Pardon the pun in the title… but RazzBerry, from Portland Cider Company, is a pretty good cider. It’s the cidery’s new summer seasonal and I received a couple of cans last month—right as the whole pandemic lockdown was coming down.

Portland Cider has been releasing some really nice, well-crafted ciders (I also have a can of the new Ciderade to review), and if you’re able to get them during COVID-19 it’s a good option to stock up on. RazzBerry is available now and will be through the summer.

This information from the press release gives some background to this raspberry-infused cider:

RazzBerry features loads of bright raspberries combined with Northwest-grown apples, a touch of lemon zest, and juicy Hood River Valley pears. Easy-drinking, thirst-quenching and refreshingly tart, the cider is 5.8% ABV and ideal for barbecues and outdoor adventures.

“RazzBerry is the perfect cider for the sunshine that’s right around the corner here in the Pacific Northwest; or at least it will give you all the summertime feels if the spring rain never lets up!,” said Helen Lewis, marketing director for Portland Cider Co. “Last summer’s seasonal Pineapple Rosé was such a hit we made it year-round. RazzBerry is the perfect replacement this year.”

Available through the end of the summer, RazzBerry is the perfect definition of a cider full of sunshine. The seasonal cider will be available in 19.2-ounce “proper pint” cans, six packs of 12-ounce cans, and on draft to distributors throughout Oregon, Washington, Northern Idaho, and Northern California.

Let’s get to the good stuff.

Appearance: It’s a nice pinkish-red color, quite clear, and pretty especially when held to the light. A sparkling, fizzy head on the pour disappeared quickly.

Smell: Sweet raspberry juice that’s bright and fresh. There’s a touch of tartness in the nose, like slightly under ripe berries, but it’s definitely “berry” that dominates over the subtler hints of apple.

Taste: Semi-sweet with a good raspberry juice character (like popping a fresh, ripe, juicy berry into your mouth) that is tempered by a bit of earthy apple skin. There’s a bare hint of some farmhouse funk for a light touch of rusticity. A good sweet finish at the back.

Mouthfeel: Semi-petillant with a sweet finish and just a kiss of tartness that lingers. Drink relatively light and fairly easy.

Overall: Quite a nice cider with a strong raspberry character, as it should have.