If It's Bold Flavors You Seek, Look No Further Than Stowe Cider

[EDITOR'S NOTE: This piece refers to Stowe Cider's previous location. In the time since our visit, the cidery has opened a new location located at 17 Town Farm Lane in Stowe. While we greatly enjoyed our visit to the old taproom, we encourage you to check out Stowe Cider's new space. Feel free to let us know how you like it! We hope to write an updated review in the near future.]

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Shane Carley

​Cidery Name: Stowe Cider
Type of Cidery: Retail Cidery

Location: 1799 Mountain Rd, Stowe, VT 05672

Website: https://www.stowecider.com/
Facebook: Stowe Cider
Twitter: @StoweCider
Instagram: @stowecider

Background: Not only was I the first writer to review a cidery, it appears I’m going to be the second, too. I took a trip to Stowe, VT a few months ago, and Stowe Cider was one of the “must-visit” places on my list. My fiance has a gluten allergy, which, sadly, means no beer; however, it has given me the chance to get much more into cider. Stowe Cider has been one of the unexpected gems that I’ve found during that discovery process. On their own, the cans that Stowe Cider distributes represent a really cool mix of flavors and styles, and I was really excited to see what else the taproom itself had in store. Spoiler alert: I was not disappointed.

Growlers: Yes. They even offer growlers full of regular, non-alcoholic apple cider, which look absolutely delicious. ​

The Ciders: One of the great things about Stowe Cider is sheer magnitude of different options. I mean, just look at that list below: we’ve got a dry-hopped cider, a shandy, gin, rum, and tequila aged ciders, and even an ice cider. Take note, people who say cider is boring because it all tastes the same. None of these ciders tasted even remotely the same, and almost every single one of them introduced me to something I’ve never had in a cider before. Mega props to Stowe Cider for an incredibly unique lineup. Here are some of my favorites:

• Safety Meeting - Stowe’s flagship cider, Safety Meeting is dry-hopped with Citra and Mosaic hops, giving it an outstanding aroma and a really fresh, light, citrusy flavor. It’s easy to see why this flies off the shelves.

 

• Summer Shandy - Pretty much exactly what you expect. This tastes like slightly boozy lemonade, and would be extremely refreshing on a hot summer day.
  
  
• Gin and Juice - Cider and gin barrels, what could go wrong? I thought this cider was very tasty, but I admit that I hoped for a little bit more juniper flavor. Still, it’s hard to knock this one, and I would have happily sipped on it all day long.
  
  
• Smugglers' Reserve Rum Barrel Aged Ginger - I have a well-documented history of hating rum-aged things. Well, no more. This was absolutely outstanding. Ginger cider aged in rum barrels. Who would have guess that would be my tipping point? In a way, it makes sense, though: on the rare occasion when I drink rum, it’s usually to mix dark rum and apple cider. This is a slightly lighter take on that, and it works incredibly well.

 

• Tequila Mangorita - First rum, now tequila. What’s next? I never would have guessed that a tequila cider would be this delicious, but here we are. The mango really helps take the edge off the booze, and combines to form a really juicy, tasty cider. Also, I would never have believed that this is 8.5% if I didn’t see it with my own two eyes. It goes down VERY easy.

 

• Dry Ice - Personal Favorite! - I don’t think I’ve ever given a cider a perfect score, but I have no choice but to do so here. This was incredible. If I was surprised that the tequila cider was 8.5%, I am absolutely FLOORED that this one clocks in at a whopping 12%. If you told me this was 3% ABV I would absolutely have believed you. It drinks so smooth that I could easily see myself accidentally drinking way too much of it. I guess that’s probably why they don’t sell it in growlers. ​

Vibe: I’m not totally sure how to describe the vibe of the Stowe Cider taproom. The cidery is located at the end of a strip of storefronts on one of Stowe’s main roads. The outside has a rustic, charming feel that is perfectly mirrored by the interior.

Inside the taproom you’ll find picnic tables, tables made from barrels, cornhole boards, barstools, decorations made from empty bottles, and a thousand other little things that remind you that you are in rural Vermont. The walls are brightly colored and the room is well lit, making the spacious taproom feel even more open than it already is.

Stowe Cider is popular, that much is for sure. The taproom wasn’t too busy when we stopped by, but it filled up soon after we sat down with our flights. There are games to be played (we opted for Trivial Pursuit), there’s artwork to admire, and, of course, cider to drink. You can also take a look inside the gigantic fridge located near the register for some cans and growlers to take home with you. As I mentioned before, Stowe Cider even sells regular, non-alcoholic cider. I really regret not taking some home with me.

The staff was friendly, the crowd was happy--and it doesn’t hurt that we visited on an absolutely beautiful and sunny day. Everyone there was in a good mood, and the whole experience left both of us feeling really upbeat. Whether that’s a testament to the vibe of the cidery or the benefit of a perfect day, we had a great time!

Dogs: Unsure. It’s a reasonably sized taproom with plenty of seating, but it definitely fills up quickly on weekends. I’m not sure whether they allow dogs in the taproom, but, even if they do, you’ll want to consider how well behaved your dog is in crowds.

Price ($ to $$$$$): $$. Pretty much par for the course as far as brewery/cidery prices go. Not super pricey and you definitely get your money’s worth with a wide variety of generously poured samplers.

Food: There are some limited, snacky options available. Sadly, they were sold out when we visited, so I can’t speak to the quality of the food, but it’s pretty much par for the course at a place like this.

Final Thoughts: Ever since I started diving into the world of cider, Stowe Cider has been a favorite of mine. I jumped at the chance to visit the taproom, and was greeted with creative and delicious ciders that exceeded even my lofty expectations. If you’re a fan of cider, I highly recommend stopping by--and if you’re not a fan of cider, I recommend stopping by anyway. There are so many barrel aged cider varieties here that you’re virtually certain to find something you like!

​-- Shane

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