I made my way to Alefire for the first time, and I have to say I was a little disappointed at the selection, so please let me know of any other PDX locations for hot sauces.
What did catch my eye were these two: Sakari Farms Ghost Orchard, and El Fuego Reaper Sting, and mostly because they were apple cider vinegar-based. My partner once pickled three gallons of apples from our tree, so I made a few batches of sage habanero hot sauces using the pureed apples as a base. It wasn't my favorite sauce I've made, and I've always wondered if an apple-based sauce could be any good.
The Ghost Orchard has grown on me a little bit. The heat is great, but I find that the smoke and the garlic overpowers the thyme. It is way better than mine was, and I think this means an apple based sauce is viable. It really elevated my carnitas tacos today. I took some good notes and I'll try again in the fall.
The Reaper Sting got worse and worse. The cider vinegar flavor is oppressive–it jumps out first over any flavor of the various foods I had it on. The added sugar blows out any of the natural sweetness of the reaper and scorpion. It is simply a poorly made hot Louisiana-style sauce confoundingly bastardized by adding sugar.
I'd love suggestions of apple-based and/or cider vinegar based sauces!
by trash-bagdonov