Oklahoma…where you can now find one of Arkansas’ signature alcoholic beverages. Black Apple Hard Cider is heading to the Sooner State.
The Springdale-based cidery is expanding outside of its Natural State borders for the first time, launching distribution in Tulsa and Northeast Oklahoma. Distribution will begin in late March with a weeklong series of events to commemorate the launch.
Black Apple cider is expected to be available in “dozens of restaurants and bars and in a majority of Northeast Oklahoma retailers,” according to a company news release. During the launch, Black Apple will be distributing its flagship Hibiscus cider and its seasonal Raspberry Passion and Pineapple ciders. The company’s Honey cider will also be available on draft at select bars and restaurants.
LDF Sales and Distributing will serve as the distributor for Black Apple.
“We are excited to bring Black Apple outside the state of Arkansas, and in particular, to Northeast Oklahoma,” Black Apple co-founder Leo Orpin said in a statement. “We wanted this region to be our first launch location outside of Arkansas. We’re neighbors. We spend a lot of time in Tulsa and the surrounding areas, and we are thrilled to join Oklahoma’s thriving maker culture.”
The launch events include an event at Marshall Brewing Company in Tulsa on Monday, March 22 from 3 to 7 p.m. and an event at Kilkenny’s Irish Pub in Tulsa on Tuesday, March 23 from 6 to 9 p.m.
In 2014, Black Apple was founded by Orpin and Trey Holt as the Arkansas’ first cidery, specializing in a rotating line-up of Europen-style ciders. The company produces a range of ciders, including year-around ciders, seasonal ciders, a harvest series and spritzers.
Black Apple expanded from Northwest Arkansas to Central Arkansas in July 2019. According to an Arkansas Money & Politics report, Black Apple began distributing to more than 30 bars in Little Rock and North Little Rock that month, with a series of launch events.
The company also operates a taproom in Springdale, featuring its products on tap and in cans.
READ MORE: New Study Shows Significant Racial, Gender Disparities in Business Lending
