Beer review: Moa Apple Cider

QUALITY: Moa Apple Cider, a well balanced brew sure to tempt even non-cider drinkers. PHOTO/MATTHEW MARTIN

I'm not a huge cider fan. They tend to be a bit too sweet for my taste, but I'd be quite happy if all I had left to drink was Moa's new apple cider.

Yes, I'm a beer-head and proud of it. But the craft beer and brewing revolution has seen some top-quality ciders appear on the market.

According to Moa Brewing's founder, Josh Scott, they wanted to "incorporate some of the finer French qualities that Kiwis could appreciate sans slimy, green creatures".

Being a qualified wine maker as well as beer brewer seems to have helped Josh nail this very nicely balanced 4 per cent cider.

Made with all New Zealand green apples this classy cider is fermented with French oak chips which give it a smooth finish that's not too tart or too sweet.

In this case you can believe the hype, "the oak preserves the fruit flavours and crispness on the palate while retaining an elegant oaky aroma that is uncommon with standard ciders".

Often ciders are just another alcopop-style drink with little thought going into the brewing process.

Consequently you get a mish-mash of overly sweet syrup that's undrinkable unless you are an 18-year-old looking to get blasted on cheap rubbish.

It's also very reasonably priced, between $22.99 and $26.99 for a 12 pack.

So if you're like me and haven't tried a cider in a while I recommend you give it a go.