Brothers Toffee apple cider review
– “Rather disappointing with confused identity. Not session-able” – (5/10).
The Good
“Highly practical”.
“Colourful bottle”.
“Extensive history”.
“Medium to thick mouthfeel”.
“Pleasant smell”.
The Bad
“Doesn’t smell of cider”.
“Not session-able”.
“Too sweet”.
“Apple barely noticeable”.
“No dryness”.
“No tang”.
“Carbonation too light”.
“Pricey”.
“Aftertaste not of apple”.
“Basically cream soda”.
“Confused identity”.
“No toffee in taste”.
Introduction
With UK pubs shut due to the virus yesterday (Friday 20th), undoubtedly people will be beginning to drink at home soon. Whilst entertainment is an important buddy of drink, choice of drink can also greatly improve your leisure time; Otherwise, it can severely ruin it, if you select a horrible wine or cider. Thanks to our cider reviews though, you can pick the cider that is right for you.
Reasea.org have responded to the crisis, by upping our posts to 2 per week, helping keep your self-isolated eyes entertained.
Enter … Brothers !!
Packaging
Brothers cider has an extensive and rich history, one going back 14 generations. In the early days, forebears focused on delivering ciders in towns and cities south of the Mendip hills of Somerset.
These include: Wells, Glastonbury and Shepton Mallet. After opening pubs in the Somerset town of Shepton mallet in the 19th century, Brothers continued by focusing on their sense of adventure !
Instead of delivering to pubs, 337 years after Brothers’ story began, they switched to festivals; This story began in 1658. Such a long history being documented in cider, is highly exciting, and very rare.
Staying true to their Somerset roots, In the year I was born (1995), they began taking their cider to Glastonbury. This makes Brothers’ festival drinks around 25 years old. Quite fitting, since it was my 25th birthday at the time of writing this review.
At this time, Brothers’ cider offering was “Pear”, and the drink was only offered at their portable festival bar.
Thanks to fans’ suggestions though, their cider has gushed into bottles, before getting stacked on supermarket shelves. This is just aswell, considering recent cancellation of Glastonbury, due to the Coronavirus. It means customers can still get a taste of this festival cider, in spite of this.
Production of these bottles takes place in the Showering’s cider mill, Shepton Mallet, Somerset.
Stocking in supermarkets was evidently the case, when I picked one up from Tesco, for £2.
£4 for the session though, makes it pricier than many stronger offerings.
I should specify this as the “Toffee Apple” version, adding the note that since this features Apple as it’s main fruit, despite clearly featuring confectionery, it will be considered in the same light as other Apple-based drinks. As you may be aware, my blog doesn’t review ciders which feature other fruits.
It’s tagline “Born in a field in Somerset”, is humble and simple like the satisfaction of the warm breeze of a dry English summers day.
The bottle design possesses the flare and flamboyance of a colour scheme alluding to festivals, and special occasions.
The beverage supplies 2 units, from 500ml of 4% ABV fluid. This means 2 bottles would be needed to hit the old government daily recommended limit of 3-4 units for men. An exact match with the top end of this, makes the drink highly practical.
The bottle has a backstory emphasising it’s rich history, one which the Brothers’ website supports, utilising impressive anecdotes and historical dates.
So for taste expectations …
The bottle specifies “Toffee flavour”, “Cream soda”, and “rich and creamy on the finish”. I’d expect a sickly sweet, yet indulgent drink. I also hope the apple isn’t totally stifled by the prominence of confectionary in the description. I wouldn’t expect much dryness, but would hope for a full-mouthfeel, due to the “Creamy” aftertaste suggested.
Additionally, I would hope for some acidity, although this isn’t mentioned. Carbonation also isn’t specified on the bottle, but is suggested online as natural, indicating its presence, if not level.
How will the cider match up to its festival theme ?
Smell
The smell lasted well, and was of predominantly cream soda. You could hear a short burst of fizz, emerging instantly after opening. After a time, this smell weakened, cutting off more quickly, yet remaining as an un-cider-like, aroma.
Taste
The taste began very much like cream soda, although did hint of apple later on in the sip. The aftertaste also continued as cream soda. The drink had a good level of sweetness as promised, plus it was only lightly carbonated. Mouthfeel wasn’t as thick as I had initially suspected. It did provide full flavour and could be described as medium to thick.
The aftertaste persisted sweetly for some time, yet didn’t hint of the fruit enough. It was too sweet as a whole. The carbonation was a little too light. There also wasn’t any discernible acidity, and no dryness could be sensed in the aftertaste.
Whilst there was character, this wasn’t from the Apple, which felt overpowered. It was a shame the cream soda came through first, as this should have been secondary to the apple. The fruit on which the drink is based. Character from Toffee flavour, was sadly lacking. Apple traits couldn’t be assessed either. The drink was too filling to be session-able.
Summary
Rather disappointing, with confused identity. Not session-able.
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Sources
https://brotherscider.co.uk/pages/meet-the-brothers
Tags: brothers cider, cider, toffee apple, Coronavirus, colourful, festival cider, Glastonbury 1995, 1995, 25 years old, 1658, Somerset, Shepton mallet, wells, mendips, Glastonbury, brothers, happy birthday, pubsshut, ukpubsclose, reasonedandseasoned, reaseaorg, entertainment, read2succeed, staysafe, blogging
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