Three. I have drank three growlers this past Saturday. Sure, I had some friends along for the ride, but when the lowest ABV you drink is 8%, you're punching a one way ticket to a happy hangover the next morning.
Arsenal Cider House is something special. A completely home grown business, it's actually located in a converted house in a residential part of Lawrenceville, across the street from Arsenal Park. Hard Cider has slowly worked its way into the world of American power drinking, being a delicious alternative for those who still can't quite wrap their palates around beer.
Inside of the unassuming residential outside, Arsenal is a wooden wonderland on the inside, embracing Civil War Era Americana, period rifles and headwear included. With a rotating stock up 6 to 8 ciders on tap at a time, there is a flavor available for all comers. The workhorses are the Fighting Elleck, which is an off-dry apple cider, and the Archibald's Amber, a semi-sweet amber cider. These two are the staples of their rotating menu, which will at times include pear ciders, apple cinnamon ciders, Concord grape and others, always in semi-sweet and bone dry incarnations. A special bit is there sorbets, made from whichever cider they choose at the time, which sports about 3% alcohol and tastes like magic.
Now, keep in mind that this a growler only establishment, but at around $20 for the first fill up and around $14 for those after, its cheaper than a night out, and with most ciders weighing in between 8 and 11% alcohol, its usually more than enough. During the summer, they have a back patio for socializing, and usually put up some chairs and a pop up out front as well.
And for those who can't make it for growlers every week, or would just sit at home in a happy cider coma if they did local establishments like Fatheads, New Amsterdam, Kaya, BRGR, Wingharts, Gooski's, and Bocktown are all supporting the local cause and carrying Arsenal Ciders. Do yourself a favor and get lit.