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Blake’s Beverage Company is Leading the Fourth Category Revolution, One Innovative Flavor at a Time

  • Writer: chadmelis
    chadmelis
  • Mar 25
  • 3 min read

Updated: Mar 26

The largest independent cider company in the country, Blake’s is putting cider where it belongs—front and center as America’s Drink
The largest independent cider company in the country, Blake’s is putting cider where it belongs—front and center as America’s Drink

ARMADA, MI, March 6, 2025 – Blake’s Beverage Company is hitting the ground running in 2025 with several daring new ciders in the first quarter of the year. As the collaborative voice of three leading cider brands—Blake’s Hard Cider, Austin Eastciders, and AVID Cider Co.—Blake’s is redefining the category, crafting tomorrow’s beverages for the next generation of consumers through imaginative, fruit-forward flavor combinations and variety packs that appeal to adventurous palates.


“There’s nothing cider can’t do,” said Andrew Blake, founder and CEO of Blake’s Beverage Company. “The possibilities go far beyond the apple, into exciting flavor profiles you’ve never seen before. Gen Z is asking for more vibrant flavors and better quality ingredients than previous generations, and we’re answering with novel flavor combinations and real fruit.”


Prickly Pear from Austin Eastciders

Austin Eastciders’ newest fruit-forward cider is all about Texas. Prickly Pear Hard Cider (5% ABV) is a bright, juicy cider with subtle sweetness that is available on draft and in 6-packs of 12 oz. cans year-round. Made with real American-grown apples and no nonsense, Prickly Pear Hard Cider is crisp, refreshing and naturally gluten free.


Austin Eastciders consistently ranks as Texas’ top-selling (and favorite) cidery. The decade-old company recently underwent a dynamic packaging refresh designed to celebrate the vibrancy, fun and charm of their home state.


Blue Raspberry, Tropical Mango, and Key Lime Pie from Blake’s Hard Cider

Blake’s Hard Cider is pushing cider beyond the apple with fruit flavors inspired by spring and summer. Blue Raspberry Hard Cider (6.5% ABV) is a bold, juicy burst of blue raspberry flavor available for a limited time; Tropical Mango Imperial Hard Cider (8% ABV), which debuted in last year’s Imperial Variety Pack, is back as a standalone cider in Blake’s core line up; and a new dessert-inspired flavor innovation release this spring with Key Lime Pie Hard Cider. Each of these bold fruit innovations will be available for an exclusive limited time in 6-packs of 12 oz. cans nationwide.


Michigan’s Blake’s Hard Cider currently stands as the fastest growing cidery in the country, up +26% for the last 13 weeks. Blake’s Hard Cider is known for setting cider trends through boundary-pushing flavor innovation.


Passion Fruit Tangerine Imperial Cider, Elevation Variety 12-pack & Peach Lychee from AVID Cider Co.

Crafted in the heart of Oregon, Passion Fruit Tangerine Imperial Hard Cider (8.5% ABV) combines the sweet allure of passion fruit with the tangy zest of tangerines. The new flavor can now be found in the Elevation Variety 12-pack, which combines four of AVID’s hardest-hitting imperial ciders: Passion Fruit Tangerine, Blueberry Pom, Royal Apricot and Black Dragon.


Peach Lychee Hard Cider (6.2% ABV) is another recent release from AVID, which anticipates a trend toward Asian-inspired flavors. This springtime seasonal release blends juicy peach and notes of floral blossoms, finishing light, smooth and semi-dry.


Oregon-based AVID Cider Co. is the Pacific Northwest's go-to cider, representing Blake’s Beverage Company in the country's largest apple-growing region. Bend’s original cidery, AVID is up +47% for the last 13 weeks.

Cider lovers can now find Blake’s Beverage Company offerings in 41 states and Japan. The nation’s largest independent cider company experienced +11% growth for the last 13 weeks, fueled by continual investments in the health of the category and a mission to secure cider’s rightful place as America’s Drink.


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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 over 40 states. For more information on Blake’s Beverage Company and its relentless dedication to the cider cause, visit blakesbevco.com







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