US cider brand Bold Rock joins Artisanal Brewing Ventures
Artisanal Brewing Ventures (ABV) – the 11th largest craft brewer in the US according to Brewers Association figures – says the acquisition of Bold Rock will allow it to move beyond craft beer. Meanwhile, Bold Rock will gain access to more than two million customers a year.
From craft beer to cider and seltzers
Founded in 2012, Bold Rock produces 12 hard cider styles from apples picked in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia and North Carolina. It also produces a hard seltzer and canned cider.
The company operates two cideries: the Bold Rock Cider Barn and tasting room in Nellysford, VA; and a second, larger production facility and industrial styled taproom, overlooking the Blue Ridge Mountains, in Mills River, NC.
Bold Rock will gain access to Artisanal Brewing Ventures’ shared network of production facilities, sales expertise, and broad distribution footprint.
Founders John Washburn and Brian Shanks will stay on with the company. “By joining ABV, we can extend our brand to new consumers up and down the east coast, creating more special memories and unique experiences," said Washburn.
ABV is a ‘unique platform created to support the growth ambitions of leading regional craft adult beverage companies’. Its existing craft portfolio includes Sixpoint Brewery, Southern Tier Brewing Company and Victory Brewing Company.
Bold Rock's four taproom locations will be added to ABV's current footprint of nine open or announced taprooms, giving the company access to more than two million customers a year. Bold Rock will also work with Sixpoint, Southern Tier and Victory and their combined consumer data and insight to boost its marketing approach.
ABV was founded in 2014 with a focus on top-tier craft adult beverage brands, focusing on the high volume, craft-centric markets east of the Mississippi.
Its acquisition of Bold Rock signals its extension beyond craft beer: with Bold Rock's 80,000 barrels of craft cider and seltzer. ABV now has a leadership position in eight of the country's top 50 markets for craft beer, hard cider, hard seltzer and premium spirits-based canned cocktails.
ABV is headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, and has operations in Brooklyn, NY, Lakewood, NY, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, and metro Philadelphia.
