504: Why Breweries Are Making Cider (and What It Means)

504: Why Breweries Are Making Cider (and What It Means)

From Cider Chat by Ria Windcaller: Award-winning Cidermaker, Podcaster | Craft Beer Columnist

May 20, 2026 · 54 min · Season 11 · Episode 504

About this episode

This episode explores why breweries are increasingly making cider and its implications for the craft beverage industry.

What happens when breweries start making cider… not because they have to, but because they want to keep drinking beer? That question kicks off episode 504 featuring Dan Kramer and Ben Anhalt of Element Brewing Company. "Most breweries probably see cider as a way to let them continue making beer." That line says a lot. And it opens the door to a bigger conversation. Breweries adding cider isn't just about diversification. It's not just about gluten-free taps. And it's definitely not just about adding another SKU. Something is shifting. In this episode, we dig into: • Why breweries are turning to cider right now • What changing consumer habits have to do with it • How cider fits into a beer-first business model • What this trend means for independent cider makers At Element, cider isn't an afterthought. It's part of a strategy to stay relevant in a changing market and a window into where craft beverages may be heading next. Time Stamps 00:00 Why Breweries Are Making Cider 02:01 Season Travels Recap and Road Notes 04:44 Tours, Travel Updates, and France Signup 06:44 Meet Element Brewing Company 07:07 From Brewing to Distilling: The Origin Story 10:43 Barrels, Aging, and Apple Brandy…

People in this episode

Host: Ria Windcaller

Guests: Dan Kramer, Ben Anhalt

Topics covered

  • breweries
  • cider
  • craft beverages
  • consumer habits
  • independent cider makers
  • business strategy

Keywords

  • cider
  • breweries
  • craft beer
  • consumer trends
  • Element Brewing Company
  • business model
  • independent cider makers

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Element Brewing Company

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