Ace High Imperial Hard Cider 6Pk

Ace High Imperial Hard Cider 6Pk is a bold, imperial-strength craft cider from Sonoma County, California, packaged as a six-pack at approximately 8% ABV. What separates this expression from the crowded hard cider field is its reliance on rare bittersweet apple varieties — a deliberate choice that delivers tannic structure and complexity rarely found in mainstream ciders.

Quick Facts: ABV: ~8%  |  Origin: Sebastopol, Sonoma County, California  |  Style: Imperial Hard Cider  |  Producer: California Cider Company

Production & Heritage

California Cider Company operates out of Sebastopol, along the famed Gravenstein Highway in western Sonoma County — a region with deep roots in apple cultivation. The Ace line has earned a loyal following among cider drinkers on the West Coast and beyond. Ace High Imperial is cold-filtered four times, a process that strips out sediment and yields an exceptionally clean body while preserving the character of the rare bittersweet apples at its core. The higher alcohol content — roughly double that of many session ciders — comes from the natural sugars in the fruit rather than adjuncts, giving it a fuller, more wine-like presence.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Fresh-cut tart apple leads immediately, followed by subtle bittersweet undertones and a faint hint of cranberry. The nose is clean and bright without cloying sweetness.

Taste: The entry hits with concentrated tart apple — reminiscent of biting into a perfectly ripe Granny Smith. Mid-palate, the bittersweet apple tannins emerge, adding grip and a layered complexity that balances the residual sweetness. At its peak, the 8% ABV smooths everything together with a buttery warmth that never turns hot.

Finish: Medium in length, with a clean, dry fade and a lingering note of cranberry-like tartness. The tannins provide just enough texture to keep the finish interesting without astringency.

How to Drink Ace High

Serve chilled, straight from the bottle or poured into a tulip glass to open up the aromatics. Its higher ABV and tannic backbone also make it a surprisingly capable cocktail ingredient.

• Cider Mule: The tart apple and tannin structure stand up to ginger beer and lime without disappearing.
• Cidermosa: Swap sparkling wine for Ace High in a brunch mimosa — the imperial strength and fruit-forward profile carry the drink with more body.
• Autumn Shandy: A half-and-half blend with a malty amber ale creates a rich, seasonal hybrid that plays off the bittersweet apple character.

Best For

• Cider enthusiasts looking to step up from lighter, sweeter brands
• Backyard barbecues where something stronger than a session cider is welcome
• Introducing wine drinkers to craft cider through a tannic, complex expression
• Fall and winter drinking sessions that call for a bolder, warmer cider

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Ace High taste like? Ace High delivers concentrated tart apple flavor up front, followed by bittersweet tannic complexity and a smooth, clean finish with a light cranberry note. It is noticeably less sweet than most commercial ciders, with the higher alcohol providing a warming, buttery smoothness.

How does Ace High compare to Angry Orchard? Angry Orchard's flagship is a lighter, sweeter cider at around 5% ABV aimed at casual drinkers, while Ace High runs at roughly 8% ABV and leans on bittersweet apple tannins for a drier, more structured profile. The difference is comparable to the gap between a fruit-forward white wine and a tannic rosé.

Is Ace High good for sipping on its own? Absolutely — the tannic depth and balanced sweetness make it one of the more rewarding ciders to drink straight, especially when served cold in a proper glass that lets the aromatics develop.

Where is Ace High made? Ace High is produced by California Cider Company at their facility on Gravenstein Highway North in Sebastopol, Sonoma County, California — a region historically known for its apple orchards and Gravenstein apple heritage.

What foods pair well with Ace High? Sharp cheddar or aged gouda echo the cider's tannic bite. Roast pork or smoked sausages complement the bittersweet apple character. A simple arugula salad with walnuts mirrors the tart and bitter notes. Apple-based desserts like tarte tatin create a layered apple-on-apple pairing, and spicy Thai or Mexican dishes benefit from the residual sweetness and carbonation as a palate cleanser.

What sizes does Ace High come in? Ace High Imperial Hard Cider is commonly available in six-packs of 12 oz bottles, which is the standard retail format for this expression.

Is Ace High worth the price? Ace High positions as a mid-premium craft cider — priced above mass-market brands like Angry Orchard but reasonable for an imperial-strength, small-batch product made with specialty bittersweet apples. The tannic complexity and clean production justify the step up for anyone seeking more from their cider.

Why Ace High?

The use of rare bittersweet apples is the defining feature here — most commercial ciders rely on standard dessert or culinary apple varieties, which produce a one-note sweetness. Bittersweet apples bring tannins to the glass, and those tannins are what give Ace High its grip, structure, and layered flavor. The quadruple cold-filtration keeps the body clean and approachable despite the elevated alcohol. For drinkers who have outgrown sweeter ciders and want something with genuine depth, Ace High fills a gap that few widely distributed ciders even attempt to address.