Crispin Hard Cider Company
Crispin is an American hard-cider brand associated with Minneapolis Cider Company and known for apple ciders influenced by English and American cider traditions.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
Crispin Hard Cider Company, commonly marketed as Crispin Cider, is an American hard-cider business and brand associated with Minneapolis, Minnesota. Its portfolio is centered on fermented apple beverages, with the brand historically presenting itself as a premium or craft-oriented alternative within the expanding United States hard-cider category. Crispin’s identity has been shaped by an emphasis on apple character, dry cider styles, and references to European cider-making traditions. The company was originally based in Minneapolis. In 2010, Crispin acquired Fox Barrel Cider, including Fox Barrel’s cidery in Colfax, California. The acquisition expanded Crispin’s production assets and shifted the company’s operational center toward the California facility. The transaction also connected Crispin with a cider operation that had an established presence in the American craft-beverage market. In early 2011, Crispin broadened its range through the importation of Browns Lane, a dry English cider. The product’s name referenced Browns Lane in Coventry, England, the location historically associated with Jaguar’s original factory. The import helped reinforce Crispin’s interest in presenting cider as a diverse category rather than as a single sweet or fruit-flavored beverage style. Crispin was acquired in 2012 by MillerCoors, which at the time was a major United States brewing company and a subsidiary of Molson Coors. The transaction brought Crispin into a large beverage-company structure during a period when hard cider was attracting increasing attention from mainstream alcohol producers. The acquisition gave the brand access to the resources and distribution capabilities of a major brewer, while also placing it within a more corporate portfolio. The company’s founders later established Copper & Kings American Brandy in 2014, moving into the production of American brandy and related spirits. Crispin nevertheless remained a recognizable cider name. In 2023, the brand was relaunched with Minneapolis Cider Company. The relaunch introduced new varieties while also returning to the original Crispin recipe, linking the revived range to the brand’s earlier identity and product heritage. Crispin’s business scope is primarily packaged hard cider. Its offerings have included core apple cider products as well as dry and specialty variants, including imported cider. The brand occupies a space between independent craft cider and scaled beverage distribution: it has a craft-style origin and product narrative, but it has also operated under the ownership of a major brewing group. Because publicly available information does not establish a complete current corporate structure, current ownership and detailed distribution reach are best treated as uncertain.
History
Crispin Hard Cider Company emerged in Minneapolis as an American producer focused on hard apple cider. The brand developed during the growth of craft-oriented alcoholic beverages in the United States, when cider makers were seeking to distinguish their products through apple selection, fermentation methods, dryness, and associations with established European cider cultures. Crispin’s public identity combined a modern American craft-business profile with product references to English cider traditions. A major early expansion came in 2010, when Crispin acquired Fox Barrel Cider. The purchase included Fox Barrel’s cidery in Colfax, California. This gave Crispin a production facility outside Minnesota and contributed to a change in the company’s operating geography. Although the business had been based in Minneapolis, the Colfax facility became an important part of its manufacturing structure and was described as the company’s headquarters following the acquisition. In early 2011, Crispin expanded beyond its domestic offerings by importing Browns Lane, a dry English cider. The name referred to Browns Lane in Coventry, England, historically known for Jaguar’s original factory. The product helped communicate Crispin’s interest in dry, European-influenced cider and offered consumers a style distinct from sweeter mainstream cider products. Crispin entered a larger corporate system in 2012, when MillerCoors acquired the company. MillerCoors was a major United States brewing company and operated as a subsidiary of Molson Coors. The acquisition occurred as large brewers were increasing their attention to cider, a category that was gaining visibility and shelf space in the American alcohol market. Through the transaction, Crispin moved from an independent or craft-style operating context into a portfolio managed by a large beverage company. The founders of Crispin later moved into another drinks category. In 2014, they opened Copper & Kings American Brandy, a producer associated with American brandy. This development marked a continuation of their beverage entrepreneurship but did not eliminate Crispin as a cider brand. In 2023, Crispin was relaunched in association with Minneapolis Cider Company. The return included new varieties and a recreation of the original Crispin recipe, presenting the relaunch as both an extension and a restoration of the earlier brand. The move reconnected Crispin with Minneapolis while retaining the brand’s established focus on hard apple cider. Crispin’s historical development therefore includes three distinct phases: an independent Minneapolis origin, expansion through the Fox Barrel acquisition and MillerCoors ownership, and a later revival connected with Minneapolis Cider Company. Its product story has consistently centered on apple cider, with dry styles and English influence serving as important points of differentiation. Public reference material does not provide enough detail to establish the full current ownership structure, executive roster, financial performance, or complete international distribution network.
