MIDDLEBURY, VT — Bret Williams, President and CEO of Green Mountain Beverage, recently announced that the hard cider company is changing its name to Vermont Hard Cider Company, LLC effective August 1, 2011.
The name change comes at a time when the hard cider category is experiencing significant growth in the United States. The company produces the nation?s number one cider — Woodchuck Hard Cider, which is available in all 50 states and is currently celebrating its 20th Anniversary in 2011.
In June 2003 when Williams put together the deal to buy the company, the legal name became “Beverage Acquisition Group, LLC” with Green Mountain Beverage as the d/b/a. At the time, it was uncertain if the company would survive, let alone be able to sell hard cider exclusively. Over the years, the Woodchuck Brand has grown three-fold and has enabled the company to remain solely focused on the hard cider category.
“The name ÔÇ×Vermont Hard Cider Company, LLC? better reflects who we are and what we do,” Williams said. “Vermont, as well as our Company stands for good people doing good things in a good way.”
Vermont Hard Cider Company, LLC will continue to operate in its current facility on Pond Lane, while actively pursuing expansion options in the Middlebury area.