Cider on my rider please (Magners Irish Cider)

Member Name: flodombey

Product:	Magners Irish Cider
Date:	13/03/09 (180 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Refreshing, lots of offers on it

Disadvantages: Slightly sour

It is fair to say that cider has undergone something of a resurgence in popularity in the last few years. Personally I always disliked the stuff based on a sickening (literally) experience as a student when strongbow was 50p a pint and I managed to pickle my stomach during a mammoth session (purely to take advantage of the price you see!).

Having then spent a few days unable to even think about apples and with my stomach feeling completly stripped I had spent most of my 20s convinced that cider most definitely was not the drink for me. However...

My husband has always occasionally partaken of a glass of cider and would sometimes bring a bottle home in the summer, last year he convinced me to try a bottle of magners on a saturday night and fancying a change from my usual tipples (dry white or bottled lager) I indulged. I was surprised to find it incredibly drinkable.

The 'new' way of drinking it is to try it over ice, however, this does nothing for me and suffering from overly sensitive teeth I find it unpleasant. On its own but very chilled is lovely and especially in warm weather, in a beer garden for example, this is an especially refreshing drink. There is nothing worse than unchilled cider however and I would say always ensure it is indeed chilled for a number of hours if you buy it to drink at home.

The great thing about Magners is that they also make a pear version (this is technically a 'Perry' though, not a cider, I am reliably informed) which is very tasty indeed and ideal if, like me, you find apple cider to be a little on the piquant side. The pear version is substantially sweeter.

Being on weight watchers I can easily make a bottle of the magners cider last as long as two or three glasses of wine so for me it is a great compromise for points. A bottle works out at 3 points which is the same as a large glass of wine.

The co-op currently have a four pack of 330ml bottles on offer for £2.99 so its well worth trying while cheaper. A good alternative and worth sampling, even if, like me, your student days put you off cider for good!

Summary: A great beer garden drink