Let’s talk about cider royalty: Eddie Brennan, President and co-owner of the legendary 1911 Established, a brand that’s been raising the bar for cider worldwide. 1911’s story begins with their 5th-generation family farm in Lafayette, NY, where they’ve been growing exceptional apples for over a century. In the 1970s, the family built a fresh cider facility to breathe new life into their orchard—and it worked. Fast forward to 12 years ago, they took a leap into the craft beverage game, and the rest is history. Today, 1911 is known for creating innovative, authentic ciders that honor their roots while embracing modern techniques.

Eddie Brennan’s leadership has been pivotal in 1911’s growth, but he’s quick to credit their success to cider maker Yann Fay. Yann, a cider expert with years of experience (formerly at Bellwether Hard Cider), brings creativity and a deep understanding of the craft to every batch. Together, Eddie and Yann have built a lineup of ciders that are bold, creative, and consistently high-quality.Every step of 1911’s cider-making process happens in-house. Their commitment to excellence starts in the orchard, where 300,000 trees are hand-trimmed every winter, 400 beehives are brought in for spring pollination, and frost threats are met with vigilance. This “tree-to-can” approach ensures that every cider is carefully crafted and true to their values.

Eddie is passionate about creating ciders that are cocktail-friendly yet approachable for beer lovers. But 1911 is more than just a cider brand—it’s an experience. Their Beak & Skiff Orchard has become a destination for cider fans, offering something for everyone, whether it’s wandering the orchards, sipping in the taproom, catching a live show, or sampling products from Ayrloom, the cannabis facility located within the orchard.... It’s an adult Disney World for cider enthusiasts.

Eddie’s advice for aspiring cider makers is to “start small, look for landscape gaps, and stay authentic.” His passion for the craft, combined with the team’s dedication to sustainability and innovation, has positioned 1911 as a true champion of the cider industry. Cheers to Eddie, Yann, and the entire 1911 team for inspiring us all with their vision and commitment!