This established craft cidery operates a fully integrated cider production facility, destination taproom, and wholesale distribution platform in the Northern Virginia / Washington DC metro area — one of the nation’s most affluent and beverage-savvy consumer markets.
Founded in 2016 and operating continuously for nine years, the business has built a loyal regional consumer base, an award-winning product portfolio of 20+ SKUs, and active wholesale distribution to four of the nation’s largest specialty and natural grocery retailers. The taproom serves as a destination venue, generating over half of total revenue directly from consumers at premium margins.
With a 5,245 sq ft production facility currently operating at just 29% of estimated capacity, the business represents a rare opportunity to acquire a proven craft beverage platform with significant untapped production infrastructure already in place — requiring zero additional capital expenditure to triple current output.
Investment Highlights
1) Proven Production Platform with Significant Untapped Capacity: The facility operates at approximately 29% of its 120,000-gallon annual estimated capacity, meaning a buyer acquires 85,000 gallons of immediately available production capacity with no additional capital expenditure required. The gross depreciable asset cost basis exceeds $971,000, with a replacement cost estimated at $1.2M–2.0M+. Most assets are fully depreciated, allowing a buyer to acquire this infrastructure at effectively zero book value.
2) Resilient Earnings Despite Revenue Normalization: Seller’s Discretionary Earnings (SDE) have remained stable at $148K–$214K annually for three consecutive years, despite a 47% revenue decline from the 2022 peak. Gross margins actually improved to 42.2% in 2025, up from 36.9% in 2023–2024, reflecting a favorable shift toward the higher-margin taproom channel. The business earns consistently regardless of top-line volume, a key indicator of operational quality.
3) Established Wholesale Distribution — 4 Major National Chains: The business maintains active wholesale distribution through a regional distributor to four national specialty retailers. Wholesale revenue peaked at over $412,000 in 2022 and has since normalized to approximately $193,000 as management shifted focus toward higher-margin taproom sales. The distributor relationship, retail shelf placements, and account history remain intact, representing a significant and immediately actionable revenue rebuild opportunity for a commercially focused buyer.
4) Destination Taproom with Loyal Consumer Base: The on-site taproom generated $514,887 in 2025, approximately 61% of total revenue, with average daily sales of $3,724 across approximately 155 operating days. The business has built a social media community of 20,000+ followers, an email list of 1,700+ subscribers, and an active membership program. Spring and summer peak months consistently exceed $70,000 in taproom revenue. The taproom also holds an events license and hosts private events and corporate rentals.
5) Independent Production Team — Not a Key-Man Risk Business: The production facility is operated by an experienced Cider Maker and cellar staff working independently of the founder. The craft knowledge, production processes, and supplier relationships transfer with the team, not with the individual owner. The founder is prepared to provide a reasonable transition period and ongoing advisory support as needed by the buyer.
6) Multiple Value Creation Vectors for New Ownership: A new owner has several clearly defined and immediately actionable paths to grow revenue and earnings, including:
- wholesale channel rebuild toward prior peak revenue levels;
- production volume expansion using available facility capacity;
- events and private rental program expansion;
- farmers market growth across additional DC metro locations;
- cellar series and premium product tier development; and
- strategic platform potential for a regional craft beverage operator seeking production infrastructure.
Products & Operations
The business produces hard cider across four distinct product tiers, with 20+ active SKUs distributed through the taproom, farmers markets, special events, and wholesale channels:
- Flagships: yearround core products distributed both onpremise and through wholesale retail accounts
- Seasonals: limitedrun rotating releases tied to seasons and local ingredients
Taproom Exclusives — draft-only products available solely at the on-site taproom, driving destination visits
- Cellar Series: premium, small-batch releases including single-variety and heritage apple expressions
The taproom operates as a full-service tasting destination with a curated on-tap list, retail merchandise, and an extensive events program. The facility includes a production floor, barrel room, indoor taproom, and outdoor patio — enabling both everyday consumer visits and larger private event bookings.
Ideal Buyer Profile
This opportunity is well-suited for several buyer profiles:
- Strategic acquirer — regional craft brewery, cider producer, winery, or craft beverage platform seeking production capacity, an established East Coast consumer brand, and active wholesale distribution relationships
- Search fund or independent sponsor — a platform business with a management team in place, recurring taproom revenue, and multiple clearly defined growth vectors
- Individual operator / SBA buyer — an entrepreneur with hospitality, food & beverage, or beverage industry background; the business is likely SBA 7(a) eligible and taproom cash flow supports debt service
Next Steps
Qualified buyers are invited to execute a mutual Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) to receive the full Confidential Information Memorandum, including complete financial statements, facility details, product information, lease terms, and management background.
NOTE ON TRANSACTION STRUCTURE: Seller strongly prefers a stock sale.
