Battle of the dishes: Stephenson’s v. Louisburg Cider

With a healthy number of pick-your-own apple operations within easy driving distance of Kansas City, the world of apple cider is fairly competitive. To determine which of the commercially available options was the best, Fat City decided to pit Stephenson’s Apple Cider against Louisburg Apple Cider — both are currently available at Hy-Vee grocery stores. 

Stephenson’s Apple Cider from Stephenson’s Orchard (6700 Lee’s Summit Road, Kansas City, Missouri) is light gold in color — when it pours it looks similar to apple juice.

If there’s such a thing as apple juice cider, this is it. The taste is unmistakably apple, but it’s the cider equivalent of a half-egg nog, half-milk drink. The end result isn’t very hearty — call it apple cider light. For those who want less body and the stomach-filling properties traditionally associated with apple cider, this is your drink.