Redd's Wiched Apple 24OZ

Redd's Wicked Apple 24OZ is a hard apple ale brewed at 8% ABV in a 24-ounce single-serve can. Unlike mainstream apple ciders, this expression is built on a malt ale base with bold apple flavoring, delivering a noticeably stronger punch than its 5% ABV sibling, Redd's Apple Ale. It holds a 3.2 out of 5 rating on Untappd from over 17,000 reviews, reflecting its popularity as a full-flavored, higher-strength fruit ale.

Quick Facts: ABV: 8%  |  Origin: Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA  |  Style: Hard Apple Ale  |  Brewer: Redd's Brewing Company (Molson Coors)

Production & Heritage

Redd's Brewing Company operates under the Molson Coors umbrella at the historic Miller Brewing Company complex in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Wicked Apple is brewed as an ale — not a cider — using a base of barley malt and corn syrup (dextrose) fermented with yeast and hop extract, then flavored with natural apple flavoring, citric acid, and malic acid to achieve its signature sweet-tart apple character. Caramel color is added for visual depth, and sodium benzoate serves as a preservative. The "Wicked" line was developed specifically to deliver a bolder, higher-ABV alternative to the original Redd's Apple Ale, targeting drinkers who want more intensity without leaving the fruit-forward flavor profile behind.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with bright Granny Smith apple, followed by sweeter Red Delicious notes and a subtle hint of green apple candy. A faint malty grain undertone sits beneath the fruit.

Taste: The entry is immediate and fruit-forward, with juicy apple sweetness hitting the palate first. Mid-palate brings a light malt backbone and a touch of grainy sugar that anchors the fruit. A balancing tartness from citric and malic acid keeps the sweetness from becoming cloying, and reviewers consistently note that the 8% ABV is remarkably well-hidden.

Finish: The finish is crisp and moderately short, with lingering apple sweetness and a mild tart snap. There is minimal bitterness or hop presence, making the overall impression clean and easy-drinking for its strength.

How to Drink Wicked Apple

Serve it cold — ideally between 38–42°F — straight from the can or poured into a pint glass to release the apple aromatics. It drinks well on its own but also works as a mixer. Try it in an Apple Mule, substituting it for ginger beer and cider to get both sweetness and ABV in one ingredient. It pairs well in a Snakebite variation, blended half-and-half with a dry lager for a balanced shandy-style drink. For a simple warm-weather option, build a Wicked Sunrise by floating a shot of grenadine into a chilled glass of Wicked Apple for a layered, visually appealing serve.

Best For

• Casual backyard cookouts and tailgates where a single strong can is more practical than a six-pack
• Drinkers who enjoy fruit-forward flavors but want higher ABV than standard ciders or flavored ales
• Game-day gatherings where bold, easy-drinking options keep things simple
• Anyone transitioning from sweet ciders who wants to explore malt-based apple ales

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Wicked Apple taste like? Redd's Wicked Apple tastes like fresh, juicy apple with a pronounced sweetness balanced by tart acidity, all built on a light malty grain base. The apple character leans slightly candied but retains enough natural fruit quality to avoid tasting fully artificial.

How does Wicked Apple compare to Angry Orchard? Angry Orchard is a true apple cider made from fermented apple juice, while Redd's Wicked Apple is a malt-based ale flavored with apple — a fundamentally different product. Wicked Apple is also notably stronger at 8% ABV compared to Angry Orchard Crisp Apple's 5%, and it tends to taste sweeter with a more candy-like apple quality.

Is Wicked Apple good for beginners? Its approachable sweetness and fruit-forward profile make it very accessible for anyone new to flavored malt beverages or higher-ABV drinks. However, the 8% alcohol is well-disguised by the sweetness, so newcomers should pace accordingly.

Where is Wicked Apple made? Redd's Wicked Apple is brewed at the Miller Brewing Company complex in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, under the Redd's Brewing Company name, which is a subsidiary of Molson Coors Beverage Company.

What foods pair well with Wicked Apple? Smoked pulled pork benefits from the ale's apple sweetness cutting through the richness. Sharp cheddar cheese creates a classic apple-and-cheese contrast. Fried chicken pairs well because the tartness offsets the grease. Apple fritters or cinnamon donuts echo the fruit notes for a dessert pairing. Grilled bratwurst complements the malty backbone while the apple freshens each bite.

What sizes does Wicked Apple come in? Redd's Wicked Apple is widely available in the 24-ounce single-serve can, which is the format reviewed here. It has also been distributed in 10-ounce cans sold in variety packs.

Is Wicked Apple worth the price? Redd's Wicked Apple positions as a value-oriented, single-serve option in the flavored malt beverage category. At 8% ABV in a 24-ounce can, it delivers significant strength per serving, making it a competitive choice among higher-ABV fruit ales at its price tier.

Why Wicked Apple?

The core distinction here is structural: Redd's Wicked Apple is not a cider. It is a malt ale brewed with apple flavoring, which gives it a different body, mouthfeel, and sweetness profile than fermented apple juice products like Angry Orchard. At 8% ABV, it sits in a space between session fruit ales and hard seltzers, offering genuine flavor weight that lighter alternatives lack. With over 17,000 Untappd ratings and a reputation for dangerously smooth drinkability at its strength, Wicked Apple has carved out a loyal following among drinkers who want bold apple flavor without the delicacy of craft cider. The 24-ounce format makes it a grab-and-go staple.