Rex says
Money math without the spreadsheet headache. Plug in your numbers and I'll show you exactly where the dollars land.
Try a scenario
Click to load — tweak from there.Inputs
Result
Cost per unit
$1.529
Units produced
396
Total batch cost
$605.30
Juice cost portion
$247.50
Psst — share this and help Rex grow
One click, a permanent link with your numbers baked in.
How to use this
- 1Enter batch volume (juice in) (gal).
- 2Enter juice cost per gallon ($).
- 3Enter fermentation & racking loss (%).
- 4Enter package size.
- 5Enter packaging cost per unit ($).
- 6Enter total labor cost for batch ($).
- 7Read your cost per unit on the right — it updates as you type.
- 8Hit Share to keep the scenario or send it to someone.
About this calculator
Cidermakers face a similar cost structure to small breweries but with juice cost instead of grain bill, and fermentation loss and racking loss that behave differently than beer due to higher typical sediment volume from unfiltered juice. This calculator takes juice cost per gallon, batch volume, fermentation and racking loss, and packaging cost to compute cost per bottle or per 16oz can, letting cidermakers sourcing juice from different orchards or juice blends compare true cost impact of a juice price change, not just intuition about which juice 'seems' more expensive. It also separates fixed packaging cost (bottles, caps, labels or cans, lids) from juice cost so you can quickly see which side of the recipe is driving cost when juice prices swing seasonally after a bad apple harvest.
Worked example
Using the values the calculator loads with:
Inputs
- Batch volume (juice in): 55 gal
- Juice cost per gallon: 4.5 $
- Fermentation & racking loss: 10 %
- Package size: 16oz can
- Packaging cost per unit: 0.55 $
- Total labor cost for batch: 140 $
Results
- Cost per unit: $1.529
- Units produced: 396
- Total batch cost: $605.30
- Juice cost portion: $247.50
What each field means
Inputs
- Batch volume (juice in) (gal)
- The batch volume (juice in) used in the calculation, measured in gal. Starts at 55 gal so you have a working example on load.
- Juice cost per gallon ($)
- The juice cost per gallon used in the calculation, measured in $. Starts at 4.5 $ so you have a working example on load.
- Fermentation & racking loss (%)
- The fermentation & racking loss used in the calculation, measured in %. Starts at 10 % so you have a working example on load. Accepted range: 0–40 %.
- Package size
- Pick the option that matches your situation — the maths changes per option. Choices: 12oz bottle/can, 16oz can, 22oz bottle.
- Packaging cost per unit ($)
- The packaging cost per unit used in the calculation, measured in $. Starts at 0.55 $ so you have a working example on load.
- Total labor cost for batch ($)
- The total labor cost for batch used in the calculation, measured in $. Starts at 140 $ so you have a working example on load.
Results
- Cost per unit
- Returned as a money amount in US dollars and shown as the headline result. It recalculates instantly whenever you change an input, so you can compare scenarios without reloading.
- Units produced
- Returned as a whole number. It recalculates instantly whenever you change an input, so you can compare scenarios without reloading.
- Total batch cost
- Returned as a money amount in US dollars. It recalculates instantly whenever you change an input, so you can compare scenarios without reloading.
- Juice cost portion
- Returned as a money amount in US dollars. It recalculates instantly whenever you change an input, so you can compare scenarios without reloading.
FAQ
Why is cider racking loss often higher than beer?
Unfiltered fresh-pressed apple juice carries more suspended sediment (pectin, pulp) than wort, so more volume is left behind during racking off the lees unless the cidermaker uses pectic enzyme and cold-settling to clarify before fermentation. Loss of 10-15% is common for rustic, unfiltered ciders versus 5-8% for a filtered commercial process.
How much does juice source affect cost?
Juice cost can range from $2-3/gallon for standard culinary apple juice blends up to $8-12/gallon for single-varietal heirloom or bittersharp cider apple juice sourced from dedicated cider orchards. That swing alone can double your ingredient cost per unit, which is why this calculator isolates juice cost from packaging and labor.
Does this account for federal excise tax on cider?
No — hard cider under 7% ABV and meeting specific carbonation and ingredient rules qualifies for a distinct, lower federal excise tax rate than beer or wine, calculated per wine gallon. Add that separately once you know your finished ABV and carbonation level, since it depends on TTB classification rules.
Accuracy and limitations
- Results are estimates before tax, fees, and inflation unless an input explicitly covers them.
- Rates are treated as fixed for the whole period — variable-rate products will drift from this projection.
- This is educational maths, not financial advice. Check anything contractual with the lender or your accountant.
Related tools
Cite this calculator
Writing about this topic? Grab a citation — every link helps keep these tools free.
RevenueLab. (2026). Craft Cider Batch Cost Calculator. Retrieved from https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/craft-cider-batch-cost
<p>Source: <a href="https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/craft-cider-batch-cost" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Craft Cider Batch Cost Calculator — RevenueLab</a> (2026).</p>
Source: [Craft Cider Batch Cost Calculator — RevenueLab](https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/craft-cider-batch-cost) (2026).