Best Breton Alcoholic Beverage Types
Cidre de Bretagne are ciders produced in the Brittany region in France, clear or muddy alcoholic beverages made by the fermentation process, with a foamy head and fine bubbles throughout the body. The ciders vary in color from yellow to brown, according to their geographical positions, so ciders from Ille-et-Vilaine, which are more acidic, have a lighter color, and ciders from Finistére have a darker color because of the bitter apples from the area.
Britanny ciders have a rich, rustic, fruity, flowery and bold flavor, and develop spicier flavors as they mature. When in Brittany, do not be alarmed when you order a cider and get it served in a cup instead of a glass, it is a traditional oddly-shaped tea cup, with or without handles, used to drink the local ciders.
Cornouaille is a traditionally made cider produced since the 14th century from cider apples that have been grown in the region of Bretagne in France since the 6th century. During the production process, the apples are crushed or grated and the juice is fermented, and no water, sweeteners or carbonation can be added to the final product.
Since the apples have a high content of natural sugar and tannin, the cider is unique for its reddish-brown orange color and a bittersweet aroma of orange peel and fresh apples with a mild acidity, leaving a nice, dry feeling on the palate.
Chouchen is a variety of mead that hails from Brittany. It is usually made from fermented honey that is mixed with apple juice. The drink is matured for at least a year, and its alcohol content typically varies from 12 to 15% ABV. Chouchen is rich and dense with typical notes of honey, vanilla, and apples.
The drink presumably has Celtic origin, and in the past it was usually made with buckwheat honey, which was commonly used in Brittany. Chouchen is traditionally enjoyed as an aperitif or a digestif, preferably served well-chilled, but it also works as a warm winter drink or a cooking ingredient.
Lambig is an oak-aged brandy distilled from apple cider. It hails from Brittany, where it originated as a farm brandy that was mainly distilled for local consumption. The brandy is now commercially produced and has become one of the traditional regional products.
When the brandy is distilled, it is oak-aged for several years. It results in a golden or amber-colored drink with pleasant aromas reminiscent of apples, warming spices, and nuts, along with distinctive woody and spicy notes. Lambig is best served as an aperitif or a digestif, and it should always be slowly sipped.
Pommeau de Bretagne is a combination of apple juice and apple brandy (lambig) that hails from Brittany. It is officially classified as a mistelle, a blend of brandy and fruit juice. To make Pommeau, the apples are pressed into a fresh apple juice, which is then mixed with aged brandy.
The combination is then oak-aged for a minimum of 14 months, though most leave it to age for at least two years. The color of the resulting drink ranges from amber to mahogany, while the palate reveals notes of baked apples, dried fruit, nuts, toffee, honey, and sweet spices.
Best Breton Alcoholic Beverage Producers
AWARDS
![2 stars](/images/productawards/50b3a6a569de481283547f7851e47853.png?w=160)
World's Best Mint/Menthol - Winner
2024
BEST LA MINE D OR DISTILLERIE Liqueurs
AWARDS
![2 stars](/images/productawards/12048915073843f98e82fde63216325e.png?w=160)
World Beer Awards - Gold
2023
BEST BRASSERIE DE BRETAGNE Beers (Styles and Brands)
BEST Brasstillerie KanArFoll Beers (Styles and Brands)
AWARDS
![2 stars](/images/productawards/b4a1718c654b4559b6f8a8ab5351cc6a.png?w=160)
France Bière Challenge - Gold
2023
BEST Brasserie Perraut Beers (Styles and Brands)
AWARDS
![2 stars](/images/productawards/591011cff65c4944b154be4ad0f58263.png?w=160)
Frankfurt International Trophy - Grand Gold
2022
BEST SARL Brasserie et Malterie Dimezell Beers (Styles and Brands)
AWARDS
![2 stars](/images/productawards/5e7c29a60a0a4d90bbb0fb906f70ede3.png?w=160)
Frankfurt International Trophy - Grand Gold
2023
BEST Sasu la Biere de Groix Beers (Styles and Brands)
AWARDS
![2 stars](/images/productawards/ccf6334fdb3c499daa9ec38172e674ad.png?w=160)
ISC-International Spirits Challenge - Gold
2024
![2 stars](/images/productawards/37f7983598d342c5bff334c83d303e9d.png?w=160)
IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Spirit Gold
2022
BEST Distillerie Warenghem Spirits
Best Breton Alcoholic Beverages
AWARDS
![2 stars](/images/productawards/50b3a6a569de481283547f7851e47853.png?w=160)
World's Best Mint/Menthol - Winner
2024
AWARDS
![2 stars](/images/productawards/12048915073843f98e82fde63216325e.png?w=160)
World Beer Awards - Gold
2023
AWARDS
![2 stars](/images/productawards/12048915073843f98e82fde63216325e.png?w=160)
World Beer Awards - Gold
2023
AWARDS
![2 stars](/images/productawards/b4a1718c654b4559b6f8a8ab5351cc6a.png?w=160)
France Bière Challenge - Gold
2023
AWARDS
![2 stars](/images/productawards/591011cff65c4944b154be4ad0f58263.png?w=160)
Frankfurt International Trophy - Grand Gold
2022
AWARDS
![2 stars](/images/productawards/5e7c29a60a0a4d90bbb0fb906f70ede3.png?w=160)
Frankfurt International Trophy - Grand Gold
2023
AWARDS
![2 stars](/images/productawards/ccf6334fdb3c499daa9ec38172e674ad.png?w=160)
ISC-International Spirits Challenge - Gold
2024
![2 stars](/images/productawards/37f7983598d342c5bff334c83d303e9d.png?w=160)
IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Spirit Gold
2022
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