ARMADA, MI, July 1, 2024 – Blake’s Beverage Company, the nation’s second largest independent cider company and the collaborative voice of three leading cider brands, Blake’s Hard Cider, Austin Eastciders, and AVID Cider Co., announces the newest addition to its team, Ryan Burk as Vice President of Quality & Innovation.
With a lifelong passion for apples and cider, Ryan has played pivotal roles in shaping some of the country’s most ambitious and industry-defining cider programs, including leading Virtue Cider in Michigan and propelling Angry Orchard to new heights as Head Cider Maker.
From growing up in the epicenter of New York State apple production to leading some of the US’s most ambitious and industry defining cider programs, Burk has spent a lifetime with apples and cider. Burk grew up in Williamson, N.Y., known as “The Core of Apple Country,” where his early experiences fermenting cider with friends sparked his lifelong dedication to cidermaking. He established his career as a prominent cider maker at Virtue Cider in Michigan before joining Angry Orchard, where he led research, development, and experimentation at its cider house in Walden, N.Y.
Ryan left Angry Orchard in 2022 to pursue his own endeavors, including co-founding Feel Goods Company, an innovative brand and pipeline development studio for craft beverages, and Occam Cider Co., a boutique cider label.
As a dedicated industry advocate, he has served on the board of The American Cider Association and was a founding board member and current President of The Cider Institute of North America. He has been recognized by Imbibe 75 People to Watch, Wine Enthusiast’s 40 Under 40, and The Buena Cofradía de los Siceratores de Asturias and has collaborated with chefs in kitchens around the world, from small backyard gatherings to The James Beard Foundation. He is a frequent guest lecturer at the Culinary Institute of America.
“It’s been a passion of mine to bring cider to life at the table. I am incredibly excited to join the team at Blake’s Beverage Company. Their dedication to innovation and excellence is driving the cider category,” said Burk. “I look forward to growing alongside Blake’s strong leadership and strategic vision as we craft what cider can be.”
Ryan joins an already impressive lineup of industry powerhouses at Blake’s Beverage Company:
- Global Trade Marketing Director Rachel Foaté has nearly a decade of experience in trade marketing and sales, recently joining from Anheuser-Busch InBev, where she led engaging trade marketing multi-channel campaigns, developed impactful shopper strategy, and enhanced brand visibility and sales growth.
- President Chase Kushak has years of experience in strategy and process development and operations management, including time as the former COO of Founders Brewing Co. growing them to the #9 craft brewery in the country.
- North Sales Vice President Scott Roberts has 24 years of sales and sales management experience at both the distributor and supplier level with stops at Craft Brew Alliance and Founders Brewing Co. before joining the Blake’s team in 2018.
- South Sales Vice President Kevin Cargile, who brings over 25 years of experience navigating national sales, has been with the Austin Eastciders and now Blake Beverage Company team since 2022. Previously he worked as Anheuser-Busch’s Sales Director in Houston and on the National Accounts team at Gambrinus.
- Global Director of Education Samantha Roberts co-founded AVID Cider Co. in 2012, becoming a leading cider producer in the Pacific Northwest before becoming a part of Blake’s Beverage Company in 2023. In the past 12 years Sam has overseen everything at Avid from Production to HR and beyond.
- Founder and CEO Andrew Blake, also founder of Blake’s Hard Cider, whose visionary approach and extensive knowledge of the beverage industry has led to significant growth and innovation for the company.
“We are excited to welcome Ryan Burk to our team! We’ve been huge fans of his commitment to innovation in the beverage industry and his vision for cider,”said Andrew Blake, Founder and CEO of Blake’s Beverage Company. “His passion and understanding for cider production is going to complement our best in class team. We’re pushing the boundaries of what cider is and 4th category beverages can be, and Ryan’s unmatched experience will drive our mission to reclaim cider’s rightful place as America’s drink.”
Ryan will play a crucial role in driving innovation, maintaining the highest standards of quality, and fostering continuous improvement at Blake’s Beverage Company. Leveraging his expertise in cider making, brand development, and quality assurance, Ryan will spearhead efforts to introduce new bold flavors and fresh ingredients to Blake’s lineup.
Blake’s Beverage Company remains committed to innovation, quality, and customer satisfaction as it continues to push boundaries and set new standards in the cider industry. For more information on Blake’s Beverage Company and its continued growth, visit blakesbevco.com.
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ABOUT BLAKE’S BEVERAGE COMPANY
Launched in 2023, Blake’s Beverage Company is a collaboration of three industry-leading cider brands pressing a singular mission to reclaim cider’s rightful place as America’s drink. With a national footprint and cideries in Michigan, Texas, Oregon, and New York, Blake’s Beverage Company maintains a passion for bold, fruit-forward beverages, fresh ingredients, and a commitment to craft. Find ciders from Michigan’s top cidery Blake’s Hard Cider, Texas’ top cidery Austin Eastciders, and Oregon’s AVID Cider Co. at retail in 30 states. For more information on Blake’s Beverage Company and its relentless dedication to the cider cause, visit blakesbevco.com.
