Schilling Grapefruit and Chill Cider 6Pk

Schilling Grapefruit and Chill Cider 6Pk is a radler-style hard cider from Seattle's Schilling Cider, packaged as a six-pack at 6.5% ABV. Rated 4.1 out of 5 by CiderExpert, this Northwest seasonal expression bridges the gap between traditional fruit cider and the radler format typically associated with beer, delivering a genuinely citrus-forward drinking experience built on a backbone of fresh-pressed Washington apples.

Quick Facts: ABV: 6.5%  |  Origin: Seattle, Washington, USA  |  Style: Radler-Style Fruit Cider  |  Producer: Schilling Cider

Production & Heritage

Schilling Cider is a Pacific Northwest cidery based in Seattle, Washington, known for pushing the boundaries of American craft cider. Grapefruit and Chill is handcrafted using 100% fresh-pressed Washington-grown apples, including heirloom cider fruit, fermented with hand-selected yeast strains through a low-and-slow process at cooler temperatures. Originally inspired by radler-style beers, this expression takes the citrus-meets-malt concept and reimagines it entirely within the cider category, using locally sourced grapefruit flavoring rather than blending with beer or lager.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Freshly zested grapefruit dominates immediately, followed by a wave of bright citrus peel and a subtle undercurrent of pressed apple. The overall impression is clean, juicy, and summery without any artificial sweetness on the nose.

Taste: The entry is sweet grapefruit juice, vivid and true to the fruit, which transitions into a complementary fresh apple mid-palate that keeps the cider grounded. As the citrus zest builds, a pleasant tang emerges — tangy but never veering into sour territory — balancing the sweetness with enough acidity to hold your attention.

Finish: Semi-sweet and crisp, with lingering grapefruit pith and a bright, clean snap. Light carbonation lifts the finish, leaving a refreshing dryness that invites the next sip.

How to Drink Grapefruit and Chill

This cider drinks best cold, straight from the can or poured over ice on a warm day. Its radler-style character makes it exceptionally sessionable at 6.5% ABV. For a Cider Shandy, combine it with lemonade for a double-citrus refresher that leans into the radler inspiration. A Paloma Cider riff works well — use Grapefruit and Chill in place of grapefruit soda alongside tequila and lime for a sparkling twist on the classic. It also shines in a Cider Spritz, topped with prosecco and a sprig of rosemary, where its tangy grapefruit character adds depth without heaviness.

Best For

• Backyard barbecues and outdoor cookouts where sessionability matters
• Introducing beer drinkers to the craft cider category through a familiar radler-style profile
• Warm-weather picnics and beach days requiring a portable, easy-drinking option
• Gluten-free drinkers seeking a flavorful alternative to grapefruit radler beers

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Grapefruit and Chill taste like? It tastes like sweet grapefruit juice layered over crisp apple cider, with a tangy but not sour character and a semi-sweet, refreshing finish. The citrus is bright and dominant, while the apple base keeps everything balanced.

How does Grapefruit and Chill compare to Stiegl Grapefruit Radler? Stiegl Grapefruit Radler is a beer-based radler blending lager with grapefruit juice, while Schilling's version uses a 100% fresh-pressed apple cider base, making it naturally gluten-free. Both deliver prominent grapefruit flavor, but the Schilling expression carries more fruit depth and a slightly higher ABV at 6.5% compared to Stiegl's 2.0%.

Is Grapefruit and Chill good for beginners? Yes — its sweet grapefruit-forward profile and moderate 6.5% ABV make it highly approachable for anyone new to hard cider or transitioning from flavored beer and seltzers.

Where is Grapefruit and Chill made? It is produced by Schilling Cider in Seattle, Washington, using fresh-pressed apples grown in Washington State, a region widely recognized as one of America's premier apple-growing areas.

What foods pair well with Grapefruit and Chill? Grilled shrimp tacos complement the citrus brightness. Fish and chips benefit from the cider's acidity cutting through the fried coating. A fresh arugula and goat cheese salad mirrors the tangy, semi-sweet character. Thai green curry plays well against the grapefruit sweetness, and smoked salmon highlights the Pacific Northwest connection while matching the crisp finish.

What sizes does Grapefruit and Chill come in? This expression is available as a six-pack of cans, which is the standard retail format from Schilling Cider.

Is Grapefruit and Chill worth the price? It positions within the craft cider mid-range and delivers genuine fruit character from fresh-pressed apples rather than concentrates, which distinguishes it from many mass-market fruit ciders at similar price points.

Why Grapefruit and Chill?

What makes this cider stand apart is its radler-style concept executed entirely within the cider category — a format typically dominated by beer-based products. Schilling's commitment to 100% fresh-pressed Washington apples and heirloom cider fruit gives it a more substantial base than many fruit-flavored ciders that rely on concentrate. The low-and-slow cool fermentation preserves the delicate grapefruit aromatics and keeps the apple character clean. With a 4.1 out of 5 rating from CiderExpert and over 14,500 ratings on Untappd, Grapefruit and Chill has built a following that validates its approach to bridging the radler and cider worlds.