The Brand

Stem Ciders, founded in Colorado in 2013, is a craft cidery redefining American cider with high-quality, dry-focused offerings. Using fresh-pressed apples and minimal intervention, they create crisp, balanced ciders that emphasize acidity and complexity over sweetness. Their flagship, Real Dry, showcases this approach being a clean, bone-dry cider for those seeking a sophisticated, wine-like cider experience.

The Tension

Gen Z wants adult, sophisticated drinking experiences but without the alcohol. However, the non-alcohol landscape often serves them beverages that feel childish and overly sweet. 

The Context

Gen Z is rewriting drinking culture. They’re more health-conscious, intentional and more interested in flavor than buzz. They’re actively exploring sober-curious lifestyles but still crave beverages with depth, complexity and a sense of ritual. 

Stem’s 0% Proof Ciders sit in a category that’s still misunderstood. Many assume “non-alcoholic cider” means sweet apple juice. Stem’s version is the opposite: dry, structured, layered, and crafted with the same fermentation-forward mindset as wine, just without the alcohol. The brand has an opportunity to reset expectations and redefine what non-alcoholic cider can be.