Schilling Excelsior Imperial Blackberry Cider 6Pk

Schilling Excelsior Imperial Blackberry Cider 6Pk is an 8.4% ABV imperial fruit cider sold as a six-pack of 12 oz cans, blending blackberries and blueberries with fresh-pressed apple cider. Part of Schilling Cider's Excelsior imperial line — which the company says pioneered the imperial cider-in-cans format — this expression carries a 4 out of 5 rating on Untappd across more than 600 reviews.

Quick Facts: ABV: 8.4%  |  Origin: Auburn, Washington, Pacific Northwest  |  Style: Imperial Fruit Cider  |  Producer: Schilling Cider  |  Format: 6-pack of 12 oz cans

Production & Heritage

Schilling Cider was founded in 2013 by Colin Schilling and Mark Kornei in Auburn, Washington, and operates a popular cider house in Seattle's Fremont neighborhood. The Excelsior Imperial Blackberry begins with fresh-pressed Pacific Northwest apples blended with European heirloom cider apples, then fermented with a hand-selected yeast strain chosen to highlight aroma and tannin structure. Rather than relying on added sugar to hit imperial-strength ABV, Schilling achieves its higher alcohol naturally through fermentation, layering blackberry and blueberry into a base that already has built-in depth from the heirloom fruit. The Excelsior line also holds climate-neutral certification through a partnership with Tradewater, covering 105% of the product's calculated emissions — a notable sustainability commitment in the craft cider space.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Dark, concentrated blackberry leads, followed by ripe blueberry and a subtle undercurrent of fresh apple skin. A faint floral quality emerges as the cider warms in the glass.

Taste: The entry is immediately fruit-forward — bold blackberry and blueberry dominate — but a firm apple backbone keeps things structured. Mid-palate, the heirloom apple tannins emerge, adding grip and an almost savory, slightly salty dimension noted by several reviewers. Despite the intense berry concentration, the profile leans semi-dry rather than syrupy, with the 8.4% ABV providing noticeable warmth without overwhelming the fruit.

Finish: Medium-long with lingering dark berry tartness and a drying tannic edge from the cider apples. A subtle warmth from the imperial strength carries the finish out cleanly.

How to Drink Excelsior Imperial Blackberry

Serve chilled, straight from the can or poured into a tulip glass to open up the berry aromatics. Its semi-dry profile and tannic backbone make it versatile in drinks beyond the glass. A Blackberry Cider Mule works well here — the ginger beer accentuates the berry tartness. Try it in a Cider Sangria with sliced stone fruit, where the imperial strength holds its own against added juice. It also substitutes effectively in a Dark & Stormy riff, replacing rum with this cider for a lower-proof, fruit-driven variation.

Best For

• Summer cookouts and outdoor gatherings where bold flavor and sessionable cans are both priorities
• Introducing craft cider drinkers to imperial-strength expressions without overwhelming sweetness
• Pairing alongside grilled meats and berry-based desserts at a dinner party
• Gifting to someone who enjoys craft beverages but gravitates toward fruit-forward styles over hop-heavy beers

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Excelsior Imperial Blackberry taste like? It delivers concentrated blackberry and blueberry fruit layered over a structured, tannic apple base, finishing semi-dry with moderate warmth from its 8.4% ABV. Reviewers frequently note a savory, almost salty quality alongside the dark berry intensity.

How does Excelsior Imperial Blackberry compare to Angry Orchard fruit ciders? Schilling's co-founder Colin Schilling has positioned Excelsior as the top-selling cider line in the U.S. outside of Angry Orchard, and the two brands compete directly at events like GLINTCAP. Excelsior runs significantly higher in ABV (8.4% vs. Angry Orchard's typical 5–6%), uses European heirloom cider apples in its base, and finishes noticeably drier with more tannic structure.

Is Excelsior Imperial Blackberry good for sipping on its own? Yes — its balanced sweetness, tannic grip, and warming finish make it a satisfying standalone drink, especially when served cold in a proper glass to let the berry aromatics develop.

Where is Excelsior Imperial Blackberry made? It is produced by Schilling Cider at their facility in Auburn, Washington, in the Pacific Northwest. The apple base combines locally sourced Washington apples with heirloom cider apples imported from European orchards.

What foods pair well with Excelsior Imperial Blackberry? Grilled pork ribs with a berry glaze mirror the cider's dark fruit; sharp cheddar contrasts its semi-dry sweetness; smoked salmon echoes its subtle savory streak; mixed-berry cobbler doubles down on the berry theme; and charcuterie boards with aged salami and dried fruit complement its tannic structure.

What sizes does Excelsior Imperial Blackberry come in? It is available as a six-pack of 12 oz cans, the standard retail format for the Excelsior imperial line.

Is Excelsior Imperial Blackberry worth the price? It positions as a premium craft cider — higher in ABV and more complex than mainstream fruit ciders — making it a strong value within the imperial cider category, especially given the quality of its heirloom apple base and natural fermentation approach.

Why Excelsior Imperial Blackberry?

The Excelsior line helped establish the imperial cider-in-cans format, and this blackberry expression demonstrates why the concept works. Instead of masking a thin apple base with sugar and fruit flavoring, Schilling builds complexity from the ground up — heirloom European cider apples provide tannin and structure, while natural fermentation drives the ABV to 8.4% without adjunct sweeteners. The blackberry and blueberry additions sit on top of a genuinely well-made cider base, resulting in a fruit-forward drink that finishes dry enough to pair with food. Add the climate-neutral certification covering 105% of the product's emissions, and this is one of the more thoughtfully produced fruit ciders on the market.