“ANXO Logistics will open the First Street Cannery to the public weekends only and weather­permitting starting in April of 2019”

Big news from ANXO:

“Exciting news from ANXO Cider! The brand that has been incubating within the ANXO restaurants is finally getting its own home! “ANXO Logistics,” has signed a lease at 5419 1st St NW, just around the corner from Jackie Lee’s, and has purchased a state ­of ­the ­art counter­-pressure Codi canning line. Ten canned ciders will be released in 2019 and will all be, as always, “apples only,” gluten­free, and completely dry (all fermentable sugars removed through fermentation). Half the products will be sourced entirely with apples from farmers within 200 miles of DC, while the other half will feature famous cider apples grown beyond this region. Florida Avenue and Kennedy Street locations will continue to produce cider for the pubs, which have always been dedicated to hospitality in the Truxton Circle and Brightwood Park neighborhoods.

ANXO Cider is currently sold in DC, VA, MD, MA, ME, ND and Nova Scotia, with more states, provinces, and countries coming online in 2019. The new facility will allow ANXO to grow production from 30,000 gallons a year to 100,000 gallons a year, and core products like Cidre Blanc will move into painted cans, which will help bring the cost to consumer down. ANXO paid 100% of their farmers in their first year, an accomplishment many cideries struggle to achieve, and for 2019 ANXO has committed to purchase $500,000 of apples from American farmers. Over time, ANXO plans to transition purchasing to 100% local, and is working with their neighbors now to put trees in the ground that will make that possible in three to five years. This fall, ANXO will begin a tree­planting program, encouraging Washingtonians to take advantage of living within apple country, with the hope of growing production of DCAF, ANXO’s 100% DC­foraged cider, into something that can be canned throughout the year.

Currently, you can find ANXO Cider at DC supermarkets, liquor stores, corner stores, restaurants, bars, hotels and festivals. ANXO is sold in DC by Premium Distributors. If your favorite bottle shop or neighborhood spot doesn’t have ANXO, ask them to call Premium! In the coming months, ANXO Cider will have its own website and social media, and wholesale partners for each territory will be listed as they are added. ANXO is currently looking for distribution in North Carolina, eastern PA, southern NJ, Chicago, and Omaha, as there are accounts ready to order in each!

ANXO Logistics will open the First Street Cannery to the public weekends only and weather­permitting starting in April of 2019, as well as for private events and festivals. Only ANXO cans will be sold for on­and­off­premise consumption. The focus will be on new can releases and enjoying nice days outside with a can of dry cider on a ten­person patio. The Cannery, which occupies the entire 2,200 square foot basement of a five­story structure being built by Coloma River Capital, is accessed via an alley off of 1st Street NW and features six 1,750­gallon stainless steel fermenters that will provide a dramatic backdrop to what is otherwise an open, large and fun space filled with cider­making activity.

Basque Bar LLC will continue to operate the two ANXO restaurants, which will feature cider made by both companies, and plans to install a full kitchen at Kennedy Street are nearly complete. Basque Bar owners Sam Fitz, Rachel Fitz, Cooper Sheehan, and Alex and Sara Vallcorba have brought in new partners Jason Burnett and original investor Ward Elliot to help facilitate growth of the Basque Bar ANXO locations, and cidermaker Greg Johnson has earned equity in the company after an remarkable year of making a LOT of nationally recognized cider with practically no space in which to do it.

The same ownership team is behind ANXO Logistics, and the two companies will share many interests and assets. For the public, you’re just getting more ANXO! For ANXO, splitting into two companies, one with a production focus and the other hospitality, allows for each to grow smartly and effectively. DC is the #DistrictOfCider and ANXO is thankful for the receptive consumer base that allows ANXO to make and serve the best wine from apples without sacrificing quality at any step. If you’re not familiar with ANXO, the next time you pick up a cider, ask yourself “What’s in this?” If it’s an ANXO cider, the answer is just apples!

The Cannery is set to begin production in November, with online presence established by the end of September. Label art for the new products (above) is also being finalized by designer Cooper Sheehan. In the meantime, the product release schedule is below!”