Jerkum is a stonefruit cider, most often made from plums, that’s surprisingly difficult to find. That makes today’s Mission Trail Goldmine Nectarine Jerkum a unique treasure -- it’s the only cider in the world produced with 100% nectarines. The distinctive flavor is as succulent as its caramel pink color.

Barrel-aging in French oak creates the first impression, a buttery, woody taste that’s refreshingly dry. From there, Goldmine is a gentle and continuous interplay of sweet and sour, tart and fruity. The finish is funky, a pinch at the tip of the tongue and softness on top. It’s like biting into a fresh-plucked nectarine and washing it down with a Sour Ale.

Mission Trail is located in wine country at the top of its namesake, a prolific fruit-producing region from San Diego to Sonoma. And the brewery’s specific address is in Monterey County, the setting of so many Steinbeck novels. In fact, Mission Trail’s proprietors, the Jones Brothers, remind us of Steinbeck’s paisanos. After independent adventures, the brothers returned home to pursue the finer things in life: good friends, good drinks, and resourceful mischief. Today the Jones’ hand pick, wash, and sort every single organic nectarine.

At 7% ABV, you can drink this cider through the day and into the night like a real paisano, passing the bottle between friends, gossiping about the neighborhood, and planning how to get your hands on another round. This is tricky, because you’ll only see this brew in a few select spots along the West Coast. A smart paisano grabs a few when they get the chance!