Review: Ciders of Austin Eastciders (Updated 2026)

Austin Eastciders is one of the most visible cider producers in the country today — especially where I live, in the city where Austin Eastciders is based. The operation is a staple at bars and venues around the state of Texas, but it’s also got a strong national presence, thanks in part to its substantial production of a wide variety of ciders.

Today we look at two collections of products of recent vintage, one involving the high-abv Imperial Series and another inspired by Mexican agua frescas. Both are available in multi-flavor variety packs. Let’s dig in.

Austin Eastciders Imperial Gold – This is an unflavored cider, just how I like it — crisp with bright green apple notes but also fragrant with gentle floral notes, somewhere between honeysuckle and buttercup. Brisk and buzzy with solid effervescence, ample tartness, and a hearty abv, it’s uncomplicated but refreshing, a breezy thirst-quencher that also packs a punch. 8.3% abv. A-

Austin Eastciders Imperial Watermelon – The watermelon flavor here isn’t exactly authentic, but it’s much milder than I expected, making for a fairly harmless experience that feels, as you might expect, a lot like some Jolly Ranchers were melted into a can of Imperial Gold. That washes out a lot of the nuance of the above cider, replacing it with a candylike character,  albeit a mild, and relatively sunny one — almost citrusy at times. I wouldn’t drink more than one of these, but one was OK. 8.3% abv. B

Austin Eastciders Imperial Tropical Punch – Grown-up Hawaiian Punch? Perhaps. Vague notes of guava and papaya dominate a rather bittersweet experience, initially quite fruity but quickly retreating into a boozier, more alcohol-forward character. The bright effervescence keeps things approachable despite the high abv, but the finish eventually leans into more guava plus ample coconut cream — and comes off a bit like fizzy suntan lotion. 8.3% abv. B-

Austin Eastciders Imperial Mango Lime – Initially refreshing and straightforward, the cider’s genial nature doesn’t really last. In just a few minutes, the mango takes on a rather candied character, resulting in a rather oversweetened experience that begins to coat the palate. This effect only grows stronger with time in glass, the finish coming across a bit like a bite of mouth-puckering Mexican candy from the gas station. Too much for me. 8.3% abv. B-

Austin Eastciders Spiked Agua Fresca Pineapple Guava – Surprisingly pleasant, this cider’s pineapple and guava elements are both well-represented, evoking a dried mango quality as it warms and develops in glass. Never overtly sweet or candylike, the cider is actually quite dry and refreshing, concluding on a balancing drop of vanilla. 4.5% abv. A-

Austin Eastciders Spiked Agua Fresca Cucumber – This initially offers a classic medium-dry apple character, crisp and largely uncomplicated. The cucumber quality is really just an afterthought, and a mild one at that, though the first sips of the cider reveal that unmistakable “spa water” quality, grassy and green at times. It’s so mild that it eventually fades into the background, though. I’ve never had cucumber agua fresca (or even heard of it) but this concoction sort of makes the case for it. 4.5% abv. A-

Austin Eastciders Spiked Agua Fresca Mango Chamoy – Chamoy can be a divisive flavor, but here it works well as a foil against mild mango notes, spicing up the tropical core just a bit. As with the other agua fresca expressions, this one is mild and easygoing, and while the sweetness is well-evidenced, it’s never overwhelming in the slightest. Gentle spice notes linger on the finish, pairing well with a pear-like element on the fade-out. 4.5% abv. B+

Austin Eastciders Spiked Agua Fresca Strawberry Hibiscus – Both candylike and quite floral, this expression actually tastes the most like actual agua fresca, and you better like strawberries if you’re going to stand a chance with it. The essence of melted hard candies is impossible to avoid or ignore, while the finish comes across as ever so slightly industrial. 4.5% abv. C+

each $12 per six-pack

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