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A Chill in The Air: Canada’s East Coast is full of flavour!
Written by Tas Fraser
It has been lots of fun sampling my way through the Canadian cider scene the last couple of years and wow have there been some new additions! Of course I absolutely love Ontario ciders but what has really been intriguing me lately are the creative flavours of the East Coast, particularly in Nova Scotia. There are quite a few incredible ciders I have been able to try from our Atlantic provinces, many of them being from Chill Street Beverage Company. The first cider I tried from them was “Hocus Pocus” a beautifully spiced Pumpkin Spice cider (which of course I reviewed for Halloween). From then on, I knew I had to try more…and I did. In fact, at this moment I have tried 16 of their ciders (this includes their wine-cider blends). Today, I’m going to be telling you a little bit about Chill St and their ciders (I’ll save the wine-blends for another time).
Who Is Chill Street?
Chill Street Beverage Company is a trend setting beverage company located on the east coast of Canada in Elmsdale, Nova Scotia. They opened in 2017, and are located inside of a Sobeys! Owner is the equally chill Barry Macleod. Chill Street currently sells ciders, wine-cider blends and non-alcoholic sodas available for purchase through their online website. They also have established many partnerships, one being with Noggins Corner Farm in Nova Scotia, and another closer to home. This brand’s major aim is to create a relaxing atmosphere where loved ones can connect, chill and enjoy a flavourful cider. They definitely accomplished this with their fun labels, creative names, and suggestions for food pairings right on the can!
Currently Chill St. is offering a deal on some amazing bundles to both Ontario and Nova Scotia Areas. If you are located in Ontario. Some of the bundles you can get are the “Ultimate Chill Street Experience” which includes many of the listed ciders and their Wine & Cider blends. Use code: ULTIMATE for free shipping to Ontario! To try just their wine-cider blends, use code WINELOVER for free shipping to Ontario. Please see their website for more information and to order! https://chillstreetcraftbeverageco.com/
Meet the Chill St. Cider Family
Hocus Pocus: Pumpkin Spice Cider
ABV: 5%
This cider is a pumpkin spice cider full of magic. On the nose you get cinnamon and nutmeg. In terms of flavour it is on the sweeter side but not overpowering and not thick-syrupy tasting like some other spiced ones. It is orange-caramel in colour and is carbonated as well. I quite enjoyed this one, and is perfect for the fall season. Fun fact: It was the first pumpkin spice cider I have ever tried in my cider tasting career!
Sweet Temptation: Honey Mango Cider
ABV: 5.2%
Heads up, this is my ABSOLUTE Chill St. favourite, and it made it on my list of top 10 ciders in 2020. From the title you’d probably assume you were going to experience a lot of sweetness. However, you will find it is mildly sweet, with true juicy mango flavour. The finish is sweetened with honey and it is just the perfect balance.
Blood Orange: Noggins Collaboration
ABV: 5%
This cider is a collaboration with Noggins Farm in NS and is a wonderfully tart tasting cider. If you know about Blood Oranges, they are not too sweet and are more comparable to a grapefruit. However, this combination perfectly blends blood orange puree, apple and a nice sparkle.
Heat of the Moment: Ginger Habanero Cider
ABV: 5.7%
In three words? This was spicy! I am not one for spice, however this is a super popular cider for all the heat lovers. I remember smelling it for the first time, and I felt like I breathed in fire! This cider is heavy on ginger flavour, and you get a nice burn in every sip. I would not withstand the heat, so I got out of the kitchen. However what I will say it was incredible to see this creative flavour come to life! Spice lovers you will enjoy this.
All Night Long: Blackberry Dry Cider
ABV: 5.2%
This one is for those of you wanting a bit more of a dry style. It smells super sweet, however it does not taste it at all. It is light in colour, and full of refreshing black berry + crisp apple. Somehow this cider stays very dry even with the blackberry which is sorcery in my opinion. Definitely give this one a try if you’re not exactly into the sweeter flavours, you won’t regret it!
Under the Mistletoe: Sugar Plum Cider
ABV: 5%
This cider is in my opinion their sweetest- and if that’s not your gig, you may want to pass on this one. It is seasonal, so it will hopefully be back next winter! The sweetness level is candy sweet and kind of reminded me of cookies. The finish held the tart taste of plum. It was definitely warming, and perfect for those cold winter days.
Squeeze the Day: Guava Sour
ABV: 5.2%
Get ready for another wild flavour from Chill St. Here we have a tropical flavour but styled not sweet…but sour! In this one they have a semi-dry cider base but pair it with tart guava. This one is nice and sparkling, and would be easy drinking in warmer weather. When I tried it, I noticed a rush of guava followed by a pucker of tartness. It is amazing the experience created with this cider, you have to try it for yourself.
Berry Naughty: Strawberry Lime
ABV: 5.2%
This cider is light, similar to all Chill St. flavours, so you don’t get that heavy feeling of being too full of cider! On the nose you get a nice light hint of lime, however the taste is predominantly strawberry. They used a crisp apple base in this one, and I really enjoyed the sweet strawberry, but would have loved more of the lime kick!
Nuts over You: Almond Cider
ABV: 5.1%
This is another unique flavour of cider that I was worried I would not enjoy. I was pleasantly surprised by this one. This is a blend of apple with great aromatics. The finish has an amaretto taste. I used this one in a cider cocktail (an Amaretto Sour style) and it was absolutely perfect.
Skinny Dippin: Apple Cider
ABV: 5%
To end off we have the classic apple cider! It is a lovely balance of crisp apples and a tart finish. I found it to be on the semi-dry side but still held full apple flavour. I enjoyed it was light and sparkling- which are some components I love in a good apple cider.
Reminder on an awesome deal! Use code: ULTIMATE for free shipping to Ontario! To try just their wine-cider blends, use code WINELOVER for free shipping to Ontario. Please see their website for more information and to order! https://chillstreetcraftbeverageco.com/
