Top Apple Cider Brands to Savor This Season

Apple cider has been a beloved beverage for centuries, offering a refreshing taste that's perfect for any occasion. As interest in artisanal and organic products continues to rise, more brands are now focusing on producing high-quality apple ciders that highlight diverse flavors and craftsmanship. From traditional favorites to innovative newcomers, the market is bursting with options that cater to all palates, whether you prefer something sweet, dry, or somewhere in between. Discover our curated list of the best apple cider brands below and uncover your new favorite sip.

Illustration of apple cider

Best brands of apple cider in 2025

Angry Orchard

Angry Orchard, the leading hard cider brand in the U.S., dominates the market with approximately 50% of the U.S. cider market share, although this has decreased from 60% five years ago. Despite a 16% sales decline from $294 million in 2015 to $245 million in 2020, Angry Orchard remains a significant player, with its Crisp Apple flavor alone accounting for 37% of the U.S. cider category in chain retail stores. The brand continues to innovate, releasing new products like the Fireside Mix Pack and fruit-flavored ciders, which have seen growth in sales. Angry Orchard's influence extends to on-premise sales, where it performs better on draft than in packaged sales. The brand's 60-acre orchard and cider house in New York's Hudson Valley also supports cider apple tree research and small-batch experimentation. For more insights into their range of hard cider offerings, visit their website.

Strongbow

Strongbow is the world's leading cider brand, holding a 15% volume share of the global cider market and a 29% share of the UK cider market. Introduced in 1960 by H. P. Bulmer, Strongbow is known for its predictable and consistent taste, achieved through modern production methods and the use of 50 different apple varieties. The brand is widely available in various formats, including draught, cans, and bottles, with popular variants like Strongbow Gold and Strongbow Dark Fruit. Strongbow is distributed by Heineken N.V. and has a significant presence in markets such as Australia, where it was launched in 1970 and remains the most popular cider. The brand continues to innovate, introducing new flavors like Strongbow Tropical in 2023. For more detailed information, visit the Strongbow Wikipedia page.

Magners

Magners, a renowned brand under the C&C Group, is a leading producer of apple cider, known for its traditional methods and high-quality products. Since its inception in 1935 by William Magner in Clonmel, Ireland, Magners has maintained a rich and earthier flavor profile, using 17 varieties of apples and oak vats for fermentation. Despite a 13.9% decline in sales in the UK market to 28 February, as per CGA/Nielsen figures, Magners remains a popular choice globally, available in over 50 countries. The cider is 4.5% ABV, 100% gluten-free, and has 125 calories per 11.2 oz serving. Magners continues to innovate and expand its product portfolio to meet growing consumer demand.

Crispin

Crispin Cider, a renowned brand in the apple cider industry, is celebrated for its uncompromising quality and innovative approach. Founded with a mission to push the cider industry forward, Crispin ciders are made from naturally fermented, unpasteurized juice of fresh-pressed apples, ensuring authentic flavors and unique aromatic notes. The brand offers a range of products, including the Crispin Original with 5% ABV, Crispin Imperial with 8% ABV, and the new Crispin Mango Mimosa also at 8% ABV. After a brief hiatus, Crispin Cider has relaunched under a licensing agreement with Minneapolis Cider Company, marking a significant comeback in the market since 2023. With a production output of 6 million bottles in 2010 and a revenue of $5 million, Crispin Cider continues to be a prominent name in the cider industry. Learn more about their offerings by visiting the Crispin Cider website.

Woodchuck

Woodchuck, America's original hard cider brand, has been a pioneer in the craft cider industry since 1991, revolutionizing the market with its innovative and high-quality ciders. Founded by winemaker Greg Failing in a two-car garage in Proctorsville, Vermont, Woodchuck grew from a small operation to become the largest cidery in the country, achieving a milestone of one million cases sold in 2007. Despite being perceived as a large entity, Woodchuck represents less than 5% of the cider category, while big brewers dominate over 75%. The brand is known for its diverse product line, including flagship varieties like Woodchuck Amber and seasonal offerings like the 802 Collection. Woodchuck's commitment to quality and innovation has been instrumental in educating consumers and expanding the cider market. You can learn more about their offerings by visiting their official website.

