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Cider in Frankfurt

When I go to Frankfurt in June, I hope to try some of the regional cider, being a fan of the drink. Is there any specific brand that people recommend, or any bar that has particularly good quality drink? Is the quality likely to be poor in more tourist-driven places, or is it fairly consistent?

Posted by
9226 posts

Applewine is sold in just about every restaurant in Frankfurt. Possmann, Höhl, and Blauer Bock are the main bottlers and that is what you get most of the time, no matter which restaurant you are in.

Some of the apfelwein pubs still make their own, but not very many. The Farmers Markets have stands selling their own products, and this is the best opportunity to taste the difference between bottled and freshly made. The markets at the Konstablerwache on Thur. & Sat., the Schiller Market on Fri., and the market in Höchst on Tues. Fri. & Sat. are the most popular.

Best places to sit and have an apfelwein as well as good Frankfurt style food? In Sachsenhausen: Atschel, Dauth-Schneider, Lorsbacher Tal. In Bornheim: Apfelwein Solzer, Zur Sonne, Malepartus, Zur Schönen Müllerin. In Höchst: Zum Baeren, Alte Zoll Wache.

Posted by
5678 posts

This post got me remembering the alcoholic apple drink that we drank Eningen under Achalm south of Stuttgart. I couldn't remember what it was called, but others have come to the rescue and it is called Apfelmost, or Most, or when mixed with sweet soda and then called "Mostbowle". When I had it in the local gasthof, it came in a ceramic crock. It was much dryer than cider. Those helping me said that sometimes, pears are included. While it was only around in the winter back when I was drinking this, evidently, today, it's available year round.

Jo, is this strictly a Swabian drink or is it in other places in Germany?

(The same gasthof that we got the Most at also had an outstanding Wurst Salad. I've been searching for a similar dish for decades. :) )

Pam

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4684 posts

As far as I know "Most" is simply an alternate term for cider used instead of "Apfelwein" in Southern Germany and Austria. What you describe about serving practices sounds a lot like Hesse cider.

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9226 posts

Here is what wiki has to say about applewine:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apfelwein

In the fall, they serve fresh applejuice, which is called Süsser, and then when the applewine is about half-way to being finished, it is called Rauscher. Half the alcohol, and not so sour. Once the applewine is finished, you can drink it pure, or if you put some mineral water in it, it is called "sauer gespritzt" or if they put some Fanta or Sprite in it, it is called "süss gespritzt". Often the menus in Germany will say limo or limonade, but what they really mean is Fanta or Sprite. In the winter, especially at the Christmas markets they serve hot applewine, often with a slice of lemon, cloves and maybe a cinnamon stick.

Oddly enough, fresh applejuice in the fall is called Süsse Most or Apfelmost here in Frankfurt. No alcohol in this, and it is one of my favorite drinks. Other regions may mix pear juice in their applewine, but not in Hessen, though I have had apple/pear/quince (apfel/birnen/quitten) juice at the markets.

Posted by
12040 posts

Speaking of non-alcoholic apple drinks, I've taken a liking recently to Apfelschorle. Basically, carbonated apple juice. It has a nice refreshing taste, but not so overly sugary like most carbonated beverages.

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4684 posts

I've had what was described on the drinks menu as "Apfelmost" in Klagenfurt in Austria, and that was definitely alcoholic.