Craft Cider Scene: Crisp Hard Ciders

Already internationally acclaimed for its craft beers, Grand Rapids is now earning recognition for its fast-growing production of hard ciders.

Quality ciders start with quality apples, and Grand Rapids has one of the world’s best apple-growing regions right in our backyard. Michigan is one of America’s top three apple producers – and more than half of all Michigan apples are grown on the Fruit Ridge, a unique agricultural land feature 20 minutes north of downtown Grand Rapids.

Local cideries capitalize on this abundance to create an astonishing variety of fresh, crisp, thirst-quenching flavors. Many area breweries have also gotten in on the act, crafting their own hard ciders to complement their beer menus.

For Adults Only

Hard cider is an adult beverage made with fermented apple juice. The average alcohol by volume (ABV) of hard ciders ranges from 4.5%-7%, though some ciders have an ABV as high as 10% or 12%. That’s similar to the ABV range of beer.

There are dry ciders, off-dry ciders, semi-dry ciders and semi-sweet ciders. The first two have a higher alcohol content while the latter two boast more intense apple flavors. Different apple varieties impart different flavors, and there also ciders made with other fruits – most commonly pears, referred to as perry cider.

Cider on its own is naturally gluten-free, but gluten-based yeasts and flavorings may be used in production – always ask your server to be safe.

If you’re looking for a non-alcoholic alternative, check out the area’s fresh fall ciders.

Fun in Every Flavor

You can enjoy locally made hard ciders in cidery tasting rooms and many local restaurants in addition to finding them on store shelves. Some of our favorite flavors include:

• Vander Mill’s Honeycrisp, made with what many consider the world’s most delicious apple.
• Blubarb from Pux Cider, blending blueberries and rhubarb.
• Farmhaus Cider Co.’s Brunch, infused with cinnamon and a touch of maple syrup.
• Honey Ginger Cyser, a hybrid of cider and mead, at Pink Barrel Cellars.
• Barzilla’s Brew at Robinette’s Apple Haus & Winery, a dry hard cider named after the man who started the Robinette’s family farm in 1911.
• Humdinger Hopped, a hop-infused cider from Painted Turtle Hard Cider in Lowell.
• Ginger Adams, a ginger-infused cider at The People’s Cider Co.

Local breweries offering their own house-made ciders include 3 Gatos Brewery, 707 Winery & Brewery, Adesanya Mead & Microbrewery, Archival Brewing, Bier Distillery & Brewery, Brass Ring Brewing Co., Broad Leaf Brewery + Spirits - Kentwood, Cedar Springs Brewing Company, City Built Brewing Co., Depot No. 36 Brewery, Gravel Bottom Craft Brewery, Greyline Brewing Company, Harmony Brewing Company, Küsterer Brauhaus, Oakestown Brewery, Perrin Brewing Co., Pike 51 Brewing Co., Railtown Brewing Co., Saugatuck Brewing Co. - Creston Taproom, Speciation Cellars, Third Nature Brewing Company, Thornapple Brewing Co. and TwoGuys Brewing.

Note: Many establishments rotate ciders seasonally. Check websites and social media pages or call ahead to confirm cider flavors before you go.

Cider Week GR

Grand Rapids showcases the local hard cider scene during the annual Cider Week GR event, which includes tap takeovers, pairing dinners and a public festival. Cider Week coincides with the Great Lakes International Cider and Perry Competition (GLINTCAP), the world’s largest cider competition. Held in Grand Rapids each May, GLINTCAP attracts more than 1,400 entries from around the world to be judged by global cider experts.