Redd’s Hard Apple Ale 6Pk

Redd’s Hard Apple Ale 6Pk is a 5% ABV apple-flavored malt ale sold in a six-pack of 12 oz bottles, brewed in Wisconsin by Molson Coors. What distinguishes this ale from the hard ciders it’s often grouped with is its malt-grain base — Redd’s derives its alcohol from fermented barley malt rather than fermented apple juice, placing it firmly in the flavored ale category.
Quick Facts: ABV: 5%  |  Origin: Wisconsin, USA  |  Style: Apple-Flavored Ale  |  Brewery: Redd’s Brewing Company (Molson Coors)
Production & Heritage
Redd’s Brewing Company operates as a brand under the Molson Coors Beverage Company umbrella, with production handled at the Leinenkugel Brewing Company facility in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin since 2018. The brew starts with a conventional ale base of water, barley malt, hop extract, and yeast, with corn syrup (dextrose) used during the brewing process as a fermentable sugar. The apple character comes not from pressed fruit or apple juice concentrate but from natural apple flavoring, citric acid, and sucrose added to achieve the brand’s signature tart-sweet apple profile. Caramel color rounds out the visual presentation.
Tasting Notes
Aroma: Malt character leads the nose, sitting front and center with subtle hints of apple trailing behind. The fruity notes are present but understated, leaning toward green apple rather than baked or cooked fruit.
Taste: The first sip delivers a pronounced green apple tartness — crisp and clean, landing somewhere between a light cider and a mildly sweet ale. Mid-palate, a barley malt backbone emerges, grounding the fruit flavor with a faint grain-forward undertone. A mild bitterness develops toward the back end, a subtle reminder that this is indeed a beer and not a cider.
Finish: The malt character grows slightly more assertive through the finish, with the apple sweetness receding. Carbonation provides a pleasant fizz that dissipates quickly, leaving a light, clean close without lingering heaviness.
How to Drink Redd’s Apple Ale
Redd’s Apple Ale drinks best ice-cold, straight from the bottle or poured into a chilled pint glass to let the carbonation open up the apple aromatics slightly. It also works as a surprisingly effective component in casual mixed drinks. A Snakebite — equal parts Redd’s and dry cider — amplifies the apple character while adding complexity. A Beer-mosa — Redd’s topped with a splash of orange juice — makes a low-ABV brunch alternative that plays off the fruit-forward profile. A Shandy-style serve — Redd’s mixed with lemonade over ice — leans into the tartness for a refreshing warm-weather drink.
Best For
Backyard barbecues and casual outdoor gatherings where easy-drinking refreshment is key
Introducing beer-averse friends to flavored ales as a gateway style
Summer cookouts and poolside sessions that call for something light and fruity
Game-day spreads alongside wings, sliders, and other finger food
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Redd’s Apple Ale taste like? Redd’s Apple Ale leads with a tart, crisp green apple flavor over a light malt base, finishing with mild bitterness and a clean, slightly sweet close. It drinks closer to a light cider than a traditional ale, though the grain backbone is noticeable.
How does Redd’s Apple Ale compare to Angry Orchard? Angry Orchard is a true hard cider made from fermented apple juice, while Redd’s is a malt-based ale flavored with natural apple flavoring — a fundamental production difference. In direct taste comparisons, the two are frequently cited as close competitors, though Angry Orchard tends to deliver a more juice-forward apple character while Redd’s carries a discernible malt undertone.
Is Redd’s Apple Ale good for beginners? Yes — at 5% ABV with a fruit-forward, mildly sweet profile and very little hop bitterness, Redd’s Apple Ale is one of the most accessible flavored ales on the market for those new to beer or ale styles.
Where is Redd’s Apple Ale made? Redd’s Apple Ale is brewed at the Leinenkugel Brewing Company facility in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, under the Molson Coors Beverage Company portfolio. The Redd’s Brewing Company brand is headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
What foods pair well with Redd’s Apple Ale? Grilled pork chops or bratwurst work well, as apple and pork are a natural combination. Sharp cheddar cheese complements the tartness. Barbecue chicken benefits from the ale’s mild sweetness cutting through smoky sauce. Fish tacos with lime slaw match the light, crisp body. Apple pie or fruit-based desserts echo the core flavor and close out a meal cleanly.
What sizes does Redd’s Apple Ale come in? Redd’s Apple Ale is commonly available in 6-packs and 12-packs of 12 oz bottles, as well as single-serve cans and variety packs that include other Redd’s flavors.
Is Redd’s Apple Ale worth the price? Redd’s Apple Ale positions as an everyday, entry-level flavored ale priced competitively with other mass-market hard ciders and fruit-flavored beers. It delivers solid value as a casual, easy-drinking option without pretending to be anything more than what it is.
Why Redd’s Apple Ale?
Redd’s Apple Ale occupies a specific niche that few products fill cleanly — it delivers the apple-forward flavor profile that hard cider drinkers crave, but built on a malt ale foundation rather than fermented fruit juice. That distinction matters for drinkers who prefer the body and grain character of beer but want something lighter and fruitier than a traditional ale. The 5% ABV keeps it sessionable, and the clean, tart apple flavor avoids the cloying sweetness that plagues many flavored malt beverages. For anyone looking for an uncomplicated, refreshing apple ale that bridges the gap between beer and cider, this remains one of the most widely recognized options in the category.