Ace Variety Hard Cider 12Pk

Ace Variety Hard Cider 12Pk is a 12-pack sampler of four distinct hard ciders from Sonoma County's California Cider Company, each at 5.0% ABV. The pack showcases the range of ACE's fruit-driven lineup, built on a base of fermented apple juice blended with real fruit juices — all gluten-free and made without added sugar or artificial ingredients.

Quick Facts: ABV: 5.0%  |  Origin: Sebastopol, Sonoma County, California  |  Style: Fruit Cider Variety Pack  |  Producer: California Cider Company (Est. 1993)

Production & Heritage

California Cider Company has been producing hard cider in Sebastopol — the heart of Sonoma County's apple-growing country — since 1993, making it one of the earliest craft cider producers in the modern American cider movement. ACE ciders derive 100% of their alcohol from apples, using what the company describes as premium "eating" apples pressed for clean, expressive juice. For the fruit varieties, fresh fruit juices are blended with the fermented apple base post-fermentation, preserving bright, natural fruit character rather than relying on artificial flavoring. The variety pack typically includes ACE Pineapple, ACE Guava, ACE Mango, and ACE Perry (pear cider), though exact assortments may rotate.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Each can delivers a different aromatic profile, but across the pack expect ripe tropical fruit, orchard apple, and gentle floral notes. The Guava and Mango varieties lean lush and aromatic, while the Perry opens with clean pear blossom and subtle honey.

Taste: The apple base provides a clean, tart backbone that keeps sweetness in check across all four styles. Pineapple delivers bright, tangy acidity; Guava leans into soft tropical pulpiness; Mango offers rounded stone-fruit sweetness; and Perry balances gentle pear sweetness with a crisp, tart finish. None are cloyingly sweet — the absence of added sugar keeps the palate refreshed.

Finish: Light-bodied and dry-leaning, each variety wraps up cleanly with moderate carbonation and little residual sweetness. The fruit character fades naturally, leaving a tart apple echo that invites the next sip.

How to Drink Ace Variety Cider

Serve all four styles well chilled, straight from the can or poured into a pint glass to appreciate each cider's color and carbonation. The Pineapple works beautifully in a Cider Shandy, topped with a splash of wheat beer for effervescence and grain depth. ACE Guava shines in a Tropical Mule, substituting for ginger beer alongside fresh lime and vodka for a fruity riff on the classic. The Perry pairs naturally in a French 75 variation, replacing champagne with pear cider for a lighter, orchard-inflected take on the cocktail.

Best For

• Hosting a summer cookout where guests have different flavor preferences
• Introducing beer drinkers to the craft cider category
• Stocking a gluten-free beverage option for gatherings
• Sampling the ACE lineup before committing to a single-flavor six-pack

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Ace Variety Cider taste like? The pack spans a spectrum from bright tropical fruit (Pineapple, Guava, Mango) to orchard-driven pear, all built on a clean, tart apple base with no artificial sweetness. Expect light-bodied, refreshing ciders that lean dry despite their fruit-forward character.

How does Ace Variety compare to Angry Orchard variety packs? Angry Orchard tends to skew sweeter and more mainstream in profile, while ACE ciders emphasize a cleaner, drier apple base with real fruit juice additions rather than flavoring concentrates. Both sit at a similar ABV around 5%, but ACE's Sonoma County roots and no-sugar-added approach give it a more craft-oriented identity.

Is Ace Variety Cider good for beginners? Yes — the fruit-forward flavors are approachable and the 5.0% ABV is sessionable, making this an ideal entry point for anyone new to hard cider or transitioning from flavored seltzers and fruit beers.

Where is Ace Variety Cider made? ACE ciders are produced by California Cider Company in Sebastopol, a small city in Sonoma County, California, historically known for its Gravenstein apple orchards and agricultural heritage.

What foods pair well with Ace Variety Cider? Grilled shrimp tacos complement the tropical Pineapple and Guava varieties with matching acidity. A charcuterie board with mild cheeses like brie and gouda works across all four styles. The Perry pairs naturally with roasted pork tenderloin, echoing the classic pork-and-apple combination. Spicy Thai or Vietnamese dishes benefit from the ciders' fruit sweetness and carbonation as a palate cleanser.

What sizes does Ace Variety Cider come in? The variety pack is available as a 12-pack of 12 fl oz cans, with individual ACE flavors also sold separately in six-packs.

Is Ace Variety Cider worth the price? ACE positions as a premium craft cider made with real fruit juice and no artificial ingredients, sitting above mass-market cider brands in quality while remaining accessible as an everyday drinking option — strong value for a 12-pack that lets you explore four distinct flavors.

Why Ace Variety Cider?

California Cider Company has been making cider in Sonoma County for over three decades, well before the craft cider boom brought dozens of competitors to market. The commitment to 100% apple-derived alcohol, zero added sugar, and real fruit juice — rather than artificial flavoring — sets ACE apart from many variety packs in the category. Individual ACE expressions have earned recognition at competitions including the U.S. Open Cider Championship, where an ACE cider took silver in the Modern Cider — Sweet category in 2018. For anyone looking to explore fruit cider beyond the mainstream, this 12-pack delivers genuine craft character at a sessionable 5.0% ABV.