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Taste: 6/10
Standards per vessel: 1.3
Price: $13.99 per 6 pack

I’m not usually a big cider drinker, the last time I bought some was for a bout of Scrumpy hands in second year. Before that it was a friend and I at the tender age of 15 giving the Korean dairy keeper across the road from the liquor store $20 to buy us little badasses a 6 pack. For this reason I don’t pretend to speak with any expertise on the matter at hand.

Mac’s have been producing ciders at their brewery for over 27 years and Isaac’s is the latest label to be put up for sales. Its produced entriely in New Zealand, right down to locally grown apples, so its a great choice for those wanting to support local businesses. Especially in the Christchurch area.

I decided to drink the ciders throughout the week with dinner in the flat, usually some combination of rice, mince, potatoes or pasta. Cider being a lot more bitter than my usual choice of beer it was a little difficult to get used to at first. One night one of the boys decided to whip up some chicken thighs which actually went pretty well with cider. Not really a beverage to have with beef though.

Not being a regular cider drinker I found it difficult to compare with anything else really but I certainly would recommend giving this a crack as an alternative to beer one night. I have noticed in recent years an upwards trend in cider sales and it can’t be without reason. Many bars and clubs have begun to offer some sort of cider on tap, even some of the classier joints in town like the cook will serve you a jug of fruity goodness.

This comes with some practical considerations. You might be craving a jug but the female in your company isn’t overly enthused at the prospect of another litre of yeasty frothy splendour dissappearing down your throat. Get a jug of cider and you’ll both be happy.

Unfortunately my cider noob status had to turn this review into words more about cider in general rather than the Isaac’s at hand. My recommendation is if you haven’t yet travelled to the light side that is cider give it a jam, you might be pleasantly surprised with what you find.

Cheers again Cumby Superliquor for the hook up,

Your boy,

Pillbo Swaggins