Cider

The beverage-alcohol landscape has “radically” changed over the last decade, but small and independent producers – both in beer and hard cider – are primed to take advantage, Brewers Association (BA) president and CEO Bart Watson shared at CiderCon last week in Providence, Rhode Island.

Hard cider was one of three beer segments to record consistent growth in 2025, escaping the declines that plagued most of the category as beverage-alcohol tackled increased supply costs, consumer purchasing shifts and numerous macroeconomic headwinds.

Seattle Cider’s production facility and taproom will close next month, the company announced today in a press release officially announcing the sale of the Seattle Cider brand to fellow Pacific Northwest craft cider 2 Towns Ciderhouse.

Here are some news items that were initially reported in the Brewbound Insider Newsletter January 5-6, including updates from Uncle Nearest, NIQ, Blake’s Beverage and more.

2 Towns Ciderhouse is preparing to add one more town to its name. The Corvallis, Oregon-based hard cider maker will acquire Seattle Cider’s brand, joining two of the most prominent cider names in the Pacific Northwest.

Boston Beer’s transformation from a craft brewer to an adult beverage company, which began in earnest about a decade ago, is looking like an even better bet as traditional beer’s declines outpace those of the beyond beer segment.

The Brewers Association (BA) awarded 347 medals to 273 breweries and cideries Saturday during the trade group’s Great American Beer Festival (GABF) in Denver.

In its 157-year history, Martinelli’s has become a staple in many U.S. households; from its squat 10 oz. apple juices that fit conveniently into kids’ lunch boxes, to its green sparkling cider bottles that allow consumers of all ages to toast and celebrate without booze.

Craft wasn’t the only segment to record some improvement in recent scans, according to the latest monthly report from market research firm Circana.

A legal dispute between two Pacific Northwest cider brands is bringing into question what defines a “recipe” and how airtight – and specific – agreements between bev-alc brands and their manufacturing partners need to be. Schilling Cider has filed a civil complaint against Incline Cider and its parent company Compass Brands, LLC, alleging Incline breached a “recipe agreement” and shared confidential information with a competing company

Schilling Cider’s Excelsior Imperial Mango, the No. 2 hard cider in the Seattle-based company’s lineup and the “No. 1 fruited cider” in the U.S., is now “climate neutral.” As of this month, “any greenhouse gas emissions generated through the cider’s entire lifecycle” – from the production of Imperial Mango to its “disposal” – are entirely offset

Bauman’s Cider was created as a passion project by founder and head cidermaker Christine Walter, combining her family’s farm roots and abundance of apples with her love of science and fermentation. After a decade in business, Christine and her cidery are leaders in making high quality cider and finding ways to connect more consumers with the segment.

Concessions workers at Boston’s Fenway Park have gone on strike and their union, Unite Here Local 26, is asking spectators not to purchase food or drinks while attending Red Sox games.

In the latest edition of A Round With, a Brewbound Insider-exclusive Q&A series, we caught up with New York Cider Association executiveScott to discuss the New York cider industry’s recent milestones, and what he’s setting his sights on next.