Hawkes to take cider production to the US

03-Sep-2018 - Last updated on 03-Sep-2018 at 09:45 GMT

Upping roots: production of Hawkes cider will initially be based at BrewDog’s brewery in Columbus, Ohio

BrewDog-backed cider company Hawkes is to start production across The Pond.

Hawkes made the announcement news at the BrewDog US AGM last week, stating his belief that this would make the Bermondsey-based company the first UK cidery to set up in the US.

Production will initially be based at BrewDog’s brewery in Columbus, Ohio, using apple varieties sourced from the US.

BrewDog confirmed it had invested in Hawkes in April of this year at its UK AGM, stating that there was “huge potential” for Hawkes’ cider to make a difference to the “mass-market monopolised” cider market.

Kindred spirits

“A few months ago, we met with Simon Wright, the founder of Hawkes cider in London,” BrewDog said. “Here, we found a kindred spirit. Hawkes’ approach to cider parallels our heritage with beer, and we see huge potential in the difference the business can make to a mass-market monopolised segment of the drinks scene.

“Cider has a massive opportunity to be so much more than a sweet, fizzy pint of something soulless, or a sickly pink, drink with more calories than a cola. Cider can be as much of a craft beverage as beer, and has as bright a future as brewing.”

Commenting on the decision to team up with BrewDog, Hawkes founder Simon Wright said: “We are in an industry that has for far too long allowed ‘big’ cider and mass-market products to hold back innovation and growth."

Outspoken critic

Wright continued: “I’ve long been impressed by BrewDog’s attitude and approach to challenging the status quo of beer in the UK and around the world. Just like us, they stand up for those who want to break free, make a difference and take the cider scene into an entirely new era. I can’t wait to see what the future holds.”

Earlier this year, Wright hit the headlines after criticising the current system of taxation within the UK cider industry, and accusing the National Association of Cider Makers of failing to represent the interests of smaller producers.

Hawkes’ previous investors were the team behind Barworks, The Diner and Camden Town Brewery Marc Francis-Baum, Patrik Franzen and Andreas Akerlund.