Schilling Excelsior Mango Cider 6Pk

Schilling Excelsior Mango Cider 6Pk is an imperial hard cider from Seattle's Schilling Cider, packaged as a 6-pack of 12oz cans at 9.1% ABV. Scoring 85/100 from Craft Beer & Brewing Magazine, this tropical fruit cider balances bold mango intensity with the tannic structure of heirloom bittersharp apples — a combination that separates it from lighter, sweeter alternatives in the category.

Quick Facts: ABV: 9.1%  |  Origin: Washington, United States  |  Style: Imperial Fruit Cider  |  Producer: Schilling Cider, Seattle

Production & Heritage

Schilling Cider, founded in Seattle, Washington, has grown into one of the Pacific Northwest's most recognized cider producers and became the first cidery to release Climate Neutral certified 6-packs and 12-packs. Excelsior Mango is fermented from 100% fresh-pressed apples — a blend of Pacific Northwest varieties and European heirloom bittersharps — using hand-selected yeast strains through a low-and-slow cold fermentation process designed to preserve aromatic fruit character. Premium-grade mango puree is added during production, giving the cider its distinctive cloudy, juice-like haze, while a squeeze of lime rounds out the tropical profile and adds acidity to offset the residual sweetness.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Sweet mango dominates the nose immediately, pushing the apple character into the background. Underneath, there are subtle suggestions of petit-four iced cake and a broader tropical breadth that hints at passion fruit.

Taste: The entry is fruit-punchy and lush, with fresh mango flavor that reads as natural rather than artificial. At mid-palate, the mango deepens into notes of guava and passion fruit, while the heirloom apple base contributes light tannins and structure. Despite clocking in at 9.1% ABV, the cider drinks remarkably smooth — multiple reviewers note virtually no perceptible alcohol heat.

Finish: Medium in length, with sweet-tart mango trailing off alongside a faint squeeze of lime acidity. The finish is clean and refreshing, leaving just enough residual fruit sweetness to invite the next sip without cloying.

How to Drink Excelsior Mango

Serve cold, straight from the can or poured into a tulip glass to appreciate the hazy golden-orange color and amplify the tropical aromatics. At 9.1% ABV, this cider stands on its own and should be sipped at a measured pace. For cocktail and mixed-drink use, Excelsior Mango works well as a base in a Cider Margarita, where its mango and lime notes mirror classic margarita flavors while adding effervescence. It also pairs naturally in a Tropical Shandy, cut with a light wheat beer for a lower-ABV summer drink. Try it in a Mango Cider Spritz over ice with a splash of sparkling water and a fresh lime wheel — the fruit intensity holds up even when diluted.

Best For

• Backyard barbecues and outdoor gatherings where a sessionable-format, high-ABV cider replaces multiple lighter drinks
• Introducing craft-beer drinkers to the imperial cider category through an approachable, fruit-forward entry point
• Hot-weather sipping when you want bold tropical flavor without the complexity of a cocktail
• Gifting to a cider enthusiast exploring Pacific Northwest producers beyond the mainstream

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Excelsior Mango taste like? It tastes like ripe, natural mango with undertones of guava and passion fruit layered over a lightly tannic apple base, finishing with a tart squeeze of lime. Despite its 9.1% ABV, the alcohol is well-hidden beneath the fruit-forward sweetness.

How does Excelsior Mango compare to 2 Towns tropical ciders? Both Schilling and 2 Towns Ciderhouse are Pacific Northwest producers making bold, high-ABV fruit ciders, but Excelsior Mango leans more heavily into mango puree for its dominant flavor, whereas 2 Towns offerings like their tropical varieties tend to balance multiple fruit profiles more evenly. Excelsior Mango also uses a specific blend of European heirloom bittersharp apples for added tannic structure.

Is Excelsior Mango good for beginners? Its smooth, fruit-juice-like character makes it very approachable for newcomers to cider, but the 9.1% ABV is significantly higher than standard ciders — sip slowly and be mindful of the strength.

Where is Excelsior Mango made? Excelsior Mango is produced by Schilling Cider in Seattle, Washington, using fresh-pressed apples sourced from the Pacific Northwest blended with European heirloom bittersharp varieties.

What foods pair well with Excelsior Mango? Grilled shrimp tacos with mango salsa echo the cider's tropical notes; Thai green curry benefits from the cider's sweetness as a counterpoint to chili heat; smoked pulled pork gains a refreshing contrast from the lime acidity; fresh ceviche mirrors the citrus-fruit brightness; and a light coconut panna cotta bridges the tropical flavor theme into dessert.

What sizes does Excelsior Mango come in? The standard format is a 6-pack of 12oz cans; some markets also carry the Excelsior line in mixed variety packs such as the Excelsior Space Pack.

Is Excelsior Mango worth the price? Excelsior Mango positions as a premium imperial cider, and its 9.1% ABV delivers more intensity per can than most standard 5-6% ciders, which adds relative value per serving for drinkers who appreciate bolder fruit ciders from a respected Pacific Northwest producer.

Why Excelsior Mango?

What sets this cider apart starts with its raw materials: the blend of Pacific Northwest apples and European heirloom bittersharps provides a tannic backbone that most fruit-forward ciders simply lack. The premium mango puree delivers genuine tropical depth — Craft Beer & Brewing scored it 85/100 and specifically noted flavor complexity extending into passion fruit and guava territory, not one-dimensional sweetness. Schilling's Climate Neutral certification adds a meaningful sustainability credential that few competitors in the imperial cider space can match. At 9.1% ABV with virtually no detectable heat, Excelsior Mango is an exercise in hiding strength behind fruit — a difficult production feat that rewards the drinker with a smooth, deceptively powerful cider.