Photograph: Stephanie Breijo
Photograph: Stephanie Breijo

Where to find L.A.'s best craft cider

Ready to branch out in the craft-beverage movement? Here's where you can find L.A.'s best hard ciders.

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Cider, whether dry or sweet, is a perfect refresher. Traditionally made from apples, though sometimes utilizing pears and other fruit, it's an ideal way to sample California's bounty—no apple picking necessary—with a little bit of booze. Here's where to fall in love with every glass—and the fabulous cider houses, meaderies, beer bars and breweries serving it—all year long.

Here's where to sip on great local cider

  • Gastropubs
  • Koreatown
  • price 2 of 4

Beer Belly slings a rotating selection of craft beers and ciders, in addition to a menu of indulgent comfort food like bacon-fat fries and a fluffernutter sandwich. It usually stocks five to seven ciders, typically from local makers such as 101 Cider House and Golden State Cider. Flavors change often, with consideration given to seasonal fruits and ingredients, whether in K-town or Long Beach.

  • Long Beach
  • price 2 of 4

This gastropub focuses on ciders and honey wines, whether they’re served straight, in cocktails or even incorporated into a dish. Find 21 offerings on tap, plus bottles and cans. Ciders are categorized as sweet, dry, tart and aged, and may be sampled in flights. Bonus: during brunch, score bottomless cidermosas.

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  • Breweries
  • Carson
  • price 1 of 4

Craft ciders get brewed right here in L.A.—Gardena, to be exact—and in the kid- and dog-friendly tasting room, you can sample from a dozen rotating taps. In addition to apple, you’ll also find surprising flavors such as mango, wildflower, limoncello and pineapple. Keep your eyes peeled for the occasional barrel-aged cider release party, and stop by every Friday for free pizza and movies screenings.

  • Sports Bars
  • Burbank
  • price 1 of 4

The Park has all the trappings of a classic neighborhood haunt: sports on TV, pool, live bands and hearty fare, plus several ciders—many locally sourced—and only for a mere $6 each. Bonus: for those drinking cider in lieu of beer because it's gluten-free, this spot also offers a gluten-free food menu.

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  • Beer bars
  • Echo Park
  • price 2 of 4

The Echo Park bar and shop stocks more than 800 bottled beverages for purchase, plus a dozen on draft in the tasting bar. The many ciders and meads chill in a cooler featuring local and regional choices. Picks something you like, then pay a small corkage fee—or no fee during happy hour—and enjoy it in the cozy lounge with its bevy of board games.

If great beer is more your thing...

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