8 Hard Ciders That Capture the Taste of Fall

Look, I get it. The moment September hits, everyone’s suddenly obsessed with pumpkin spice everything, flannel makes a triumphant return, and we all pretend we actually enjoy raking leaves. But here’s where I’ll give autumn some credit: fall flavors in hard cider? Now that’s a trend I can get behind. Unlike that questionable pumpkin spice deodorant your coworker brought to the office, these eight hard ciders actually know what they’re doing when it comes to capturing the essence of the season.

Let’s be real – while everyone’s fighting over the last bag of candy corn (seriously, who actually eats that stuff?), the smart ones among us are stocking up on hard ciders that taste like they were bottled straight from a Norman Rockwell painting. These aren’t your basic grocery store options that taste like someone dissolved a Jolly Rancher in club soda. No, these are the real deal – hard ciders that’ll make you actually look forward to your next bonfire gathering.

1. Portland Cider Pumpkin Spice Hard Cider: The Unapologetic Fall Classic

Let’s address the elephant in the room first. Yes, it’s pumpkin spice. No, I’m not going to apologize for putting it on this list. Portland Cider Company’s Pumpkin Spice cider is what happens when someone actually knows how to balance warm spices without turning your drink into liquid potpourri.

This 6% ABV beauty combines Northwest apples with cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, and ginger in a way that’s surprisingly sophisticated. It’s semi-dry, which means it won’t assault your taste buds with artificial sweetness like some other seasonal offenders. Available through October in 6-packs, 19.2-ounce Proper Pints, and on draft, this has become a fall ritual for Pacific Northwest cider lovers – and honestly, they’re onto something.

2. Nine Pin Ciderworks Apple Pie-Secco Hard Cider: Dessert in a Can

If you’ve ever wanted to drink apple pie without the judgment that comes with eating dessert for breakfast, Nine Pin Ciderworks has you covered. Their Apple Pie-Secco hard cider is aged with vanilla and cinnamon, creating what they call their longest-running seasonal offering. Made with 100% New York apples from Samascott Orchards in Kinderhook, this cider captures that perfect balance of bold, crisp, and comfortingly spiced flavors.

Available in cans and on tap throughout New York State, Massachusetts, and New Jersey, this cider proves that sometimes the most obvious flavor combinations are obvious for a reason. It’s like autumn decided to learn how to ferment.

3. Nine Pin Ciderworks Pumpkin Hard Cider: The Sophisticated Cousin

Not content with just one fall hard cider, Nine Pin also offers a Pumpkin hard cider that’s co-fermented with actual sugar pumpkins from Samascott Orchards. This isn’t some artificial pumpkin flavor situation – they’re using real pumpkins alongside 100% New York apples to create what they describe as a smooth, earthy hard cider with just a whisper of pumpkin pie spice.

It’s a limited, small-batch offering, which means you’ll need to act fast if you want to try this. Available at their Albany tasting room and select retail partners, this one’s for people who want to taste actual pumpkin, not just the spices that have colonized every fall beverage menu.

4. Pinball Cider Dry AF Hard Cider: For the Anti-Sweet Crowd

Sometimes you want a hard cider that doesn’t taste like someone dumped a sugar factory into apple juice. Enter Pinball Cider’s Dry AF hard cider – and yes, that’s actually what they named it. This 6.9% ABV cider is unsweetened and bone dry, with a sharp, bright profile that’s crafted from a blend of culinary and heirloom apples.

Available throughout the Pacific Northwest, Cider offers layered flavors and a clean, crisp finish that’ll remind you why apples became popular in the first place. It’s perfect for fall because it pairs beautifully with all those heavy, rich foods we start craving when the temperature drops.

5. Pinball Cider Cherry Plunge Hard Cider: Tart Fall Perfection

Pinball Cider’s Cherry Plunge hard cider is their tart fall release that combines crisp orchard apples with bright cherry flavor. While cherries might not scream “fall” like pumpkins and cinnamon do, there’s something about the combination of tart fruit flavors that perfectly complements the season’s heartier fare.

This proves that fall flavors don’t have to be predictable. Sometimes the best seasonal drinks are the ones that surprise you, and Cherry Plunge delivers that unexpected twist while still feeling perfectly appropriate for autumn sipping.

6. The Gourd Tree Pumpkin Hard Cider: Trader Joe’s Strikes Again

Leave it to Trader Joe’s to create a hard cider with possibly the most ridiculous name on this list. The Gourd Tree Pumpkin hard cider is made with actual pumpkin and pumpkin spice, specifically highlighting cinnamon flavor. And here’s the best part – it’s cheap, because it’s from Trader Joe’s.

Perfect for those chilly fall evenings when you want something seasonal but don’t want to break the bank, this delivers on both flavor and value. Sometimes the best things in life really do come with quirky names and reasonable price tags.

7. Schilling Hard Cider Chaider Spiced Chai Hard Cider: The Warm Hug in a Bottle

Schilling’s Chaider Spiced Chai hard cider is what happens when someone decides that regular chai tea isn’t quite adventurous enough. This seasonal cider delivers mulled cider vibes but carbonated and chilled, creating an interesting contrast between warm spices and cool refreshment.

The spiced chai flavor profile makes this hard cider feel like a warm hug from your favorite coffee shop, except with alcohol and more personality. It’s proof that fall can be both comforting and refreshing at the same time.

8. 2 Towns Ciderhouse Cosmic Explorer Hard Cider: The Overachiever

Okay, so 2 Towns Ciderhouse Cosmic Explorer hard cider doesn’t technically scream “fall flavors” like pumpkin spice or apple pie, but hear me out. This hard cider is made with Cosmic Crisp apples – those Honeycrisp hybrids that are basically the overachievers of the apple world. At 8% ABV, it’s refreshing and dry with a burst of sweetness that makes it perfect for those early fall days when you’re not quite ready to commit to full autumn mode.

Sometimes the best fall ciders are the ones that let the apples do the talking, and Cosmic Explorer delivers that pure, crisp apple flavor that reminds you why this became popular in the first place.

The Bottom Line on Fall Hard Ciders

Fall is a season of contradictions – we complain about the cold while buying cozy sweaters, we mourn summer’s end while getting excited about holiday planning, and we roll our eyes at pumpkin spice everything while secretly enjoying it. These eight hard ciders embrace those contradictions, offering everything from unapologetically seasonal flavors to sophisticated takes on classic combinations.

Whether you’re team pumpkin spice or prefer your cider on the drier side, there’s something on this list that’ll make your fall gatherings a little more interesting. And unlike that questionable candy corn, these are actually worth the seasonal hype. Just remember to pace yourself – at these ABV levels, you might find yourself actually volunteering to organize the neighborhood leaf-raking party.