American Cider Association
The American Cider Association is a 501(c)(6) non-profit trade association founded in 2013 in Portland, Oregon, representing U.S. and international cideries, orchards, suppliers, retailers, and enthusiasts through tiered memberships, advocacy, the CiderCon conference, the Certified Cider Professional Program, market data, and a monthly webinar series.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2013
- HeadquartersPortland, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What American Cider Association does
The American Cider Association (ACA) is a 501(c)(6) non-profit trade association founded in 2013 and headquartered in Portland, Oregon, that represents the U.S. cider and perry industry. Its mission is to grow a diverse and successful U.S. cider industry through advocacy, education, and member services. Membership spans U.S. and international commercial cideries, orchards, suppliers, retailers, distributors, restaurants and bars, and cider enthusiasts, with tiered annual dues ranging from $75 (home/enthusiast) to $3,500 (large commercial cideries producing over 1M gallons), volume-based for producers and category-based for associate members.
ACA generates revenue across five primary streams: membership dues (subscription/recurring), certification programs (Level 1 Certified Cider Guide at $149, Level 2 Certified Pommelier exam at $250-$350), webinar access fees ($5 member / $20 non-member per session for Pressing Matters), CiderCon conference revenue (registration, exhibitor, sponsorship), and ACA Store merchandise ($19.99-$55). Certification is delivered both on-demand online (Level 1) and through in-person exams held globally, with 331 Certified Pommeliers certified worldwide as of August 2025. The association sells and renews memberships directly via its website on a Neon CRM platform.
ACA's core offerings include the Certified Cider Professional Program, the annual CiderCon conference (co-locating with the Craft Brewers Conference in San Antonio for 2027), the monthly Pressing Matters webinar series, federal and state advocacy (including wins such as the CIDER Act in 2015, permanent CBMTRA in 2020, and 2025 TTB standards-of-fill expansion), quarterly market data reports via NielsenIQ and Circana, a Resource Hub for members, a 15+ partner Preferred Vendors program, an Anti-Racism, Equity & Inclusion program, and an online store. Industry data access and advocacy-driven regulatory wins represent the primary member value proposition across a network of 10+ state and regional cider guilds.
American Cider Association firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- American Cider Association
- Legal name
- American Cider Association
- Website
- https://ciderassociation.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2013
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- The American Cider Association is a 501(c)(6) non-profit trade association founded in 2013 in Portland, Oregon, representing U.S. and international cideries, orchards, suppliers, retailers, and enthusiasts through tiered memberships, advocacy, the CiderCon conference, the Certified Cider Professional Program, market data, and a monthly webinar series.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
American Cider Association industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Trade Association Services
- NAICS
- Wineries (312130)
- SIC
- Services-Membership Organizations (8600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Cider & Perry Producers & Brands (CRADAIAE)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Cider & Perry Production (AFAFAAAD), Cider & Orchard Fruit Production (Apples/pears for cider & processing) (AFAGACAJ)
Keywords
Where American Cider Association is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Portland
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
American Cider Association business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Membership Dues: The ACA generates revenue primarily through tiered membership dues from U.S. and international commercial cideries, orchards, associate members, and vendor/allied trade partners. Membership tiers range from $75/year (home cidermaker/enthusiast) to $3,500/year (large international cideries producing over 1M gallons).
- Certification Programs: Revenue from Level 1 Certified Cider Guide bundles ($149 non-members), Level 2 Certified Pommelier exam fees ($350 non-members / $250 members), sensory analysis webinars ($5-$30 each), and study materials including flashcards and textbooks.
- Merchandise and Store: The ACA operates an online store selling branded merchandise including apparel, drinkware, and cider education books. Products range from $19.99 to $55.00.
- Webinar Access Fees: Monthly Pressing Matters webinars are available to members for $5/session and non-members for $20/session, with unlimited perpetual access to recorded content.
- Conference Revenue: CiderCon generates revenue through attendee registration, trade show exhibitor fees, and sponsorship. For 2027, CiderCon will be co-located with the Craft Brewers Conference in San Antonio, TX.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | U.S. Commercial Cidery - Tiered by production volume |
| Subscription | Annual | International Commercial Cidery - Tiered by production volume |
| Subscription | Annual | Associate Members |
| Subscription | Annual | Orchardist Membership |
| One time/ perpetual license | One time/ perpetual license | Level 1 Certified Cider Guide Bundle |
| One time/ perpetual license | One time/ perpetual license | Level 2 Certified Pommelier Exam |
| One time/ perpetual license | One time/ perpetual license | Certified Pommelier Retake |
| Subscription | Monthly | Pressing Matters Monthly Webinar Series |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Sensory Prep Workshop |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | ACA Merchandise |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels9 records
American Cider Association product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The American Cider Association is a 501(c)6 non-profit trade association that provides membership services, professional certification programs, an annual industry conference (CiderCon), monthly educational webinars, federal and state advocacy, market data reports, and an online store to U.S. and international commercial cideries, orchards, suppliers, retailers, and cider enthusiasts. Its core mission is to grow a diverse and successful U.S. cider industry through valuable information, resources, services, and advocacy on behalf of its members.
