Packaging Isn't Just About Looks

Most people don't think about what their cider comes in. They should. Packaging protects what's inside, affects how long it stays fresh, and directly impacts the quality you experience when you open it.

At Hardcore Cider Co., we package exclusively in 750ml glass bottles. Here's why — and why it matters more for cider than most beverages.

Why Cider's Acidity Makes Packaging Critical

Cider typically has a pH between 3.3 and 4.0 — more acidic than beer (4.0–4.5) and comparable to wine (3.0–4.0). That acidity is part of what makes cider refreshing and balanced. It's also why packaging matters more for cider than it does for most other drinks.

Acidic liquids can react with certain materials over time, affecting flavour, freshness, and shelf stability. The container you choose isn't neutral — it's an active part of the product.

Glass: The Right Choice for Premium Cider

Glass is chemically inert. It doesn't react with cider's acidity, doesn't leach compounds, and doesn't affect flavour. What goes in the bottle stays pure.

• No chemical interaction — glass handles cider's pH without any reaction
• Blocks oxidation — a tight seal keeps oxygen out and carbonation in
• Protects from light — amber or dark glass blocks UV damage
• Preserves flavour — no off-notes from the container
• Infinitely recyclable — melt it down, make new bottles, repeat without quality loss

The tradeoffs are real — glass is heavier, more fragile, and costs more to ship. But when you're making cider from estate-grown Okanagan apples with slow fermentation and real fruit, you don't cut corners on packaging. The product deserves the protection.

Cans: Convenient, With Caveats

Cans have genuine advantages — lightweight, portable, unbreakable, and they block all UV light. Craft beer has embraced them for good reason.

But cider is more acidic than beer, and that acidity can interact with aluminum and the interior polymer lining over time. Most cans are coated to prevent this, but it's not foolproof — especially for ciders that sit on shelves for extended periods. There's potential for subtle flavour changes that glass simply doesn't have.

For mass-market cider or situations where portability is the priority, cans are a reasonable choice. For premium craft cider meant to be savoured? Glass wins.

Plastic: Not an Option

PET plastic is porous. It allows oxygen to permeate over time, which means oxidation, flat carbonation, and degraded flavour. Cider's acidity also interacts poorly with plastic, with potential for chemical leaching into the drink.

Plastic also provides no UV protection in clear form, has a shorter effective shelf life than glass or cans, and most of it ends up in landfills rather than being recycled. If you see craft cider in plastic, it's a signal about the producer's priorities.

Why We Use Glass

We use 750ml glass bottles because we're making cider that deserves it. Estate fruit, slow fermentation, triple filtration, real BC fruit additions — none of that matters if the packaging compromises the product before it reaches you.

Glass protects our cider from oxidation, preserves carbonation, handles acidity without any chemical interaction, and keeps flavours exactly as intended. It costs more. It's heavier to ship. It's worth it.

This is why wine comes in glass. Why premium spirits come in glass. And why craft cider — real craft cider — should too.

The Bottom Line

Glass — premium, inert, no compromises.
Cans — convenient, decent for mass market, some caveats with acidic cider.
Plastic — avoid.

Packaging is part of the product. We treat it that way.

Shop Hardcore Cider Co.

— Hardcore Cider Co.
100% Okanagan apples. Real BC fruit. No shortcuts.