Who makes cider?
Cider is made by farm cideries that press their own apples, by independent craft producers, by some wineries and breweries, and by large drinks companies. In the US, cider is legally a type of wine, so commercial producers must set up bonded winery premises with TTB. Cider Radar lists 2,329 cider makers (as of 2026-10-02) in more than 50 countries.
Updated
Key facts
- Scale. Cider Radar lists 2,329 cider makers (as of 2026-10-02) in more than 50 countries, from farm producers to national brands.
- US rules. The federal hard cider tax rate is part of the wine excise tax, and cider producers work under winery rules. [1] [2]
- UK rules. Anyone who produces alcoholic products for sale needs an alcoholic products producer approval (APPA) from HMRC; selling your own cider is covered in can I sell homemade cider. [3]
What kinds of producers make cider?
- Farm cideries. Orchards that grow apples and press and ferment them on site. Some states protect this link: a Virginia Class I farm winery must grow all the fruit it uses on the licensed premises. [4] See what a cidery is and do cideries use local apples.
- Independent craft producers. Smaller makers who may buy apples or juice from growers; see the glossary entry for farmhouse cider.
- Wineries. In Virginia, any winery or farm winery licensee may make and sell cider. [5]
- Cider mills. In parts of the US, cider mills press fresh, non-alcoholic apple cider and some also make hard cider; see what a cider mill is.
- Large companies. National and international brands make most of the cider sold in supermarkets; see best cider brands.
Where are cider makers?
Cider is made wherever apples grow, with old traditions in England, France and Spain and fast-growing scenes in North America and Australia. These countries have the most makers in the catalogue:
| Country | Cider makers on Cider Radar (as of 2026-10-02) |
|---|---|
| United States | 857 |
| United Kingdom | 275 |
| France | 226 |
| Spain | 100 |
| Australia | 84 |
These are catalogue counts, not production volumes. For the country overview, see which countries make cider; for US states, see where cider is made in the US.
How can I tell who made a cider?
Read the label. In the EU and UK, a food label must give "the name or business name and address of the food business operator", the business under whose name the product is sold. [6] [7] That is usually the maker, but for some supermarket and brand ciders it is the brand owner or retailer, with the cider made under contract. Small makers often add the orchard or village name too. To look a cider up quickly, scan its label in Cider Radar to see the maker's page.
Related answers: what a cidery is · which countries make cider
Find it on Cider Radar
- Browse cider makers by country: 2,329 cider makers (as of 2026-10-02) in more than 50 countries.
- Guide: how to find cider near you · Glossary: cider house
- 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
Do wineries make cider?
Some do. In Virginia, for example, any winery or farm winery licensee may make and sell cider, and state law treats cider as wine. [5]
Sources
- 26 U.S. Code § 5041 – Imposition and rate of tax (wines) — Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School
- Cider FAQs — Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB)
- Check if you need an alcoholic products producer approval (APPA) — HM Revenue & Customs (GOV.UK)
- Farm Winery (licence definitions) — Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority
- Code of Virginia § 4.1-213. Manufacture and sale of cider — Virginia General Assembly (Virginia Law)
- Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011, Article 9: List of mandatory particulars — legislation.gov.uk (The National Archives)
- Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 on the provision of food information to consumers (official EU text) — EUR-Lex (Publications Office of the European Union)