Vander Mill Totally Roasted 6Pk

Vander Mill Totally Roasted 6Pk is a semi-sweet Michigan hard cider infused with house-roasted pecans, bottled at 6.5% ABV in a six-pack format. Rated 3.8 out of 5 on Untappd with over 23,700 ratings, it has become one of the most recognized pecan ciders in the American craft cider market.

Quick Facts: ABV: 6.5%  |  Origin: Michigan, USA  |  Style: Pecan-Infused Semi-Sweet Hard Cider  |  Producer: Vander Mill

Production & Heritage

Vander Mill is based in Spring Lake, Michigan, with current production at their facility on Ball Avenue Northeast in Grand Rapids. Totally Roasted starts with a solid dry cider base pressed from Michigan apples, then incorporates over 60 pounds of cinnamon-roasted pecans per 30-barrel batch — all roasted in-house, five pounds at a time. Owner Paul Vander Heide has openly described the process as "a pain in the ass to make," a testament to the labor-intensive, small-batch approach that defines this expression and sets it apart from flavored ciders that rely on extracts or concentrates.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Sweet apple hits first, followed by warming cinnamon spice and a distinct nuttiness. The three elements blend into a layered, almost bakery-like bouquet that sets the stage before the first sip.

Taste: Apple comes forward on entry, clean and bright. Mid-palate shifts to cinnamon and baking spice, then roasted pecans emerge with a subtle vanilla undertone. The cider is semi-sweet with a light body and a pleasant silkiness that keeps the flavor balanced rather than cloying.

Finish: A tart, apple-driven finish pulls everything back into focus, keeping the sweetness in check. Pecan and cinnamon linger gently without overstaying, leaving a dry, spiced impression.

How to Drink Totally Roasted

Serve chilled at around 40–45°F to let the pecan and spice aromatics open up without muting the apple base. It drinks well straight from the can or poured into a tulip glass for a fuller aromatic experience.

• Cider Mule: Swap ginger beer for Totally Roasted in a Moscow Mule — the pecan and cinnamon complement lime and ginger naturally.
• Harvest Shandy: Mix half-and-half with a Belgian wheat beer for a lighter, spiced sipper that highlights the cider's vanilla-pecan backbone.
• Hot Toddy Riff: Gently warm a pour with a cinnamon stick and a squeeze of lemon — the roasted nut character deepens beautifully when heated.

Best For

• Fall gatherings, Thanksgiving dinners, and autumn tailgates
• Introducing non-cider drinkers to craft hard cider through an approachable, dessert-leaning flavor profile
• Pairing with charcuterie boards, cheese plates, or dessert courses
• Gifting to someone who enjoys unique, small-batch craft beverages

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Totally Roasted taste like? Totally Roasted leads with fresh Michigan apple, transitions into warm cinnamon and baking spice at mid-palate, and finishes with roasted pecan and a tart, balanced close. It is semi-sweet with a light, silky body and subtle vanilla undertones.

How does Totally Roasted compare to Angry Orchard Crisp Apple? Angry Orchard Crisp Apple is a straightforward, apple-forward sweet cider with no added nut or spice elements, while Totally Roasted layers real roasted pecans and cinnamon over a drier cider base. The Vander Mill offering is more complex and less sugary, appealing to drinkers looking for something beyond a standard commercial cider.

Is Totally Roasted good for cider beginners? Yes — its semi-sweet profile and familiar flavors of apple, cinnamon, and pecan make it highly approachable, even for those who don't typically drink hard cider.

Where is Totally Roasted made? Totally Roasted is produced by Vander Mill at their Grand Rapids, Michigan facility on Ball Avenue Northeast. The company was originally founded in Spring Lake, Michigan, and all cider is pressed from Michigan-grown apples.

What foods pair well with Totally Roasted? Sharp aged cheddar complements the cider's nuttiness; roasted pork or smoked turkey echo the warm spice notes; pecan pie or apple crisp lean into the dessert character; and a charcuterie board with salted nuts and dried fruit creates a natural flavor bridge.

What sizes does Totally Roasted come in? Totally Roasted is commonly available in six-pack format, which is the standard retail configuration for this expression.

Is Totally Roasted worth the price? Totally Roasted positions as a craft-tier hard cider, priced above mass-market brands like Angry Orchard but justified by its labor-intensive production — over 60 pounds of hand-roasted pecans per batch — and the depth of flavor that process delivers.

Why Totally Roasted?

Very few hard ciders on the market use real roasted nuts in production, and fewer still roast them in-house in five-pound batches. That painstaking process is what separates Totally Roasted from extract-flavored competitors and gives it a genuine depth that has earned it over 23,700 ratings on Untappd. Built on a dry Michigan apple base rather than an overly sweet one, the cider keeps its pecan and cinnamon additions honest — flavorful without tipping into artificial dessert territory. For drinkers looking for a cider that actually tastes like what it promises on the label, this is the benchmark.