Ciderboys Variety 12Pk

Ciderboys Variety 12Pk is an assorted 12-pack of fruit-forward hard ciders at 5.0% ABV, produced by Stevens Point Brewery in Central Wisconsin. The Ciderboys line earned the Grand National Champion title at the U.S. Open Cider Championships in both 2016 and 2022—the first brand to win the honor twice.

Quick Facts: ABV: 5.0%  |  Origin: Central Wisconsin, USA  |  Style: Fruit Hard Cider Variety Pack  |  Producer: Stevens Point Brewery (est. 1857)

Production & Heritage

Stevens Point Brewery has been brewing in Wisconsin since 1857, making it one of the oldest continuously operating breweries in the United States. The Ciderboys line starts with 100% Washington State apple juice, which is heated, pasteurized, and then cool-fermented for approximately two weeks in stainless steel tanks using a specialized hard cider yeast imported from France. Rather than relying on cane sugar or corn syrup, the finished ciders are back-sweetened with natural fruit juices—apple, peach, strawberry, cranberry, and others depending on the expression—resulting in a medium-sweet character with genuine fruit flavor.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Expect bright, ripe fruit aromas that shift with each variety—juicy peach, fresh strawberry, and tart apple all feature prominently. Underlying each expression is a clean, lightly floral apple base from the Washington State juice.

Taste: The palate entry across the range is crisp and fruit-forward, with natural sweetness that reads as authentic rather than cloying. Mid-palate, individual flavors diverge: some lean toward tartness and apple skin character (like the First Press), while others deliver pronounced stone fruit or berry sweetness. The structured apple backbone remains consistent throughout, providing balance.

Finish: Clean and moderately dry on the fade, with lingering fruit notes and a sparkling, refreshing texture. The filtration process yields a clear, bright liquid without residual haze or heaviness.

How to Drink Ciderboys

Serve chilled directly from the can or poured into a pint glass to release the aromatics. The variety pack format encourages sampling across the range to find your preferred flavor. Cider Shandy: combine a fruit-forward variety like Peach Country with a wheat beer for a layered summer drink. Apple Cider Mule: mix First Press with ginger beer and fresh lime for a crisp riff on the Moscow Mule where the apple base replaces vodka's neutrality. Cider Sangria: blend Strawberry Magic with sliced seasonal fruit and a splash of brandy for a batch-friendly punch that leans on the cider's natural sweetness.

Best For

• Introducing craft cider to friends who primarily drink beer
• Backyard cookouts and warm-weather gatherings where variety prevents palate fatigue
• Hosting a cider tasting flight without committing to full six-packs of each flavor
• Gifting to someone exploring alternatives to mass-market hard cider

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Ciderboys taste like? Ciderboys ciders share a medium-sweet, fruit-forward profile built on a crisp Washington State apple base, with each variety adding a distinct fruit character—peach, strawberry, cranberry, or traditional apple. The finish is clean and lightly sparkling, avoiding the heavy sweetness found in many mass-market ciders.

How does Ciderboys compare to Angry Orchard? Both brands occupy the accessible, fruit-driven hard cider category at similar ABVs, but Ciderboys uses 100% Washington State apple juice and back-sweetens with natural fruit juices rather than refined sugars. Angry Orchard sources apples from multiple regions including France and Italy and tends toward a slightly more uniform flavor profile across its core range, while Ciderboys leans into bolder fruit variety.

Is Ciderboys good for cider beginners? Yes—the 5.0% ABV is approachable, the sweetness level is balanced rather than overwhelming, and the variety pack format lets newcomers discover which fruit profiles they prefer without overcommitting to a single flavor.

Where is Ciderboys made? Ciderboys is produced at Stevens Point Brewery in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, a facility that has been in operation since 1857. The apple juice used as the cider base is sourced entirely from Washington State orchards.

What foods pair well with Ciderboys? Grilled pork chops or bratwurst complement the apple sweetness with savory, smoky contrast. Sharp cheddar cheese balances the fruit-forward character with richness. The peach and strawberry varieties pair well with leafy salads dressed in vinaigrette, while the more traditional apple expressions stand up to spicy Thai or Mexican dishes where the residual sweetness tempers heat.

What sizes does Ciderboys come in? The variety pack is available as a 12-pack of 12 oz cans, and individual Ciderboys flavors are commonly sold in six-packs of 12 oz bottles.

Is Ciderboys worth the price? Ciderboys positions in the mid-range craft cider tier—above mass-market brands like Redd's but accessible compared to small-batch farmhouse ciders. The use of 100% apple juice, French yeast, and natural fruit back-sweetening delivers quality that justifies a modest premium over grocery-store competitors, especially given the brand's championship pedigree.

Why Ciderboys?

Ciderboys is the only hard cider brand to win the Grand National Champion title at the U.S. Open Cider Championships twice, in 2016 and 2022, with the latter victory including three gold medals and a bronze. That record reflects a production approach rooted in real ingredients—100% apple juice, imported French yeast, and natural fruit juices for back-sweetening—rather than shortcuts. The variety 12-pack distills the full range into a single purchase, making it the most efficient way to experience a lineup that has also earned four gold medals from the Beverage Testing Institute. For drinkers seeking a genuine fruit cider with proven credentials from a brewery with over 165 years of history, few variety packs in the category carry this kind of verifiable track record.