Small-batch hard cider crafted from locally grown Michigan apples, paired with fresh-baked goods made every morning. No shortcuts, no rush — just honest flavor.
Big Belly Ciderworks started with a simple idea: what if we made cider the way our grandparents would have — patient, local, and full of character? Today, we press apples from orchards within 50 miles, ferment in small batches, and bake fresh bread and pastries every single morning.
Every apple comes from a Michigan orchard. We know our growers by name and season our menus around what's fresh.
We ferment in 60-gallon batches and let each cider find its own timeline. Good cider can't be hurried.
Our kitchen fires up before dawn. Sourdough, scones, and savory tarts — ready to pair with your flight.
Each cider is named for a place, a season, or a memory from the orchard. Rotate with the seasons — your favorite might be waiting for you next visit.
Year-Round
Our signature dry cider made from 100% Empire apples grown right here in the valley. Crisp, clean, and impossibly sessionable — the taste of a Michigan autumn.
Dry · 4.8% ABV
Seasonal
A lively blend of tart cherry and foraged wild berries from the Upper Peninsula, fermented with our base cider. Bright, complex, and gently effervescent.
Semi-Dry · 5.2% ABV
Limited Release
Conditioned in used bourbon barrels for six months, this bold cider carries notes of vanilla, caramel, and toasted oak. Made in small lots — gone faster than they're brewed.
Dry · 6.5% ABVWhether you're grabbing a quick flight on a weekend drive or settling in for a slow afternoon, we've made space for you.
Guided flights for your crew. We'll walk you through our process and help you find your new favorite pour.
Birthdays, anniversaries, after-work gatherings — our space is yours. We handle the food and drink, you bring the company.
Pints, bottles, and crowlers available any day. Take a taste of Northern Michigan wherever you roam.
Find us at local markets with fresh loaves, pastries, and sample-sized ciders all season long.
Snapshots from the orchard, the press, the kitchen, and the tasting room.
We're right off W Empire Highway in the heart of Empire — easy to find, impossible to forget. Stop by for a pour, a pastry, or both.
5205 W Empire Hwy
Empire, MI 49630-9552
| Monday – Wednesday | 12:00 PM – 7:00 PM |
| Thursday – Friday | 12:00 PM – 9:00 PM |
| Saturday | 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM |
| Sunday | 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM |
There's nothing quite like a cold glass of Michigan cider on a warm porch. We'll save you a seat.
Call (231) 883-1366