The gist
Austin Eastciders will now fall under the Blake's umbrella—along with Oregon-based Avid Cider Co., which Blake's acquired in 2022.
Blake's Beverage Company CEO Andrew Blake said he has no intention of changing what makes Austin Eastciders great, noting that "Austin Easterciders may be even easier to find across the country in the coming years."
Sorting out the details
Both Blake's and Austin Eastciders are 10-year-old brands and have been on "similar trajectories with a passion to make cider America's favorite beverage," said Kim Oakley, Blake's Beverage Company senior vice president of marketing.
"We believe that joining forces makes us even stronger than we were as competitors," Oakley said, adding that Austin Eastciders fans can expect the same "incredible quality and passion for the product" that has always been put into its cider.
Going forward
Austin Eastciders' taproom in East Austin—known as the collaboratory—will remain open. Additionally, Oakley said Austin Eastciders President and CEO John Glick will remain with the company in a leadership position through the transition.
On its website, Austin Eastciders officials noted the team will not leave locals "high and dry," and extended an open invitation for Austinites to visit the taproom for fan favorites, small-batch cider drafts and to-go specials.
Quote of note
"Our founders' vision 10 years ago was to be the No. 1 cider in Texas and the No. 1 craft cider everywhere we choose to go," Glick said in a news release. "With this partnership, we believe we can fulfill our founders' mission to bring more cider to the masses."
