No big intro to this one, just go read the interview I did with Jakob, published last Saturday. The order here is the order I tasted them in over the course of a couple of weeks when it was particularly hot here in southern Germany. Like over 30°C, and still very hot in the evening, so they were poured straight from the fridge, warming pretty quick.

So, all that aside, let’s get on with them!

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FreuObst Vulkan Zider 2020 – review

How I served: Direct from the fridge.

Appearance: Light amber, slight haze with a steady stream of bubbles.

On the nose: Initial impression is fruity, with an intriguing hint of phenolics, which is rare in German ciders. Bruised red apple skin. An earthiness pervades, wet stone, a touch of bitter almond and childhood plasticine memories.

In the mouth: Medium acidity, tart apple flesh, lime and cherry. That phenolic note hinted at on the nose comes in right on the finish, certainly more than I’d expect from a German cider using local varieties. It brings a kind of bitter grapefruit chop to the finish, lingering with a warming cherry tone. Dry, ever so slightly astringent right at the end, turning to bitter orange peel as it warms. I said intriguing on the nose, and that bitter note kept me sipping.

In a nutshell: As a pretty early FreuObst expression, this is very well done. Clean, yet perhaps a little off-centre for many, the surprise bitter note made it rather compelling to this drinker.

FreuObst Vulkan Zider 2021 – review

How I served: 10 minutes out the fridge (it was 30+°C out).

Appearance: A resounding pop on opening, with a short-lived spritzy mousse. A darker shade of straw.

On the nose: More delicate than the 2020 and less phenolic. Candied apple, light strawberry and raspberry, a faintly alcoholic touch, reminiscent of butane or permanent marker.

In the mouth: Medium-high acidity makes it mouthwatering from the first sip. Lemon and lime starbursts (opal fruits to the older generations) dominating. A spicy background, suggesting lime and ginger with a touch of cardamom. Gooseberry with a lick of apricot. A good tingle of CO2 on the tongue enhances the zestiness. I do get a hint of acetic on the finish, perhaps explaining the slight butane note on the nose, and this increases as it warms (note I am very sensitive to acetic).

In a nutshell: A pleasant, refreshing cider with a very interesting spicy character. Certainly one for fans of acid-led ciders, but the acetic note may be too much for some.

FreuObst Apfel Zider 2022 – review

How I served: From the fridge (it was still super warm out).

Appearance: Gold, clear, lightly petillant.

On the nose: Floral, apple blossom, lychee, lemon curd, cantaloupe and green apple peel. Quite a list of aromas, and it is very inviting, fresh and crunchy with those floral highlights. A light schnapps note appears as it warms.

In the mouth: All of the above! While the acid doesn’t show on the nose, in the mouth it is most certainly pleasant, adding lime zest, green apple skin to the mix. Cantaloupe to the fore, and while the floral elements aren’t as strong as on the nose, a touch of orange blossom water and a tingle of vanilla oakiness rounds this off very nicely indeed.

In a nutshell: Clean as a whistle, lovely acidity balanced against a palette of fresh spring flavours. The lightest touch of oak rounds it off perfectly. My top pick of the five cider tried..

FreuObst Cidre Brut 2020 – review

How I served: From the fridge.

Appearance: Clear, deep gold, petillant.

On the nose: Delicate. Honey, green apple flesh, strawberries and cream.

In the mouth: Offering more than on the nose, a gentle acidity suggestive of orange juice and marmalade up front, giving way to a more appley flavour, red apple flesh with blueberry and melon highlights. There’s a slightly biscuity, honeyed, vanilla-like backbone trailing out in the finish with prevents it from being too abrupt.

In a nutshell: A pretty solid and enjoyable traditional method cider. It feels a little simple at first, but don’t serve too cold and it will open up with lots of little surprises.

FreuObst Schweizer Wasserbirne 2020 – review

How I served: From the fridge.

Appearance: So, so pale, just the lightest shade of straw and crystal clear.

On the nose: Sweet tinned pears, rounded warm aromas, lychee and kumquat. As it warms, a touch of marzipan and playdoh.

In the mouth: Bright and cheery. Vinous. Summer berries, gooseberry, lychee, gentle mandarin zest and elderflower. The finish is long and almost spicy, with a twist of nutmeg on tinned pears and just a catch of gletschereis bonbons at the back of the throat (pear drops might be more meaningful).

In a nutshell: Another excellent proof that perry can make a fantastic alternative for wine drinkers. Super refreshing when chilled to downplay the residual sweetness.

FreuObst Freude Cuvée Nr. 1 2023 – review

How I served: From the fridge.

Appearance: Pale gold, lightly sparkling.

On the nose: Very much in appley territory. Apple juice, green apple skins, a touch of rosewater, light fudge – warming, inviting with a nose of amaretto as it warms.

In the mouth: Yeah, apples. Lovely fruit up front, apple sorbet with a twist of mandarin zest and an almost carmelised note. Apple acids to the fore, but rounded and full-bodied, adding to the sorbet tingle on the tongue, aided by a gentle fizz. Perhaps a hint of vanilla, in a creme bruleee way, and a brief bitter almond touch, right at the finish.

In a nutshell: While it might appear relatively simple up front, Cuvée Nr. 1 (2023) reveals small delights as you drink through, making it one of my top picks of the FreuObst ciders I have tried.

Conclusions

FreuObst is exactly the type of maker I am interested in. Small, producing something different to the masses (in Germany), and you know exactly where it came from and who made it. While I noted a touch of acetic in the 2021 Vulkan release, the rest are super clean and well made, exhibiting an honesty, care and freshness that I would happily recommend to anyone interested in regional German cider. I know I’ll be looking forward to trying future releases!