Fennville, MI – Virtue Cider introduces two new ciders this summer: Michigan Cherry and Michigan Honey. Both ciders are being introduced this month in draft, and 12-ounce bottle six-packs will be available in August 2017.
“Michigan Cherry and Michigan Honey show off the best parts of our local market,” says Virtue founder Gregory Hall. “Michigan leads the nation in tart cherries; in production, as well as growing the best ones. We also used locally sourced wildflower honey. It smells fantastic and makes a delicious cider.”
Michigan Cherry
Style: Cider with cherries
Description: Michigan Cherry highlights two of our favorite fruits grown in Michigan: crisp apples and tart cherries. Michigan is the top tart cherry-producing state in the United States. Our cherry cider blends last year’s harvest of Michigan apples from local orchards that is aged in French oak barrels. We then add juice pressed from Michigan cherries to create a cider version of a rosé; fruity up front, with a tart finish.
ABV: 5%
Package availability: on draft and 12-ounce bottle six-packs
Michigan Honey
Style: Cider with honey
Description: Michigan Honey is our homage to the bees, which are imperative for pollinating the new blossoms on fruit trees in the spring. Our honey cider is a blend of hand-pressed heirloom Michigan apples that is aged in French oak barrels, and local wildflower honey. The final cider is floral with the scent of honeysuckle and apple.
ABV: 5%
Package availability: on draft and 12-ounce bottle six-packs
Michigan Cherry and Michigan Honey will join Michigan Brut and Michigan Harvest as part of the Michigan Series of cider. In late August, Virtue will release the Michigan Series in six-packs of 12-ounce bottles, including an updated look for Michigan Brut, and relaunching Michigan Harvest as Michigan Apple. The official line up will include: Michigan Brut, Michigan Apple, Michigan Cherry, and Michigan Honey.
Michigan Cherry will be launched at the following release events:
Michigan Cherry Release Party at Virtue Farm
Wednesday, June 21, 5pm-7pm EDT
Virtue Cider, 2170 62nd Street, Fennville, MI 49408
Michigan Cherry Chicago Release Party
Saturday, June 24, 3pm-7pm CDT
Sheffield’s Beer & Wine Garden, 3258 N. Sheffield Ave., Chicago, IL 60657
Michigan Honey release dates will be announced soon.
About Virtue Cider:
Virtue is the hard cider venture launched in June 2011 by Gregory Hall, former brewmaster at Goose Island, and co-founder Stephen Schmakel. The company’s mission is to make European-style ciders from fresh heirloom apples and employ traditional farmhouse production methods that include native and secondary fermentation, use of wild yeasts, and an expansive barrel-aging program.