American Cider Association

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.

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

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

• Trade association services
• Industry certification programs
• Cider industry advocacy
• Professional beverage education
• Annual industry conferences

Headquarters

HQ city

Portland

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. 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).
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core 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

Named customers14 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Brewers AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerACA 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 AmericaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerACA 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).
• NielsenIQcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerACA 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.
• CircanacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerACA partners with Circana (formerly IRI/NPD) to supplement Nielsen data with additional market intelligence for members, providing comprehensive category analysis.
• Beer30minorGTM or Marketing PartnerPreferred 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 CenterminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPreferred 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 & PackagingminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPreferred 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 AmericacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNon-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 LogisticsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPreferred 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.
• VinoshipperminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPreferred 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)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerPreferred vendor offering 50% off annual subscription to subscription-based beverage industry insights. Provides regular deliveries of industry analysis, data, and case studies.
• Hart PrintminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPreferred vendor offering 10% off first can order. Digital aluminum can printing for cideries. North America's original digital can printing company.
• Waterloo ContainerminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPreferred 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)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorACA partners with WSET in London to host Certified Pommelier exams at their London location. Exam scheduled for November 26, 2026 at WSET London.
• Sydney CideryminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorACA partners with Sydney Cidery in Australia to host Certified Pommelier exams internationally. Exam scheduled for October 14, 2026.
• Cheerful Helpers (Press Then Press)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerPress 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

Direct 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

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@certifiedciderprofessional
• Facebookfacebook.com/groups/241991426935780
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/united-states-association-of-cider-makers

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles17 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about American Cider Association