Road Trip Hard Cider

Each year, Brewmaster John Pinkerton visits Mercier Orchards in Blue Ridge, Ga., to pick up approximately 550 gallons of juice from tart, late season apples, like Granny Smith, Pink Ladies and Rome Beauties. "I like these apples for their acidity, and I like to mix in some sweeter varieties — Fuji or Splendor — for the sugar content," he says. "For hard cider, the acidity gives the beverage a brightness on the palette that really enhances the drinkability, and the sugar content is important for fermentation. Our cider usually comes in between 5 and 6 percent alcohol by volume (ABV)."