Bantam Cider Releases ‘Americain’ in Cans

Photo provided by Bantam Cider

Bantam Cider co-owners Dana Masterpolo and Michelle da Silva have been major proponents of the growing craft cider movement in Boston ever since they launched their crisp, prosecco-like debut offering, Wunderkind, back in 2012. They took things even further last year, as they converted the space next to their Union Square production facility into a 1,300-square-foot taproom complete with specialty small-batch releases, a barrel-aging nook, and retail area. Now, Bantam is taking the next logical step—and one that mirrors the packaging preferences of its not-so-distant craft beer cousin—and introducing its farmhouse cider, The Americain, in four-pack aluminum cans.

Scheduled for a wide retail release this Wednesday, May 13, The Americain is brewed with a combination of traditional New England apples (predominantly Empire, Cortland, Macintosh, and Idareds), ale yeast, and Persian spices (rose petals, cardamom, clove, and cinnamon). Masterpolo says their inaugural canned release, previously only available on draft, was chosen over its more familiar brethren because of its lower ABV and more easy-going aromatics (see less “dry”).

“The Americain is an amazingly flavorful cider that has an edible, apple pie quality to it,” Masterpolo says. “It’s also lower in alcohol and a little less serious than a lot of our ciders, which lends itself this kind of playful, portable packaging. It’s always done exceptionally well in our taproom, with people asking us to bottle it ever since we first released it. Finally we decided to get it out there, and we’re doing it in a big way, just in time for summer and all those beach vacations.”

To help celebrate their entree into the canning world, not to mention their cidery’s third anniversary, Bantam will be hosting a party on June 4 with a wide selection of cider on draft, food provided by some of Masterpolo and da Silva’s favorite area restaurants (Mei Mei, more), and of course, cans of The Americain available for purchase.

$20 per person, June 4, 40 Merriam St., Somerville; 617-299-8600 or eventbrite.com.