Smoke and Mirrors? You decide…

by Carol Riley, Staff Writer

A recent visit to Sisters’ Cider House, 921 Hildebrand Lane, Bainbridge Island, was a treat. Sisters’, owned by Port Ludlow residents Roger and Lee Anderson and run by their daughters Randi and Caron, is a fun destination. The award-winning cider, which comes in so many varieties, is delicious.

I tried the Pomegranate cider and loved it. My husband, who couldn’t decide on a flavor, opted for the flight of four ciders of his choice – Black Currant, Pomegranate, Strawbanero, and Rum Away with Me. He loved them all!

Roger guided us through the tasting and shared an interesting fact. He has started a “club” where patrons can opt to purchase their own pewter “glass” for cider tasting. Your name goes on the mug, and it stays at the cider house ready for your next visit. Why pewter you ask?  Well, Roger, who is a chemist as well as a cider maker, explained that the ph of the cider doesn’t react with the pewter, thus allowing the true flavor of the cider to shine through. Contact with glass, even though the reaction is small, does alter the flavor slightly. Really?

Well, we put it to the test. My Pomegranate cider tasted from my glass was great. But my cider tasted from the pewter mug? Different! Fuller and more well-rounded. Amazing!

Don’t take my word for it. Head on over to Bainbridge and taste for yourself.