Wintertime often is the quietest season, however the information about cider was loud and clear: Laborious cider is (nonetheless) on the rise and extra professionals are getting concerned within the trade than ever earlier than. These tendencies had been evident on the cider neighborhood’s annual CiderCon gathering, in market analysis and, anecdotally, as journalists explored cider’s heritage in regional publications. Oh, and smoked cider besides!
Listed here are Cidercraft’s picks for craft cider tales within the information this season.
CiderCon In The Books
The fifteenth annual CiderCon®, the main convention for cider trade professionals from throughout the globe, befell in Chicago in February. A reality sheet from the American Cider Affiliation, the convention organizer, reported 850 attendees from 40 U.S. states and 13 international locations. In line with Brewbound, almost half of them had been first-time individuals.
Shortly after the convention, the New York Cider Affiliation (NYCA) launched a broadly printed recap explaining The Empire State’s key position within the occasion. Scott Ramsey, the NYCA’s government director, acquired the Important Impression on the Business Award; a number of of New York’s cidermakers and retailers had been honored within the annual awards ceremony; quite a few New York cider consultants delivered shows; and the NY Cider Pop-Up 2025 showcased a curated number of high ciders from the state. Learn the complete launch on Morning Ag Clips.
CiderCon 2026 is slated for February 3-6, 2026, in Windfall, Rhode Island.
Cider and Beer Worlds Proceed To Collide
In Colorado, Stem Ciders’ mother or father firm Wilding Manufacturers (which additionally contains Howdy Beer, Funkwerks and Simple Residing Hop Water) built-in Denver Beer Firm into its portfolio. Learn extra about this rising craft beverage conglomerate within the Denver Publish.
Cider Heritage In The Centennial State
The primary recorded apple orchard in Colorado was established in what’s now the city of Florence in 1847, and the trade has grown immensely since. It reveals no indicators of stopping, both. Creator Gabe Toth explores native orcharding and cidermaking traditions, local weather and soil, and conservation — amongst different subjects — on this in-depth Colorado Solar article.
Cider On The Rise
The Nationwide Beer Wholesalers Affiliation (NBWA) reported within the Beer Purchasers Index that the cider phase continues to develop — it posted a December 2024 studying at 38. It was 32 for December 2023. Craft Brewing Enterprise dissected the index.
IRI knowledge cites Oregon-based 2 Cities Ciderhouse because the #2 high vendor in U.S. grocery retailer gross sales within the cider class. Offended Orchard stays at #1. A press launch from the cidery marks this accomplishment on the heels of an enormous 12 months of development and accolades — together with recognition as Cidermaker of the Yr at GLINTCAP, Cidermaker of the Yr on the Nice American Beer Competition and Massive Producer of the Yr on the Northwest Cider Cup.
Smokin’ Laborious Cider
Smoked drinks are all the fad proper now. Forward of the curve, Absolem Cider Firm in Maine first began experimenting with smoking apples for cider three years in the past. Their newest smoked-apple onerous cider, Spur, debuted in January. Be taught extra about their smoking course of in DownEast.
