1911 Honeycrisp Hard Cider 4Pk

1911 Honeycrisp Hard Cider 4Pk is a 6.9% ABV single-varietal hard cider made from 100% estate-grown Honeycrisp apples in Lafayette, New York. It earned a Silver medal at the 2021 Great Lakes International Cider & Perry Competition in the Modern Cider – Sweet category, and stands out as one of the first single-varietal Honeycrisp ciders to reach wide distribution.

Quick Facts: ABV: 6.9%  |  Origin: Lafayette, New York, USA  |  Style: Single-Varietal Sweet Cider  |  Producer: Beak & Skiff Apple Orchards

Production & Heritage

Beak & Skiff Apple Orchards has operated in Lafayette, New York, for over five generations and launched the 1911 cider house to bring true orchard-to-glass production to the craft cider market. This Honeycrisp expression defies conventional wisdom — most cider makers consider Honeycrisp apples unsuitable for fermentation due to their naturally high sugar content, but 1911 leans into that sweetness as a defining characteristic. The apples are fresh pressed on-site and fermented in Beak & Skiff's own cider house, maintaining complete vertical integration from tree to bottle.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Fresh-cut Honeycrisp apple dominates the nose, followed by light floral honey and a subtle hint of ripe orchard fruit. The aromatics are clean and inviting without any heavy yeast or funk.

Taste: The entry is distinctly sweet and apple-forward, capturing the crisp bite of a just-picked Honeycrisp. Mid-palate, balanced acidity cuts through the sweetness, keeping the cider from feeling heavy. Rich fruit flavors hold steady through the peak, supported by light carbonation that lifts the palate.

Finish: The finish is medium-length, clean, and refreshing with lingering apple sweetness and a gentle honeyed note. A slight tartness returns at the very end, inviting another sip.

How to Drink 1911 Honeycrisp

Serve cold, straight from the can or poured into a tulip glass to release the aromatics. This cider is best enjoyed chilled on its own but also works surprisingly well in cider-based drinks.

• Apple Cider Mule: The Honeycrisp sweetness pairs naturally with ginger beer and lime, creating a fruit-forward twist on the classic mule.
• Cider Mimosa: Substitute sparkling wine with this cider and add a splash of orange juice for a brunch-friendly pour with lower ABV.
• Snakebite: Blend half-and-half with a dry English-style lager — the Honeycrisp sweetness balances the bitter grain notes.

Best For

• Introducing beer drinkers to craft hard cider
• Backyard barbecues and outdoor summer gatherings
• Pairing with a fall harvest cheese board
• Gifting to fans of New York craft beverages

Frequently Asked Questions

What does 1911 Honeycrisp taste like? It delivers a prominent sweet apple flavor reminiscent of biting into a fresh Honeycrisp, balanced by crisp acidity and light carbonation that keep it refreshing rather than cloying.

How does 1911 Honeycrisp compare to Angry Orchard? Angry Orchard uses a blend of apple varieties and concentrates sourced internationally, while 1911 Honeycrisp is a single-varietal cider made from 100% estate-grown Honeycrisp apples pressed on-site in New York. The result is a noticeably fresher, more apple-forward flavor profile with a higher ABV (6.9% vs. Angry Orchard Crisp Apple at 5%).

Is 1911 Honeycrisp good for cider beginners? Yes — its approachable sweetness and familiar Honeycrisp apple flavor make it an excellent gateway into craft hard cider, especially for those who find drier styles too tart.

Where is 1911 Honeycrisp made? It is produced at the 1911 cider house on the Beak & Skiff Apple Orchards property in Lafayette, New York, located in the Finger Lakes region of central New York State.

What foods pair well with 1911 Honeycrisp? Sharp cheddar cheese complements the apple sweetness with a savory contrast. Roasted pork tenderloin works well because pork and apple are a classic flavor combination. Grilled chicken with herb seasoning matches the cider's light body. Caramel desserts echo the Honeycrisp's natural honey-sweet character. Soft pretzels with mustard provide a salty-tangy counterpoint to the fruit-forward sweetness.

What sizes does 1911 Honeycrisp come in? The standard format is a 4-pack of cans, which is one of the first single-varietal Honeycrisp ciders to be offered in a multi-pack format.

Is 1911 Honeycrisp worth the price? It positions as a premium craft cider well above mass-market brands like Angry Orchard, justified by its single-varietal, estate-grown sourcing and complete on-site production — a level of vertical integration rare in the hard cider category.

Why 1911 Honeycrisp?

What separates this cider from the crowded hard cider market is the commitment to a single apple variety that most producers avoid entirely. Using 100% estate-grown Honeycrisp apples — fresh pressed and fermented under one roof — gives Beak & Skiff total control over flavor from orchard to finished product. That vertical integration translates directly into the glass: the cider tastes unmistakably like the apple it comes from, not a generic blend. Its Silver medal at the 2021 Great Lakes International Cider & Perry Competition confirms what the approach promises — a distinctive, well-made cider that earns its place among the best sweet ciders produced in the United States.