Introducing The First Elderflower Cider To Launch In The U.S., Angry Orchard Elderflower Hard Cider

05 Feb 2013 --- Angry Orchard, the number one selling hard cider in the U.S., is releasing a new cider style from its collection – Angry Orchard Elderflower Hard Cider, the first cider of its kind. Inspired by the European tradition of elderflower cordials which dates back to ancient Roman times, the cider makers at Angry Orchard have crafted a unique hard cider that balances elderflower's subtle floral notes and tropical fruitiness with Angry Orchard's crisp apple sweetness.

"For centuries, elderflower has been used as an ingredient because of its delicate floral notes. It also has a great fruity flavor reminiscent of tropical fruits like lychee, pear and citrus, which makes it a great match for the rich, fruity flavors found in the culinary and bittersweet apples we use in our cider," said David Sipes, Cider Maker for Angry Orchard. "This combination of flavors produces a complex yet balanced, slightly sparkling cider we think is unlike anything our drinkers have experienced."

Launched nationally in 2012, Angry Orchard has quickly become a favorite among drinkers for its unique, quality ingredients and distinctly crisp and refreshing taste. Angry Orchard hard ciders, including the new elderflower style, are crafted with a unique blend of Italian culinary apples and French bittersweet apples. Angry Orchard in part gets its name because, unlike ordinary apples, bittersweet apples are described as "angry" because of the tart and tannic characteristics they impart to cider creating real apple flavors, and also because of the way they look, small and unattractive.

These bittersweet apples are unique to cider making, just like wine grapes are to wine making. Also similar to wine, Angry Orchard ciders go through a lengthy fermentation process and are aged on oak, resulting in an exceptional blend that contributes to the complex flavor profile of each Angry Orchard cider style, including the new Angry Orchard Elderflower Hard Cider.

Hayley Jensen, a mixologist and beer sommelier at Taproom No. 307 in New York City and engaged by Angry Orchard for her expertise, has seen firsthand how elderflower has also recently become a go-to flavor for mixologists and a drinker favorite.

"Elderflower burst onto the cocktail scene recently and the flavor became a runaway hit – it's refreshing and light, with a touch of sweetness that pairs perfectly with more dominant flavors. Today, I see a trend of more drinkers asking for cider. So, a cider with a delicate elderflower taste is truly an innovative combination and also a great mixology ingredient, pairing well with light spirits like gin, vodka, white tequila and also jenever, an up-and-coming liquor in the U.S.," says Jensen. "I think cocktail, wine and craft beer lovers will all enjoy this new cider."

Hard cider has exploded in popularity recently, growing 65 percent in 2012 vs. 2011, especially remarkable when compared to the growth of beverages like wine and craft beer, which grew 5.6% and 13% respectively.**

All Angry Orchard styles offer remarkably crisp, refreshing and distinct flavors for any palate and are naturally gluten free:
- Crisp Apple (5.0% ABV) is a fruit-forward cider that balances natural apple sweetness with a subtle dryness for a hard to resist crisp and refreshing taste
- Traditional Dry (5.5% ABV) is crafted in the style of English draft ciders and imparts bittersweet and slightly spicy flavors with a bright apple aroma. Its dryness makes mouths pucker and look forward to another sip
- Apple Ginger (5.0% ABV) combines fresh Nigerian ginger and apples for a sweet, yet slightly tart taste, with a distinct ginger aroma and warm finish
- New - Elderflower (5.0% ABV) showcases tropical fruitiness reminiscent of lychee, pear and citrus to compliment the rich, crisp apple background

Angry Orchard Elderflower Hard Cider is available nationwide from February through summer in 6-packs for a suggested retail price of $7.99 - $9.99 (price varies by market), and in variety 12-packs with three other Angry Orchard styles for a suggested retail price of $14.99 - $17.99 (price varies by market).