Stem Cider Variety 6Pk

Stem Cider Variety 6Pk is a six-can sampler from Colorado's Stem Ciders featuring two cans each of Real Dry (6.8% ABV), Hibiscus (4.3% ABV), and Pear (5.3% ABV). This variety pack spans the full spectrum of modern craft cider — bone-dry and apple-forward, tart and floral, rich and fruit-driven — making it one of the more thoughtfully curated samplers in the category.

Quick Facts: ABV: 4.3%–6.8%  |  Origin: Colorado, USA  |  Style: Craft Cider Variety Pack  |  Producer: Stem Ciders

Production & Heritage

Stem Ciders operates out of Colorado and has built a reputation for bridging traditional cidermaking with inventive flavor profiles. Real Dry is made exclusively from fresh-pressed Pacific Northwest apples with no added ingredients — a stripped-back approach that lets the fruit speak for itself. The Pear expression blends fresh-pressed Bartlett pears with apples, while Hibiscus incorporates tart hibiscus tea for its distinctive floral character, giving the pack three genuinely different drinking experiences rather than slight variations on a theme.

Tasting Notes

Real Dry — Aroma: Clean apple blossom and orchard fruit with a faint mineral edge. The nose is restrained and inviting without any residual sweetness.

Real Dry — Taste: Crisp and bone-dry from the first sip. Tart apple acidity dominates the mid-palate, finishing clean with no lingering sugar.

Real Dry — Finish: Short and refreshingly dry, with a subtle green-apple tartness that lingers just long enough to invite the next sip.

Hibiscus — Aroma: Floral hibiscus tea leads, followed by a gentle berry-like tartness and a whisper of dried rose petals. It reads more like a botanical drink than a traditional cider on the nose.

Hibiscus — Taste: Light-bodied and tart, with hibiscus acidity front and center. A mild apple sweetness emerges at mid-palate, balancing the floral punch without overwhelming it.

Hibiscus — Finish: Bright and tangy, tapering off with a pleasant cranberry-like dryness. The floral character fades gracefully.

Pear — Aroma: Ripe Bartlett pear and caramel on the nose, with undertones of fresh apple. It has a noticeably richer, more golden profile than its packmates.

Pear — Taste: Juicy pear sweetness opens the palate, followed by caramel depth at mid-palate that gives it unexpected complexity. A surprisingly tart finish keeps it from veering into dessert territory.

Pear — Finish: Medium length with crisp, fruity acidity and a fading caramel warmth. The tartness on the close keeps things balanced and sessionable.

How to Drink the Stem Variety Pack

All three ciders drink best chilled straight from the can or poured into a tulip glass to open up the aromatics. Real Dry works as a clean, refreshing base in a Cider Mule, substituting for ginger beer with a squeeze of lime. Hibiscus is a natural fit for a Cider Spritz, topped with sparkling water and a citrus twist to amplify its floral brightness. Pear pairs beautifully in a Harvest Shandy, blended half-and-half with a light wheat beer for a fruit-forward warm-weather drink.

Best For

• Introducing a beer drinker to the craft cider world
• Summer cookouts or patio sessions where variety keeps things interesting
• Gifting someone who appreciates Colorado craft beverages
• Side-by-side tastings to discover a personal favorite before committing to a full pack

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Stem Variety Pack taste like? The pack covers three distinct profiles: Real Dry is crisp and bone-dry with pure apple character, Hibiscus is tart and floral with a tea-like brightness, and Pear delivers ripe fruit sweetness balanced by caramel depth and a tangy finish.

How does Stem Ciders compare to 2 Towns Ciderhouse? Both are craft ciderhouses known for variety packs and inventive flavors, but Stem leans into a broader stylistic range within a single pack — from no-additive dry cider to botanical-infused expressions — while 2 Towns tends to emphasize fruit-forward intensity across its lineup.

Is the Stem Variety Pack good for cider beginners? Yes — the three styles range from dry to floral to fruity-sweet, making it an ideal sampler for anyone still discovering their cider preferences.

Where is Stem Ciders made? Stem Ciders is based in Colorado, though the Real Dry expression sources its apples from the Pacific Northwest. The Pear cider uses fresh-pressed Bartlett pears blended with apples.

What foods pair well with the Stem Variety Pack? Real Dry complements sharp cheddar and charcuterie thanks to its dry acidity. Hibiscus pairs well with goat cheese salads or grilled shrimp, where its tartness cuts through richness. Pear works alongside roasted pork or brie, with the caramel notes echoing savory glazes. All three are natural companions to fish tacos or a summer fruit salad.

What sizes does the Stem Variety Pack come in? The standard format is a six-pack containing two cans each of Real Dry, Hibiscus, and Pear.

Is the Stem Variety Pack worth the price? It positions squarely in the craft cider tier and delivers strong value by offering three genuinely different expressions in a single purchase, eliminating the need to buy three separate packs to sample the range.

Why the Stem Variety Pack?

What separates this variety pack from most competitors is the breadth of its lineup within just six cans. Real Dry's single-ingredient purity — nothing but Pacific Northwest apples — stands in deliberate contrast to the botanical complexity of the Hibiscus and the orchard-fruit richness of the Pear. That range signals a producer confident enough to showcase wildly different styles under one brand. For anyone exploring craft cider beyond the sweet-and-fizzy mainstream, this pack functions as both a tasting flight and a statement of what modern American cider can be.