Place dried beans in a bowl and cover them with water. Let them soak on the counter overnight or for at least 10 hours. Drain.
Cook the beans by placing them in a large pot of boiling water on the stove. Simmer for 45-60 minutes or until tender.
While the beans are cooking, prepare the sauce. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large ceramic pot on medium heat, then add the chopped onion and let it cook until translucent, about 5 minutes.
Add the garlic and cook for an additional minute, stirring occasionally to prevent it from burning.
Add the rest of the ingredients, except the beans and bacon, and stir to incorporate well.
Chop the cooked bacon into small pieces and add it to the pot along with the beans. Stir together and let simmer on low for at least an hour, stirring occasionally. Add small amounts of apple cider as needed while cooking to achieve desired sauce consistency.