It was dark in there and I was sitting front row, so...
This weekend I saw The Bither Brothers Band play at The Bitter End in NYC….PAUSE - I can’t even get through the description of this lovely night without a grimace on my face as I remember the taste of this god awful cider.
I know I sound like a hater, but if you’ve followed this blog at all you may have been skeptical of my honesty up until now. I know what I like (and let’s face it, there isn’t much that I don’t like) so I know what to order and how to order it; what to cook and how to cook it (most of the time).
Because of my keen sense of awareness of my taste, I rarely blunder in ordering, leaving all of the blundering up to the establishments – which just hasn’t happened to me all that often.
So, I’m not a hater, I’m just being honest. And no, “god awful” is not too strong of a phrase. None of my friends who tried Kopparberg Cider were able to swallow it with a straight face (TWSS).
Back to the story: we’re having a grand ol’ time at The Bitter End listening to The Bither Brothers (Lady Gaga played here back in the day) and I’ve already enjoyed a few libations. BUT now I am looking to try something new; you’re surprised, I know.
I mosey on over to the bar, take a look at the scribbled list (just how I like it) and I see “Kapp???? Pear Cider.” I couldn’t quite make out the name, but I love me some cider! And pear – even over apple – happens to be my favorite.
Michael
Patrick
I am immediately mentally (and possibly emotionally) taken back to my alma mater to a local bar and restaurant, HomeGrown where I would frequently order – and even recommend – the oh-so-delicious Ace Pear Cider . My mouth starts to water (then and now as I write this) and I’m pumped for my cider.
I am given my receipt, the bottle and… a glass of ice?! I was so befuddled that I’m sure I hesitated, but I chalked it up to the bartender’s ignorance of cider. It’s not all that common so I wasn’t holding it against her.
Leaving it up the “expert” I poured some cider over the ice and took a nice, long sip. BLECH! What the F**** is this?!
It is super duper, crazy-over-the-top sweet, syrupy, watery (I know, that sounds contradictory – think watered down syrup) barely carbonated and bland all at the same time.
I said to myself, “okay, maybe it’s this weird glass-of-ice-thing,” and took another big swig right from the bottle: EQUALLY BLECH.
It didn’t taste terrrrrrible in that it wasn’t expired, it didn’t smell bad, it wasn’t thick or even flavorful at all. For that reason, and the fact that it set me back almost eight big ones, I finished it. But not without a grimace on my face.
It wasn’t good. To confirm my thoughts I passed that puppy around the table..
You know, the oh-so-strangely-common “This is gross! Wanna taste it?!” thing…
(Why do we ask that? And why do so many people say “yes”?)
I got the same review from every. single. person. A grimace.
I do not recommend, under any circumstances, that you try this cider. Not if you are a fan of cider. Not if you aren’t a fan of cider. Not if you are the cider expert of the world and… okay, maybe then. Otherwise: STAY AWAY.
I know that this seems like a very strong opinion. And you’re right. And although I’m sure someone somewhere likes this – they do continue to sell it and they do carry it is bars (apparently) – so maybe there is some kind of “acquired taste.” However, for those of you who like Strongbow, Ace or even Woodchuck’s – you’re not going to like this. It tastes absolutely nothing like it’s highly superior counterparts.
Have you ever tried hard cider? What’s your favorite brand?
Apple or Pear?
Ever have an equally surprisingly displeasing experience after ordering a drink? I’d love to hear about it!
Sorry, Kopparberg. I SEO’d the shit out you and your god awful cider. Hopefully for you your SEO is strong and Google won’t index this blog on your first page… Oh look, it’s actually on page one. Whoops.
This is hilarious, I will now never try this cider!
Gotta say I love this stuff.
Bought it at the total wine in alpharetta when I was dying for a rarses of “home”….cider is pretty popular in London.
Anywho, when I visited home in June I was in pub & the bar staff recommeded a pear & Apple cider called lilley’s. Looooved it. I’m sure you wouldn’t as it was very sweet.
All that to say that’s the reason I chose the pear cider and I have to say I was pretty happy with it
Oh and i paid something like $2.39 for it.
It is great to hear another side! I LOVE Strongbow, I was introduced to it in London, actually. And then Ace is great too, one that I’ve had several times in the US. This one just seemed so completely different to me!
But thank you for sharing!
I opened a bottle of kopparburg cider, about 5 minutes ago. And I immediately googled “kopparburg pear cider too sweet”. I couldn’t agree more with your review.
It’s a mood killer. It’s bad cider.
Thank you for your comment, Elliot. I’m glad you were able to find me, but I’m sorry about the circumstances. Ever try Strongbow?
Your article prefeclty shows what I needed to know, thanks!
I was introduced to cider while in Ireland. Was doing the tourist thing with my brother at Blarney castle and saw a couple guys in wife beater’s and shirts unbuttoned wading through the small creek on the castle grounds, they were thoroughly wasted. I noticed they were carrying what appeared to be three liter bottles of soda pop. I asked some one and they said it was likely scrumpy jack. I was like what the hell is that. They went on to say it was cider. This had me intrigued because I had heard of so called Hard cider before this trip but never had any. So that night when we got back to Dublin and stopped into the pub across from the hostel I ordered up a couple pints of cider. The bar tender informed me it was a girls drink but it was ok since I was American. I didn’t understand at the time that I had just been insulted. No worries though, I ended up drinking 6 or 7 pints before we decided to head out. I was hooked on cider from that point on. But when I got back state side I was disappointed, one because I was still eighteen, and two because no liquor stores or grocery stores around where I lived even carried cider. It wasn’t till I got to Okinawa, Japan as a Marine that I would finder cider again, Hornsby; I liked that since it was the only choice I had at the time. Fast forward to now, many more choices, right now I like Angry Orchard and Magners. I kind of wish they had a store around here that carried Scrumpy Jack though.
That’s a great story, Jeremiah, thank you for commenting! Thank you for all that you do for our country, and I hope you find more cider near you!
Lady gaga played there back in the day… As did one Eric Reitz. Far more talented, IMHO.
I 100% agree! Thanks for the comment, Sean
I’ve had it over in England and enjoyed it. It’s not for everyone I guess it’s a sweet cider like Woodchuck. I always drink it over ice (cuts some of the sweetness) unless I’m out at the lake or something and don’t have a glass of ice with me.
I like it when people come together and share opinions.
Great website, keep it up!