Product overview
The American Cider Association operates as a trade association offering a portfolio of industry education, advocacy, and certification services. Core offerings include the Certified Cider Professional Program (with Level 1 Certified Cider Guide and Level 2 Certified Pommelier certifications), the annual CiderCon conference, and the monthly Pressing Matters webinar series. The ACA provides advocacy representation at federal, state, and regulatory levels, manages a Resource Hub with market data reports, and operates a Preferred Vendors Program offering member discounts. An Anti-Racism, Equity & Inclusion Program and an online ACA Store selling educational materials and branded merchandise round out the offerings.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- CiderCon: Annual premier cider conference for industry professionals featuring education, networking, and cider tastings.
- Certified Cider Professional Program
Products and services
- Certified Cider Professional Program (CCP)
- Level 1: Certified Cider Guide (CCG)
- Level 2: Certified Pommelier (CP)
- CiderCon Annual Conference
- Pressing Matters Monthly Webinar Series
Quantifiable outcome
- 331 Certified Pommeliers worldwide as of August 2025
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use American Cider Association
Customer profileNamed customers14 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
American Cider Association technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
American Cider Association partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Brewers AssociationcoreACA has partnered with the Brewers Association to co-locate CiderCon 2027 with the Craft Brewers Conference & BrewExpo America (CBC) in San Antonio, TX, April 5-7, 2027. This partnership maintains distinct cider identity while providing access to a larger trade show, expanded educational resources, and broader network. This represents a shift from the traditional stand-alone CiderCon model.
- Wine AmericaminorACA joined Wine America, Wine Institute, Beer Institute, Brewers Association, DISCUS, and American Craft Spirits Association as part of the Craft Beverage Coalition to push for passage of the Craft Beverage Modernization and Tax Reform Act (CBMTRA).
- NielsenIQcoreACA partners with NielsenIQ to provide quarterly market data reports to members, including off-premise and on-premise trend reports broken down by 50 US regions, packaging type, size, and flavor.
- CircanacoreACA partners with Circana (formerly IRI/NPD) to supplement Nielsen data with additional market intelligence for members, providing comprehensive category analysis.
- Beer30minorPreferred vendor offering ACA members 25% off the first year of Beer30 beverage management software. Beer30 serves cideries, breweries, meaderies, and distilleries in 23+ countries.
- Beer Law CenterminorPreferred vendor offering ACA members a free consultation and 10% off flat fee projects. Boutique law firm catering to craft and artisanal beverage industry.
- Century Printing & PackagingminorPreferred vendor offering 10% off first order plus up to 3 hours of art design at no charge for custom adhesive labels. Family-owned with 25+ years experience.
- Cider Institute of North AmericacoreNon-profit organization of cider industry professionals and educators. ACA members receive 10% discount on all classes and workshops. Joint mission to create a quality-driven and sustainable cider industry through education and research.
- Fountain City LogisticsminorPreferred vendor offering 5% off freight solutions for beverage producers. Handles finished product, packaging, raw materials, and ingredients with temperature-controlled, LTL, intermodal, and cross-border services across US, Canada, and Mexico.
- VinoshipperminorPreferred vendor offering $3.00/case savings on Vinoshipper Regulatory Fees. Direct sales and management platform for e-commerce, point of sale, and compliance serving 3,000+ beverage businesses.
- Sightlines (FeelGood Insights)minorPreferred vendor offering 50% off annual subscription to subscription-based beverage industry insights. Provides regular deliveries of industry analysis, data, and case studies.
- Hart PrintminorPreferred vendor offering 10% off first can order. Digital aluminum can printing for cideries. North America's original digital can printing company.
- Waterloo ContainerminorPreferred vendor offering 5% off glass and 10% off closures for new customers. Family-owned wine and beverage packaging supplier with 45+ years experience.
