La Face Cachée de la Pomme

February 10, 2008
My second time here, this place continues to be fun. Though it seems near impossible to wring a tour out of them, they are more than eager to give you (multiple, if you ask) tastes of all their products, including the $33 Neige Eternelle and $43 Frimas. They must pour $5-10 worth of cider for each person there. Tough to complain about that, especially when the product is so unbelievably good!

May 29, 2007
One of th greatest ice cider producers. Very marketing oriented, modern, I can’t say I appreciate the considerable sums they demand for a taste of their products, but they are top notch and the visit is well structured and very educative. Friendly people, but clearly in it for the money and fame as much as by passion.

October 25, 2006
Just a few yards away from Hemmingford village on fabulous old route 202, a great drive for foodies and drunks like me. The cidery tasting room/tower is made to resemble the wooden crates they use to store apples. No expense is spared for décor here, even the art in the bathroom is cool. They often host special events, my favorite being "Classe Neige", where you actually go outside in the cold and taste apples still frozen on the trees (they actually look more like vines). Discounts for on-premises purchases are negligible, but they usually have a cider or two you can’t get anywhere else, and tastings can either be free or quite pricey, depending on the mood of the person at the register. No tours are given unless it’s a special event or if you come with a group and reserve. Say hi to the family dog usually hanging around the parking lot.

August 26, 2006
Like CapFlu, one of the things I note most immediately is the upscale "classy" details and general feel of the place -- this is no working-class cidery. But I feel that the quality of the product justifies the opulence to some extent, even if I felt more at home in the rustic cellars of Jodoin. This is worth a visit mostly for the tour, and for the possibility of rare vintages or experiments that may not be sold elsewhere. The regular line (Frimas, Neige, Neige Eternelle) is IMHO the cream of the cider world.

July 20, 2006
Établissement visité le 15 juillet, vers 15h30, lors d’une promenade sur le "Circuit du Paysan". Ambiance: Boutique décorée avec classe avec musique de fond tranquilisante. Service: Nous avons pu goûter 5 produits tout à fait gratuitement. On nous a très bien expliquer l’historique et les caractéristiques de chaque produit. Selection: Ici vous êtes au pays des cidres de glace à l’exception de Dégel et de Bulles. Les cidres sont de qualité supérieur. Neige Éternelle et Frimas sont de pure délice. Nourriture: Rien de disponible à part du pâté de foie gras pour acompagner le cidre. (16e rating d’établissement)

July 3, 2006 [ Updated July 4, 2006 ]
The place stinks of affluence... and apples. I love the architecture, I love the ciders, I love the couple that run this place. However, I think this cidery has tapped a rich market in Japan and sells over 70% of their product abroad (I head the Waldorf in NYC and the majority to Tokyo and Paris) - too bad they seem to price themselves into the stratosphere for the locals. I really enjoy the drive out to Hemminford but would really suggest the concentration of quality cideries in the Rougemount and the Magog region. Also, they charged me $5 for a 2oz SAMPLE of Frimas...

July 3, 2006 [ Updated November 28, 2007 ]
I can’t believe nobody has added this place, the home of the #1 cider on RateBeer (Frimas), oh well! A nice and moderne cider house, next to a old house. You can only try 4 of there product (in order: Dégel, Neige, Neige Éternelle and Frimas), but it is free. You can buy all of the ciders (including gift packs).