This past summer, our head cider maker, Tony “T$” Hansen, sat down to make his Christmas list (what can we say? He likes to send his letter to the big guy at the North Pole early, he’s pretty sure it increases the odds of getting everything on his list). He sat downstairs at the Short’s Brewing Company Production Facility and barricaded himself at his desk in the brewer’s office. No one, not even Tyler (Director of Quality), was going to interrupt his holiday preparations. Hemming and hawing, he asked aloud, “What do I want for Christmas this year?”
Aside from a new pair of Dickies work pants and this statue of a super zen Garden Gnome, T$ was stumped! What could jolly old St. Nick slide into his stocking to make it a December to remember?
Stumped. Tony cracked open a fresh bottle of Spruce Pilsner, (a favorite of the Short’s-i-verse), took a sip, and closed his eyes. As the delectable brew hit his taste buds visions of spruce dongers and fresh pressed apples danced in his head.
“Eureka!” Yelled Tony.
Turning to Kyle (who was visibly startled by Tony’s exclamation) T$ explained “The best way to celebrate this holiday won’t be singing loud for all to hear or waiting for jolly old St. Nick . . . The best way to spread Christmas cheer will be sharing spruce cider with friends far and near!”
Shaking his head, Kyle closed his computer and headed off for his long drive to ‘Kasky. He had cows to check on and for God’s sake, it was only August anyway. Why was Tony worried about Christmas? Why was Tony speaking in rhymes?
Jumping into the Tony mobile, T$ set a course for Beer Camp, our top-secret barrel aging facility, and set to work. The spirit of Christmas had filled him and he no longer cared what Santa brought him. He had only one mission in mind. He juiced and he steeped and he sprinkled Christmas cheer. For added effect, he even strung garland, wrapped lights, and hung hand cut snow flakes from the ceiling. The finished product? The final 2016 installment of our Erraticus Series, Erraticus 7, AKA the world’s tastiest, wild fermented spruce cider and a very festive looking beer camp.
Erraticus 7 is a wild cider fermented with Michigan apples and aged on Northern Michigan Blue Spruce tips. Light straw in color with a slight haze, Erraticus 7 smells of bright apple, farmhouse funk, and crisp spruce. Farmhouse and apple flavors up front lead into complementary pine flavors before a dry and slightly tart finish. Overall, Erraticus 7 is well balanced and very drinkable.
Released today (a full 8 sleeps before the most wonderful day of the year). Erraticus 7 is ready for your holiday celebrations! Forget the sable (what is a sable anyway?) and slip a bottle of Christmas tree cider under the tree. Each 750 mL bottle will only set you back $11.00, so you can pick one up for Aunt Sue and Cindy Lou Who, too. Bottles are only available in Bellaire, MI at the Short’s Brewing Company pub and Short’s Mart, so you’ll have to make a trip up to good ‘ol Antrim county to score your stash. It’s been snowing for days, so pop your skis in the car and drive carefully. We’ll see you at the pub!
