Cider is often compared to beer but it is actually more like a wine that is made from low sugar apples. These cider apples have high tannin content and are not meant to be eaten. After the apple juice has fermented, it must mature for about 3 months before it is ready to be consumed. The percentage of alcohol by volume for apple ciders can vary considerably but usually ranges between 4% and 8.5%, however, there are brands from the USA and Canada that even go up to 12%.