Excelsior Ground Control

Excelsior Ground Control by Schilling Hard Cider was evaluated as Style C2B, Cider with Other Fruit, per the BJCP 2015 Cider Style Guidelines. This cider is also non-alcoholic.

The cider pours an almost clear light garnet amber with very little head (as expected) and leaves a small cordon ring of small white bubbles. The bouquet is a moderate level of red table apples and apple skins along with a light fruity sweet cherry character. The first sip brings out a nice table apple and apple skin character with just a hint of bittersharp apple, featuring very light tannins and a low Granny Smith-like malic acid tartness, along with a medium-low residual sweetness.

Mid-palate a moderate tart cherry note shows up as a complementary flavor to the apple, and they play well together. The cider finishes light, crisp and clean, leaving a slight lingering cherry note that is quite pleasant. This is a good sipper on a hot day and would pair nicely with dry rub baby back pork ribs and hot and fresh salty crinkle-cut fries.