Starcut Pulsar 6Pk

Starcut Pulsar 6Pk is a bone-dry hard cider fermented with Pinot Noir yeast, packaged as a six-pack of 12 oz cans at 6.9% ABV. Winner of a GLINTCAP Gold Medal and 2nd Best in Show in 2017, Pulsar has earned consistent critical recognition as one of Michigan's standout dry ciders, also receiving GLINTCAP Silver Medals in 2018 and 2019 and multiple CIDERCRAFT Judges' Pick honors.

Quick Facts: ABV: 6.9%  |  Origin: Bellaire, Michigan  |  Style: Bone-Dry Cider  |  Producer: Starcut Ciders (Short's Brewing Company)

Production & Heritage

Starcut Ciders operates as a cider-focused branch of Short's Brewing Company, based in Bellaire, Michigan. Pulsar is produced from Michigan-grown apples and fermented with Pinot Noir yeast — an unusual choice in the cider world, where standard ale or champagne yeasts are far more common. The result is a cider with no added sweeteners and less than one gram of natural sugar per serving, landing firmly in bone-dry territory. That Pinot Noir yeast imparts subtle white wine-like characteristics that give Pulsar a different aromatic profile than most mainstream dry ciders.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Soft fruit and delicate white wine-like notes greet the nose first, followed by fresh apple flesh. There is a gentle floral quality that reflects the Pinot Noir yeast influence.

Taste: Vibrant tart apple flavors arrive on the entry, immediately establishing the bone-dry character. The mid-palate introduces a subtle citrusy zing, while balanced tartness builds steadily and spikes most noticeably toward the back end of each sip. The body is light and effervescent, not overly tannic, with a drinkability reminiscent of a quality light beer.

Finish: Clean, crisp, and dry with lingering apple tartness. There is no residual sweetness clinging to the palate, making it refreshing and easy to return to.

How to Drink Pulsar

Pulsar drinks best chilled straight from the can or poured into a tulip glass to appreciate the aromatics. Its bone-dry profile and effervescence also make it a surprisingly versatile mixing cider.

• Cider Shandy: Combine with a light wheat beer for a sessionable hybrid that plays the tartness against soft malt sweetness.
• Apple Spritz: Mix with elderflower liqueur and a splash of sparkling water for a low-ABV aperitif that highlights Pulsar's citrus and floral notes.
• Normandy Mule: Use in place of ginger beer alongside bourbon and fresh lime — the dry apple tartness adds depth without sweetness.

Best For

• Dry cider drinkers moving beyond mass-market sweet ciders
• Backyard grilling sessions where a crisp, low-sugar option outperforms beer
• Wine enthusiasts exploring cider for the first time, drawn by the Pinot Noir yeast connection
• Gifting to a craft beverage fan who values Michigan-made products

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Starcut Pulsar taste like? Pulsar delivers vibrant tart apple flavors with a subtle citrusy zing, finishing completely clean and bone dry with no residual sweetness. It drinks light and effervescent, closer in body to a quality light beer than a heavy farmhouse cider.

How does Pulsar compare to Virtue Cider Michigan Brut? Both are dry Michigan ciders, but Pulsar's use of Pinot Noir yeast gives it a distinct white wine-like aromatic quality that Virtue's Brut — fermented more traditionally — does not share. Pulsar also tends to lean slightly more tart and citrus-forward on the palate.

Is Pulsar good for people who don't like sweet ciders? Pulsar is an excellent choice for anyone who finds mainstream ciders too sugary, as it contains less than one gram of natural sugar per serving and no added sweeteners. Its bone-dry profile and tart apple character appeal specifically to drinkers who prefer brut or extra-dry styles.

Where is Starcut Pulsar made? Pulsar is produced by Starcut Ciders, the cider division of Short's Brewing Company, located in Bellaire, Michigan. The cider is made with Michigan-grown apples.

What foods pair well with Pulsar? Grilled pork chops work well, as the tartness cuts through the fat. Sharp aged cheddar complements the dry apple character. Fresh oysters pair naturally with the crisp acidity. A simple arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette echoes the citrus notes, and smoked trout bridges nicely with the cider's clean, mineral-like finish.

What sizes does Pulsar come in? Starcut Pulsar is commonly available as a six-pack of 12 oz cans, which is the standard retail format for this product.

Is Pulsar worth the price? Pulsar positions as a craft-tier dry cider with multiple competition medals backing its quality, including a GLINTCAP Gold Medal. Within the craft cider category, it delivers strong value for a six-pack, particularly given the distinctive Pinot Noir yeast fermentation that sets it apart from most competitors at the same price tier.

Why Pulsar?

Pulsar's defining edge is its Pinot Noir yeast fermentation — a production choice that remains uncommon in American cider-making and gives the liquid a white wine-like aromatic complexity absent from most dry ciders on the shelf. The consistent medal record at GLINTCAP, the largest cider competition in North America, validates the quality year after year, from Gold in 2017 through Silver medals and CIDERCRAFT Judges' Pick honors into 2020. At under one gram of sugar per serving and 6.9% ABV, it occupies a practical sweet spot for drinkers who want flavor and sessionability without sweetness. For anyone exploring the dry cider category beyond the obvious national brands, Pulsar represents one of Michigan's most decorated and distinctive options.