Angry Orchard Crisp Apple 19.2 oz is a 5% ABV gluten-free hard cider in a single-serve 19.2 oz can, made with French bittersweet and Italian culinary apples. Rated 85 points by Tastings.com, Crisp Apple is the best-selling hard cider in the United States — a position it has held since overtaking Woodchuck in 2013.

Quick Facts: ABV: 5%  |  Origin: Hudson Valley, New York  |  Style: Semi-Dry Hard Cider  |  Producer: Angry Orchard Cider Co. (Boston Beer Company)

Production & Heritage

Angry Orchard Cider Co. operates from a 60-acre orchard near Walden in New York's Hudson Valley and is owned by the Boston Beer Company. Crisp Apple uses a dual-sourcing strategy that sets it apart from domestic-only competitors: hand-selected bittersweet apples from France are blended with culinary apple varieties from Italy, then pressed, mashed, and fermented with white wine yeast through a lengthy fermentation. The ingredient list also includes cane sugar, apple juice from concentrate, malic acid, natural flavors, and a touch of honey, all of which contribute to the cider's signature balance of sweetness and acidity.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Fresh-pressed apple dominates immediately, followed by subtle honey and a faint maltiness. The overall impression is clean and orchard-bright.

Taste: The entry is light-bodied and mildly carbonated, leading with a crisp, single-apple sweetness. Mid-palate acidity sharpens the profile as tart, almost sour hints emerge, building to a peak where bittersweet depth from the French apple varieties becomes noticeable.

Finish: Semi-dry and medium in length, with lingering apple-peel tannins and a gently tangy fade. A trace of residual sweetness dissipates cleanly, leaving a refreshing close.

How to Drink Crisp Apple

Serve it ice-cold, straight from the 19.2 oz can or poured over ice for maximum refreshment on warm days. It also holds up well in simple mixed drinks: try it in a Cider Mule (replacing beer with cider alongside ginger beer and lime for a lighter take on the classic); a Snakebite (half cider, half lager, a traditional British pub pour that benefits from Crisp Apple's balanced acidity); or a Cider Sangria (combined with sliced stone fruit and a splash of brandy, where the honey and apple notes create a natural fruit-forward base).

Best For

• Backyard grilling sessions where a light, refreshing drink beats a heavy beer
• Introducing craft-curious friends to hard cider for the first time
• Tailgating — the oversized 19.2 oz can delivers extra volume without juggling multiple bottles
• Warm-weather picnics or beach coolers when you want a gluten-free option

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Crisp Apple taste like? Crisp Apple delivers a bright, fresh apple flavor balanced between sweetness and tart acidity, finishing semi-dry with a lingering apple-peel note and subtle honey undertone.

How does Crisp Apple compare to Woodchuck Amber? Woodchuck Amber leans slightly sweeter and more caramel-driven, while Crisp Apple emphasizes tart, bright apple acidity and a cleaner, drier finish thanks to its European bittersweet apple blend. Angry Orchard surpassed Woodchuck as the top-selling U.S. cider by mid-2013 and has maintained that lead.

Is Crisp Apple good for cider beginners? Yes — its approachable sweetness, mild carbonation, and familiar apple flavor make it one of the most accessible entry points into hard cider. The 5% ABV is sessionable and easy to gauge.

Where is Crisp Apple made? Angry Orchard Cider Co. is based near Walden, New York, in the Hudson Valley, where it maintains a 60-acre orchard. The apples themselves are sourced internationally — bittersweet varieties from France and culinary varieties from Italy.

What foods pair well with Crisp Apple? Smoked pork ribs (the acidity cuts through richness), sharp cheddar cheese (a classic cider-and-cheese match), roasted chicken with herbs (the apple sweetness complements savory poultry), green salads with vinaigrette (complementary tartness), and apple-based desserts like tarte Tatin (amplifies the fruit character).

What sizes does Crisp Apple come in? Angry Orchard Crisp Apple is available in multiple formats including 12 oz bottles and cans (in six-packs, twelve-packs, and variety packs), the 19.2 oz single-serve stovepipe can featured here, and seasonal variety options.

Is Crisp Apple worth the price? Crisp Apple positions squarely as an accessible, everyday hard cider — priced comparably to mainstream craft beer singles. The 19.2 oz format delivers roughly 60% more volume than a standard 12 oz can, making it solid value for a single-serve purchase.

Why Crisp Apple?

What separates Crisp Apple from the broader hard cider field is its international apple-blending approach: French bittersweet varieties supply tannic structure and dry complexity, while Italian culinary apples deliver the bright, recognizable apple sweetness most drinkers expect. The use of white wine yeast — uncommon in mass-market ciders — contributes a cleaner fermentation profile than standard ale yeasts. With an 85-point Tastings.com score and more than 174,500 user ratings on Untappd (averaging 3.5 out of 5), Crisp Apple has earned its reputation as the benchmark American hard cider against which newcomers and competitors are consistently measured.