I'm Obsessed With This New Hard Cider That Only Has 100 Calories and 2 Grams of Sugar

Updated on 10/28/2019 at 5:35 PM

Julia Keim

I used to be a big fan of craft beer until my doctor politely informed me that it was probably the culprit that was making me gassy and bloated (I also found out cheese probably isn't helping either, but I was only in an emotional space to cut out one of these, and you can't blame a girl for holding onto her beloved pepper jack). It was probably the gluten — when I cut out gluten completely during Whole30, I noticed a huge difference — so I resigned myself to seeking gluten-free alternatives I could still enjoy at happy hour and with a good (bunless) burger.

This led me to hard cider, which has exploded in popularity (thanks, I'm sure, to the gluten-free movement) over the last decade or so. In the last few years, I've tried dozens (if not hundreds) of ciders, from smaller craft cider mills to big-name brands. One of my favorites is Austin Eastciders, a cidery based out of Austin, TX. The brand has several popular flavors, including its Original Dry Cider, Blood Orange, Pineapple, and Watermelon. Living in New York City, I've been lucky enough to find it at local grocery stores, beer stores, and some bars. And while I love pretty much all the flavors, some are a little too sweet or too caloric — up to 180 calories a can — to drink regularly.

Enter Austin Eastciders Brut Super Dry Cider. As someone who loves and prefers dry cider, I was intrigued. And when I found out it has only 100 calories and two grams of sugar per can, I couldn't wait to pour it into my favorite pint glass and give it a try. Keep reading to find out my review of this cider and get the full nutritional rundown.

Austin Eastciders Brut Super Dry Cider Taste Review

The can is not lying to you when it says it's "super dry." When I first sipped it, I was expecting somewhat of the sweetness or tartness that typically comes with hard ciders, but I didn't get that at all. Instead, it had a smooth, dry taste and pleasant finish. What tends to turn me off of hard cider is when it is too sweet or tastes like apple juice, but this reminds me more of a nice dry white wine. With sweeter ciders, I can usually only stomach one, but I easily enjoyed a couple of these (over a couple hours!). I didn't drink it with food, but since it's so dry, it would pair well with just about anything: grilled chicken, a burger, pasta, a salad, fish . . . basically anything you would drink a dry white wine with.

Austin Eastciders Brut Super Dry Cider Nutrition Information

One can of Austin Eastciders Brut Super Dry Cider is 12 fluid ounces and has 4.2 percent alcohol by volume. The nutrition label reads:

Calories: 100
Total Fat: 0 grams
Total Carbohydrates: 4 grams
Total Sugars: 2 grams (includes 2 grams of added sugar)
Protein: 0 grams

Compare that to one 12-ounce can of Austin Eastciders Ruby Red Grapefruit Cider, which has five percent alcohol by volume, 160 calories, and 13 grams of sugar (including nine grams of added sugar).

Where You Can Find Austin Eastciders Brut Super Dry Cider

Austin Eastciders Brut Super Dry Cider may be made out of Austin, but it's available in a bunch of regions around the United States. According to a spokesperson for Austin Eastciders, the Brut Super Dry Cider is available in Texas, Oklahoma, Philadelphia, Washington DC, North Carolina, South Carolina, Nashville, New Mexico, Iowa, Arizona, Georgia, New York, New Jersey, and other markets across the Mid-Atlantic. To find out if it's in your area and where to get it, use this store locator.