Tasting Cider: The CIDERCRAFT® Guide to the Distinctive Flavors of North American Hard Cider
By Erin James
$19.95, Storey Publishing
This new release is a breezy read that serves its titled goal: going lighter on the history and stylistic details in favor of cider cocktails and recipes, immersive photography and cidery profiles. The net effect is a confident, knowledgeable tone that never feels bogged down. There are sections for barrel-aged, single-varietal, hoppy and rosé ciders, and Tasting Cider provides an excellent feel for the continent’s cider scene. Were 100-plus pages of cider-based drinks and recipes—broken down by courses, protein types—the best use of space? Arguably not. Ditto for the cidermaker profiles, which don’t build to a bigger story. Tasting Cider proves a smartly orchestrated cider tour, if a bit brief. –Ken Weaver