Cider

Michigan-based beverage-alcohol platform Benchmark Beverages has taken a minority investment in Blake’s Beverage Co. and the two companies have launched a commercial partnership. Benchmark (Dark Horse, Roak, Brew Detroit, Great America) and Blake’s Beverage Co. (Blake’s Hard Cider, Austin Eastciders, Avid Cider) aim to “accelerate growth and shake up the beyond-beer category with fresh innovation and national scale,” according to a press release.

The Colorado-based Wilding Brands platform has grown again. Denver-based Great Divide Brewing has been acquired by the parent company of Stem Ciders, Denver Beer Co. and several other brands.

The origin story of Oregon-based 2 Towns Ciderhouse is very similar to the humble beginnings of many craft brewers: childhood friends with a passion for the craft, and a basement. 15 years later, founders Aaron Sarnoff-Wood and Lee Larsen have grown the company to be the second largest cider brand in grocery nationwide.

In the first installment of 2025, 3 Tier consultants Danelle Kosmal and Devon Hevener share a trio of insights on industry growth, and accompanying downward trends, with NIQ off-premise data through January 25. Hot topics include high ABV beer and beyond, craft beer 6-packs and hard cider.

For most folks, October is the time to bring old sweaters out of storage, indulge in pumpkin-flavored everything and grab a last-minute Halloween costume. For Schilling Hard Cider, October is its Super Bowl.

The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) has approved 13 new standards of fill for wine, including 16 oz. and 19.2 oz. packages, allowing producers – including hard cider and mead producers – to participate in the increasingly popular formats with offerings 7% ABV and above.

Oregon’s Task Force on Alcohol Pricing and Addiction Services has submitted its final report to Gov. Tina Kotek, including recommendations for reallocated resources and updated data collection.

American Cider Association (ACA) CEO Michelle McGrath will depart from her role at the trade association at the end of the year, the ACA announced Wednesday.

More than 270 breweries and cideries won medals at the Brewers Association’s (BA) Great American Beer Festival (GABF) on Saturday in Denver. The BA awarded 326 medals to 273 competitors in the 38th year of the competition and 42nd year of the festival.

Ace Cider founder Jeffrey House has been outbid in his attempt to reclaim the brand after its parent company Vintage Wine Estates (VWE) filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware, according to North Bay Business Journal.

Spirits, hard cider, mead and braggot producers can now ship their products directly to New York consumers. Gov. Kathy Hochul signed Senate Bill S2852A into law Monday, allowing direct-to-consumer (DTC) shipping from in- and out-of-state manufacturers.

Former Angry Orchard head cider maker Ryan Burk has joined Blake’s Beverage Company as VP of quality and innovation. Burk has been advising Blake’s and its portfolio of brands – Blake’s Hard Cider, Austin Eastciders and AVID Cider Co. – for a couple years, including through the launch of its most recent innovations.

The latest installment of Brewbound’s A Round With – a weekly Insider-exclusive Q&A series with industry leaders – features Caitlin Braam, founder and owner of Yonder Cider and The Source.

Schilling Cider has no plans to jump on the hard tea train, but the Pacific Northwest cidery still plans to meet similar consumer demand with its latest product launch: Schilling Hard Lemonade.