Wefunder logo

Brownrigg Hard Cider

Award-winning producer of fast-selling and distinct hard apple cider

Last Funded July 2021

$119,223

raised from 135 investors
Pitch Video
Investor Panel

Highlights

1
Our taproom sales up 37% in 2020 (1st 6 months, 2020/2019).
2
Our combined yearly retail and wholesale sales increased 173% in 2019.
3
Popular SODO taproom located 1/2 mile from the Seattle Seahawks, Mariners and Sounders FC stadiums.
4
Craft cider demand up 10% in the Pacific Northwest in 2019.

Our Team

Owner, Cidermaker
A longtime home cider maker Chris transitioned careers from communications to cider making in 2016. Opening the cidery in 2017, Chris was able to triple cider production by 2019 introducing a barrel ageing program and creating over 40 unique recipes.
In 2017, I opened a 10 barrel cidery and tasting room in Seattle. Thanks to fans and a few awards, capacity tripled by 2019. Now one of the best cideries in WA state, with new tanks, staff and a taproom redesign we are poised to grow!
Partner, Assistant Cider Maker
Mariana became obsessed with Brownrigg Hard Cider in 2019, so she naturally decided to work with Chris to make cider and promote the product. In her free time, she volunteers at a greyhound shelter and goes hiking.
Partner, Graphic Designer, Brand Consultant
Robert's passion for photography spread to interest in digital imaging and graphic applications. With his experience in print production and graphic design, Robert brings a unique balance of technical and creative skill to his projects.

Locally loved Seattle cidery growing fast.

Brownrigg Hard Cider is a flavor focused 20 barrel craft cidery and taproom in the SODO neighborhood of Seattle. Opened in 2017 by orchardist and cider maker Chris Brownrigg, who's unique recipes created an obsessively loyal fanbase eager for each new distinct cider.

Since then, we have enormously exceeded our business targets with sales increasing 173% in our first full year (2019/2018). 

    Orchard images including fig, hops and apples
    Fig Leaf, Cascade hopped, Cherry Cardamom, Unfiltered Dry and Blackberry/Raspberry ciders.

    Year over year growth up 173%

    Brownrigg Hard Cider is now known for fresh, quality craft cider in Seattle and Washington State.

    We've been growing as fast as we can to meet the thirsty NW cider market -- which has seen craft cider demand increase 10% year over year. In 2020 our taproom retail sales have grown 37% so that even at our premium price point we continue to sell out of product. We need bigger tanks, a taproom redesign and full-time staff to keep up with demand.

    Graph of Brownrigg Hard Cider sales results
    We have experienced a common seasonal Q2-Q3 drop with sales rebounding the following quarter.

    Both wholesale and retail sales began climbing immediately and in our first full year of business increased an astonishing 173%! We acquired our second 10 barrel uni-tank in an attempt to increase production and meet demand but we were still selling out of cider.

    Ingredients sourced directly from our Seattle orchard

    We responsibly grow and harvest apples, pears, plums, cherries, and figs as well as herbs, grapes, kiwi, hops, and berries in our West Seattle orchard. This allows us exclusive access to specialty ingredients. With an abundance of natural options to choose from, Chris Brownrigg incorporates them in our recipes with delicious results.

    Orchard images including fig, hops and apples
    Rosemary, apple blossom, fig leaves, hops, apples, and cherry blossoms.

    Urban cidery, great SODO location

    Overhead map view of Brownrigg Hard Cider and Seattle stadiums
    Here we are! Great location for a taproom and production space.

    In 2016 we found a great spot in the shadow of the Seattle Seahawks and Seattle Sounders stadiums. Co-locating with the highly recognized 3 Howls Distillery in the heart of the city this location offers all the production space we need as well as a taproom for onsite and to-go sales. There was plenty to do including installation of our 10 barrel (310 gallon) uni-tank, glycol chiller, and the walk-in cooler.

    Award-winning cider. 

    Photo featuring a trio of ciders in glasses
    Rose Top (Blood Orange, Cardamom, Rose Petal), Fig Leaf and Dragon Fruit Lemon Ciders.

    In November 2018 we were awarded a double gold medal from the 2018 Cidercraft Awards Spiced/Botanical category for our Fig Leaf Cider and we followed that up with another double gold from Sip Magazine's Best of the Northwest 2019 for our White Peach Basil Cider in October. 

    Truly amazing. My husband and I went here because of the excellent reviews and they were no lie. Living in Denver, we are beer and cider snobs. This is by far the greatest cider either of us have had. The depth of the flavor profiles was exceptional.
    Facebook review

    COVID-19 kinda cramped our style, but...

    2020/2019 Sales chart
    We quickly pivoted by adding canned "crowlers" to our inventory allowing our customers additional to-go cider options.

    Our taproom sales remain strong, and both alcohol and craft beverage sectors have grown substantially in 2020. Specifically, online orders and in-store sales have seen double digit growth in recent months. 

    Our wholesale numbers are down and will remain impacted until bars and restaurants are back to capacity but we have been fighting back with a 37% increase in taproom sales (first 6 months 2019/2020).

    Collage photo image of COVID-19 related safety precautions
    Sales are strong at our sanitary, masked and very friendly taproom.

    We need your help to grow!

    Mariana Gonzalez photo with cider tank and barrels
    Mariana Gonzalez, assistant cider maker alongside one of our two 10 barrel tanks and rum and whiskey barrels.

    A taproom makeover will allow us to offer more cider on tap and a quicker, safer customer experience. We also need two new tanks and additional staffing. Our cider has found acclaim and admiration among our customers, proving there is a market thirsty for our products. Help us quench it!

    Please do help us grow! Thanks for your interest!

    Downloads

    Overview