Ace Joker Cider 6Pk is a dry, champagne-style hard cider made from 100% apple juice, sold in a six-pack of 12 oz bottles at 6.9% ABV. Scored 90/100 by Beer & Brewing Magazine and awarded a Gold Ribbon for Best Cider at the 2013 San Diego Cider and Beer Festival, this Sonoma County cider has earned a reputation as one of the driest ciders on the market. Quick Facts: ABV: 6.9% | Origin: Sebastopol, Sonoma County, California | Style: Dry Champagne Cider | Producer: California Cider Company (Ace Cider) Production & Heritage The California Cider Company, known widely as Ace Cider, operates out of Sebastopol in the heart of Sonoma County — a region with deep roots in apple cultivation. Ace Joker undergoes a double fermentation of 100% apple juice using champagne yeast, a process that drives residual sugars extremely low and produces a sparkling, brut-like character. The result is a cider with just 3 grams of sugar and 3 grams of carbohydrates per 12 oz serving, placing it among the driest commercially available ciders in the world. Tasting Notes Aroma: Light and bright on the nose, opening with crisp red and green apple, followed by moderate pear and pineapple undertones. A subtle, distinctive hint of lavender perfume rounds out the aromatics. Taste: The palate leads with red apple skin astringency and clean white grape flavors at the entry. Mid-palate, green apple tartness emerges alongside a lean, mineral-like dryness. The champagne yeast contributes fine effervescence that keeps the mouthfeel lively without heaviness. Finish: Dry and crisp with lingering green apple tartness and a brut sparkling quality. The finish is clean and refreshingly short, inviting the next sip without any cloying sweetness. How to Drink Ace Joker Serve well chilled, straight from the bottle or poured into a champagne flute to appreciate the effervescence and aromatics. Its bone-dry profile makes it remarkably versatile in cocktails. Try it in a Cider Mimosa, replacing sparkling wine for a brunch drink with lower alcohol and more apple character. A Snakebite — half cider, half lager — pairs well with Joker's dryness, keeping the blend from turning overly sweet. It also works in a Stone Wall (bourbon and dry cider), where Joker's brut quality stands up to the whiskey without competing on sweetness. Best For Dry cider enthusiasts who find mainstream ciders too sweet Summer cookouts and outdoor gatherings where a light, crisp option is needed Low-sugar drinkers seeking a hard cider with only 3g sugar per serving Introducing wine or champagne drinkers to the hard cider category Frequently Asked Questions What does Ace Joker taste like? Ace Joker delivers clean white grape and red apple skin flavors with green apple tartness on a dry, sparkling frame. It finishes crisp and brut with virtually no residual sweetness. How does Ace Joker compare to Stella Artois Cidre? Both position themselves as premium, dry ciders, but Ace Joker ferments twice with champagne yeast, producing a noticeably drier profile with only 3g sugar per serving. Stella Artois Cidre tends toward a slightly sweeter, more fruit-forward character with a smoother finish. Is Ace Joker good for people who don't like sweet ciders? Ace Joker is specifically designed for drinkers who prefer bone-dry styles — its double fermentation process strips away residual sugar, making it one of the driest ciders commercially available. Where is Ace Joker made? Ace Joker is produced by the California Cider Company in Sebastopol, located in Sonoma County, California — a region historically known for its apple orchards and craft beverage production. What foods pair well with Ace Joker? Grilled pork chops complement the apple character; sharp cheddar cheese mirrors the tartness; raw oysters match the brut, mineral finish; roasted chicken with herbs echoes the cider's subtle floral notes; and a simple arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette aligns with its dry crispness. What sizes does Ace Joker come in? Ace Joker is commonly available in six-packs of 12 oz bottles and may also be found in individual 22 oz bottles depending on market availability. Is Ace Joker worth the price? Ace Joker positions as a craft-tier cider that sits above mass-market brands like Angry Orchard while remaining accessible in price, offering a 90-point rated, gold medal-winning dry cider that delivers genuine complexity for the category. Why Ace Joker? What separates Ace Joker from the crowded hard cider market is its uncompromising commitment to dryness. The double fermentation with champagne yeast is not a marketing gimmick — it produces a cider with 3 grams of sugar per serving, a figure most competitors cannot match. The 90/100 score from Beer & Brewing Magazine and the Gold Ribbon at the San Diego Cider and Beer Festival validate what the palate confirms: this is a serious, well-made cider. For anyone who has written off the category as one-dimensional and sweet, Ace Joker from Sonoma County stands as a compelling counterargument.
