Blake’s Hard Cider in Armada has acquired Austin Eastciders in Texas, and with its previous purchase of Avid Cider Co. in the Pacific Northwest, has formed Blakes Beverage Co. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
The move to bring the three companies under one brand, according to Blake’s, is to “rekindle a piece of American history and supercharge the resurgence of the cider category,” a tradition that dates back to 1899.
“We don’t want to change what makes these brands great, we are coming together to become the largest independent cider company in the U.S.,” says Andrew Blake, founder and CEO of Blake’s Hard Cider. “While our passions and mission align, each brand offers consumers unique flavors, personalities, and complementary perspectives filtered through the lenses of their regions.”
Blake’s Hard Cider sits on a more than 1,000-acre apple-producing farm in Armada. Avid Cider Co. hails from the cider-rich Pacific Northwest in Bend, Ore. Austin Eastciders was born and nurtured in Austin, Texas.
With operations spanning across New York, Michigan, Oregon, and Texas, Blake’s Beverage Co. will have “significant” scale covering all primary apple-growing regions of the U.S. This presence ensures a steady apple supply for all brands with a portfolio estimated to be close to 2 million cases in 2023.
Blake’s Beverage Co. now can deliver a more complete portfolio of products with a variety of flavors across several price tiers meeting a wider selection of consumers where they shop and drink.
“Our founders’ vision 10 years ago was to be the No. 1 cider in Texas and the No. 1 craft cider everywhere we choose to go,” says John Glick, president and CEO of Austin Eastciders. “With this partnership, we believe we can fulfill our founders’ mission to bring more cider to the masses.”
Glick will remain with the company in a leadership role through the transition.
For more information, visit BlakesBevCo.com.
