When Chris went: March 14th, 2020
Where: 110 N Plains Industrial Rd A, Wallingford, CT 06492
You might recognize New England Cider Company from our top 10 Connecticut Ciders post where it had a number of spots. New England Cider is located in Wallingford, but like us you may have seen them first as a guest cider at a brewery or two since they seem to be on tap everywhere. Their taproom is located in an industrial area like most breweries, and although small, it is quite rustic with their polished wood bar and tables. Every time I have gone they seem to be packed, and once you try their cider you will know why.
Chris: New England Cider Company was the first cidery I went to in Connecticut and I keep going back for more. They rotate their ciders pretty frequently and have a decent variety whenever I go. The cidery always has some sweet (my favorite), semi-sweet, and dry ciders so everyone will be able to find something they like. I also enjoy the fact that they like to try new things like their mint cider, and bring back some old traditions, like their ice cider, where you freeze concentrated fresh juice then ferment it to create an very alcoholic cider. It’s hard to pick just one favorite from them, but last time I went I had to get their sweet blueberry cider which was amazing. All of this goes to show that New England Cider knows what they are doing, and you need to try them out.
Shannon: In a state with so many craft breweries (not that I’m complaining) it’s great to have a cidery so committed to serving up flavorful ciders made out of the finest local products. When I try to think back to the first time I tried locally made hard cider all that comes to mind is New England Cider Company. They really are top notch when it comes to Connecticut cider. It’s impossible not to find them on guest tap in different breweries and restaurants around the state. Last year Chris and I attended a cider, beer, and cheese pairing at Front Porch Brewing with New England Cider Company, and while all of their ciders were great, one has stood out to me as the best cider I have ever had from them – a 6% ABV Ginger Hibiscus cider. Since this pairing event, ginger hibiscus has never come back on tap. Don’t ask me why because this cider was delicious. But you better believe that the next time it does grace their tap list, I’ll be running back for the first sip!
Other cool things:
- Snacks available
- Bring your own food
- Recently started canning their cider!
- You can buy merchandise
- Great peak at their brewing process from the taproom
What Chris drank:
Chris: Blueberry (Sweet) 5% ABV – 5 out of 5
Chris: Fresh Blend (Sweet) 5.8% – 5 out of 5
Brewing Persuasion: 4.5 out of 5
Feeling persuaded yet?
Brewing Persuasions 