BlackBird Cider Works
BlackBird Cider Works is a craft hard cider brand founded in 2011 in Western New York, producing 15 SKUs from estate orchard apples in Barker, NY, and selling through taproom, DTC e-commerce, and wholesale distribution in 7 states. Now owned by Resurgence Brewing Company.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2011
- HeadquartersBuffalo, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What BlackBird Cider Works does
BlackBird Cider Works is a craft hard cider producer founded in 2011 in Western New York, currently operated as a brand under Resurgence Brewing Company following its June 2023 acquisition from founders Scott Donovan and Margaret Glover of Donovan Orchards, LLC. The company produces approximately 15 hard cider SKUs across core, seasonal, cocktail-series (Moscow Mule, Cosmo, Paloma), and specialty lines, with ABVs ranging from 4.8% to 6.9%. All apples are sourced exclusively from the Donovan Orchards estate orchard in Barker, NY overlooking Lake Ontario, supporting a positioning around authentic fruit flavors without excessive sweetness or artificial additives. Distribution operates through three primary channels: on-premise taproom sales at the Resurgence Taproom (55 Chicago Street, Buffalo, NY), direct-to-consumer online ordering via Vinoshipper for home delivery, and wholesale distribution through Try-It Distributing and Lake Beverage across Western New York and 6 additional states, with products available in large chain retailers since November 2015.
The business model is a hybrid of consumer packaged goods (CPG) wholesale plus on-premise hospitality. Pricing is unit-based, with ciders sold in 4-packs of 12-oz cans through Vinoshipper; specific price points are not publicly disclosed. The customer base is fragmented end-consumers seeking premium craft ciders with authentic fruit profiles, segmented as a single "Craft Beverage Consumers" persona. Marketing relies on organic social channels (Instagram, Facebook) and the Resurgence newsletter, with no paid acquisition or enterprise sales motion. The company has accumulated consistent regional award recognition (Great Lakes International Cider & Perry Competition, NYS Fair, Crossroads Blues & Brews Festival), which underpins brand credibility in the regional craft beverage niche.
BlackBird Cider Works firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- BlackBird Cider Works
- Legal name
- BlackBird Cider Works
- Website
- https://blackbirdciders.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2011
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- BlackBird Cider Works is a craft hard cider brand founded in 2011 in Western New York, producing 15 SKUs from estate orchard apples in Barker, NY, and selling through taproom, DTC e-commerce, and wholesale distribution in 7 states. Now owned by Resurgence Brewing Company.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
BlackBird Cider Works industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Craft Hard Cider
- NAICS
- Wineries (312130)
- SIC
- Beverages (2080)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Cider & Perry Production (AFAFAAAD)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Cider & Perry Producers & Brands (CRADAIAE), Cideries & Meadery Tasting Rooms (THAFALAI)
Keywords
Where BlackBird Cider Works is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Buffalo
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
BlackBird Cider Works business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Taproom Sales: Direct sales of hard ciders on tap at the Resurgence Taproom location in Buffalo, NY.
- Direct-to-Consumer Online Shipping: Online ordering through Vinoshipper for home delivery of award-winning hard ciders.
- Wholesale Distribution: Distribution through Try-It Distributing and Lake Beverage to stores throughout the Western New York area and beyond, including large chain stores.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Estate Reserve - 4-pack of 12-oz cans |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels3 records
BlackBird Cider Works product offering
Product offeringCore offering
BlackBird Cider Works crafts and sells hard ciders made from apples exclusively sourced from the Donovan Orchards estate orchard overlooking Lake Ontario in Barker, New York. The company produces a diverse lineup of 15 named cider products across core, seasonal, cocktail-inspired, and specialty fruit series, packaged in 4-packs of 12-oz cans and sold on tap at the Resurgence Taproom in Buffalo, NY, through online direct-to-consumer shipping, and via wholesale distributors across Western New York and additional states.
Product overview
BlackBird Cider Works is a hard cider company specializing in craft ciders made from New York State apples sourced from Donovan Orchards. The portfolio consists of a diverse lineup of 15 named hard cider products across multiple series: Core Ciders (Estate Reserve, Premium Draft, Red Barn), Seasonal Ciders (Summer, Christmas, Winter Berry, Lakeside Loganberry), Cocktail Series (Moscow Mule, Cosmo, Paloma), and Specialty Fruit Ciders (Blossom Fruit Tea, Cherry Berry, Flamango Peach, Ghost Lantern, Rosé). Ciders range from 4.8% to 6.9% ABV across sweet, semi-sweet, and semi-dry profiles. The brand is owned by Resurgence Brewing Company and operates primarily in the Western New York market with distribution to multiple states.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Moscow Mule Cider
Quantifiable outcome
- First cider recognized at 2012 Great Lakes International Cider & Perry Competition
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use BlackBird Cider Works
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments1 record
Ideal customer profiles1 record
BlackBird Cider Works technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration1 record
BlackBird Cider Works partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.
- Try-It DistributingcoreDistribution partner covering the Western New York area. BlackBird partnered with Try-It Distributing in 2015-2018 as hard ciders became more popular, enabling products to reach more stores throughout the region.