- 2023
Brand relaunch
[1]Crispin was relaunched with Minneapolis Cider Company, with new varieties and a return to the original Crispin recipe.
- 2014
Founders establish Copper & Kings
[1]Crispin’s founders went on to establish Copper & Kings American Brandy, extending their beverage-business activities into American brandy.
- 2012
Acquired by MillerCoors
[1]MillerCoors acquired Crispin, bringing the brand into a major brewing and beverage portfolio linked to Molson Coors.
- 2011
Browns Lane import begins
[1]Crispin began importing Browns Lane, a dry English cider named after a Coventry location associated with Jaguar’s original factory.
- 2010
Acquisition of Fox Barrel Cider
[1]Crispin acquired Fox Barrel Cider, including its Colfax, California, cidery. The deal expanded Crispin’s production capabilities and changed the geographic center of its operations.
Products and positioning
A craft-influenced American hard-cider brand emphasizing apple flavor, dry cider styles, and a connection to English and European cider traditions.
Hard apple cider
Crispin Original
The original Crispin recipe is the reference point for the brand’s core identity. The 2023 relaunch specifically highlighted a return to this recipe while adding new varieties, making the original-style cider an important link between the brand’s earlier products and its revived range.
Dry English cider · 2011
Browns Lane
Browns Lane was a dry English cider imported by Crispin beginning in early 2011. Its name referenced Browns Lane in Coventry, England, historically associated with Jaguar’s original factory. The product broadened Crispin’s range beyond its American-made ciders and underscored the company’s interest in English cider traditions.
Specialty hard cider · 2023
Crispin seasonal and specialty varieties
Crispin has been associated with a broader range of specialty cider varieties in addition to its original recipe. Public reference material confirms that the 2023 relaunch introduced new varieties, but does not provide a complete, reliably documented product list or detailed specifications for each expression.
Brand decisions
2023
Relaunch the Crispin brandStrategyBackground
The brand was brought back to market in association with Minneapolis Cider Company, reconnecting it with its original Minneapolis identity.
Action taken
Minneapolis Cider Company relaunched Crispin with new varieties and the original Crispin recipe.
Aftermath
The relaunch restored Crispin’s market presence and combined heritage positioning with an expanded product range.
2012
Sell the company to MillerCoorsM&ABackground
Cider was becoming strategically relevant to large beverage companies, creating an opportunity for Crispin to join a scaled brewing and distribution organization.
Action taken
MillerCoors acquired Crispin.
Aftermath
Crispin became part of a major beverage portfolio connected to Molson Coors. The founders subsequently pursued a separate American brandy venture.
2011
Introduce imported Browns Lane ciderProduct launchBackground
Crispin sought to expand its range and highlight dry cider styles associated with English cider-making.
Action taken
The company began importing Browns Lane, a dry English cider.
Aftermath
Browns Lane added an imported, English-style product to Crispin’s primarily American brand portfolio.
2010
Acquire Fox Barrel Cider and its cideryM&ABackground
Crispin needed additional production capacity and expanded geographic reach as it developed its hard-cider business.
Action taken
The company purchased Fox Barrel Cider, including the cidery in Colfax, California.
Aftermath
The acquisition gave Crispin a California production base, and the Colfax operation became closely associated with the company’s headquarters and manufacturing footprint.
Sources5 sources
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