Growers Light Extra Dry

Growers has joined the field of cider makers introducing a light cider. This one boasts 4% alcohol, 4 grams of sugar and 110 calories per 355ml can. It has a very pale amber colour and a light slightly artificial apple bouquet despite it having added "natural flavours." The taste is very light and slightly artificial but still not too bad. Certainly the best light cider I've had. 6/10

West Avenue Cherriosity

Another West Avenue cider though not quite up to the Mac edition. This is a cider with added cherry juice. The colour is burnt red/orange and has a very light dry cherry bouquet. The taste is much like their heritage dry with a very subtle initial cherry flavour that seems lighter on later tasting. Not as good as the exceptional Loch Nór Sour Cherry or even the Goldkehlchen Sauerkirsche, but it is still a nice drink. 7/10

Shiny

From Niagara-on-the-Lake comes this light cider. It has very light amber colour and light fresh apple bouquet. A light of-dry fresh apple taste that finishes slightly drier. 6.5% alcohol. 8/10

Okanagan Harvest Pear

From Delta, B.C. comes this perry with a very pale almost clear colour with a pronounced artificial pear bouquet. The initial taste is quite sweet that finishes a little drier. Altogether it is too sweet and has too much of an artificial pear flavour like a commercial candy (similar to Okanagan Crisp Apple and Growers Honeycrisp). It has 11 ingredients, and cider is fourth on the list after water, vodka and sugar! 4.5/10

Okanagan Crisp Apple

From Delta, B.C. comes this cider with a pale amber almost champagne-like colour with an artificial apple bouquet. The initial taste is quite sweet that finishes a little drier. I guess this is where the "crisp" in the name comes from. Altogether it is too sweet and has way too much of an artificial apple flavour like a commercial apple candy (similar to Growers Honeycrisp). It has 12 ingredients, and cider is fourth on the list after water, vodka and sugar! 4.5/10

Growers Honeycrisp Apple

Another cider from Growers, this is a "flavoured" cider, and it tastes like it. It has a light amber colour and a sweet artificial apple bouquet. The taste is semi-sweet with a pronounced artificial apple taste. Okay for those who aren't put off by a cider that taste like apple candy. Not for me. 4.5/10

Cider Associations

In Ontario cider producers have formed the Ontario Craft Cider Association (OCCA). They advocate for cider producers and particularly in the unequal taxation they face compared to beer makers. Cider is currently lumped in with wine and is taxed at a higher rate.

Cider Canada is the association representing cider makers nationally. As they note, there were only a handful of cider producers in Canada and now there are over 400! Cider is produced in every province and all but one territory.

In the U.S. the American Cider Association represents cider makers.

The Cider Institute of North America is involved in research, development and education relating to cider production.

In Britain there is the Campaign For Real Ale (CAMRA) which campaigns for standards in the production of ales, cider and perry.

The European Cider and Fruit Wine Association (AICV), headquartered in Brussels, represents producers of cider and fruit wine in Europe. Full members are Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland, Spain, and Sweden. Observer members are the Russian Federation, South Africa, Switzerland, and the UK.