Wildcide Hard cider

Aurum Cider Co.

Gordon Biersch Brewing Co. co-founder Dan Gordon's inspiration for the first hard cider offering from his new Aurum Cider Co. came when he saw bears and elk munching on fermented apples in the wild. Wildcide uses only juice from fresh-pressed apples—four varieties: Fuji, Granny Smith, Red and Golden Delicious—no concentrates. The result is a dry, well-blended cider distinctly rooted in the orchards. The taste is akin to a farm-grown version of the sparkling cider passed around the children's table at Thanksgiving, but at 6.2 percent ABV, Wildcide packs a little more of a punch. And, since the apple flavor isn't lost or buried, a fall punch would be a great application for this cider. Not overly sweet but with more depth than the average supermarket apple juice, Wildcide is an approachable—and gluten-free—alternative to beer and just a hint of where cider can go in the coming years.