Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/561374
The State of Cider Meteoric growth and legislative developments increase its appeal BY TOM WILMES any winery owners are taking a hard look at adding hard cider to their offerings, especially as the seg- ment continues to post impressive growth. Nielsen reports that off-premise retail sales in the U.S. of hard cider grew by 71% in 2014, while retail sales of wine increased by 3.3% over the same period. Retail sales of spirits increased by 2.4% and overall beer sales decreased by 0.4%. "Frankly, I'm surprised that it was under 80%," said Mike Beck, president of the U.S. Association of Cider Mak- ers and owner of Uncle John's Hard Cider in St. Johns, Mich. "We've had a string of at least five years with 80% growth or more." There are 426 cider makers currently operating in the United States, according to the Cyder Market, an indepen- dent company that tracks the industry. Of those, 100 are wineries that produce at least one cider product. As with the wine industry, the vast majority of Amer- ican-made cider is produced by a handful of large com- panies, including established wineries and breweries 7 6 V I N E YA R D & W I N E RY M A N A G E M E N T | S e p t - O c t 2 015 w w w. v w m m e d i a . c o m any winery owners are taking a hard look at adding any winery owners are taking a hard look at adding - Nielsen reports that off-premise retail sales in the U.S. of Nielsen reports that off-premise retail sales in the U.S. of hard cider grew by 71% in 2014, while retail sales of wine hard cider grew by 71% in 2014, while retail sales of wine increased by 3.3% over the same period. Retail sales of increased by 3.3% over the same period. Retail sales of spirits increased by 2.4% and overall beer sales decreased spirits increased by 2.4% and overall beer sales decreased "Frankly, I'm surprised that it was under 80%," said "Frankly, I'm surprised that it was under 80%," said - ers and owner of Uncle John's Hard Cider in St. Johns, Mich. "We've had a string of at least five years with 80% There are 426 cider makers currently operating in the There are 426 cider makers currently operating in the - dent company that tracks the industry. Of those, 100 are dent company that tracks the industry. Of those, 100 are - - panies, including established wineries and breweries panies, including established wineries and breweries w w w. v w m m e d i a . c o m AT A GLANCE + As the hard-cider segment continues to post impressive growth, winery owners are adding it to their offerings. + Off-premise sales of American cider grew 71% in 2015. + Contributing factors to cider's success include interest in gluten-free foods, expanding Ameri- can palates and willingness to experiment with new products. + As the growth of the U.S. hard cider market con- tinues, recent legislative developments may open up opportunities for new producers.