While beer, wine, and liquor sales have dropped, which has led to many bankruptcies in the space over the past few years, hard cider sales have actually been stable.

After suffering declines in 2024, hard cider was able to turn its performance around, showcasing modest increases in 2025, according to data from Beverage Industry.

“In 2025, Cider sales performed well at plus 2%, led by top brand Angry Orchard (plus 3.6%),” Christal Torres, senior manager of client insights at Circana, told the website.

  • For the 52 weeks ending Dec. 28, 2025, hard cider sales reached $502 million in total U.S. multi-outlets, grocery, drug, mass merchandisers, convenience, military, and select club and dollar retailers, according to Circana data.
  • Of the brands, eight of the Top 10 showcased growth.

Despite growth in the space, Rainmaker Cider LLC, a Washington state brewery that makes hard cider, hard lemonade, and Jones Spiked Soda under license, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, according to a filing on Pacer Monitor.

Rainmaker Cider files Chapter 11 bankruptcy

Rainmaker Cider has a very limited website that shows the brands it produces. Those include Locust Cider, Colorado Cider Company, Smack Hard Lemonade, and Jones Spiked Soda, which it produced under license from Jones Soda Co.

The soda line launched with some fanfare in 2024.

“Jones Soda has perfected its own iconic flavors and tastes with over twenty-eight years in beverages and a passionate fan community that spans across the USA and Canada,” said Ranmaker founder Jason Spears in a press release.

“The brand has leveraged key partners with rich expertise and relationships to capture this and bring it into new markets and new product categories, like Spiked Jones. We are a great match.”

Rainmaker will continue to operate during the Chapter 11 bankruptcy process. The company filed the customary motions required to pay workers and vendors.

In 2024, Locust Cider, a Rainmaker brand, closed six taprooms across Washington state, KIRO News 7 reported.

More alcohol industry bankruptcies and closures:

  • Another popular brewery closes, files Chapter 7 bankruptcy 
  • 37-year-old liquor and beer brand files Chapter 7 bankruptcy, liquidating
  • Another beloved beer brand closes its brewery forever

Rainmaker LLC bankruptcy at a glance:

  • Filed in the Washington Western bankruptcy court
  • Case #: 3:26-bk-40555
  • Assets: $1,000,001 to $10 million
  • Liabilities: $1,000,001 to $10 million
  • Filing date: March 2; next hearing, March 4
    Source: PacerMonitor
  • Founded: Rainmaker Cider LLC was founded in 2015 in Woodinville, Washington, by Jason and Patrick Spears (with Rebecca Spears).
  • Employees: The company has approximately 50 employees.
  • Distribution: Locust Cider, produced by Rainmaker, distributes its products widely — retail and grocery availability spans Washington, Oregon, Idaho, California, Texas, Oklahoma, Arizona, Colorado, Alaska, Montana, and Kansas, according to the Locust Cider website.

This is a breaking news story. TheStreet will add more details as they become public.

Hard Cider has been a bright spot

Kaleigh Theriault, beverage alcohol thought leader at NielsenIQ (NIQ), Chicago, notes that the market research firm recorded 1.6% sales growth for hard cider in 2025 and draws a connection to the segment’s flavor-forward profile.

“Cider did end up growing,” Theriault told Beverage Industry. “It was up 1.6% versus a year ago, and while that growth was relatively small, I think that it’s had some impact from the flavor trend that’s happening.”

Liquor sales have declined slightly.

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Overall liquor sales have dropped

“While total U.S. spirits sales edged down 2.2% in 2025, the spirits industry remains resilient, driven by innovative products that continue to spark consumer interest,” said CEO Chris Swonger in the Distilled Spirits Council (Discus) annual briefing.

He blamed the economy for the fall in sales.

“Against a challenging backdrop of weakening consumer confidence and persistent economic pressures, American adults continue to choose distilled spirits, with ready-to-drink cocktails standing out as a clear favorite.”

  • Total U.S. spirits supplier sales in 2025:$36.4 billion, down 2.2% compared with 2024’s $37.2 billion.
  • Total volumes (cases) rose modestly 1.9% to 318.1 million 9‑liter cases (reflecting some growth in RTD/novel formats).
  • Core spirits categories (vodka, tequila/mezcal, whiskey, cordials) mostly declined year over year, while spirits‑based RTDs grew strongly.
    Source: Distilled Spirits Council (Discus) annual briefing

Related: 30-year-old beloved wine brand files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy