Folks at Angry Orchard celebrated its signature beverage Saturday for what they billed as National Cider Day, bringing more exposure to the industry and changing perceptions about cider. 

Ryan Burk, who heads the cider making at Angry Orchard, says they're working to educate and gain new cider lovers in an industry dominated by beer. In the U.S., cider only makes up about 1.3 percent of the amount of beer sales—compared to 22 percent in the U.K., according to a study from Nielsen.

But despite the numbers, cider makers like Karl duHoffmann of Orchard Hill Cider Mill say it's an industry that is ripe for growth, especially in Hudson Valley Apple Country, where there are at least 20 local cideries.

“With the different cider producers we have here, we're really a center of excellence for hard cider and it's only going to get more and more known for that,” said duHoffmann.

According to the data from Nielsen, local craft cideries saw a 39 percent growth between 2015 and 2016. After law changes allowing the growth of the cider industry, farms like Soons Orchards could add a whole new dimension to business. 

"It's made a huge difference and that's why you see everyone popping up with all of these craft breweries and craft wineries, it's fantastic, and it's a huge tourism draw, too," says Sharon Soons, of Soons Orchard.