Angry Orchard, The Nation's Leading Hard Cider Maker, Launches Two New Styles

CINCINNATI, Sept. 24, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The cider makers at Angry Orchard, the number one selling hard cider brand in the US[i], are branching out and experimenting with American culinary apples, crafting two brand new hard ciders just in time for the fall season. Angry Orchard Cinnful Apple, a sweet and slightly tart hard cider with a spicy kick of cinnamon, and Angry Orchard Green Apple, a hard cider with a tart and bright character like a fresh green apple, are the result of the cider makers' first experiments with juice from American-grown apples.  Cinnful Apple is a national seasonal release, while Green Apple is a year-round style currently in limited release with the national launch planned for early 2014.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130924/NY85385-a )
(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130924/NY85385LOGO-b )

"With Angry Orchard Cinnful Apple and Green Apple hard ciders, we are exploring new apple varieties and flavor profiles that offer our adventurous drinkers a distinctly unique and refreshing taste," said David Sipes, Cider Maker for Angry Orchard.  "We searched for apples from specific regions in the United States that share characteristics with European apple blends we've traditionally used, paying homage to our original cider making techniques while introducing new and exciting hard ciders." 

About Angry Orchard Cinnful Apple & Angry Orchard Green Apple:

• Angry Orchard Cinnful Apple (5.0% ABV) imparts a sweet, slightly tart apple flavor, complemented by the aroma of cinnamon spice.  This seasonal cider, available through February of 2014, is refreshing and smooth yet warming— perfect for the colder months ahead.  The sweet and spicy flavor profile of Angry Orchard Cinnful Apple also pairs exceptionally well with fall holiday drinking occasions. The spicy heat of cinnamon contrasts well with the sweet, classic fall foods like butternut squash, ham and pumpkin pie.
• Angry Orchard Green Apple (5.0% ABV) has a bright, fresh apple flavor with notes of sweet honeydew melon and kiwi that balance the lively apple tartness, all leading to a dry and slightly tart finish.  Green Apple's soft, bright acidity complements heavier flavors of smoked meats and sharp cheeses, as well as sweet desserts.

"The cinnamon spice notes in Angry Orchard Cinnful Apple add hints of cocoa and a slight heat to the cider, which is balanced by a dry and warm finish. It is a perfect marriage of nostalgic flavors for the fall and winter seasons," said Sipes.  "Angry Orchard Green Apple showcases the recognizable tart, puckering flavor characteristic of green apples, meant to be enjoyed year-round, and unlike any other cider."

Angry Orchard Now Exploring American Apples:
Angry Orchard Cider Company launched three cider styles nationally in 2012, and has quickly become a favorite among hard cider drinkers for its high-quality ingredients and distinctly crisp and refreshing taste, making it the number one selling hard cider in the U.S.  The cider makers at Angry Orchard have experimented for years with apple varieties from Europe, and have created high-quality hard ciders with apples from orchards in Italy and France.

Inspired by a sense of exploration among cider drinkers looking to experience new and exciting tastes, Angry Orchard is making its first foray into cider made with American culinary apples, with these two new cider styles.  Certain regions within the United States, such as the Pacific Northwest and the Northeast, share characteristics – rich soil, ample sunshine and water – with the apple-growing regions of France and Italy that are known to produce juicy apples.  The cider makers at Angry Orchard found that slightly less tannic juice from apples from Washington State complemented the ingredients in Cinnful Apple and Green Apple perfectly, creating a unique and balanced flavor profile for each cider.

Recently, hard cider has exploded in popularity in the U.S., with the latest IRI data showing the cider segment up 223% over the end of summer 2013[ii], and GuestMetrics reporting that on-premise cider sales are up 70% versus last year[iii].

Both Angry Orchard Cinnful Apple and Angry Orchard Green Apple hard ciders are naturally gluten-free. Angry Orchard Green Apple is available year-round in 6-packs for a suggested retail price of $7.99 - $9.99 (price varies by market). Angry Orchard Cinnful Apple is available August through February in 6-packs for a suggested retail price of $7.99 - $9.99 and in variety 12-packs with three other Angry Orchard styles for a suggested retail price of $14.99 - $17.99 (price varies by market).  To find where Angry Orchard is served near you, visit our "cider finder" at www.angryorchard.com/find-angry-orchard/.

To Learn More:
Cider lovers can explore the orchard online at www.AngryOrchard.com, like us at www.Facebook.com/AngryOrchard, and follow us at www.twitter.com/AngryOrchard. 

About Angry Orchard:
Angry Orchard Cider Company's cider makers have been experimenting with apple varieties and unique flavors to develop cider recipes for more than 15 years.  Angry Orchard's hard cider line-up – Crisp Apple, Apple Ginger, Traditional Dry, Elderflower, Iceman and Strawman – first experimented with a blend of Italian culinary apples from the Northern Alps and French bittersweet apples from Normandy. Angry Orchard's newest styles, Cinnful Apple and Green Apple, are made with apples from the Pacific Northwest and the foothills of the Northeast.  The juice goes through a lengthy fermentation process, with some ciders aged on oak for additional complexity and balance, before bottling. For more information, please visit www.AngryOrchard.com or like us at www.Facebook.com/AngryOrchard.

[i] Source: IRI, Total U.S. Multi-Outlet, last 13 weeks ending 9/1/2013

[ii] Source: IRI, Total U.S. Multi-Outlet, ending 8/11/2013

[iii] Source: GuestMetrics, 'Cider Shows Strong Growth in 1Q13 Driven by Sam Adams Angry Orchard,' April 2013

SOURCE Angry Orchard