Crispin Cider Gets ‘Naked’

One week after revealing plans to box a non-carbonated hard cider, the MillerCoors-owned Crispin Cider Company today announced new product introductions for its Crispin and Fox Barrel brands.

The USDA certified organic “naked” lineup features a unique double fermentation process that includes the use of wine yeast during secondary fermentation and is yet another attempt to capture the attention of wine drinkers.

The new line extension is initially being piloted in Whole Foods stores and will be more broadly available to additional retailers in the next few months. Both offerings are packaged in 22 oz. bottles and have a suggested retail price ranging between $6.99 – $7.99. Crispin Cider is now available in 48 states.

The complete release is below.

COLFAX, CA – Crispin Cider Company is losing its inhibitions. The innovative hard cider maker proudly introduces Crispin Bare Naked and Fox Barrel Pear Naked.

“We wanted to explore creative ways of getting down to the true essence of our ciders, and we wanted to discover the core character of single-strength fermentation and then break loose with a secondary fermentation,” said Bruce Nissen, Head Cider-Maker, Crispin Cider Company.

Crispin Bare Naked and Fox Barrel Pear Naked, which are USDA Organic certified hard ciders utilizing a unique Double Fermentation process, will initially be piloted in Whole Foods stores.

The stripped down, “naked” cider series utilizes natural fermentation without chaptalization. Fermentation leverages the natural sugar levels inherent in the raw, unpasteurized, fresh-pressed American organic apple and pear juice using a novel “Forbidden Fruit” wit yeast. Following full fermentation, a second fermentation is initiated with the addition of new raw organic juice to the wine, and ferments again using a sparkling wine yeast.

The naked ciders are smoothed with pure organic apple or pear juice, and have no added sulfites, sugars, sorbate or benzoate preservatives.

Crispin Bare Naked — 6% ABV

Softly sparkling, dry but still approachable. Free-spirited and complex, without being complicated. A bright apple bouquet. A clean, stripped-down natural beauty.

Fox Barrel Pear Naked – 5.3% ABV

Natural pearfection. A loose-limbed, uninhibited, fresh and lively natural pear cider. Softly sparkling with an authentic pear natural nose, and an off-dry clean finish.

“These are real boundary-breaking ciders in terms of both cider making technique and conceptual thinking, and they’re very small-batch in terms of early season organic fruit supply, fermentation process and our own ability to learn and explore the cider-making art,” said Joe Heron, President & CEO, Crispin Cider Company. “Initially, there’s not a lot out there, but we hope to have more in the future.”

About the Crispin Cider Company

The Crispin Cider Company produces natural hard apple craft ciders using fermented American unpasteurized fresh-pressed apple-juice in Original, Light and Brut varietals, and additional unfiltered Artisanal Reserves – Honey Crisp, Lansdowne, The Saint and Cho-tokkyu, and also imports a classic English Dry Cider, Crispin Browns Lane.

The Fox Barrel Cider Company is dedicated to the production of superior pure pear ciders, using American fermented fresh-pressed pear-juice. Available in Pacific Pear, Blackberry Pear and Apricot Pear varietals and additional unfiltered Cidery Reserves — Ginger & Blackcurrant and Rhubarb & Elderberry. The company also imports a classic English Perry.

Crispin and Fox Barrel ciders are all gluten-free.