MillerCoors and Anheuser-Busch are getting into cider, but will you?

Colin Joliat Staff Writer

The major players in the adult beverage game are expecting hard cider becoming significantly more popular than it is right now. Whether buying established brands like Crispin (MillerCoors) or creating their own, the bets are in. The most recent development is Anheuser Busch announcing the arrival of Michelob Ultra Cider next month.

Cider 188x214 MillerCoors and Anheuser Busch are getting into cider, but will you?

In a recent memo to distributors, the brewer described “Michelob Ultra Light Cider” as a “less sweet, lower calorie, all-natural alternative” to traditional flavored malt beverages and ciders. A-B also seems poised to plug the product as “naturally gluten-free,” a fact depicted in small lettering on a sample of the bottle label shown on the memo to distributors. The drink has 118 calories and 4% alcohol by volume, according to the memo.

Unless you were a hard cider drinker before, you probably didn’t have a clue this movement was happening. While at an event called the Beer Hoptacular last year, I sampled offerings from all four different brands represented. Not including those named in this post, can you name more than one cider company? You said Woodchuck and then couldn’t get any further didn’t you? Crispin saw a huge spike in sales last year, and the big guns are looking to continue that trend. Are you buying in? Will you be sipping ciders in 2012? Let me know. I need some stock tips, because unlike Greg Focker, my portfolio is not strong to quit strong.

For those curious, the brands at Hoptacular were Julian Hard Cider, Magners Irish Cider, Woodchuck Cider, and Crispin Cider.

via AdAge

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