Top Cider Brands: Discover Crisp and Refreshing Favorites

Cider has seen a resurgence in popularity, and with its crisp taste and refreshing appeal, it attracts many enthusiasts looking for the finest brands. From traditional apple-based varieties to innovative blends featuring berries and spices, the diversity in cider offerings is abundant. Iconic brands like Strongbow and Somersby have set the bar high with their classic, reliable flavors, while artisanal labels such as Angry Orchard and Westons have pushed the boundaries with bold, creative concoctions. For a comprehensive guide to some of the best cider brands you can try, read on below.

Illustration of cider

Best brands of cider in 2025

Strongbow

Strongbow, the world's leading cider brand, holds a 15% volume share of the global cider market and a 29% volume share of the UK cider market. Introduced by H. P. Bulmer in 1960, Strongbow has become a dominant force, with its production centered at Bulmer's Hereford plant and additional production in Belgium and Australia. The brand is known for its predictable and consistent flavor profile, achieved through modern production methods involving apple concentrate, sugar, and controlled yeast fermentation. Strongbow is available in various variants, including Gold, Dark Fruit, and Cherry Blossom, and is distributed globally by Heineken N.V. and other regional partners. As of 2024, Strongbow remains a top performer in the cider market, despite some variations experiencing declines in sales. For further details on Strongbow's offerings, please visit their official website.

Magners

Magners, a renowned brand under the C&C Group, is celebrated for its high-quality ciders, particularly its Original Irish Cider, which is patiently vat matured for up to 2 years to deliver a pure, crisp, and refreshing flavor. Despite facing challenges such as a 10% drop in sales volumes due to unfavorable summer weather, Magners has maintained its strong market presence, with its premium brands like Menabrea and Orchard Pig reporting double-digit sales growth. The brand is set to reassume control and distribution of its cider portfolio, including Magners, from Budweiser Brewing Group starting January 2025, aiming to strengthen its brand and distribution platforms. Magners is widely available in over 50 countries and is known for using 17 varieties of apples in its traditional production process. The global cider market, in which Magners is a significant player, is expected to grow at a CAGR of 3.1% from 2024 to 2031, with Europe dominating the market.

Angry Orchard

Angry Orchard, owned by the Boston Beer Company, remains the leading hard cider brand in the United States, holding a 50% share of the U.S. cider market as of 2021, although this is down from 60% in 2016. In 2020, Angry Orchard generated $222.4 million in sales, outselling the next four most popular U.S. cider brands combined. The brand's flagship flavor, Crisp Apple, alone accounts for 37% of the U.S. cider category in chain retail stores. Despite a decline in sales, Angry Orchard continues to dominate the draft market and has paved the way for regional cider brands to grow. Its innovative products, such as the Cider+Food App and new flavored ciders, continue to influence the cider industry. For more information, visit their official website.

Rekorderlig

Rekorderlig, a premium hard cider brand from Sweden, has established itself as a leading producer in the global cider market. Since its launch in 1999, the brand has experienced significant growth, particularly in the UK where it achieved a 65.4% growth rate in one year and continued with a 7.8% growth in subsequent years. Rekorderlig is known for its naturally gluten-free and 4.5% ABV ciders, available in flavors such as Strawberry-Lime, Pear, Wild Berries, and Passionfruit. The brand has expanded its presence globally, including partnerships in Australia with Good Drinks Australia and in the U.S. with Total Beverage Solution. Its commitment to quality and innovation has made it a favorite among consumers, contributing to the impressive growth in the cider sector.

Woodchuck

Woodchuck Hard Cider, founded in 1991 in Proctorsville, Vermont, is a pioneering brand that revolutionized the American cider industry. It was the first cider in the US to sell one million cases in a year by 2007 and held approximately 47% of the hard cider market in the United States in 2011. Woodchuck is known for its innovative and high-quality ciders, such as the iconic Amber and seasonal varieties like Bubbly Pearsecco and Blueberry. The brand has undergone significant milestones, including a change in ownership in 2021 when it was acquired by Northeast Drinks Group for $20 million. Woodchuck continues to be a leading name in the cider market, celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2021. For more insights into their offerings, visit Woodchuck's official website.

