In our effort to bring you as wide a variety of products as possible, Cape Beverage is thrilled to announce a partnership with Starcut Ciders, a division of Short’s Brewing Company, to bring the Northern Michigan company’s brands to the New Jersey market for the first time!

The Garden State is the eleventh to see the distribution of Starcut Ciders, and we’ll be bringing you three brands — Pulsar, Octorock, and Mosa — beginning July 21st. 

“I’ve always admired Short’s,” Ryan says. “On trips to Michigan to visit my wife’s family, I’ve had the chance to become very familiar with their brand and have been impressed with all of their products. In addition, I’ve come to know their CEO, Scott Newman-Bale, rather well from our work together on the Brewers Association’s Government Affairs Committee. I respect his business sense, I love everything they make, and I’m proud that Starcut Ciders has decided to partner with Cape Beverage on their strategic launch into New Jersey.”

Starcut Ciders was originally introduced at Short’s pub in late 2014. Born out of a passion to create high quality and innovative hard cider that focused on the flavor produced by real ingredients, Starcut Ciders are brewed with apples from their home state of Michigan without backsweetening, with the ciders’ sweetness provided by the apples. Short’s began distribution of this new division in 2015. 

We’ll begin distribution with three flagship varieties. Pulsar, a dry cider made with Michigan apples and Pinot Noir yeast, has less than one gram of sugar in each serving. This cider blends tangy apple sweetness with a slight tartness before finishing crisp, clean, and dry. Octorock is a light, refreshing hard cider made with Michigan apples, creating a perfect balance of sweet and bright apple flavors. Mosa, a crisp, refreshing blend of hard cider made from Michigan apples and sweet orange juice, is slightly hazy and light orange in color, a true mimosa in cider form. 

“Starcut Ciders is a great brand for us to get our feet wet in the cider market,” says Director of Sales Bill Zaninelli. “Cape Beverage has a strong sales team that expects Starcut Ciders to do well, particularly their variety 12-pack. Three cans of four different ciders: Octorock, Pulsar, and Mosa — all of which we’ll be carrying separately — and a surprise, seasonal variant. We’re excited to see this well-respected cider in the New Jersey market. Furthermore, Short’s has a strong team, fully prepared for entrance into their eleventh state. We expect this to be a well-balanced partnership.”

Starcut Ciders is excited to partner with Cape Beverage, as well.

“Cape Beverage Distributing is a great fit for our brands,” says Pauline Knighton-Prueter, CSO at Short’s. “From the day we met with Cape Beverage to discuss a possible launch, I knew they were a well-organized and -focused team that would put attention and dedication to a brand launch as well as continue to focus on sustainable growth. We know our products are in good hands and are excited to grow with the team and company.”

Starcut Ciders will be available to Cape Beverage’s retailers beginning July 21st. Ask your Sales Manager for more information!