Schlafly Beer Introduces Proper Cider Collabroation

Schlafly Beer, the largest locally owned and independent craft brewer in St. Louis introduced a limited-release sampler pack of four specialty ciders, known as Proper Cider. Schlafly collaborated with Devon, England-based Sandford Orchards to make the Dry-Hopped, Scrumpy (classic), Vintage Cask and Raspberry ciders. The four-pack of 500 ml bottles is available in retail at both Schlafly brewpub locations in St. Louis as well as off-premise locations across Schlafly’s distribution networks.
 
Ambassador Brewer Stephen Hale explains, “The Proper Cider pack is an example of our longstanding relationship at Schlafly Beer with not only farmers, but brewers and cider markers across the world. These ciders showcase the proper English methods and ingredients to produce a perfectly balanced, dry cider.”
 
It was somewhat of a serendipitous partnership as co-founder Dan Kopman met Sanford Orchards owner Barny Butterfield on a train in the English countryside during travels abroad. The farm/cider maker echoes Schlafly’s ethos to use only the best ingredients with responsible sourcing methods and operational practices.
 
The Schlafly team visited the orchards several times to observe Sandford’s century-old process of straw filtering as well as learn about the varietals of apples–a mix of sweet, sharp, bitter sharp and bitter sweets–to make a proper cider. Schlafly also shared their 25-years of brewing knowledge to create the dry-hopped cider, exclusive for this sampler pack. The brewery was one of the first industry-wide to practice dry-hopping beers.

The Proper Cider pack includes the following:

1. Dry-Hopped: For a little body and boost of unexpected flavor, this sparkling cider is dry-hopped with Ella hops from Australia, elevating the apple’s naturally pleasant profile.
2. Scrumpy: This is a classic. Fermented from fresh apple juice and wild yeasts, it is lightly carbonated, slightly cloudy, with a medium body and full flavor.
3. Vintage Cask: Grown, pressed, and bottled in Devonshire, England, this rich and powerful style is improved by aging in 100-year-old mighty oak vat where it develops complexity and depth.
4. Raspberry: Delicate and blushing pink, this cask cider boasts the slight tartness of ripe raspberries, a pleasing citrus kick, and a rounded sweetness.  

​The Proper Cider pack will be available while supplies last and will not be available on draft. The four-pack has a suggested retail value of $17.99, and will be available across Schlafly’s distribution area. For more on the brewery’s distribution and products, visit www.schlafly.com/beers/distribution.