Picked up at the Trader Joe’s in Orland Park, Il - Deep golden bodied and well carbonated, drinking this cider is pretty much like drinking some sweet apple juice with a fizz to it. Except that there’s a metallic twang in the finish. About all this inoffensive drink has going for it is that there’s alcohol in it. That ’s not why I drink ciders, beers, meads and sakes, but if it’s blah, there may at least be some buzz quality to it.

Bottle from Trader Joe’s Cincinnati. Poured clear straw color with a small white head that diminished quickly with minimal lacing. Aroma of sweet apple juice. Flavor of candy apple. Light body with a thin texture. Refreshing sweet drink.

Shared by JK. Copper color. Slightly sweet apple aroma and taste. Light carbonation. Eh, apple juice with a little kick.

Green bottle from Trader Joe’s. Slightly musty cider aroma. Brilliant copper color with some white bubbles that totally disappeared. Medium body with mild fizzy carbonation. The flavor is something like a light applesauce without the sugar and spice. Very clean, rather crisp. Finishes tart and almost dry, with red appleskin notes.

Sampled at Cellar’s Wine & Spirits Wednesday evening beer tasting and shared by JK. From a 12-oz bottle pours a clear light golden apple cider with some light bubble ring on glass side. Aroma of sweet apple cider, a touch of brown sugar, some herbal spice and a touch of caramel, Taste is medium bodied, a good balance of tart and sweet apples with a hint of alcohol burn. Finish is semi-dry with a light spiced apple aftertaste that quickly disappears.