The United States of Cider

February 15, 2013
Cider Con 2013

Cider is growing.  Fast.  It grew 65% in 2012.  New cider brands are starting up all the time.  Last week in Chicago, a good portion of them came together to learn more about each other at CiderCon 2013.  While they were at it, they voted to form a national association.  And so it shall be… The United States Association of Cider Makers is now a real thing!

Here at Woodchuck, we couldn’t be more excited.  Just like apples in an orchard, there are many varieties of cider makers out there.  Bringing all these cider makers together will only serve to grow the category the right way and with the input of all.

The mission statement reads:

To gather and share information about cider and perry production, regulations concerning the production of hard cider and perry, and pear and apple growing; as well as to help members improve their operations, raise the public’s awareness of the products produced by its members, and promote the interests of the cider and perry producers in the United States.

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The Board of Directors from left to right:
Robert Vail – Angry Orchard – Ohio
Steve Wood – Farnum Hill Ciders – New Hampshire
Dan Rowell – Woodchuck Hard Cider – Vermont
Charlotte Shelton – Albemarle Cider Works – Virginia
Mike Beck – Uncle John’s Cider Mill – Michigan
James Kohn – Wandering Aengus Ciderworks – Oregon
Brad Page – Colorado Cider Company – Colorado

Click here to check out the full press release.

This move to formally organize is a great moment for cider in the United States.  Another great moment was on Saturday, when the largest ever cider festival was held on the Navy Pier in Chicago.sign

IMAG1398The event sold out, with 2,000 tickets sold!  Truly a remarkable sight to see that many people fired up about cider.  We hope our fan’s passion for cider will only continue to grow!

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Cider Con 2013 ends with a toast!

So as they did at the close of the conference, let’s say cheers to cider in the United States!

 

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