- Lake BeveragecoreDistribution partner covering the Western New York area. BlackBird partnered with Lake Beverage to distribute products at stores throughout the Western New York area.
- Donovan OrchardscoreEstate orchard founded in 2006 by Scott Donovan and co-founder Margaret Glover in the Town of Somerset, Niagara County. Exclusively sources apples for BlackBird Cider Works from orchard overlooking Lake Ontario in Barker, NY. Partnership continued after Resurgence Brewing Company's acquisition of the BlackBird brand in 2023.
- Resurgence Brewing CompanyflagshipIn June 2023, Resurgence Brewing Company officially acquired the BlackBird Cider Works brand from Donovan Orchards, LLC. BlackBird Cider Works is now owned by Resurgence Brewing Company. The taproom operations and distribution continue through Resurgence's network.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
BlackBird Cider Works competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Doc's Draft Cider: Doc's Draft is a New York craft cider brand from Warwick Valley Winery & Distillery. Comparable to BlackBird as a NY-based craft cider with estate fruit sourcing, a taproom, and a position in the regional craft cider market.
- Woodchuck Hard Cider: Woodchuck is a long-established craft hard cider producer based in Vermont, offering flavored and traditional ciders nationally. Directly comparable to BlackBird as a multi-SKU craft cider brand with broad distribution and a similar authentic-fruit positioning.
- Bold Rock Hard Cider: Bold Rock is a regional craft cider brand with production in Virginia and North Carolina, distributing across the Eastern U.S. Comparable to BlackBird as a craft cidery with a multi-state East Coast footprint, taproom, and traditional apple-forward ciders.
- Citizen Cider: Citizen Cider is a Vermont-based craft cider producer with a broad flavor lineup, taproom, and East Coast distribution. Directly comparable to BlackBird in craft positioning, portfolio breadth, and regional distribution model.
- Stem Ciders: Stem Ciders is a craft cidery based in Denver, Colorado, with a diverse portfolio of dry, semi-dry, and fruit-infused ciders. Comparable to BlackBird on craft positioning, focus on quality fruit sourcing, and taproom-anchored business model.
- 2 Towns Ciderhouse: 2 Towns is a craft cidery from Oregon producing a wide lineup of traditional and experimental ciders. Directly comparable to BlackBird on craft positioning, flavor-forward portfolio, multi-state distribution, and taproom experience.
- Original Sin Cider: Original Sin is a New York-based craft hard cider producer with traditional and flavored ciders distributed nationally. Directly comparable to BlackBird as a NY-based craft cidery with a multi-SKU, multi-state portfolio and a similar quality-focused brand story.
- Austin Eastciders: Austin Eastciders is a Texas-based craft cidery with a wide portfolio including cocktail-inspired flavors and a national push. Comparable to BlackBird on craft positioning, flavored/cocktail-style cider innovation, and multi-state expansion strategy.
- Wyders Cider: Wyders is a craft cider brand with fruit-flavored ciders (pear, apple, and tropical varieties) distributed across the U.S. Comparable to BlackBird in the flavored craft cider segment with national retail presence.
Broad incumbents
- Angry Orchard Cider Company: Angry Orchard is the largest U.S. craft cider brand, owned by Boston Beer Company. It competes directly with BlackBird in the hard cider category, with national distribution and a wide flavor portfolio, and serves as the benchmark scale player in the same product space.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
BlackBird Cider Works social profiles
Digital presenceBlackBird Cider Works financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
BlackBird Cider Works leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
BlackBird Cider Works funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
BlackBird Cider Works 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 BlackBird Cider Works
What does BlackBird Cider Works do?
BlackBird Cider Works crafts and sells hard ciders made from apples exclusively sourced from the Donovan Orchards estate orchard overlooking Lake Ontario in Barker, New York. The company produces a diverse lineup of 15 named cider products across core, seasonal, cocktail-inspired, and specialty fruit series, packaged in 4-packs of 12-oz cans and sold on tap at the Resurgence Taproom in Buffalo, NY, through online direct-to-consumer shipping, and via wholesale distributors across Western New York and additional states.
Is BlackBird Cider Works a public or private company?
BlackBird Cider Works is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was BlackBird Cider Works founded?
BlackBird Cider Works was founded in 2011. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is BlackBird Cider Works based?
BlackBird Cider Works is headquartered in Buffalo, United States, in the North America region.
How does BlackBird Cider Works make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Taproom Sales are the primary driver. The others are direct-to-Consumer Online Shipping and wholesale Distribution.
Who are BlackBird Cider Works's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Doc's Draft Cider, Woodchuck Hard Cider, Bold Rock Hard Cider, Citizen Cider, Stem Ciders, 2 Towns Ciderhouse, Original Sin Cider, Austin Eastciders and Wyders Cider. Angry Orchard Cider Company is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does BlackBird Cider Works have an API?
No public API is recorded for BlackBird Cider Works.
What industry is BlackBird Cider Works in?
BlackBird Cider Works's product category is Craft Hard Cider. Its primary akta.pro industry code is AFAFAAAD, Cider & Perry Production, with a secondary code of CRADAIAE, Cider & Perry Producers & Brands. Its NAICS code is 312130 and its SIC code is 2080.