Last week the US passed a $2.2 trillion stimulus package for economic relief from the coronavirus pandemic. Assistance to small businesses will help craft alcohol producers keep going.
Local cider sales in the US are up 15% since last year. And despite recent challenges from hard seltzer and FMBs, regional ciders are tracking double-digit growth. The industry now focuses on conveying the diversity of the cider category.
The United States Association of Cider Makers (USACM) was officially renamed to the American Cider Association (ACA) on December 31. It called 2019 ‘a year of resilience’ for cider in the face of flavored malt beverage (FMB) popularity.
A sweet, dessert cider that mimics the style of ice wine is slowly spreading beyond its point of origin. Canada’s ice cider is finding a niche market in the US with craft cidermakers willing to undertake the lengthy freezing, thawing and fermenting process.
Stella Artois is expanding its cider portfolio in the US with a new wine spritzer alternative, made from a blend of apples and hibiscus flavors. It’s the first nationwide ‘liquid innovation’ from the brand since 2013.
After 2018 kicked off the popularity of wine-inspired ciders with rosé ciders, prosécco is now poised to be the next big trend. Crispin Cider Co. joins Woodchuck Hard Cider and Wyder’s Cider by debuting a new ‘pearsecco’ flavor.
The cider industry is seeing record growth in the US, outpacing stagnant sales across general alcohol. It’s drawn in a gender-equal audience primarily made up of millennial consumers.