Local cider maker opens new taproom in Tempe this week

In 2019, three members of the Thorn family turned a hobby into a business and launched Six Byrd Cider Co. The cidery’s production site moved to Tempe earlier this spring, and the space also includes a new 1,000-square-foot taproom, which is set to open on Friday. Ciders start pouring at 3 p.m.

Brothers Eric and Jared are the operations manager and head cider maker, respectively, and their cousin Jackson is in charge of sales and distribution. Eric learned about fruit wine while studying in Austria. His roommate’s family was in the business of making apple and plum wine.

When he returned home to Arizona, Eric couldn’t find similar semi-sweet products and started making hard cider at home. His younger brother Jared became interested by the simple, natural process.

“It’s much less formal than beer making and allows for a broad spectrum of creative flavors using fruit, herbs and spices. Honestly, I’m often inspired by the juice aisle at the grocery store,” Jared says.

Throughout the year, Six Byrd offers a rotation of 75 ciders with new flavors added each week. Prickly Pom and Hazy Apple are two core favorites that are easy to drink and enjoy.

“Creating new ciders every week gives people something to look forward to. The flavors are often based on the season or something going on,” Jackson says.

Spring flavors include lavender, elderberry and Who’s Your Caddy, a version of the Arnold Palmer. Summer brings more tropical flavors while the fall season offers comforting favorites like caramel apple, maple and cranberry spice. The five-ounce flights are an ideal way to sample the craft brew.

The Thorns do everything themselves. They sell their locally pressed cider to several breweries, restaurants and stores in the Phoenix metro area, along with spots in Tucson, Prescott and Flagstaff. The trio have also been working to increase their production capacity and grow their presence in the Valley, Eric says.

“This is a unique offering in the craft community and we want it to be accessible to everyone,” he says.

The new location in Tempe provides a larger space for them to produce 12 to 16 ciders each week. And the cider makers are excited for the new taproom, which will provide more face time with people tasting their creations.

“There’s a lot of engagement and interaction with our customers,” Jared says. “We like that connection and sense of community.”

While the original Arcadia location on Indian School Road has a scratch kitchen that serves delectable pizza and other tasty bites, the new Tempe location does not. Instead, they plan to host food trucks and other special events.

“We’re super excited to have a taproom as part of the production space and everything together where people can just drop in,” Jackson says.

Six Byrd Cider Co.

3619 E. Indian School Road
Opens Friday: 1920 E. University Drive, Tempe