Rekorderlig

Rekorderlig, a premium hard cider brand from Sweden, has been making a significant impact in the global cider market since its inception in 1999. Known for its "Beautifully Swedish" fruit-flavored ciders, Rekorderlig offers a range of flavors including Pear, Strawberry-Lime, Wild Berries, and Passionfruit, all with a 4.5% ABV. The brand has seen impressive growth, particularly in the U.S. market, where it has partnered with Total Beverage Solution to expand its national presence after successful launches in 10 U.S. markets. Rekorderlig's ciders are naturally gluten-free and are made with pure spring water from Vimmerby, Sweden, and European apples, blending to create a consistent and crisp flavor profile. With its high-quality and differentiated products, Rekorderlig is contributing to the growing cider market, which is projected to reach USD 6.72 billion by 2030. For more information, visit the Rekorderlig website.

Seattle Cider Company

Seattle Cider Company is a prominent player in the booming cider scene, particularly in Washington State, known for its high-quality ciders made from Washington apples. The company prides itself on highlighting the natural flavors of these apples, with a range of classic flavor profiles and limited supply seasonal flavors like Olympia Honey and Berry Rose. As part of the growing cider market, Seattle Cider Company contributes to the industry's steady growth, with the global cider market projected to reach $6.29 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 3.7%. The company's commitment to using local apples aligns with the increasing consumer preference for craft and natural beverages. Seattle Cider Company's products are available in various formats, including cans and bottles, catering to a wide range of consumer preferences. For more information, visit the Seattle Cider Company website.

Golden State Cider

Golden State Cider, founded in 2012 in Sebastopol, California, has emerged as the No. 1 cider brand in California, known for its commitment to quality and sustainability. The brand's flagship product, Mighty Dry, has achieved the status of the top regional cider SKU in the country, with an 18 percent increase in sales. Golden State Cider uses 100% fresh-pressed West Coast apples and premium champagne yeast, ensuring their ciders are naturally gluten-free, vegan-friendly, and free from added sugars. The company sold approximately 500,000 cases in 2021 and has expanded to include over 14 cider varieties. Golden State Cider's meticulous crafting process and innovative products, such as the alcohol-removed cider for Dry January, have made it a premier destination for cider enthusiasts. For more information about their ciders, visit their official website.

Thatchers

Thatchers Cider, established in 1904, is a renowned fourth-generation family business based in Somerset, UK, known for producing high-quality apple ciders. The company has expanded significantly, now exporting to over 20 countries and producing over 100 million litres of cider annually. Despite facing economic challenges, Thatchers reported a turnover of £175.2 million for the year to August 31, 2023, and maintains its position as the second-largest cider maker in the UK. They source apples from their own 500 acres of orchards and from 35 suppliers, processing 35,000 tons of apples during the harvesting period. Thatchers is committed to quality, using a unique yeast and traditional oak vats for maturation. Learn more about their journey to core cider perfection at Thatchers.

Ace Premium Craft Cider

Ace Premium Craft Cider, founded in 1993 by Jeffrey and Angela House in Sebastopol, California, is a pioneering and award-winning hard cider brand. As the first family-owned cider company in the U.S., ACE produces nearly 90,000 cases annually and is renowned for its fruit-forward, gluten-free, and vegan ciders with no added sugar. Their flagship product, ACE Pineapple, is the world's original pineapple cider and the #1 selling fruit-flavored cider in the U.S. With an ABV of 5.00%, ACE ciders are celebrated for their lower alcohol content and dedication to traditional hard cider craftsmanship. ACE ciders are highly regarded for their bright acidity and moderate carbonation.