Six Byrd Cider, a cidery founded in Tempe in 2019 as Crush Craft Cider, is preparing to open a new location at 1920 E University Dr.
The company’s second location is set to move into the former home of Sleepy Dog Saloon & Brewery. Co-owner Jackson Thorn tells What Now Phoenix that the team, which includes Jared and Eric Thorn, hopes to open this location in mid-to-late March 2025. Unlike the original location at 3619 East Indian School Road, this Six Byrd Cider site will not have any food available, considering the space is smaller than the Arcadia location. Jackson says they are considering having food trucks out front as a food alternative.
While there won’t be any food available on-site, there will be an assortment of delicious ciders on draft, cider flights, and other alcoholic beverages. The new Six Byrd Cider location will accommodate approximately 30 guests indoors, with no outdoor seating. Jackson tells What Now Phoenix that although they are excited about this next chapter for the company, they are already looking ahead. Once this location is well-established, Jackson hopes to expand again, possibly within a year or two. He aims to find a space in Downtown that includes a patio. In the meantime, the team is relocating their production supplies from Tempe to the new site.
“We combine traditional wisdom with new technology and equipment to create different ciders that range from dry to semi-sweet. At Six Byrd, we work to elevate cider and demonstrate the versatility of our fine craft. Out of frustration to find a quality dry cider, Six Byrd Cider was created to bridge the gap between wine and beer. Arizonans now have a local cidery that creates the “not overly sweet” cider found today. Ranging from dry to semi-sweet, we offer a cider that will suit anyone’s palate.”
