Ballyhook flyer

Craigies Ballyhook Flyer Irish Craft Cider (5.8% ABV, 500ml). Medium hazy, bright golden colour. Sweet and sour apples, some vinegar, cinnamon, mild yeast, and even milder herbs in the aroma. The company calls this a "dry" cider, but it's somewhere between dry and medium dry. Slightly musty apples at first, earthy and fruity, some bitterness like apple skins, then a more sour note kicks in. Apple skins and some lemon in the finish. Earthy notes and increasing dryness and a bit of yeast in the aftertaste. Quite appealing, more complex than some. 7/10.

It grows on you. A first "musty" hit could be off putting but it is nicely tempered by a full fruit flavour which is heading towards sweet. It has a long finish which starts a bit sour but end sweetish. It's well made and nicely balanced. I'm not sure how many I could drink in a night, though.

If you like Irish Magnus hard cider, I'd describe this as Magnus 'light'. A musky- musty, somewhat bitter flavour, sweet but not terribly fruity.

Draft pour at Schilling Cider House in Seattle WA. Complex, but I didn't like the bitterness.