Review of Mike's Hard Spiced Apple

Size: 12 ounce bottles
APV: 5.9%
Availability: Most markets, available in special Mike's mix packs.
Website: http://www.mikeshard.com/spiced.php

"Some like it hot." - This is the witty phrase on the side of the Mike's Seasonal Hard Spiced Apple bottle. At first this seems like just a play on the concept of hot apple cider, but Mike's actually intends this beer to be enjoyed either hot or cold.

The drink has an almost orange/brown color to it and upon cracking open the bottle, the smell of cinnamon wafts up from the bottle. The first sip is a bit over sweetened, but as the bottle empties, it seems to get smoother. This could be due to consistency of the liquid, but more likely it is due to getting a little drunker with each sip thanks to the higher than average APV.

Mike's went and sweetened this drink a bit too much, but you can still taste hints of apple and cinnamon throughout the drink. A big plus is that it isn't as carbonated as other Mike's drinks, making it a smooth drink that doesn't fill you up as quickly as Mike's Original.

There is a crispness to each sip and it isn't weak on the flavor at any point. If you don't like drinks with a lot of sweetness you might want to skip Mike's Hard Spiced Apple.

For this review, the drink was sampled cold however Mike's recommends trying it hot with some caramel and apple butter mixed in. You can apparently heat it up in the microwave or a pot over the stove, just be sure to pour it out of it's glass bottle before doing so.

As for the higher APV, the average Mike's drink has just around 5% APV while Spiced Apple has 5.9%. This could have been done just due to the production process but it could have been done to compensate for alcohol being burned off if you choose to heat it up.

At the website below you can view a wide selection of special "Mike's recipes" designed to be used with Hard Spiced Apple. Ingredients to add range from whipped cream and orange juice to vodka and powdered sugar. So while the drink tastes warm and fuzzy right out of the bottle, it is also a great drink to mix into a warm fall or winter beverage.

The Mike's recipe page for Spiced Hard Apple Cider:
http://www.mikeshard.com/recipe.php