- WSET (Wine and Spirits Education Trust)minorACA partners with WSET in London to host Certified Pommelier exams at their London location. Exam scheduled for November 26, 2026 at WSET London.
- Sydney CideryminorACA partners with Sydney Cidery in Australia to host Certified Pommelier exams internationally. Exam scheduled for October 14, 2026.
- Cheerful Helpers (Press Then Press)minorPress Then Press supplies ciders for Certified Pommelier sensory analysis webinars and is featured as a partner for purchasing perry samples for ACA educational webinars.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves9 records
Expansion highlights6 records
American Cider Association competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Brewers Association: National trade association for U.S. craft brewers. Most direct peer: both are 501(c)6 trade associations running certification programs (Cicerone vs. Certified Pommelier), annual conferences (CBC vs. CiderCon), and serving as the unified voice for a craft beverage category. The two organizations are now formal partners co-locating CiderCon 2027 with CBC.
- Wine Institute: California-based trade association representing the majority of U.S. wineries. Direct peer in structure (501(c)6 advocacy and member services trade association) and in tackling adjacent beverage regulatory issues; ACA and Wine America co-partnered in the Craft Beverage Coalition on CBMTRA.
- WineAmerica (Wine America): National association of American wineries. Direct peer as a 501(c)6 trade association for an adjacent beverage category, co-lobbying partner in the Craft Beverage Coalition and on TTB labeling rules.
- Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS): National trade association for the spirits industry. Direct peer in function (federal advocacy, market data, member tiering) and co-partner in the Craft Beverage Coalition; provides benchmarking for ACA's policy and member engagement model.
- American Craft Spirits Association: National trade association for small U.S. craft distillers. Direct peer in scale and mission (representing small/independent producers of a craft beverage category), co-partner in the Craft Beverage Coalition; useful comparison for ACA's growth trajectory.
- Beer Institute: National trade association for the broader U.S. beer industry. Direct peer in function and lobbying partners; ACA sits alongside Beer Institute in the Craft Beverage Coalition on CBMTRA and excise tax modernization.
Emerging players
- Cider Institute of North America: Education and research-focused nonprofit for cider professionals. Adjacent peer: it provides classes and workshops (ACA members receive 10% off) and sits on a sister mission of building a quality-driven cider industry. Smaller in scope and not a direct competitor on advocacy or events.
- National Association of Wine Retailers: Trade association for independent off-premise wine retailers. Adjacent peer: serves a downstream channel of cider distribution and shares the 501(c)6 trade association model with tiered membership and federal/state advocacy.
Regional players
- National Cider UK (formerly UK Cider & Perry Association): Trade association for cider producers in the United Kingdom. Regional peer: equivalent trade body in the world's largest cider market, with whom the ACA coordinates through its WSET London Certified Pommelier exam partnership.
- Cider Australia: Australian national cider industry association. Regional peer: equivalent trade body in a key Southern Hemisphere cider market, partnering with ACA to host Certified Pommelier exams in Sydney.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
American Cider Association social profiles
Digital presenceAmerican Cider Association financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
American Cider Association leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles17 records
American Cider Association funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
American Cider Association M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about American Cider Association
What does American Cider Association do?
The American Cider Association is a 501(c)6 non-profit trade association that provides membership services, professional certification programs, an annual industry conference (CiderCon), monthly educational webinars, federal and state advocacy, market data reports, and an online store to U.S. and international commercial cideries, orchards, suppliers, retailers, and cider enthusiasts. Its core mission is to grow a diverse and successful U.S. cider industry through valuable information, resources, services, and advocacy on behalf of its members.
Is American Cider Association a public or private company?
American Cider Association is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was American Cider Association founded?
American Cider Association was founded in 2013. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is American Cider Association based?
American Cider Association is headquartered in Portland, United States, in the North America region.
How does American Cider Association make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Membership Dues are the primary driver. The others are certification Programs, merchandise and Store, webinar Access Fees and conference Revenue.
Who are American Cider Association's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Brewers Association, Wine Institute, WineAmerica (Wine America), Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS), American Craft Spirits Association and Beer Institute. Emerging players are Cider Institute of North America and National Association of Wine Retailers. Regional players are National Cider UK (formerly UK Cider & Perry Association) and Cider Australia.
Does American Cider Association have an API?
No public API is recorded for American Cider Association.
What industry is American Cider Association in?
American Cider Association's product category is Trade Association Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRADAIAE, Cider & Perry Producers & Brands, with a secondary code of AFAFAAAD, Cider & Perry Production. Its NAICS code is 312130 and its SIC code is 8600.