In The Press: Craft Cider Makes Headlines, Winter 24-25

by | Mar 14, 2025

Wintertime may be the quietest season, but the news about cider was loud and clear: Hard cider is (still) on the rise and more professionals are getting involved in the industry than ever before. Those trends were evident at the cider community’s annual CiderCon gathering, in market research and, anecdotally, as journalists explored cider’s heritage in regional publications. Oh, and smoked cider to boot!

Here are Cidercraft’s picks for craft cider stories in the news this season.

CiderCon In The Books

The 15th annual CiderCon®, the leading conference for cider industry professionals from across the globe, took place in Chicago in February. A fact sheet from the American Cider Association, the conference organizer, reported 850 attendees from 40 U.S. states and 13 countries. According to Brewbound, nearly half of them were first-time participants. 

Shortly after the conference, the New York Cider Association (NYCA) released a widely published recap explaining The Empire State’s key role in the event. Scott Ramsey, the NYCA’s executive director, received the Significant Impact on the Industry Award; several of New York’s cidermakers and retailers were honored in the annual awards ceremony; numerous New York cider experts delivered presentations; and the NY Cider Pop-Up 2025 showcased a curated selection of top ciders from the state. Read the full release on Morning Ag Clips

CiderCon 2026 is slated for February 3-6, 2026, in Providence, Rhode Island.

Cider and Beer Worlds Continue To Collide

In Colorado, Stem Ciders’ parent company Wilding Brands (which also includes Howdy Beer, Funkwerks and Easy Living Hop Water) integrated Denver Beer Company into its portfolio. Read more about this growing craft beverage conglomerate in the Denver Post

Cider Heritage In The Centennial State 

The first recorded apple orchard in Colorado was established in what’s now the town of Florence in 1847, and the industry has grown immensely since. It shows no signs of stopping, either. Author Gabe Toth explores local orcharding and cidermaking traditions, climate and soil, and conservation — among other topics — in this in-depth Colorado Sun article. 

Cider On The Rise

The National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA) reported in the Beer Purchasers Index that the cider segment continues to grow — it posted a December 2024 reading at 38. It was 32 for December 2023. Craft Brewing Business dissected the index. 

IRI data cites Oregon-based 2 Towns Ciderhouse as the #2 top seller in U.S. grocery store sales in the cider category. Angry Orchard remains at #1. A press release from the cidery marks this accomplishment on the heels of a huge year of growth and accolades — including recognition as Cidermaker of the Year at GLINTCAP, Cidermaker of the Year at the Great American Beer Festival and Large Producer of the Year at the Northwest Cider Cup. 

Smokin’ Hard Cider

Smoked beverages are all the rage right now. Ahead of the curve, Absolem Cider Company in Maine first started experimenting with smoking apples for cider three years ago. Their latest smoked-apple hard cider, Spur, debuted in January. Learn more about their smoking process in DownEast.

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Hard cider made some waves this past winter! 🍎✨

From the success of @ciderconference in Chicago to exciting market growth, regional cider heritage, and even smoked cider innovations, the craft cider scene is buzzing. 

Want to know more about these juicy headlines? Check out Cidercraft’s top picks for cider stories this season, now live on our site. Don’t miss this roundup of trends, industry highlights, and new milestones! 

📖 Read the full article at cidercraftmag.com

#CraftCider #CiderCon #HardCider #CiderLovers #DrinkCider
@carlsonshardcider just unveiled a stunning new look for 2025, and we’re here for it. 🙌

Not only is their design getting a glow-up, but they’re also launching exciting new flavors like Cherry, Oak Barrel Blend, Bare Hill Blush, and Peach Cobbler. 🍒🍑

Get the full scoop on their rebranding and taste innovation over on Cidercraft Magazine.

🍏 Read the full article now by heading to the link in our bio.

#CarlsonOrchards #HardCider #Cider
Now Accepting Entries for the 8th Annual Cidercraft Awards!

The Cidercraft Awards return for their eighth year, celebrating the best in cider! The top four winning ciders from each category will receive Platinum, Double Gold, Gold, and Silver medals, creating the ultimate resource for cider lovers and industry professionals.

Tag a cider producer who shouldn't miss this opportunity!

Deadline to submit and receive product is Friday, April 25
Competition will be held on May 13 – 14, 2025
Results will be released on June 12, 2025

Submit Your Cider Now at Cidercraftmag.com
@schillingcider isn’t just changing the way we drink cider—they’re changing the game for sustainability, too.

From fun, flavor-packed ciders like Apple Pie and Mixed Berry to their bold leap in creating climate-neutral 6-packs, Schilling is proving that great taste and environmental responsibility can go hand in hand.

With a fleet of electric vehicles, recyclable cans, and partnerships to neutralize their impact, this Auburn-based cidery is setting a standard the entire industry should aspire to.

Want the full story behind how Schilling is raising the bar for cider and the planet? Head to Cidercraftmag.com now.

#SchillingCider #ClimateNeutral #CraftCider

Story by Neil Ferguson
Images courtesy @schillingcider
New Release from @starcutciders Toucana is here—crafted with real guava juice for a kick of Caribbean flavor, balanced with crisp apple and a semi-dry finish. Naturally gluten-free, with no added sugar—just real fruit and real flavor. 🍏✨

Now pouring at the Pub and Pull Barn—and hitting shelves soon in Colorado, Indiana, Illinois, and Michigan!
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Hard cider made some waves this past winter! 🍎✨

From the success of @ciderconference in Chicago to exciting market growth, regional cider heritage, and even smoked cider innovations, the craft cider scene is buzzing. 

Want to know more about these juicy headlines? Check out Cidercraft’s top picks for cider stories this season, now live on our site. Don’t miss this roundup of trends, industry highlights, and new milestones! 

📖 Read the full article at cidercraftmag.com

#CraftCider #CiderCon #HardCider #CiderLovers #DrinkCider
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