New release spotlight: Vintage Wine Estates’ Ace Cider Imperial Apple lands in US stores

Vintage Wine Estates is leaning into hard cider with Ace Cider Imperial Apple, a 19.2 oz 8.4% ABV can now rolling out at major U.S. retailers. The strong imperial-style cider targets beer drinkers and cider fans looking for a higher-alcohol, fruit-forward option.

Edited by ad hoc news New Releases & Launches Desk. Reviewed before publication on 06/16/2026 at 7:57 AM ET. Details in the imprint.

Ace Cider Imperial Apple from Vintage Wine Estates is expanding the company’s hard cider lineup with a higher-alcohol twist, pairing classic apple flavors with an 8.4% ABV and a tall 19.2 oz single-serve can aimed squarely at convenience and impulse purchases. According to the official Ace Cider product listing, the imperial-style cider is made from fermented apple juice with a slightly sweet finish and is gluten-free, positioning it as an alternative for consumers who want the kick of a strong beer without malt or hops. The Ace Cider product page highlights the 8.4% ABV, 19.2 oz format and gluten-free formulation.

A higher-ABV cider aimed at single-can shoppers

The Imperial Apple variant sits above Ace’s core 5.0% to 6.9% ABV ciders and is clearly pitched as an imperial-style option, designed to appeal to drinkers used to strong IPAs and flavored malt beverages. Vintage Wine Estates describes Ace Cider Imperial Apple as a crisp, moderately sweet hard cider made from a blend of dessert apples, with carbonation and a clean finish that maintains drinkability despite the higher alcohol content, while remaining suitable for gluten-sensitive consumers because it uses fermented apple juice rather than grain-based wort.

Packaging is a key part of the launch: instead of a six-pack or 12 oz bottle, Ace Cider Imperial Apple is primarily sold in a 19.2 oz “stovepipe” can, a format that has become common for craft beer and ready-to-drink cocktails in U.S. convenience stores, gas stations and some supermarket chains. Retailers list the single can at typical price points around the $3 to $4 range before tax, depending on local market and promotions, putting it in line with other high-ABV single-serve options while offering a fruit-driven profile instead of hop bitterness or heavy sweetness.

The imperial cider rounds out the broader Ace Cider range, which includes lower-ABV apple-based styles such as Ace Apple, Ace Pineapple and Ace Berry, and gives the brand a foothold in the growing segment of higher-strength flavored alcoholic beverages. Industry data providers tracking U.S. off-premise sales have pointed to continued demand for single-serve, 16 to 19.2 oz cans across beer, cider and flavored beverages, particularly among younger adult consumers looking for variety and portable formats, an environment where Ace Cider Imperial Apple can slot alongside craft tallboys and canned cocktails in the cold box.

Distribution for Ace Cider Imperial Apple is focused on the United States, with Ace and Vintage Wine Estates indicating availability through regional wholesalers and national retail partners, including selected grocery chains, independent bottle shops and on-premise accounts that already carry Ace’s regular-strength ciders. A brand profile describing the range notes that Ace Cider products are present in dozens of U.S. states and emphasizes the brand’s positioning as a California-born cider maker targeting both traditional cider fans and crossover beer drinkers. Vintage Wine Estates’ brand overview for Ace Cider lists the Imperial Apple among the company’s flavored cider offerings.

Within the Vintage Wine Estates portfolio, Ace Cider Imperial Apple plays a role in diversifying beyond still wine, adding to a roster that includes wine labels, ready-to-drink cocktails and other flavored alcoholic beverages. For investors, the product is one example of how the company is trying to tap into segments with different consumption occasions and distribution channels than traditional bottled wine, particularly convenience and on-the-go formats. Shares of Vintage Wine Estates (US9292301035) traded on NASDAQ at $0.41 on 06/13/2026, according to recent market data. Nasdaq’s listing page for VWE shows the latest quote and trading information.

Ace Cider Imperial Apple in brief

• Product: Ace Cider Imperial Apple
• Manufacturer: Vintage Wine Estates Inc.
• Category: New Release hard cider
• Launch date: 2024 (U.S. rollout, as indicated by brand materials)
• MSRP / Price: Typically around $3-$4 per 19.2 oz can in U.S. retail, depending on market and promotions
• Availability: Selected U.S. grocery, convenience and liquor retailers via Ace Cider’s distribution network
• Target audience: Adult cider drinkers and beer consumers seeking a higher-ABV, gluten-free, fruit-forward alternative in a single-serve can
• Key differentiator / USP: 8.4% ABV imperial-style apple cider in a 19.2 oz stovepipe can, combining higher strength with a familiar apple profile

This article was a.i.-assisted and editorially reviewed. Product information without warranty; prices and availability may change at short notice. Not investment advice and not a buy or sell recommendation. Trading involves risk up to and including the total loss of invested capital.