If you were to ask Bret Williams a year ago whether he would ever sell Vermont Hard Cider Co., the answer would have been, “No.” When the president and chief executive officer of the Middlebury, Vt.-based company originally purchased the Woodchuck hard cider brand and facility in 2003, it was not about developing a big company or brand; it was about saving jobs.

Vermont Hard Cider Co. President and Chief Executive Officer Bret Williams estimates that when he joined the Middlebury, Vt.-based company in 1996 as its first sales associate that the company shipped approximately 300,000 cases a year. In 2012, the company shipped 3 million cases of its Woodchuck Hard Cider brand, he says.

 Although juices have long been a popular start to the day because of their wholesome nutrition, vitamins and more, the category has experienced numerous innovations aligning with consumer trends.  

Dublin-based C&C Group, manufacturer of cider brands in Ireland and the U.K., will acquire Vermont Hard Cider Co., Middlebury, Vt., for $305 million.

In September, Crown Imports will begin importing Somersby Hard Apple Cider, part of the Carlsberg portfolio, into select U.S. markets.

Daesang America Inc., the U.S. subsidiary of Daesang Group, launched Vinki juice drinks in Blueberry and Pomegranate varieties.

Tenth and Blake Beer Co., the craft and import division of Chicago-based MillerCoors, acquired Crispin Cider Co., Minneapolis. The acquisition gives the division a significant presence in the beer industry’s fast-growing hard cider category, according to the company.

Crispin Cider Co.’s 2012 annual whiskey cask aged hard cider, Stagger Lee, was named after the same-named famous song.