Blake's Apple Pie Hard Cider 6-Pack is a spiced hard cider from Armada, Michigan, featuring a proprietary five-apple blend with cinnamon and vanilla at 6.5% ABV. It earned a Gold Medal in the Apple/Pumpkin Spiced Cider category at the 2021 U.S. Open Cider & Kombucha Championship, validating its standing as one of the more accomplished spiced ciders on the American market.Quick Facts: ABV: 6.5% | Origin: Armada, Michigan, USA | Style: Spiced Hard Cider | Producer: Blake's Hard Cider CompanyProduction & HeritageBlake's Hard Cider Company operates from Blake Farms in Armada, Michigan, a family farm established in 1946. The Apple Pie expression starts with a proprietary blend of five dessert apple varieties grown, harvested, pressed, and fermented entirely on the farm — a true estate cider in every sense. After fermentation, the cider is infused with natural cinnamon, vanilla, and nutmeg, designed to replicate the warm spice profile of a classic American apple pie rather than simply sweetening a base cider.Tasting NotesAroma: Sweet vanilla pastry crust greets you immediately, followed by baked apple and a distinct wave of ground cinnamon. A faint caramel undertone ties the aromatics together.Taste: The entry is soft and apple-forward, with the natural sweetness of dessert apples leading into a mid-palate burst of warm cinnamon and baking spice. Vanilla and caramel flavors build through the middle, while a restrained acidity keeps the sweetness from becoming cloying. The overall impression is remarkably close to liquid apple pie.Finish: Medium in length, with lingering cinnamon warmth and a clean, lightly tart apple fade. The vanilla pastry character echoes gently as the spice recedes.How to Drink Apple Pie CiderServe chilled straight from the can or poured into a pint glass to let the aromatics open up. This cider is highly drinkable on its own but also works as a surprisingly versatile mixer. Apple Pie Mule: Swap ginger beer for this cider in a Moscow Mule — the cinnamon-vanilla base complements the lime and vodka while adding body. Cider Mimosa: Use Apple Pie in place of champagne alongside fresh orange juice for a brunch drink with baking-spice depth. Hot Toddy Variation: Gently warm a can with a shot of bourbon and a cinnamon stick for a cold-weather sipper that amplifies the pie-crust character. Best For Fall gatherings where a seasonal, crowd-pleasing drink sets the tone Introducing non-beer drinkers to craft cider through an approachable flavor profile Tailgating and outdoor cookouts that call for something sweeter than a standard dry cider Gifting to anyone who gravitates toward dessert-flavored beverages Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat does Blake's Apple Pie taste like? It tastes like a freshly baked apple pie in liquid form — sweet dessert apples layered with cinnamon, vanilla, and caramel, balanced by a light natural acidity that keeps the sweetness in check.How does Blake's Apple Pie compare to Angry Orchard Baked Apple Pie? Both aim for the apple-pie-in-a-glass concept, but Blake's uses estate-grown apples from its own Michigan farm and leans more heavily into cinnamon warmth, while Angry Orchard's version emphasizes vanilla ice cream and nutmeg sweetness. Blake's also carries the distinction of a 2021 U.S. Open Gold Medal in the spiced cider category.Is Blake's Apple Pie good for cider beginners? Yes — its familiar dessert flavor profile and moderate 6.5% ABV make it one of the most accessible entry points into craft hard cider, particularly for drinkers who prefer sweeter beverages.Where is Blake's Apple Pie made? It is produced at Blake's Hard Cider Company on Blake Farms in Armada, Michigan, roughly 50 miles north of Detroit. The apples are grown, pressed, and fermented on the same family farm that has operated since 1946.What foods pair well with Blake's Apple Pie? Sharp cheddar cheese mirrors the classic apple-pie-with-cheese tradition. Smoked pork or pulled pork sandwiches complement the cider's sweetness with savory depth. Pecan pie or bread pudding echo its baking-spice notes. Buttermilk pancakes or waffles work well for a brunch pairing, and a charcuterie board with dried fruits and salted nuts offers a balanced contrast.What sizes does Blake's Apple Pie come in? The standard retail format is a 6-pack of 12 oz cans, which is the format reviewed here. Blake's also distributes some expressions in individual cans and draft.Is Blake's Apple Pie worth the price? It positions as a mid-tier craft cider — priced above mass-market brands like Angry Orchard but justified by its estate-grown apple sourcing, gold-medal pedigree, and the authenticity of a working-farm cidery. For fans of spiced or dessert-style ciders, it represents strong value in its category.Why Blake's Apple Pie?What separates this cider from the crowded field of apple-pie-flavored drinks is provenance. Every apple is grown and pressed on Blake Farms, a single Michigan estate with nearly eight decades of agricultural history — a claim very few commercial cideries can make. The 2021 U.S. Open Gold Medal confirms that the spice integration and apple quality hold up under expert scrutiny, not just casual appeal. At 6.5% ABV, it sits in a sessionable sweet spot that delivers full flavor without heaviness, making it one of the more convincing dessert ciders available nationally.
