Declaration of Drinker Independence: Nearly 4 in 5 alcohol drinkers are open to trying a new alcoholic beverage this July 4th

WALDEN, N.Y., June 30, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- While many people know that Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence, a surprising number of U.S. adults do not know his alcoholic beverage of choice. A recent survey commissioned by Angry Orchard and conducted online by Harris Poll revealed that more than three in five U.S. adults age 21 and older (64%) were unaware that America's founders drank hard cider, despite the drink's prevalence in American history, dating as far back as the 1600s. 

Hard cider has recently experienced a resurgence in the U.S., rapidly becoming a favorite alternative to craft beer and wine. There are more than 18 million cider drinkers in the U.S. today, compared to five million drinkers just four years ago, as drinkers continue to desire quality ingredients and authenticity. They appreciate complexity and balance of flavors, all of which hard cider, and specifically Angry Orchard, delivers.

The poll also revealed that 79% of U.S. adults who consume alcoholic beverages would be open to trying a new alcoholic beverage this Independence Day. More and more, drinkers turn to hard cider as an alternative to wine, cocktails or beer due to its versatility. In fact, the survey showed that three in five Millennials (age 21-34) (60%) who consume alcoholic beverages agree that hard cider is more crisp and refreshing than beer, making it a welcome addition to July 4^th celebrations. The shift in drinker's receptiveness to different beverages like hard cider points to evolving drinker attitudes overall in today's market.

"As a cider maker, it's been exciting to see drinker appreciation for cider growth and more people trying new types of cider," said Ryan Burk, head cider maker at Angry Orchard. "This July 4^th, what better way to celebrate our independence than with our Founding Fathers' drink of choice, hard cider."

Time for a History Lesson
Cider's long history in our country dates back to colonial times. Not only did George Washington and Thomas Jefferson own apple orchards and produce hard cider themselves, John Adams, our 2^nd president, was known to enjoy a jug of hard cider every morning with breakfast. Back then it was one of the most popular alcoholic beverages due to the prevalence of its main ingredient: the apple. In fact, Colonial Americans believed alcohol could cure the sick, strengthen the weak, enliven the aged and generally make the world a better place. Hard cider was America's original alcohol of choice right until Prohibition set in and halted its production.

The cider makers at Angry Orchard have been tinkering with different cider ingredients and recipes for more than two decades, before introducing Angry Orchard in 2011. Since then, Angry Orchard has become the #1 selling hard cider brand in the United States. Continuing the tradition of hard cider making, Angry Orchard constantly delivers new inventive styles with the recently opened Angry Orchard Innovation Cider House, where cider makers are putting their own twist on traditional ciders, driving innovation and experimenting with new ingredients, processes and techniques.

Angry Orchard makes a variety of year-round and seasonal ciders, including Angry Orchard Crisp Apple and Summer Honey, both perfect for pairing with your favorite barbecue foods this July 4^th. 

About Angry Orchard Cider Company: 
The cider makers at Angry Orchard have travelled the world to find the best apples for cider making and chose specific varieties, like French bittersweet apples from Normandy and culinary apples from Italy and the United States, based on each cider's flavor profile.

In November 2015, Angry Orchard established a home for cider research and development called the Innovation Cider House, located on a historic apple orchard in the New York Hudson River Valley. In May 2016, Angry Orchard planted three acres of traditional cider making apples at the Angry Orchard, which will be used for research and experimentation at the Innovation Cider House.

Angry Orchard makes a variety of year-round craft cider styles, including Angry Orchard Crisp Apple, a fruit forward hard cider that balances the sweetness of culinary apples with the dryness and bright acidity of bittersweet apples for a complex, refreshing taste. 

Despite the recent growth of hard cider in the U.S., the category is still small and relatively unknown. Angry Orchard is committed to drinker education and awareness-building to help grow the category for all craft cider makers.

For more information about Angry Orchard, visit www.AngryOrchard.com, like us at www.facebook.com/AngryOrchard, https://instagram.com/AngryOrchard, and follow us at www.twitter.com/AngryOrchard.

Methodology:
This survey was conducted online within the United States by Harris Poll on behalf of Angry Orchard Cider Company from June 21-23, 2016 among 2,054 adults ages 21 and older, among whom 1,448 drink alcoholic beverages. This online survey is not based on a probability sample and therefore no estimate of theoretical sampling error can be calculated. For complete survey methodology, including weighting variables, please contact Chandler Lennon.

SOURCE Angry Orchard

Related Links

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