Stowford Press Export Cider by Westons

Thanks to Allison at the Royal Mile for posing for a photo as well as excellent service

The Royal Mile in Des Moines, Iowa prides its self on keeping a wide array of imported and otherwise hard-to-find ciders and beers available in bottles in a long set of coolers behind the bar, right below their impressive selection of whiskeys and scotches.  Having been out of the cider-tasting game for a bit, I decided to dive back in while out to dinner with a friend not long ago and ordered a bottle of the Stowford Press Export Cider by Westons.  I'd had a good sample of the Westons line of ciders while working in England in 2008, and I have find memories of the kick delivered by Old Rosie and the Westons Organic cider I had there.  Stowford Press Export is an authentic taste of the flavor and character of those hard, flat ciders from across the pond with some added carbonation to appeal more to an North American palette.

Westons is a family-owned cider-maker based in Herfordshire, England.  At least one of their ciders can be found on tap in many of the pubs scattered across the United Kingdom.  While most of their line consists of flat ciders, ciders without carbonation, with a medium- to full-bodied flavor and a high alcohol content, as high as 12% when I was there, Stowford Press is marketed in England as a light cider.  The export version I had in Des Moines was 6% ABV, lower than some of the other Westons ciders, but higher than the English Stowford (4.5%).

The cider came in a chilled bottle and a chilled pint glass.  While cold, the carbonation was enough to reinforce a crisp front end without numbing the richness of the body.  The flavor was centered around a sound apple but without some of the over-ripe overtones that sometimes accompany other Westons ciders like the Old Rosie.  As the cider warmed through the meal, the presence of the body gradually grew but never became overpowering.  The carbonation, never extreme, remained present but to the side of the body of the cider through the last drop.  In my case, the Stowford Press Export was paired with a plate of Shepard's Pie with a dark gravy, but I would expect it to go well with any savory meal of red meat.

While not as refreshing as the Strongbow Traditional that has been my mainstay for many years, Stowford Press Export Cider is an excellent choice for drinking at a measured pace or during a meal.  Having more than one or two in an evening might be a bit much, as rich as it is.  This ought not to detract from enjoying the full range of flavors this cider will offer over the course of dinner or a good bull session.  A great sipping cider that I'll be happy to have again.

Stowford Press Export Cider
16oz Bottle - $10 @ The Royal Mile - Des Moines, IA
http://www.westons-cider.co.uk/