Angry Orchard – Hop’M Mad Apple – A First Sampling

It’s not often that you mention the words “cider” and “hops” in he same sentence, and it’s even less common to find them in the same bottle, so I was really excited to find a sample of the new Angry Orchard Hop’n Mad Apple waiting for me at mybeerbuzz headquarters today.

Hop’n Mad Apple is actually dry-hopped and it’s the first ever hopped cider coming from Angry Orchard.  Like previous releases, this cider starts with American culinary apples (Gala, Fuji, Red Delicious, Golden Delicious and Granny Smith) and from there it takes a decidedly craft beer-like turn by adding in hops after fermentation.  Angry Orchard used Strisselspalt and Galaxy hops and they even included a cool metal tin of Strisselspalt hops with my cider for us to compare as we’re sampling.  So how is it?

As with all Angry Orchard ciders, Hop’n Mad Apple pours crystal clear with a gorgeous light golden color.  The hops are herbal but still very subtle in the aroma.  I sensed a little floral aromas as well, but the apples still win out.

As far as taste, the hops and apples play nicely together bringing out more floral and fruity flavors on top of the apple flavors you’d expect.  It’s clear on your first or second sip that this is no ordinary cider and the more we sampled, the more we recognized the nice balance the dry-hopping brought to the table.  For fun we also paired up Angry Orchard Hop’n Mad Apple with some smoked Gouda cheese and the pairing worked really nicely.  Try this combo for yourself and you’ll see what I mean. 

Angry Orchard Hop’n Mad Apple comes in at 5% ABV and it is packaged in 12oz bottles and on draft in select markets beginning in Feb.  Be sure to check out this new and unique cider, and please let me know what you think.