Lionheart Cider Changing Their Name To Minneapolis Cider Co

Local hard cider producer Lionheart Cider announced today that they are rebranding to The Minneapolis Cider Company and opening a production facility and taproom in Minneapolis.

“Our goal from very early on has been to open a production facility and taproom in Minneapolis” says co-founder and head cidermaker Jason Dayton. “Starting the business in college presented unique challenges.  We had to establish a level of credibility before we were able to convince investors and banks to put forward the capital required for the new facility.” The company said its new brand reflects its roots on the West Bank of the University of Minnesota’s Minneapolis campus and is inspired by the active and outdoor-oriented lifestyle that many in the city embrace.

The Minneapolis Cider Company will be a licensed winery, a distinct difference from fellow Northeast Cidermaker Sociable Cider Werks, which is licensed as a brewery. As such, the company will produce ciders from 100% juice without the addition of malt or grain. The winery license will also allow the company to be the first taproom in the Twin Cities to sell cider directly to consumers in traditional packages. Instead of a 64oz or 32oz growler, you will be able to take home their ciders in 12oz or 16oz cans.

The company has only announced three ciders so far but has said that more are in development. Semi-Dry (Lionheart Original) and Rhubarb will be identical to the ciders available today. Additionally, the company has announced Citrus Hop, which will be a full-production version of an infusion the company often does at beer festivals. The next opportunity to sample the Citrus Hop will be at the Summer Beer Dabbler in CHS Field on August 26th.