbal and floral notes. They add to the flavor of the cider. They don’t overpower or take away.

Hop’n Mad is a much more subtle cider than its brothers and sisters in the AO orchard. There is citrus on the nose, followed by a tartness. The hops are quite noticeable to me on the finish, with a lingering bit of pineapple at the very end. To sum it up with one word: delightful.

Next to Angry Orchard Apple Ginger, Hop’n Mad Apple is easily my favorite. I prefer a more nuanced cider and this certainly meets my approval.

Note: My friends at Angry Orchard supplied me with some Hop’n Mad samples. The opinions and any misspellings are all mine.