Old Mout (pronounced “Moot”) is a New Zealand cider brand with roots dating back to the 1940s, and the Old Mout Berries and Cherries Cider is one of two NA brews they have added to their roster. The company is notable for its sustainability and inclusivity credentials. Their brews are all gluten-free and vegan-friendly, while the bottles they come in are fully recyclable. These are all, in my book, good things. However, they fade in impact if the drink is not worth, er, drinking.
So let’s see how this non-alcoholic cider – with an alcohol content of less than 0.05% – actually fares on the palate.
Appearance
The colour of Old Mout Berries and Cherries Cider is a vibrant ruby-red. It’s certainly eye-catching. The cider has a slight translucence, allowing those red tones to shimmer. The effervescence is pretty gentle, so you only get a thin head in the pour, but the fine bubbles don’t then overwhelm the drinking texture.
Aroma
On the nose, you get a lot of ripe fruit. Which is good. After all, it’s called Berries and Cherries. Beside the obvious cherry notes, the main aroma get first-off is crushed raspberries. As the bouquet develops, hints of tart blackberries and cranberry add complexity and a balancing sharpness. There’s a faint floral undertone as well, though quite far back. They manage to balance out the natural sweetness with that tartness, which is admirable.
Taste
Again, no surprises, when you first sip this non-alcoholic cider, you’re getting fruit, whether you like it or not. And you really shouldn’t be surprised. The sweetness of cherries dominates the palate initially. This is quickly followed by the bright, tangy notes of raspberries and blackberries, which bring a welcome tartness. Mid-palate, hints of cranberry and redcurrant make an appearance, while avoiding the artificial aftertaste that sometimes plagues heavily fruit-flavoured ciders. It does err more towards the sweet end of the spectrum in terms of taste, however, which might not be everyone’s cup of proverbial.
Mouthfeel
The mouthfeel of the Berries and Cherries Cider is light and smooth. I personally like that the carbonation is fine; it makes it easier to drink. While it’s undeniably refreshing, however, it might not have the heft or complexity to fully satisfy those seeking a more robust cider experience.
Finish
That lightness means that the cider’s finish isn’t especially long. But it is clean and while the sweeter notes are the ones that linger most, they are not overly saccharine. The light dryness in the finish is a pleasant surprise, as it prevents the cider from feeling cloying. It’s a clean and straightforward conclusion, which suits the cider’s fruit-forward style.
Pairing Suggestions
If you do prefer to accompany your non-alcoholic cider with some nosh, you’re probably gonna want to stick to savoury options with this particular one. Something to balance the fruitiness. Grilled chicken or pork would work, or serve casually alongside a charcuterie board or cured meats. On the vegetarian end of things, perhaps something quite umami, like a mushroom risotto, would provide that counterpoint.
Overall Impressions of Old Mout Berries and Cherries Cider
Old Mout Berries and Cherries Cider delivers on its name. It has a very fruit-forward flavour that, while trending towards the sweeter side of NA ciders, does have just enough tart elements to stop it being too much. The aroma is bright and vibrant and the mouthfeel refreshing. It’s a summer sip for the sweeter side of life.