Craft Hard Apple Cider Recipe Kit - Mangrove Jack’s

We've brewed many batches of beer before, but this was our first cider. As with all products sold by Northern Brewer, this kit produced a great batch of cider. And I always feel secure, knowing that experienced NB brew masters are available to help if need be.
Now the specifics of the cider: easier and quicker to make than beer, and produces more volume. The Mangrove Jack recipe called for 750 ml bottles (25 ounces) but we used 12 oz bottles. We also used Northern Brewer carbonation drops - the dosage for these drops is 1 drop/12 ounce bottle. Brewed for our nephew, who recently turned 21. He loved it!

a very simple cider kit... i chose to leave it tart and dry(no sweetener additive) and did 3.5 volumes of carb to our liking... was very similar to a certain European cidre on the market

After 92 brews thought I would try a cider. Messed up on the instructions when I put the "wet" component in after the boiled water instead of before. Don't think it caused any problems. Brewed on 10/20, took a gravity reading a week later (1.004), then bottled on the 29th. Used all 5oz of priming sugar. Estimated the ABV at just above 5% according to the chart. Wasn't thrilled when I tried a bottle after a week. Tasted like a malt fruit beverage (anyone remember Hop'nGator), yeasty, and very sour. Poured a glass last evening: it was clear, well carbonated, and the taste has improved immensely! Has a tinge of sourness to it but still very good. Can't wait to hear some reviews from friends.

First, there is less process than brewing beer, very simple to make. I decided not to add the sweetener and apple flavor, not my style.
At first, I thought the cider didnt have enough character, wasnt very "apple-ee" but as it conditioned longer in the bottle it greatly improved.
Its light, dry, slightly yeasty and has a character that reminds me of Granny Smith apples, very refreshing.
I find it pares well with almost anything, from salads to heavy meat dishes, even chili!

My first time making Mangrove Jack Cider. My first kit arrived damaged in transit, and leaked all over the box - so NB promptly sent a replacement. Many thanks for their quick response. After I made it, using all their supplied ingredients, I sampled a bottle 10 days after bottling. Had good carbonation - but it still had that "funky" aroma and flavor to it. I'll put the 2 cases in the basement and hope that funkiness ages out in time. Perhaps by the new year it will be better - but initial impression was a solid "meh."