Anoche Portland
On Thursday evening we visited Anoche Cider & Spirits, a Basque-style cider house on Washington Avenue in Downtown Portland. Although we had occasionally drunk bottled hard cider before, a draft cider tasting was a new experience for us.
Anoche’s dining room was warm and welcoming, with gorgeous Spanish tiles at the bar and a long, live edge communal table. We were served by the owner, Erika, who helped us select an assortment of ciders from different countries. She told us about her dream of opening a cider house, and how she took a leap of faith when the coffee shop below her apartment closed. I love the way she transformed that space - it felt exotic and homey at the same time.
We tasted eight different ciders, with surprisingly different flavors and aromas. We also snacked on some delicious pintxos (the Basque version of tapas), including some amazing citrus-marinated Castelveltrano olives. YUM.
I learned later that Basque Country dominated the seas in the 16th century. A big reason was cider - Basque sailors drank copious amounts of vitamin C-rich cider, and were far less afflicted with scurvy. The centuries-old tradition of cider houses continues today in San Sebastián and other cities in Northern Spain. Learn more HERE.
The draft ciders we tasted at Anoche (with Erika’s descriptions):
North Country Firestarter, NH - A medium sweet cider with a spicy kick of cinnamon, habanero and pomegranate, she’ll bring the party to your taste buds. (Amy’s favorite)
Whaleback Teltane Lightning, ME - A Baldwin tree was struck by lightning and mutated. Now the apples create an acidic, tannic and dry cider reminiscent of Basque Country.
Artifact by Any Other Name, MA - A dry and crisp beach slammer of a cider, made with black currant all the way from western Mass, they got the best currants if ya ask me! (Maria’s favorite)
Absolem Cider Bemble, ME - Bold and tart German style apfelwein made with riesling yeast and three different apple varietals. 6 months aged, complex, and perfectly dry.
Norumbega Cider Barrel Series Gin 2021, ME - Aged in gin barrels since 2021, light with just a touch of tartness, a soft gin flavor dances on the tongue before the oak settles in.
Gurutzeta Basque Cider, ESP - Family owned and locally sourced. Funky, acidic and very complex. Taste Spain!
Etienne Dupont Bouche Brut, FR - Translates to “cider under cork,” a very traditional sweet cider, lightly carbonated, hell, this guy smells just like apple juice!
