Because the sober motion features momentum, it’s secure to say that the brand new marketplace for non-alcoholic cider is right here to remain.
“The NA market is on a spectacular progress trajectory as shoppers search options to alcoholic drinks,” says Lee Larsen, co-founder and CEO of 2 Cities Ciderhouse. Late final yr, 2 Cities Ciderhouse introduced a brand new line aptly known as Sidekick with two non-alcoholic ciders: Cosmic Crisp and Pacific Pineapple. As 2 Cities and lots of different makers develop into the non-alcoholic phase, the explanations to take action are numerous; they embrace well being, steadiness, versatility and accessibility.
Arguably, Tilted Shed Ciderworks in California’s Sonoma County based this class of NA cider. That’s what Michelle McGrath, CEO of the American Cider Affiliation, says. The corporate first launched Ellie’s Non-Alcoholic Gravenstein Cider in December 2022.
“The rationale we began making a dealcoholized cider is as a result of I’m a breast most cancers survivor, recognized early stage in June 2021,” explains Ellen Cavalli, Tilted Shed’s co-founder, and gross sales and advertising and marketing director. “After remedy, my oncologist really useful I lower method again on alcohol due to the kind of most cancers I had, and so I began attempting a variety of NA drinks. It was simple to search out tasty NA beers and NA spirits/cocktails/RTDs, much less so NA wines, although I discovered a couple of. However there have been no NA ciders available on the market, simply apple juice.”
So, Tilted Shed determined to attempt a dealcoholized challenge. After working with BevZero (a neighborhood dealcoholization supplier) on some trials, they hit the appropriate notes. “We named it Ellie’s after myself, since we made it for me,” says Cavalli.
Ellie’s NA Gravenstein Cider begins as naturally fermented Gravenstein apple single varietal cider earlier than alcohol is gently eliminated with state-of-the-art spinning cone vacuum distillation. Then, a contact of Wickson juice for additional physique and complexity. It’s now obtainable in 12-ounce cans.
“I’ve been pleased to see extra producers get into the NA class,” Cavalli says. “It’s nice not just for of us who abstain from alcohol for no matter motive, but it surely additionally offers all shoppers extra choices to assist them average their alcohol consumption whereas nonetheless having fun with the style and convivial points of consuming.”
Along with Tilted Shed and 2 Cities Ciderhouse, different producers of NA cider embrace Schilling Cider and Authentic Sin Cider – all of whom obtained awards within the 2024 Cidercraft Awards. That’s proper, NA cider is rising a lot in reputation that it will get its personal class within the awards.
McGrath confirms that progress. “The areas making NA cider are the main exhausting cider areas: Pacific Northwest, California, New York and Michigan,” she says. “California is the one area making alcohol-removed ciders as a result of they’re near dealcoholization firms in Sonoma County,” she provides. “Within the Pacific Northwest, New York and Michigan, they’re both cider-shrubs (like Authentic Sin) or glowing juice.”
McGrath additionally cites Nashi Orchards’ glowing Starkrimson Non Alcoholic Perry made with Starkrimson pears grown at Sakura Ridge orchard in Hood River, Oregon. “Some others like Haykin Household Cider are doing one thing comparable currently,” she provides. Haykin’s Non-Alcoholic Dolgo Crabapple is crafted from Dolgo crabapples grown at Bailey Nursery in Yakima Valley, Washington. Dolgo apples boast aromas and flavors of cranberry, raspberry and rose water— good for simple consuming any time of day.
The stats, the consultants, and the makers all agree that NA cider fills holes within the cider market that the trade didn’t know existed till just lately. As an increasing number of producers experiment with numerous processes and flavors, shoppers have lots to look ahead to.
