Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/977771
may 2018 / the tasting panel / 121 MINNESOTA'S COV EATERY TO SERVE STRONGBOW ROSÉ APPLE BY THE LAKE Situated on the edge of Minnesota's Lake Minnetonka in down- town Wazyata, CO ¯ V is an upscale, Nantucket-inspired eatery with a seafood-dominated menu and extensive beer, wine, and spirits selection. The East Coast vibe also carries over to the clientele, who, according to CO ¯ V's Beverage Director Tom Anderson, have no-nonsense sensibilities. "Out in this location, people know what they like, and that's what they drink," he says. CO ¯ V currently has just two ciders on the menu, and Anderson is thinning things down further still: The restaurant will solely serve Strongbow Gold Apple before bringing on the new Rosé Apple in the coming months. "We don't have many ciders, but people have never been disappointed in our selection," says Anderson. "Cider people like Strongbow." Because the category typically flies under the radar at CO ¯ V, Anderson says he's excited to introduce Rosé Apple so patrons can have a new favorite beverage to cool down with over the sum- mer. With its lakeside views, CO ¯ V has a large patio that Anderson says has an hour-long waiting list at all times of the day in the warmer months—even during the late-night hours. "We blow through rosé on the lake and I think this is going to be a perfect patio sipper," he says of Strongbow Rosé Apple. "This isn't just for people looking for rosé wine. It has a unique twist and I expect it to be a hit." Anderson says he's long been personally opposed to flavored beers or ciders and admits that the Rosé Apple "is our first flavored-style beverage" on the menu. "But it's good enough for me to take off a beer to bring it on," he says, "and that speaks volumes around here." CO ¯ V bartender Catherine Lappen experiments with Strongbow Rosé Apple cocktails at the lakeside eatery in Wayzata, MN. menting with rosé ciders in Europe before finalizing the recipe, of which the key ingredient is red-fleshed apples. "When pressed, they produce a red juice which contributes to Rosé Apple's coral-pink color and semi-dry taste without any artificial colors or flavors," Markus says. The new flavor is also notably a direct appeal to wine drinkers, who research has shown are more likely to become cider fans than those who identify as beer drinkers. The newest Strongbow flavor capitalizes on rosé's continued and meteoric rise in the wine market, especially among Millennial men and women in the 21–39 age range. "Strongbow Rosé Apple is inspired by the natural affinity between cider and wine and the impressive sustained growth of rosé," says Markus, adding that early sales of the new flavor have been strong. "At the moment, we're having a really tough time keeping up with demand." Despite being a much more beer-centric nation than the U.K., Strongbow aims to recognize that "not everyone likes beer, at least not for every occasion," says Markus. "Whether you are primarily a beer account or a beer distributor, we can help you extend your reach to more consumers and occasions with cider." Putting Rosé to the Test in the Midwest Strongbow's newest flavor, Rosé Apple, has been tailored specifically to U.S. consumers' preferences for a crisper flavor and less sugar than other leading cider brands.