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A decade ago, it seemed hard cider had met its match, as fast-charging hard-lemonade brands stole a big slice of the category's sweet-drinking audience. But now the bite is back, as cider sales rebound thanks to surging interest from a new consumer base: sophisticated craft beer drinkers searching for taste adventures.
Cider is still a tiny fraction of the alcohol category and is not about to threaten beer, wine or spirits for booze dominance. But while mainstream beer brands are declining, cider is growing at a furious pace, drawing premium prices, coveted women drinkers and even more male fans attracted to bold flavors. Category sales were up 25% in the year ending Oct. 30, to $49.6 million, according to SymphonyIRI, which tracks grocery sales excluding those at Walmart and liquor stores.
But curiously, it's a trend the big boys seem to be missing, at least for the moment. Brewing giants MillerCoors and Anheuser-Busch InBev do not have cider brands in the U.S., although both seem to be keeping a watchful eye on the category....