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 nearly three-quarters 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.

7 Places to Tap Into our Craft Cider Scene

These destinations specialize in crafting hard ciders using locally owned apples:

Farmhaus Cider Co.

Tucked in the woods 15 minutes from downtown GR, Farmhaus Cider Co. makes all its ciders with 100% Michigan apples grown on site and at Farmhaus Farms, a century-old orchard 10 minutes from downtown. Farmhaus offers a diverse slate of year-round ciders (including Daily Dry, a 0g sugar hard cider; Midwest Nice, a classic semi-sweet; and Brunch, infused with cinnamon and maple goodness), as well as a rotating selection of seasonal ciders. The taproom and outdoor patio at Farmhaus Cider Co. are open year-round – you can reserve heated outdoor igloos in winter – and local food trucks are on-site most days. Farmhaus Farms offers a limited selection of hard ciders along with baked goods, ice cream, a farm market and U-pick apples. Farmhaus Cider Co.: 5205 Stanton St, Hudsonville, 49426. Farmhaus Farms: 9265 Kenowa Ave NW, Grand Rapids, 49534.

Painted Turtle Hard Cider

A fifth-generation family farm about 25 minutes from downtown GR is the site of Painted Turtle Hard Cider Tasting Room. Their year-round and seasonal ciders all start with apples grown and harvested right there. They also make use of other local ingredients – like the blueberries, strawberries, raspberries and blackberries that go into their Michigan Medley, Blueberry Bliss and Buzzin’ Blackberry ciders. You can order pizza, flatbreads and sandwiches to enjoy with your ciders. The Tasting Room is located at The Orchards at Red Barn, which also features apple picking, an ice cream parlor, fall family activities and more. 3550 Alden Nash Ave NE, Lowell, 49331.

The People’s Cider Co.

The People’s Cider Co. makes a range of traditional American, barrel-aged and preservative-free ciders using fresh-pressed apples and apple juice from Hills Bros. Orchards & Cider Mill, a local family farm renowned for its award-winning soft ciders. The People’s Cider Co. operates a tasting room along West Leonard Street in GR, about five minutes from downtown. It’s a small but comfortable and unpretentious space with a large bar and a few tables inside and out. The cider selection is listed on a chalkboard every day. 539 Leonard St NW, Grand Rapids, 49504.

Pink Barrel Cellars

Pink Barrel Cellars is the taproom at Ed Dunneback & Girls Farm, a 3^rd and 4^th generation farm on The Fruit Ridge, about 13 minutes from downtown GR. Pink Barrel offers a selection of on-tap ciders, beer and wine made with fresh ingredients grown right there on the farm, plus food, entertainment, kid’s activities and a farm market offering seasonal produce, kitchen necessities and gift items. Don’t miss the summer and fall harvest festivals! The taproom is open year-round, with varying hours depending on the season. 3025 6 Mile Rd NW, Grand Rapids, 49544.

Pux Cider

Pux Cider makes its ciders (and beer and spirits) at Pux Orchard House, a family orchard and production facility, and serves them there and at Pux Cider Taphouse on the east end of GR’s Medical Mile neighborhood. Pux’s focus on traditional, dry and wild-fermented ciders results in fan-favorite selections like Orchard Brut, made with a blend of English and French heirloom apples as well as dessert apples; and Gold Rush, a single-varietal, wild-fermented dry cider. Pux Taphouse offers an outdoor patio and hosts live music, and Pux Orchard House serves food in addition to beverages. Pux Taphouse: 311 Fuller Ave NE, Grand Rapids, 49503. Pux Orchard House (about 20 minutes from downtown GR): 1051 Harding St, Conklin, 49403.

Robinette’s Apple Haus & Winery

This century-old family farm invites you to experience a taste of Michigan from June-December each year via hard and soft ciders, apple-based wines, fresh-baked pies and pastries, and fresh-picked apples, cherries, peaches and other fruits. The hard cider list varies by season and availability but can include Barzilla’s Brew – Robinette’s very first cider, named after the farm’s founder – as well as Apple Cherry and Hopped Cider. The tasting room is located in an 1881 barn and there’s lots to do before and after you enjoy your beverage, including u-pick apples, trail walks, petting zoos and corn mazes. Robinette’s is a 15 minute drive from downtown GR at 3142 4 Mile Rd NE, Grand Rapids, 49525.

Vander Mill

Vander Mill crafts a variety of cider beverages – “modern” ciders, heirloom ciders, botanical ciders, fruit ciders and non-alcoholic sparkling ciders – from 100% local, fresh-pressed and fermented apples. Since 2008, Vander Mill has won more than 100 awards in the annual GLINTCAP (Great Lakes International Cider & Perry) competition – including a Best-in-Class win for its Michigan Honeycrisp Vodka in 2025. (Yes, they also make vodka and brandy from apples.) You can enjoy their liquid creations and a full food menu at the Vander Mill production facility/taproom five minutes from downtown GR. 505 Ball Avenue NE, Grand Rapids, 49503.

Breweries that Make Cider

Many local breweries make their own hard ciders to appeal to customers looking for a lighter, fruit-forward, gluten-free drinking experience. It’s not that much of a stretch: making cider and brewing beer both use yeast and the same basic fermentation equipment to turn liquids into alcohol.

Local breweries offering their own house-made ciders include 707 Winery & Brewery , Adesanya Mead & Microbrewery , Archival Brewing , Bier Distillery & Brewery , Brass Ring Brewing Co. , Broad Leaf Brewery + Spirits , Cedar Springs Brewing Company , City Built Brewing Co. , Gravel Bottom Craft Brewery , Greyline Brewing Company , Harmony Brewing Company , Küsterer Brauhaus , New Union Brewery,  Oakestown Brewery , Our Brewing Company,  Perrin Brewing Co. , Pike 51 Brewing Co. , Railtown Brewing Co. , Speciation Artisan Ales , Third Nature Brewing Company , Thornapple Brewing Co.  and TwoGuys Brewing .

Many cideries and breweries rotate ciders seasonally. You can check websites and social media pages or call ahead to confirm cider flavors before you go.

Cider Week GR

Grand Rapids celebrates the local hard cider scene during the annual Cider Week GR event, which includes tap takeovers, pairing dinners and a public sampling 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.