Is cider beer?

Key facts

• US: cider is wine. TTB treats "cider" and "hard cider" as wine made from apples. [1]
• US tax. "Hard cider" is a wine tax class for products with no more than 0.64 g of carbon dioxide per 100 ml, derived primarily from apples or pears (or their concentrate and water), with no other fruit, and at least 0.5% but under 8.5% ABV. [2]
• UK: separate category. UK Alcohol Duty defines cider separately from beer; the juice and strength rules are in what counts as cider in the UK. [3]
• Style guides keep them apart. BJCP publishes separate guidelines for cider, with its own styles. [4]

Why do people think cider is beer?

• Same places. Pubs and bars pour cider on tap next to beer.
• Similar strength and serve. Many ciders are sold in pints, cans and bottles like beer.
• Hops. A few ciders add hops, a beer ingredient, but they are still ciders. See do ciders have hops.
• Gluten. Coeliac UK lists cider as gluten free but not beer, another practical difference. [5]

Related answers: do ciders have hops · is cider gluten free · what counts as cider in UK law

Find it on Cider Radar

• Guide: what is cider? · Glossary: hard cider
• Cider bars: 89 listed (as of 2026-10-02), if you want cider rather than beer on tap.
• 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.