Aspall

Aspall, founded in 1728 by Clement Chevallier, is one of the oldest and most renowned cider producers in the UK, with nearly 300 years of tradition and innovation. The brand, now part of Molson Coors, has seen significant growth, including a 10% increase in sales in 2016 and a 16% sales growth in the fourth quarter of 2022, making it the No. 2 super-premium cider in grocery and accounting for 65% of super-premium cider sales in the on-premise sector. Aspall's ciders are made from 46 different apple varieties and are known for their high quality and unique fermentation process using Champagne yeast. The brand has also expanded its production capacity by nearly 60% to about 70 million pints annually following a three-year modernization project. Aspall's products, including its award-winning Premium Cru Cyder, are highly regarded for their excellence and food-friendly nature. For more information, visit Aspall's page on Molson Coors' official website.

Thatchers

Thatchers Cider, a fourth-generation family-run business based in Somerset, has established itself as one of the leading cider producers in the UK. The company reported a significant 23% increase in turnover to £155.5 million for the year ending 31 August 2022, with pre-tax profits rising to £16.8 million. Thatchers Gold, their flagship cider, has become the number one draught cider in the GB licensed free trade, with a Rate of Sale more than double that of its closest competitor. The company has also seen success with new launches, such as Thatchers Blood Orange Cider, which was the biggest cider launch of 2022. Thatchers continues to invest in its production facilities and sustainable practices, including a £12 million investment in its production facility and a £14 million commitment for an automated warehouse system.

Stella Artois Cidre

Stella Artois Cidre, introduced in the U.S. in May 2013, is a prominent player in the rapidly growing cider market, known for its dry European-style cider with a balanced, crisp apple sweetness and a delightful dryness. This gluten-free cider, with an ABV of 4.5%, has been well-received, particularly among white wine drinkers, contributing to the U.S. cider market's over 100% annual growth. It is available in 4-packs, 24 oz. bottles, and on draft, and its national launch was supported by a major media push, including a national advertising campaign. Despite being part of the larger Anheuser-Busch InBev portfolio, Stella Artois Cidre has carved out a niche, appealing to those seeking a sophisticated and refreshing beverage. With its wide availability and strong marketing, it continues to be a significant force in the U.S. cider market. For more details about their cider offerings, visit the official Stella Artois Cidre page.

Somersby

Somersby, a brand owned by the Carlsberg Group, is a prominent producer of cider, introduced in 2008 and now available in over 50 countries worldwide. Known for its 4.5% ABV ciders, Somersby offers a variety of flavors, including Apple, Pear, and several fruit-infused options. The brand is notable for its gluten-free and mostly vegan-friendly ingredients, with the exception of a few flavors containing carmine. Somersby ciders are carbonated and contain between 3.9 and 8.7 grams of carbohydrates per 100ml. As part of the global cider market, which is expected to grow significantly, Somersby continues to expand its market presence. For more details, you can visit their FAQ page.

Bulmers

Bulmers, a renowned cider brand, has been a leader in the industry since its founding in 1887 by H.P. 'Percy' Bulmer in Hereford, England. The company produces 65% of the 500 million litres of cider sold annually in the UK and is a significant contributor to the UK's cider exports. Bulmers is known for its high-quality ciders, including Bulmers Original and Bulmers Crushed Red Berries and Lime, and boasts a strong presence in nearly 40,000 pubs and bars across the UK. The brand has undergone several transformations, including a relaunch of Bulmers Original in 2006 and the introduction of new flavors such as the Orchard Pioneers range in 2017. Despite changes in ownership, including being acquired by Heineken in 2008, Bulmers remains a staple in the cider market. For more information, you can visit their official FAQs page.