Magners cider: an overview of taste and types
The main producer of cider is England. But the residents of Ireland will also have something to surprise apple drink lovers. "Falling Apple, Dan Kelly’s", "Tempted" - these are just some of the brands of the Green Island. But the most famous of them is Magners, which is the subject of today's review.
Cider recipes from apples, cherries, pears.
A little history
The Magners brand has been known since 1935. Its creator, William Magner, bought an apple orchard from a Mr. Phelan from Tipperary County and started producing his own drink.
Cider was so popular that in a few years, Henry Bulmer, the founder and owner of H.P. Bulmer, which owns the famous Strongbow cider.
In memory of this, in Ireland the drink is still sold under the name "Bulmers Irish Cider".
Despite the alliance with an English manufacturer, Magners was not sold in the UK until the end of the 20th century.
Only in 1999, this drink appeared on the shelves of London and Belfast in an official manner. This is a little revenge in the Irish way.
It is a matter of particular pride for the manufacturer that only natural apple juice made from 17 varieties of apples grown in Ireland is used in the production of Magners.
According to the creators, it is the pear that gives the drink its rich flavor and unforgettable aroma.
Overview of flavors
The Magners cider line consists of 5 varieties of the drink. Most of them have been known since the XX century, but some have appeared only in recent years.
Magners Original
The first and most famous drink of the brand.
It has a yellow-orange color and a sour apple flavor with a hint of sweetness.
Due to the strong carbonation, the aroma is difficult to capture, but after settling, the glass will greet you with a fruity bouquet with a slight bitterness.
Despite the high carbon dioxide content, the cider is very easy to drink, leaving no side effects.
Magners pear
Pure pear cider, also known as poiret.
Unlike continental brands, Magners does not add additional ingredients to the poière.
No berries, no cherries, no grapes. Only pure pear juice.
The result is a refreshing golden drink with a bright fruity flavor and aroma of a spring garden.
The aftertaste is long, with a slight dryness.
Magners Berry
Another example of the classic series aimed at young people.
Bright, noticeable and very sweet. Unfortunately, the sweetness of the drink, coupled with strong carbonation, completely blocks its flavor.
On the other hand, these qualities make Berry a great ingredient for cocktails. Especially with vodka or gin.
Magners Whisky
And this is a representative of the new generation of Magners.
Introduced in 2015, it became a kind of gift for fans, timed to the 80th anniversary of the brand.
According to the creators, the drink combines the taste of classic cider and the aroma of Irish whiskey.
Unfortunately, the last ingredient is almost not felt. Tasters note a rich apple flavor, spiced with spices and a delicate aroma of honey and caramel.
Magners Alcohol Free
Another novelty. The non-alcoholic version of the classic Magners was created especially for those who want to get acquainted with real Irish cider, but do not want to deal with alcohol.
In this role, it replaced the low-alcohol "Light", which was discontinued at the beginning of the century.
The strength of the drink is only 0.05%, which is comparable to kefir or kvass.
Color - golden amber. Taste - sweet, fruity with aromas of spices.
Irish traditions of cider drinking
The main one is that the drink should be served with ice. Preferably stabbed, but it is also possible in cubes.
As for food, Magnres is best served with stews, meat or fish dishes. Cheeses, puddings and pastries can also be served with it.
Serving cider with pancakes or pancakes will be an interesting combination. Especially when it comes to Russian pancakes.
As for cocktails, the main companion for Irish cider is whiskey.
It is advisable to take Irish varieties, devoid of the smoked flavor of Scottish or sweetness of American variants.
Update: 09.12.2018
Category: Beer, Cider, Ale