Cider Made Simple: All About Your New Favorite Drink

by Jeff Alworth, Lydia Nichols (Illustrator)

Cider has become the new "it" drink, with a wide range of styles popping up on restaurant menus and at neighborhood bars everywhere. Sweet, tart, sparkling, still--cider has many wonderful (and sometimes unexpected) qualities. But how to choose? For this gateway guide, author Jeff Alworth traveled to France, England, Spain, Canada, and the United States, asking questions and drinking every variety of cider he could find, resulting in a compact yet comprehensive overview. An ideal introduction to this complex and always refreshing beverage, Cider Made Simple will give imbibers the tools they need to choose the cider that's right for them.

Genres: Nonfiction, Brewing, Food

199 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 15, 2015

Reviews

[Ricky Mikeabono · Rating 4 out of 5]

A decent overview and introduction to cider. I don't love the title, but I guess it is appropriate because this is a perfect book for someone who tried cider, liked it, and wants to know more. There is some history and a little technical info but it's geared towards the drinker, not farmer or producer. For me it was more of a refresher course on the basics, but I admit I did learn some new things. I think it is very well written and presents information clearly. It is definitely more of a casual cider discussion than a textbook on cidermaking. I enjoyed reading it.

My critiques:
- I think there was a little too much personal anecdote/information about his trips to Europe, but I'm more of a cold hard facts guy. I do really want to visit the Basque Country now.
- Not much information about the actual process of cider production, but it's more of a book about drinking cider than it is about making it. There are some random mentions of equipment but no real overview of the process.
- Frankly I'm flabbergasted that there is a whole chapter devoted to Canadian Ice-Ciders, and sections on Calvados and Pommeau, but not a single mention of Applejack. Especially given the American focus of this book.

Update: after reading the terrible book "American Cider" by Pucci, I can appreciate this book more and am bumping to 4 stars. In comparison this book does a much better job of presenting the history and modern trends of cider in far less pages.

[David Feinstein · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a home brewer of beer I find anything related to yeast fermenting to be of interest. I've tried my hand at making cider with my wife. We tried making cider without having an idea of where we were going. After reading this book I think we will at least have a basis of where to begin with our next batch and where to take it. It's not an instruction manual or a cook book. It's a book to get your creative juices flowing.

[Cyndie Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent review of the essentials of different world wide regional ciders and the different styles that are cropping up in the US and Canada. Beautifully described, especially surrounding Basque cider drinking rituals. Must read for cider fans with lists of brands of cider to try that are available in the US that match the styles he's describing.

[Matt Stevens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this in about 36 hours. Fantastic book. Probably the best, most interesting book I've read this year. Thoroughly recommend anyone who enjoys or has even though about drinking cider.

Already planning my visit to the Basque Country and West England.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This isn't quite the "simple" intro to cider I was expecting. There is a lot of info about different types of apples, how cider (and perry) is made, etc. Much more technical with much less historical background than I would have liked.