MISSOULA, Mont. – Montana is currently the fastest growing market for cider consumption in the Northwest as cider sales over the past year have increased by 20%. This increase has been driven by local ciders as regional cider sales have jumped significantly while national cider brands have slightly dipped.
“It’s an exciting time for a regional cider. The cider industry has been at the forefront of growth because the cider quality and the styles are really growing vastly,” said Jana Daisy-Ensign, the Marketing Director for the Northwest Cider Association.Â
The unique style and improved quality of local ciders have made places like Western Cider’s wide variety of drinks more popular to locals.
“Cider is really diverse. It’s based on the apples that you grow, so the specific varietals of apples make a big difference in terms of the flavor profile,” Daisy-Ensign said. “Specifically in Montana the McIntosh apple is one of the best-known apples and it makes excellent cider as a single varietal but also blended.”
Ciders like the McIntosh have a long history of being produced through local agriculture as the apples have been grown in Bitterroot for decades and the growth in popularity for ciders will also benefit the Montana farmers.
 “This is an important value-added crop. It’s a way for farmers to not only grow the fresh produce, but add value by crafting it into delicious beverages,” said Daisy-Ensign.Â
In celebration of the growth in Montana cider sales, the Department of Agriculture has funded 9 billboards around the state to showcase the popularity of local ciders. They have been up since April stay up until mid-September.
The Montana Department of Agriculture are working together to really try to encourage awareness for cider drinkers and encourage the market to create more opportunities for people to grow apples,” said Daisy-Ensign.Â
