New England Cider Company

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:

Ever wonder what Shannon looks like? Well, here she is sippin’ away on some New England cider!
  • 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?

Little House Brewing Company

When Shannon Went: March 5th, 2020

Where: 16 Main St, Chester, CT, 06412

Okay, I know were not supposed to call them cute, but…. Little House Brewing Company is SO CUTE! This (extremely cute) brewery lives within the walls of a nearly 200 year old house that has had many different lives throughout the years. Before being known as Chester’s premier brewery, this architectural beauty was built in 1836, and was the home to a meat-market, post office, barber shop, bakery, coffee shop, book store, and grocers market. This historic house has had more careers than Chris and I combined. If you ever get tired of drinking in your own house, change your scenery by drinking in their little house.

Shannon: I had been following Little House for a few weeks on social media before I finally dragged Chris to Chester to try out their beers. Since that first visit, I’ve brought handfuls of people there because everyone needs to experience the magic that lives within the walls of Little House. I mean, what’s not to love about them? A small adorable house, front porch seating, a backyard beer garden, and great beer on tap – they have it all! On tap is normally 6 to 7 beers, plus a guest cider, but there hasn’t been a beer by them that I haven’t liked. If I had to pick, I would say my favorite beer of theirs is WAVE RACER, an 8.3% tropical smoothie Milkshake IPA. It’s a fruity beer that makes you never want to give up that sweet summer feel.

Chris: Although I did not go with Shannon on her latest visit to Little House Brewing, I have been there quite a few times. The taproom still gives you that cute house feel even with all the beer. My personal favorite is their Roasty Boi, a 5% chocolate stout which is surprisingly light. Every beer comes with a song pairing, yes a song pairing, and according to Little House, Roasty Boi should be enjoyed while listening to “God Only Knows” by the Beach Boys. With all the breweries Shannon and I have been to I can honestly say that there is no other brewery like Little House.

Other Cool Stuff:

Shannon went to a Girl Scout cookie and beer pairing at Little House!
  • River Tavern delivers food to the brewery but they’re also BYOF
  • Chester might be small but there’s free parking on Maple and Water Streets and Laurel Hill Cemetery
  • Pup friendly! Make sure to say hi to their brew dog Kirby!
  • Outdoor seating
  • They have 4 seasonal logos which are so fun to look for on their merch and glasses!
  • Merchandise and dog treats made from their spent grain for sale!
  • Offering a to-go and delivery can service during the COVID-19 quarantine!

Our Persuasion

What Shannon Drank: I had a flight with a girl scout cookie pairing at Little House!

Shannon: Still Revolutionary (7.3% ABV, Coffee Stout) 4 out of 5
Shannon: Falcon Punch (5% ABV, Sour) 3 out of 5
Shannon: Don’t Call Us Cute ( 6.4% ABV, NEIPA) 4 out of 5
Shannon: Tintype (5% ABV, Brown Ale) 3.5 out of 5

Brewing Persuasion: 5 out of 5

Feeling persuaded yet?

Our 10 Favorite Connecticut Ciders

In no particular order, we thought we would share some of our favorite Connecticut ciders with you! During this time with COVID-19, please support your local cideries if you can! They are doing everything they can to stay above water, and lets be honest, you can’t quarantine the right way without their cider. Many cideries are doing online or pick-up orders, so give them a call or check out their websites to see what they have available. #drinkctcider

Middle of the Raspberry

Cidery: Spoke + Spy Ciderworks (Middletown)

ABV: 5.1%

Is there anything more refreshing than a sweet raspberry cider on a warm spring day? It seems like the perfect season for this delicious semi-sweet cider from Spoke + Spy Ciderworks in Middletown. You can grab a glass when you take a trip to Stubborn Beauty or Forest City breweries as they are all located in the same building.

Blueberry

Cidery: New England Cider Company (Wallingford)

ABV: 5%

I am a sucker for sweet fruity ciders and New England Cider Company has an amazing Blueberry cider which I have had many many times. You can find this berry good draft all year round at their taproom in Wallingford, but tons of breweries carry it as a guest cider as well.

Roasted Maple

Cidery: New England Cider Company (Wallingford)

ABV: 7%

New England Cider Company makes their Roasted Maple cider in the colder seasons so you will have to wait a little while to get it, but it is well worth the wait. This cider is a sweet and toasty mix that is best enjoyed in front of a nice campfire, but I would drink it anywhere anytime.

Spiced Cider

Cidery: Holmberg Orchards (Gales Ferry)

ABV: 6.8%

Holmberg Orchards does everything, food, wine, and delicious hard cider. Their spiced cider is mixed with cinnamon, cloves, citrus peel, and nutmeg which creates an amazing alcoholic liquid apple pie! Can you think of anything better than that?

Sweet Vanilla

Cidery: Crazy Cock Cider (Stafford Springs)

ABV: 6%

Sweet Vanilla from Crazy Cock Cider is a sweet concoction that manages to stay nice and light. This is one of the smoothest ciders you will ever have, so knock back a bunch, I know I have.

Pomme L’Orange

Cidery: Spoke + Spy Ciderworks (Middletown)

ABV: 5.1%

This cider tastes just like Fanta or a creamsicle! It’s the perfect balance of vanilla and orange, making it one of the most refreshing spring and summer ciders around.

Fresh Blend

Cidery: New England Cider Company (Wallingford)

ABV: 5.8%

Sweet and crisp, this hard cider is a classic in every sense of the word. You can often find Fresh Blend on tap around the state at your favorite local brewery. It’s semi-tart, semi-dry balance pairs perfectly with just about anything.

Simcoe

Cidery: Crazy Cock Cider (Stafford Springs)

ABV: 6%

If you’re in the market for a light, citrusy, dry cider, grab yourself a glass of Simcoe. This dry cider is packed with simcoe hops, which makes it taste a little like an IPA. We know some people don’t want their ciders to taste like hops, *cough, Chris,* so Simcoe might not be for everyone.

Middle of the Chazzy

Cidery: Spoke + Spy Ciderworks (Middletown)

ABV: 5.1%

Spoke + Spy Ciderworks really out did themselves when they paired their raspberry and cherry ciders together. Middle of the Chazzy takes two already perfect ciders and brings them together to create a flavor profile that screams light, fresh, fruity, sweet, cherries, and raspberries. Definitely a must have!

Purple Rain

Cidery: New England Cider Company (Wallingford)

ABV: 5.4%

Purple Rain is a blueberry ginger cider that’s equal parts sweet and tart, and dare I say, even a tiny bit spicy? If you’re looking for something new to try, make sure to add this deep purple-ish cider to your flight lineup next time it’s on tap at New England Cider Company.

Feeling persuaded yet?