Suttons Bay Cider's Flights of Four

Bottoms Up

By Lynda Wheatley | Jan. 29, 2022

Baby, it’s cold outside. Spark a little fire between you and your Valentine by taking a table at Suttons Bay Ciders this February. Tucked inside a former home with some of the very best views of West Grand Traverse Bay and Leelanau’s hillsides that we’ve ever seen, this place boasts windows all around, a blazing indoor fireplace (and outdoor fire pits!), a mascot pup named Gordie (who accepts scratches but has eyes only for his frisbee), and an eagle-perch of a deck with views so inspiring, we saw a proposal take place on it in early December.

What we loved the most, however, was SBC’s flights of four or eight ciders, which led us to full pints of new favorites. For him: the Highlander, a blend of four different apple varieties infused with a culinary lavender. It smelled sweet and herbally but tasted light and fresh enough on the tongue that he happily downed two. For her: a Sidra-LaPéno, infused with jalapeno and habanero peppers. This one smelled like it would hurt (and note: she’s a wimp) but the heat here hits the roof of the mouth, throat, and belly — not the tongue — which made it a sweetly warming treat she loved (OK, almost) as much as the Highlander man who treated her to it. Highly recommended.

Tasting flight of four, $7; of eight, $12. Find Suttons Bay Ciders (and sweet Gordie) at 10530 E. Hilltop Rd. www.suttonsbayciders.com