Schilling Hard Cider Variety 12-Pack is a curated twelve-can assortment of craft ciders made in Auburn, Washington, with ABVs ranging from 5.2% to 8.4%. Schilling stands apart as the cider brand using the largest proportion of European heirloom cider fruit of any major cider producer sold in the United States, giving each style a depth of tannin and complexity uncommon at this price tier.Quick Facts: ABV: 5.2%–8.4% | Origin: Auburn, Washington, USA | Style: Mixed Variety Pack | Producer: Schilling CiderProduction & HeritageSchilling Cider operates out of Auburn, Washington, and sources 100% fresh-pressed apples from Pacific Northwest orchards alongside European heirloom bittersharp varieties. The cidery employs a low-and-slow fermentation process at cooler temperatures using hand-selected yeast strains, which preserves delicate fruit aromatics and produces a cleaner, more nuanced finished product. The inclusion of heirloom bittersharps — apple cultivars traditionally grown for cidermaking in England and France — introduces natural tannins that add structure and a deeper golden color to the base cider, setting Schilling well apart from mass-market competitors that rely on dessert apple concentrates.Tasting NotesImperial Apple (8.4% ABV): Big, bright apple aroma with hints of light molasses, raisin, and caramel. The palate opens juicy and sweet, balanced by sharp acidity and a subtle apple-skin bitterness that adds genuine complexity. The finish is warming, clean, and moderately long given the higher ABV.Grapefruit & Chill (6.0% ABV): Bursts of juicy grapefruit on the nose lead into tangy lime and a crisp apple backbone. The finish is tart, snappy, and refreshing — built for warm-weather drinking.Classic Semi-Sweet (5.2% ABV): Light and approachable with a harmonious blend of fresh-pressed PNW apples and heirloom bittersharps. The balance between dry tannin and residual sweetness delivers a traditional cider experience with a clean, easy finish.Imperial Pineapple (8.4% ABV): Tropical pineapple aromatics layer over the cidery's signature apple base, offering a bold, fruit-forward drinking experience with the warmth and body that come from a fuller-strength fermentation.How to Drink Schilling CiderEach style in the variety pack is best served chilled, straight from the can, which preserves carbonation and aromatics. The lighter styles — Classic Semi-Sweet and Grapefruit & Chill — also work well as cocktail foundations. Try the Grapefruit & Chill in a Paloma-style highball, substituting it for grapefruit soda alongside tequila and lime for a lower-sugar twist. The Classic Semi-Sweet shines in a Cider Mule, combining it with ginger beer and fresh lime for a crisp, effervescent sipper. The Imperial Apple is excellent in a Harvest Sangria, mixed with brandy, sliced stone fruit, and a cinnamon stick for a robust autumn punch.Best For Introducing craft cider to friends who typically drink beer or seltzer Stocking a cooler for backyard barbecues or tailgates with varied tastes Exploring Schilling's range before committing to a single-style six-pack Gifting a cider-curious drinker a well-rounded Pacific Northwest sampler Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat does Schilling Cider taste like? Across the variety pack, the dominant thread is bright, fresh-pressed apple character balanced by natural tannins from European heirloom bittersharps. Individual styles range from traditional and semi-sweet to boldly tropical and citrus-forward.How does Schilling compare to Angry Orchard? Schilling uses 100% fresh-pressed apples and European heirloom bittersharp cultivars, resulting in more tannic complexity and a drier backbone than Angry Orchard's core lineup, which tends toward a sweeter, fruitier profile. The Imperial styles in Schilling's pack also reach 8.4% ABV, significantly higher than Angry Orchard's standard 5% offerings.Is Schilling Cider good for beginners? The variety pack is an ideal starting point because it spans a wide flavor and ABV spectrum, from the easy-drinking 5.2% Classic Semi-Sweet to the bolder 8.4% Imperials, letting newcomers discover their preference.Where is Schilling Cider made? Schilling Cider is produced in Auburn, Washington, in the heart of the Pacific Northwest, where the cidery sources fresh-pressed apples from regional orchards and supplements them with European heirloom bittersharp varieties.What foods pair well with Schilling Cider? The Classic Semi-Sweet pairs naturally with roasted pork loin or sharp cheddar, where its mild tannins cut through richness. Grapefruit & Chill complements grilled shrimp tacos and fresh ceviche. Imperial Apple stands up to smoked brisket or a caramel apple dessert, while Imperial Pineapple works alongside spicy Thai curry, where its tropical sweetness tempers heat.What sizes does Schilling Cider come in? This variety pack contains twelve cans. Schilling also offers individual styles in six-pack format and single cans at select retailers.Is Schilling Cider worth the price? Schilling positions as a premium craft cider that justifies its price through 100% fresh-pressed juice, heirloom apple varieties, and slow fermentation — details that meaningfully separate it from value-tier ciders made with apple concentrate.Why Schilling?Schilling's defining edge is its commitment to heirloom cider fruit at a scale no other widely distributed American cider brand matches. That translates directly into tannin structure, color, and aromatic complexity that recall European farmhouse ciders more than typical American hard cider. The variety 12-pack showcases four expressions that demonstrate how a single cidery's apple sourcing and low-and-slow fermentation philosophy can produce dramatically different drinking experiences. For anyone exploring craft cider beyond the supermarket mainstream, this pack serves as a convincing argument for what fresh-pressed, heirloom-driven cidermaking actually tastes like.
