What is the difference between English and American cider?

In BJCP terms, English cider comes from the West Country and is made from bittersweet and bittersharp apples, so it is tannic and often dry. American craft cider spans BJCP's Common Cider (mainly table apples, more acidity) and Heirloom Cider styles. The word differs too: in the US, "cider" often means unfermented juice and the alcoholic drink is "hard cider".

Updated 2026-10-02

Key differences (BJCP 2025 styles)

	English Cider (C1C)	Common Cider (C1A)	Heirloom Cider (C1B)
Where	West Country, south-west England	Not tied to a region ("New World" or "Modern" cider)	North America, eastern England, elsewhere
Apples	Bittersweet and bittersharp	Mainly culinary (table) apples	Some cider apples, crabapples, heirloom varieties
Character	Full body, high tannin, often dry; optional smoky MLF notes	Fruity, bright acidity, lower tannin	Apple acidity with English or French-style tannin, clean
ABV	6–9%	4.5–8%	6–9%

Sources: [1] [2] [3]. BJCP styles are competition guidelines, not law.

Why do they taste different?

The apples. BJCP says English Cider is "higher in tannin and lower in acidity than Common Cider" and lists varieties such as Kingston Black, Stoke Red, Dabinett and Yarlington Mill. [1] Common Cider uses table apples such as McIntosh, Golden Delicious and Braeburn. [2] The glossary explains bittersweet apples and malolactic fermentation, which gives some English ciders their smoky or farmyard notes. For apple choice at home, see best apples for cider.

Does "cider" mean the same thing?

No. BJCP: "In the United States, a distinction is made between hard cider (fermented, alcoholic) and sweet cider (unfermented, non-alcoholic)." [4] In England, cider is the alcoholic drink; see what sweet cider is for the US juice.

How do the legal rules compare?

UK: at least 35% apple or pear juice and below 8.5% ABV for cider duty. [5]
US: the lower federal hard cider tax rate applies to cider of 0.5% to under 8.5% ABV with no more than 0.64 g of carbon dioxide per 100 ml, made from more than 50% apple or pear juice and no other fruit. [6]

For the other classic comparison, see French vs English cider. The guide to English cider covers the West Country tradition.

Related answers: French vs English cider · where cider is made in England

Find it on Cider Radar

Cider makers in the United Kingdom: 275 makers, including 41 in Somerset (as of 2026-10-02).
Cider makers in the United States: 857 makers (as of 2026-10-02).
You can order directly from the maker in Cider Radar (iOS, Android and web).
Open the map: app.ciderradar.com · iPhone · Android

Cider, perry, calvados and pommeau are alcoholic drinks. Enjoy responsibly and follow the legal drinking age where you live.

Questions

Is English cider stronger than American cider?

Not by definition. BJCP's English Cider style (C1C) runs 6–9% ABV and Common Cider (C1A) 4.5–8%. [1] [2] UK duty law caps cider at below 8.5%. [5]

Is all cider from England "English cider"?

Not in BJCP terms: "Not all cider from England fits this category; some are in the Heirloom Cider style." [1]

What is New England cider?

A strong American style (C2A, 7–13% ABV) made with New England apples "with relatively high acidity" and adjuncts that raise the alcohol level. [7]