Blake’s Hard Cider and Carhartt Unite for Limited-Edition Cider Supporting Farmers and Food Security
Blake’s Hard Cider, America’s fastest-growing cidery, has partnered with Michigan-based workwear icon Carhartt to launch a limited-edition American Apple x Carhartt 8% ABV Imperial Hard Cider, celebrating agriculture and supporting The Farmlink Project’s fight against food waste. Available in 6-packs and 19.2-ounce tall boy cans, this exclusive release is now rolling out across Blake’s distribution network in 36 states, reaching 8,700 independent retailers, 4,300 chain grocery stores, and 1,400 bars, restaurants, and stadiums with custom tap handles and vibrant marketing materials.
Rooted in a shared commitment to quality, hard work, and farming heritage, this collaboration highlights Blake’s legacy as a family-owned, independent cidery operating on a 1,300-acre orchard in Southeast Michigan for nearly 80 years. Crafted with 100% American-grown apples and real fruit, the American Apple x Carhartt cider offers a balanced sweetness with no artificial flavors, colors, or sweeteners. Each can raises awareness for The Farmlink Project, a nonprofit dedicated to reducing food waste by connecting surplus farm produce to communities facing food insecurity. “This partnership celebrates the farmers who are the heart of our nation—our friends, family, and coworkers,” said Andrew Blake, Founder and CEO of Blake’s Beverage Company. “Together with Carhartt, we’re honoring their hard work and sharing that pride through this special cider.” Carhartt will donate $200,000 to The Farmlink Project to further its mission, as noted by Todd Corley, Carhartt’s Chief People and Impact Officer. Locate American Apple x Carhartt near you with the Cider Finder.
Blake’s Hard Cider
Blake’s Hard Cider traces its roots to 1946, when Gerald and Lovey Blake uprooted their large family from suburban Detroit to pioneer a 100-acre farm in Armada, Michigan. What began as a bold leap into agriculture evolved into a thriving multi-generational legacy, with the couple’s 13 children, including twins Pete and Paul, expanding the operation into Blake’s Orchard & Cider Mill. By the 2010s, the farm spanned over 1,500 acres of apple orchards and diverse crops, drawing millions of visitors annually for apple-picking, cider pressing, and family-friendly events. This deep farming heritage—now nearly 80 years strong—laid the foundation for innovation, blending traditional orchard practices with a commitment to sustainability and community enrichment in the heart of Michigan’s fruit belt.
In 2013, third-generation farmer Andrew Blake, inspired by his college experiments brewing hard cider in a Michigan State University garage, launched Blake’s Hard Cider Co. on the family farm to challenge the overly sweet, mass-produced ciders dominating the market. Starting small with 280-gallon tanks and hand-bottled cases, the independent cidery quickly gained traction for its all-natural, 100% American-grown apple ciders, free of artificial additives. Explosive growth followed, fueled by bold fruit-forward flavors and expansions that boosted production to a 40,000-square-foot facility. Today, Blake’s distributes to over 35 states, projecting $60 million in revenue by 2025, while recent mergers with Avid Cider Co. and Austin Eastciders have formed Blake’s Beverage Co., reclaiming cider’s place as America’s original fermented favorite through innovative, farm-fresh beverages.
