Which Cider Has the Highest Alcohol Content?

January 3, 2026 •

4 min read

The alcohol content of hard cider varies widely, with typical commercial ciders ranging from 4% to 6% ABV, similar to many beers. However, specialized craft and traditional ciders, particularly those made with cryo-concentration, can reach significantly higher percentages, sometimes exceeding 12% ABV.

Quick Summary

Ice ciders and imperial ciders are two types that consistently offer the highest alcohol content, with some varieties pushing above 12% ABV using concentrated juice.

Key Points

Ice Cider Dominance: Specialized ice ciders, produced via cryo-concentration, regularly achieve the highest alcohol percentages, often exceeding 10% ABV.
Imperial Ciders: Imperial and 'strong' ciders, like Angry Orchard Hardcore or Portland Cider Co. Imperial Dry, are brewed specifically for higher ABV, often around 8% or more.
Small-Batch Craft: The absolute strongest ciders are typically found among small-batch, craft, and artisanal producers, not mass-market brands.
Cryo-Concentration Technique: The unique process of freezing and thawing apple juice before fermentation concentrates the sugars, allowing for much higher alcohol levels.
Regional Variations: Geographic location and traditional methods influence ABV, with regions like the West Country in the UK known for stronger traditional ciders.
The UK's Strongest: The Bearded Brewery Super Apple, a small-batch UK cider, advertises a very high 12.7% ABV.
Not Apple Jack: Apple Jack, an apple brandy made by freeze-distillation, is a spirit and not considered a fermented cider.

Understanding Cider Alcohol Content

The Alcohol By Volume (ABV) of a cider is determined by the amount of sugar available for the yeast to ferment. The sugar comes primarily from the apple juice, though some cidermakers add extra sugar to boost the final alcohol percentage. The type of yeast used, the fermentation process, and post-fermentation techniques all play a crucial role in the cider's final strength. While a standard cider provides a moderate alcoholic beverage experience, the pursuit of stronger flavor and higher potency has led to the development of several distinct styles.

The Strongest Cider Categories

When searching for a cider with the highest alcohol content, two categories stand out: ice ciders and imperial ciders. These are the main culprits behind the strongest commercially available products on the market.

Ice Cider (Cryo-Concentration)

Ice cider is a unique and potent style of cider originating from Quebec, Canada, and also popular in other cold climates like Norway. It is produced by freezing the freshly pressed apple juice. Because water freezes before sugar and flavor compounds, the cider maker can separate the icy water from the concentrated, sugary syrup. Fermenting this super-sweet liquid results in a powerful, dessert-style cider with an ABV that can reach between 9% and 13%.

Åkre Gård Edel Is-Sider (Norway): A highly rated ice cider that boasts a 12% ABV.
Clos Saragnat Avalanche (Canada): A Canadian ice cider with a potent 11% ABV.
Eden Ciders Imperial 11° Rosé (USA): Inspired by ice cider techniques, this New England variety reaches 11% ABV.

Imperial and Strong Ciders

Imperial ciders are simply ciders brewed with a higher alcohol content in mind. This is typically achieved by adding extra sugar during fermentation or using specific yeast strains known for their tolerance to higher alcohol levels. Many craft cideries have embraced this trend, offering versions that significantly outpace typical mass-market options.

The Bearded Brewery Super Apple (UK): A formidable entry from the UK, this small-batch craft cider is listed with a 12.7% ABV.
Angry Orchard Hardcore Dark Cherry Apple (USA): A widely available imperial cider that clocks in at a robust 8% ABV.
Portland Cider Co. Imperial Dry (USA): Made with 100% Northwest apples, this craft imperial cider reaches 8.5% ABV.
Little Pomona 'I'm Only Sleeping' (UK): A craft cider from Herefordshire with an 8.4% ABV.
Rasputin Cider (UK): This medium cider has an 8.5% ABV.

The Role of Tradition and Technique

While modern craft brewers use specific yeast and techniques to maximize ABV, some traditional cider-making regions have historically produced strong ciders. In the West Country of England, for example, ciders are known for their naturally higher alcohol content, often due to the types of apples used. However, even within these traditions, the highest ABVs are often the result of deliberate steps to enhance potency.

Regional Strength: Ciders from areas like the South West of England tend to have higher ABVs than the average.
Apple Varieties: Bittersweet and bittersharp apples, common in English and French cider, contribute to a richer flavor profile and can support higher alcohol levels.

Factors Affecting Cider ABV

Several factors influence a cider's final alcohol content, from raw ingredients to production methods:

Sugar Content: The initial amount of sugar in the apple juice is the most important factor. More sugar allows for more alcohol production by the yeast.
Yeast Strain: Different yeast strains have varying tolerances for alcohol. Wine or champagne yeasts, for instance, can ferment to higher ABVs than typical beer or cider yeasts.
Fermentation Duration: A longer fermentation period gives yeast more time to convert sugars into alcohol.
Cryo-Concentration: Freezing the apple juice before fermentation concentrates the sugars and results in a higher final ABV, as is done with ice cider.

Strong Cider Comparison Table


Brand / Name	Type	ABV	Region	Noteworthy
Åkre Gård Edel Is-Sider	Ice Cider	12%	Norway	Dessert-style, complex and sweet
The Bearded Brewery Super Apple	Imperial/Strong Craft Cider	12.7%	UK	Small batch, very high potency
Clos Saragnat Avalanche	Ice Cider	11%	Canada	Made with natural cryo-concentration
Angry Orchard Hardcore Dark Cherry Apple	Imperial Cider	8%	USA	Mass-market imperial offering
Portland Cider Co. Imperial Dry	Imperial Cider	8.5%	USA	Made with 100% Northwest apples
Little Pomona 'I'm Only Sleeping'	Strong Craft Cider	8.4%	UK	Barrel-aged and dry

Conclusion: The Final Verdict

While mass-market ciders typically maintain a moderate alcohol content, the strongest ciders with the highest ABV are most frequently found in the craft and specialty categories, particularly among ice ciders. The Bearded Brewery's Super Apple, at 12.7% ABV, is one of the highest commercially advertised, but other premium ice ciders from Norway and Canada regularly exceed 10% ABV, offering a powerful, concentrated flavor experience. For those seeking the highest alcohol content, the path leads away from the supermarket shelf and towards specialized craft producers and the unique, concentrated world of ice cider.

Explore more about these powerful beverages and the cidermakers behind them by visiting websites like Cider Culture's guide to boozy ciders 7 Big & Boozy Imperial Ciders to Try.

Frequently Asked Questions

While it can vary among small-batch producers, The Bearded Brewery's 'Super Apple' from the UK is advertised with a 12.7% ABV, making it one of the strongest commercially available.

Imperial ciders are brewed for higher alcohol content, often reaching around 8% ABV, but ice ciders frequently surpass them, with ABVs commonly ranging from 10% to 13%.

The alcohol content of a standard hard cider typically falls between 4% and 6% ABV, a range comparable to that of many beers.

Ice ciders achieve a high ABV through a process called cryo-concentration, where fresh apple juice is frozen. As the water turns to ice, it's separated from the concentrated, sugary syrup, which is then fermented.

No, Apple Jack is an apple brandy, a spirit made by freeze-distilling cider, which concentrates the alcohol to much higher levels. It is not a fermented cider.

While traditional UK ciders from regions like the West Country were often stronger, the rise of craft and imperial ciders in both the UK and US means that strong, high-ABV options are available in both markets.

Craft cider makers often experiment with specific yeast strains, prolonged fermentation, and techniques like cryo-concentration to intentionally produce ciders with higher alcohol content, while mass-market ciders prioritize consistency and a standard ABV.