Government Affairs
Protecting and Advancing Cider Through Federal, State, and Regulatory Advocacy.
The American Cider Association represents the interests of the U.S. cider industry wherever public policy is made. From Congress and federal agencies to state legislatures and industry coalitions, we work year-round to create a policy environment that enables cider to grow, innovate, and compete.
Whether we're advancing federal legislation, engaging with the TTB on regulatory modernization, supporting state guilds, or mobilizing members to take action, our mission is simple:
To ensure cider has a strong, informed, and effective voice in government.
Federal Advocacy
We advocate for federal policies that help cider producers compete and grow. Current priorities include modernizing the federal cider definition, advancing tax parity, and building bipartisan support on Capitol Hill.
State Advocacy
We actively monitor and respond to state-level legislation that impacts cider producers. Recent efforts include successfully opposing significant tax increases, protecting producers and local economies, and advancing state-level cider definition changes to better align with federal regulations.
2025 WA State Excise Tax Opposition Letter
2026 Colorado Beverage Coalition Tax Opposition Letter, H.B. 26-1271 and H.B. 26-1301
Regulatory Engagement
We work directly with federal agencies, including the TTB, to modernize outdated regulations. Key priorities include carbonation thresholds, labeling clarity, and expanded standards of fill.
Coalition Partnerships
We collaborate with partners across agriculture and beverage industries, including apple growers and alcohol trade groups, to strengthen our collective voice and advance shared policy goals.
Have you experienced a labeling issue?
Help the ACA identify common labeling challenges so we can advocate for greater clarity and consistency with the TTB.
Get Involved!
Advocacy is most effective when members actively engage. Whether it's reaching out to Congress, responding to regulatory requests for comments, or sharing industry data and feedback, your voice plays a crucial role in shaping the future of cider. How can you get involved?
Share a Policy Issue
Contact jennie@ciderassociation.org for policy and any other issues
About Our Advocacy Efforts
The American Cider Association is the united voice of cider in the U.S., championing the needs of cideries of all sizes through thoughtful, persistent advocacy. We work to modernize outdated regulations, push for fair treatment of cider within alcohol policy, and create a regulatory environment that supports innovation, sustainability, and growth.
Our efforts span local, state, and federal levels—from engaging directly with the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB), to building relationships and organizing Hill Climbs to champion legislation on Capitol Hill, to supporting state-level policy reforms. We advocate for commonsense changes like updated carbonation thresholds, clearer labeling rules, expanded standards of fill, and equitable tax treatment—all essential to the future of cider.
We know that we’re stronger when we work together. That’s why we also actively partner with fellow alcoholic beverage associations and local advocacy organizations to amplify our voice and advance shared goals. Together, we’re building a more inclusive and supportive landscape for all cider producers.
Latest Advocacy News
ACA Advocacy Timeline
- 2013: The ACA is created by vote at CiderCon 2013
- 2014: The ACA receives its 501(C)6 Nonprofit status
- 2015: The ACA successfully lobbies for the passage of the CIDER Act in Congress.
- 2016: The ACA hires Michelle McGrath as Executive Director.
- 2017: The TTB releases proposed rules for the CIDER Act.
- 2017: Senator Wyden introduces the Craft Beverage Modernization and Tax Reform Act (CBMTRA) to increase the small producer tax credit and expand credit eligibility to sparkling wines and cider. It passes on a temporary basis.
- 2018: The ACA joins Wine America, Wine Institute, Beer Institute, Brewers Association, DISCUS, and American Craft Spirits Association as part of the Craft Beverage Coalition, bringing together the beverage sectors to push for the passage of the CBMTRA.
- 2018: TTB releases Notice 176, a massive proposal regarding the “Modernization of the Labeling and Advertising Regulations for Wine, Distilled Spirits, and Malt Beverages.”
- 2019: Congress passes a 1-year extension of the CBMTRA. ACA helped mobilize members to engage their members of Congress and ask for their support.
- 2019: ACA provides comments on Notice 176.
- 2019: ACA and Headwater Cider host Ways and Means Committee Chair, Richard Neal to meet with cidermakers and discuss the importance of the Craft Beverage Modernization and Tax Reform Act.
- 2020: CBMTRA passes on a permanent basis, enabling growth and investment for small craft cideries, breweries, wineries, distilleries and meaderies.
- 2020: TTB approves additional wine standards of fill. The final draft of the rules includes several mentions of submitted commentary from cidermakers and the American Cider Association.
- 2021: ACA supports Fairness for Craft Beverage Act to encourage Congress to expand pandemic economic relief packages to craft beverage producers including cideries.
- 2021: ACA addresses fair competition in executive order comments.
- 2021: The American Cider Association (ACA) sends a letter to the TTB voicing the ACA’s support of a specific proposed labeling rule included in Notice 176 regarding harvest dates, published in late 2018.
- 2022: ACA and members push for replenishment of the Restaurant Revitalization Fund to help cideries recover from the pandemic.
- 2022: ACA petitions the TTB to approve 16oz and 19.2oz volumes of fill for wine.
- 2022: The board of the American Cider Association sends a letter to the L’Association des Industries des Cidres et Vins de fruits de l’UE (AICV), or the European Cider and Fruit Wine Association urging them to recognize the precedent for the definition of Ice Cider (Cidre de Glace) set by the government of Quebec, Canada.
- 2022: ACA partners with organizations around the country to encourage Congress to support the USPS Shipping Equity Act.
- 2023: ACA hosts Geographic Indicators Summit in Portland, Oregon to create a foundational framework for American Pomological Areas with cider and wine experts from around the country.
- 2024: Reps. Earl Blumenauer (OR-D) and Mike Kelly (PA-R) introduce HR 7029, the Bubble Tax Modernization Act, to increase the carbonation threshold for cider, mead, and wine made with fruit.
- 2024: ACA speaks alongside Brewers Association, American Craft Spirits Association, and Wine America at the 28th Annual Wine, Beer & Spirits Law National SuperConference to advocate for the policy and regulatory needs of small cider businesses
- 2024: The ACA submits comments and encourages members to submit comments to TTB Notice 210A in support of 16 oz. and 19.2 oz. standards of fill for cider and wine and advocates for the creation of a streamlined approval pipeline for new standards of fill
- 2024: U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer of New York introduced the Bubble Tax Modernization Act to the Senate (S.5442) on December 5, 2024. The American Cider Association applauds this as the next step toward carbonation parity which is critical for the future growth of the cider industry.
- 2025: The ACA successfully lobbies the TTB to add 16 oz. and 19.2 oz. standards of fill for cider, mead and wine.
- 2025: The ACA joins with partners in the beverage, food and hospitality sector to support the reintroduction of the CHEERS Act in Congress.
- 2025: Rep. Andrea Salinas and Derrick Van Orden re-introduce the Bubble Tax Modernization Act in the House of Representatives.
