An cidery located in eastern Newfoundland is experimenting with a unique method to enhance the flavor of its beverages by submerging them under the ocean. The Newfoundland Cider Company, based in George’s Brook-Milton, introduced a new line called High Tide in 2024 by placing 24 bottles in the Atlantic Ocean. Recently, they repeated the process for a second year.
Founder Chris Adams described the submerged cider as a fusion of oceanic and orchard elements, with the bottles returning to the surface covered in salt, sand, barnacles, algae, and sea life such as starfish. Adams emphasized that the natural signs of the bottles’ underwater journey contribute to the allure of the High Tide experience.
Adams explained that while marine life like starfish and fish are unharmed and carefully returned to the ocean, the algae and barnacles on the bottles are intentionally left untouched to enhance the tasting experience of High Tide. The cidery utilizes wild apples and yeast in their cider production and drew inspiration from wineries aging wines at sea to experiment with ocean aging their cider in Newfoundland.
Upon opening the submerged cider, Adams noted a distinct sea aroma that sets it apart from traditional cider, attributing this difference to the underwater aging process. The consistent cool temperatures underwater mimic cellar aging conditions, contributing to the unique taste profile of the High Tide cider.
Although the process of submerging the cider presents challenges, Adams acknowledged the mystery surrounding how underwater aging affects alcoholic beverages. Jean-Benoit Deslauriers, head winemaker at Benjamin Bridge in Nova Scotia, highlighted the benefits of underwater aging, such as stable temperatures and protection from light-induced damage.
Adams shared that while the initial batch of submerged cider was successful, the recent attempt faced setbacks due to storms causing damage to most bottles. Despite this setback, Adams remains determined to continue the experiment, planning to select calmer sea locations and secure the crates with anchors for future batches.
The Newfoundland Cider Company’s innovative approach to aging cider underwater showcases their commitment to exploring unconventional methods to craft unique and flavorful beverages.
