s has announced the latest addition to its portfolio in the form of New Zealand’s Zeffer Brewing Company’s craft ciders.Since the launch of its flagship Dry Apple Cider in 2009, Zeffer has since released a Red Apple variant which uses the Mahana red apple from New Zealand’s Nelson region and a Pear Cider which matches well with food.
The most innovative line that Zeffer offers is their Hopped Up Pippin cider. The cider uses freshly pressed Pippin apples that are fermented and then infused with a trio of Nelson’s ‘world-beating hops’ (Riwaka, Sauvin and Motueka), creating a perfect balance of crisp apple and tropical, citrusy hop characters.
The brewery’s once-a-year limited-release cider, Slack Ma Girdle cider will also be welcomed to the Phoenix portfolio. Slack Ma Girdle is made from a combination of more than 50 apple varities sourced from across New Zealand. These specialty cider apples are grown in small, family-run orchards, and are almost inedible on the tree – their rich tannins and sharp flavour are then transformed into what’s described as a ‘kiwi take on the famous West Country [cider] style’.
Zeffer’s Dry Apple Cider has already made an impact of the Australian cider scene by picking up ‘Best in Class’ at the Australian Cider Awards in October last year. All of Zeffer’s ciders come in 500ml bottles and are free from artificial colours and flavours.
