Craft Hard Cider Production

Craft cideries produce hard cider from apples and other fruits.

With hard cider growing and craft beverage culture strong, cider production generates revenue of $170,000-$580,000 with 50-70% margins through distribution, taproom, and retail.

The business requires fermentation and cidermaking expertise, commercial brewing equipment and tanks, alcohol permits and licenses, apple sourcing or orchard partnerships, and distribution capability.

Products include traditional and dry ciders, fruit and flavored ciders (berry, stone fruit), seasonal and special releases, taproom and tasting room sales, canned and bottled retail distribution, and private label for restaurants.

Revenue through distribution, taproom, and wholesale.

Success factors include cidermaking expertise and recipes, local orchard partnerships for apples, taproom for direct sales and brand building, distribution to bars, restaurants, and stores, and compliance with alcohol regulations.

Marketing focuses on craft beverage drinkers, taproom visitors, distribution accounts, and gluten-free consumers.

With hard cider growing and craft beverage culture strong in 2025, cider production offers fermented fruit opportunities serving cider drinkers with local orchard sourcing and taproom as differentiators.