Angry Orchard Crisp Apple 24OZ

Angry Orchard Crisp Apple 24OZ is a 5.0% ABV American hard cider in a 24-oz can, blending French bittersweet and Italian culinary apples. This flagship expression from the Angry Orchard line earned 85 points from Tastings.com in 2018, and it remains one of the most widely recognized hard ciders in the United States, backed by over 173,000 ratings on Untappd.

Quick Facts: ABV: 5.0%  |  Origin: Hudson Valley, New York  |  Style: Hard Apple Cider  |  Producer: Boston Beer Company

Production & Heritage

Angry Orchard is produced by the Boston Beer Company, the craft brewing giant also behind Samuel Adams. The brand draws from a 60-acre orchard in New York's Hudson Valley, though primary production takes place in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Crisp Apple expression is built on a blend of French bittersweet apples — which contribute tannic depth and dryness — and Italian culinary apples that bring bright acidity and natural sweetness. According to the brand, it takes roughly two apples to produce each bottle or can, a detail that underscores the juice-forward character of this cider.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Fresh-cut apple dominates the nose immediately, followed by hints of orchard blossoms and light honeyed sweetness. There is a faint, pleasant tartness lurking beneath the fruit.

Taste: Sweet apple notes arrive up front, recalling a bite of ripe apple. Mid-palate, the Italian culinary apples assert themselves with bright acidity, while the French bittersweet varieties introduce a gentle tannic grip. The overall impression is medium-sweet with enough tartness to keep the palate engaged.

Finish: Clean and moderately short, tapering into a subtle dryness that offsets the initial sweetness. A lingering apple-skin quality stays behind, inviting the next sip.

How to Drink Crisp Apple

Serve cold — ideally between 38°F and 42°F — straight from the can or poured into a pint glass to release the aromatics. This cider also works well as a base in simple mixed drinks. A Cider Mule (cider, ginger beer, fresh lime) plays off the apple sweetness with spicy ginger. A Snakebite (half cider, half lager) balances the fruit with malt for a classic pub serve. An Apple Cider Sangria (cider, white wine, sliced stone fruit, cinnamon stick) makes a crowd-friendly punch that highlights the apple character.

Best For

• Backyard barbecues and warm-weather cookouts where easy-drinking refreshment is the priority
• Introducing friends who don't enjoy beer to the hard cider category
• Game-day gatherings where a widely approachable, single-serve format keeps things simple
• Fall apple-picking outings or Thanksgiving appetizer spreads

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Crisp Apple taste like? It leads with bright, sweet apple flavor balanced by medium tartness and a subtle dry finish from French bittersweet apple varieties. The overall profile is refreshing and fruit-forward without being cloying.

How does Crisp Apple compare to Woodchuck Amber? Both are accessible, fruit-forward American hard ciders, but Crisp Apple leans sweeter with more pronounced fresh-apple character, while Woodchuck Amber tends to show slightly more caramel and baked-apple notes from its own blend of apples. At 5.0% ABV, Crisp Apple is comparable in strength to most Woodchuck expressions.

Is Crisp Apple good for cider beginners? Yes — its balanced sweetness and familiar apple flavor make it one of the most approachable hard ciders on the market, and the 5.0% ABV keeps it sessionable.

Where is Crisp Apple made? Angry Orchard is owned by Boston Beer Company and sources apples from orchards including a 60-acre estate in New York's Hudson Valley. Primary production takes place at facilities in Cincinnati, Ohio.

What foods pair well with Crisp Apple? Sharp cheddar cheese complements the apple sweetness with savory contrast. Smoked pulled pork balances its fruit with richness. Grilled bratwurst mirrors the cider's slight sweetness. A simple arugula-and-walnut salad lets the apple flavor echo through the pairing. Apple-cinnamon desserts like a Dutch apple pie create a harmonious seasonal finish.

What sizes does Crisp Apple come in? Angry Orchard Crisp Apple is widely available in 12-oz six-packs, 12-oz variety packs, and the 24-oz single-serve can reviewed here.

Is Crisp Apple worth the price? Crisp Apple positions squarely as an entry-level hard cider, priced in line with mainstream craft cider competitors. For the apple-forward flavor and broad availability, it represents solid value within its category.

Why Crisp Apple?

The combination of French bittersweet and Italian culinary apple varieties gives this cider a more layered profile than many single-varietal competitors at the same price point. An 85-point score from Tastings.com confirms that the quality holds up under formal evaluation, not just casual drinking. The 24-oz single-serve format is convenient for grab-and-go occasions without committing to a full six-pack. Among mass-market American hard ciders, Crisp Apple remains a reliable benchmark — sweet enough to satisfy newcomers, dry enough on the finish to keep experienced cider drinkers interested.