Bench Brewing in Beamsville, ON, has acquired the Niagara Cider Company. The brewing company will now add cider to its roster of brews. The deal became official at the end of March, which will allow the Niagara Cider Company to expand its production and distribution across the province.

“We are thrilled to welcome Niagara Cider Company into the Bench family,” said Matt Giffen, founder of Bench Brewing Company.

Niagara Cider Company will still play a vital role in the company and by moving into Bench’s production facility the product will be able to reach more Ontarians.

Griffen has 12 acres of apples he grows in Vineland so it’s no surprise they are adding cider to the mix. “The partnership came together organically,” said Bench general manager Anthony D’Aprile. 

“We dabbled with a small-batch release last year. We knew Matt and Rich through the local craft beverage community and Niagara Cider actually purchased some apples for us. At that time, we learned that Matt and Rich were actively searching for a permanent place to call home. In the end, it was just a perfect match.”

“Since our first cider was released, we have been searching for a permanent home, and after getting to know Matt and the team, Bench could not have been a better fit,” said Dixon.

“Bench shares our vision for creating amazing craft beverages using locally sourced, high-quality ingredients, and we are excited to work together to bring our cider to even more people across the province.”

This new partnership means consumers could start seeing more Niagara Cider Company products in LCBOs, grocery stores and at bars and restaurants. “This is a perfect fit and natural progression for Bench” said Kaitlin Vandenbosch, director of brewing and beverage operations at Bench Brewing.

PHOTO COURTESY OF BENCH BREWING

SOURCE: WellandTribune