Harpoon pumpkin cider in Westford, MA

Harpoon Pumpkin Cider is a cider flavored with pumpkin and the warming spices people expect in fall drinks, and CBC Liquors in Westford carries it. You can see it on its product page, pick it up at 142 Littleton Rd, or ask about delivery.

What is Harpoon pumpkin cider?

It is a cider from Harpoon, made with apples as the base and finished with pumpkin and spice character. If you have only seen Harpoon on the beer shelf, this is a different kind of drink: a fruit-based cider rather than a grain-based beer.

The full listing is on the Harpoon Pumpkin Cider page, and everything else we carry from the maker sits on the Harpoon brand page. That page shows the store's own best sellers from Harpoon first, in stock today, so it is the quickest way to see what is on the shelf before you drive over.

If you are comparing it with other ciders, the whole cider section is worth a scroll. CBC Liquors has 4,624 products in stock across 1,893 brands, so there is usually something close to what you are picturing.

Where can you buy Harpoon pumpkin cider in Westford?

CBC Liquors is at 142 Littleton Rd, Westford, MA 01886. We are open Sunday 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM, Monday to Thursday 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM, and Friday and Saturday 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM.

You can walk in, order for pickup, or ask about delivery and shipping. Pickup hours match our shop hours, so you can collect an order any time we are open.

Customers also come to us from Chelmsford, Carlisle, Littleton, Acton, Tyngsborough, Lowell, Billerica, Boxborough and Dunstable. If you are a short drive away, check the product page for current stock before you head out, then come by the counter and we will point you to the right cooler.

What does pumpkin cider taste like?

In general, a pumpkin cider starts with the tart-sweet apple character of any cider and adds notes people associate with pumpkin pie: cinnamon, nutmeg, clove and sometimes ginger or allspice. The pumpkin itself usually contributes more of an impression than a strong flavor, so what you taste is mostly apple and spice.

That makes it different from a pumpkin ale. A pumpkin beer sits on malt and hops, with spice layered over bread and caramel notes. A cider is lighter and brighter, with a cleaner finish, because there is no malt body underneath.

If you usually find fall beers heavy, a pumpkin cider is a sensible place to start. If you like a drier, more apple-forward cider, you may find the spice a little sweet-smelling on the nose, so try one bottle or can before you buy a case for a party.

How should you serve it?

Cold is the simple answer. Chill it in the fridge for a couple of hours so the apple stays crisp and the spice does not feel heavy. Pour it into a glass rather than drinking from the can or bottle, since the aroma is a big part of a spiced cider.

A few ideas for the glass: a tumbler or a pint glass works, and a thin apple slice or a cinnamon stick on the rim looks the part without changing the drink. Skip anything that fights the spice, such as a lot of citrus.

You can also pour it slightly less cold if you want more spice to come through. Cold mutes flavor, and a cider that has sat out for ten minutes often shows more nutmeg and clove. Keep any opened bottle covered in the fridge and finish it within a day or two, since cider goes flat and flat cider tastes thin.

What food goes with pumpkin cider?

Think fall plates. Roast pork, sausages, roast chicken with herbs and anything with sage pair naturally, because the apple in the cider has always worked with pork and poultry. The spice picks up the seasoning in the food rather than competing with it.

For cheese, a sharp cheddar or a nutty aged cheese holds up well, and a soft cheese with a few slices of apple is an easy board. Squash soup and roasted root vegetables work for the same reason: the cider echoes them.

For something sweet, go simple. Shortbread, a plain cake or an apple crisp can sit beside the cider, though a very sweet dessert next to an already spiced drink can feel like too much. If you are hosting, our party planner is a place to start when you are working out how much to set out for a group of adults.

What else from Harpoon is worth a look this fall?

If one drink from a maker catches your eye, it is worth seeing the rest of the shelf. In the same Harpoon range we carry Harpoon OCTOBERFEST, a fall beer for people who want something malty rather than spiced, and Harpoon Flannel Friday, another seasonal pick.

For something brighter, there is Harpoon Ripe Vibes and Harpoon Camp Wannamango. If you just want a straightforward beer, Harpoon IPA is there too.

A mixed order of a cider and a beer or two is an easy way to cover a table with different tastes. For more fall beers beyond Harpoon, the seasonal beer section collects them in one place.

Can you get it delivered or picked up?

Yes, we offer both pickup and delivery. Pickup runs during our shop hours. Delivery hours are Sunday 10:00 AM to 7:30 PM, Monday to Thursday 10:00 AM to 8:30 PM, and Friday and Saturday 10:00 AM to 9:30 PM.

The delivery areas page lists the towns we cover. If you are in Chelmsford, Acton, Littleton or Lowell, you will find a page for your town there too.

Whoever receives an alcohol order must be of legal age and show valid ID, which is standard for any alcohol order in Massachusetts. If you are planning a larger gathering, the kegs page covers keg and special order requests.

What can you drink with it besides cider on its own?

A spiced cider is a flexible base. Warm it gently on the stove with a cinnamon stick for a cozy evening drink, but do not boil it, since heat drives off the aroma. That is a use for the cider itself, so there is no need to buy anything special.

If you want to build a cocktail around fall flavors, browse our bourbon shelf and our mixers. Apple, spice and bourbon is a classic trio, and a splash of cider over ice with a measured pour of bourbon is a simple long drink. Keep pours modest and enjoy it slowly.

For a toast at the start of a dinner, a bottle from our sparkling wine section is a clean alternative if someone at the table prefers something drier than a spiced cider.