Our Mission and Vision

Our mission as a company is to lead the way in building Indiana into a cider state. We will accomplish this by educating our customers about what cider is and the potential that it holds as an historical and international beverage that is undergoing a rapid evolution in the hands of modern cidermakers. More cider enthusiasts will help us achieve our vision of supporting local and regional orchards, providing opportunities for them to expand their revenue streams and reach new customers. 

We don’t approach cider as a zero-sum game. Since we opened in 2016, other cideries have opened across the state, which we love seeing and supporting. More people drinking craft, locally made ciders increases the strength of the cider industry across the board. We want to expand the tent of cidermakers and drinkers and build Indiana into a cider state.

Community Involvement

Since our founding, we have striven to support our cidermaking community through our business as much as we can. We strive to support the region’s fruit producers by buying specialty apples from local orchards like Tuttle Orchards and Beasley’s Orchard and sourcing other cider ingredients from the Midwest, like tart cherries, blueberries, and blackberries.

We also give partner with several local nonprofits and organizations. Some of our key partners include IYG, GANGGANG, Stonewall Sports, The Damien Center, Indy Eleven, Indy Fuel, The Audubon Society, and the Indiana Native Plant Society.

Our Story

Ash & Elm Cider Co. was opened in the summer of 2016 by husband and wife team Aaron and Andréa Homoya. Cider became their passion after a trip to Ireland when they sampled some ciders that opened their eyes to the variety and sophistication of the beverage. After their return, Aaron - already an avid beer and wine maker - started crafting ciders as well, and it didn’t take long before it was his sole focus. They realized that Indianapolis didn’t have much of a cider scene, and thought that their approach to cider could interest people locally as well as help usher in a new generation of cidermakers and drinkers in the state. 

As a company, Ash & Elm Cider Co. strives to make quality ciders using apples from around the Midwest and to help cultivate the market for craft cider in Indianapolis. Each cider we make - from traditional heirloom-apple blends to more modern and esoteric styles - uses fresh-pressed apple juice that is never from concentrate and uses all-natural ingredients. We hand-peel every lemon that goes into Fleeting Youth; we use real fruit infusions in our fruited ciders instead of syrups or fruit concentrates; we crush, toast, and blend whole spices into our spiced ciders like Autumntide and Marigold. Though we release a wide range of styles, you’ll know you’re drinking an Ash & Elm Cider Co. cider by our focus on making complex, drinkable, apple-forward ciders.

Our Team

Andréa Homoya, Founder and CEO

With a background in sales, consulting, and management, Andréa handles the day-to-day operations of Ash & Elm Cider Co. She is particularly interested in growing our brand presence through distribution and sales strategies, along with coordinating all of the moving parts of a small business.

Andrea grew up all over the world, spending her youth in Tanzania, California, and Singapore before settling in Indianapolis. She enjoys trail runs, cooking, reading, and taking care her sons, Soren and Enzo.

Favorite Cider: Del Camino

Joseph Kilbourn, Cidermaker

Meet the man behind the cider. Our first hire, Joseph believed in Ash & Elm Cider Co. from day -1, before we had even opened our doors. His role has grown significantly over the years, and he now manages our entire production team, overseeing the cidermaking process from juice delivery to packaging. Joseph makes each cider with care (and obsession) so that it has the potential to become someone’s new favorite. A mechanic at heart, Joseph loves tinkering with and figuring out each piece of equipment at the cidery, which has saved us from countless service calls over the years!

Outside of work, Joseph teaches classical guitar and enjoys spending time with his wife and cats.

Favorite A&E Cider: Headlong

Jake Kenney, General Manager Indy Taproom

Jake is the man behind the scenes at our restaurant and cider bar. After years of bartending and serving throughout Chicago and Indianapolis, Jake has been a fun addition to our restaurant team. As GM, he makes sure our servers, bartenders, and kitchen team have everything they need to provide excellent customer service and knowledgeable food and cider suggestions. He also spends a fair bit of time yelling at his computer when we have a slow internet connection.

When Jake isn’t at the restaurant, you can find him hanging out in SoBro at his favorite haunts and making fancy bourbon-based cocktails.

Favorite A&E Cider: Wayfinder

MaryAnna Ferris, Account Representative

MaryAnna has been a big fan of cider for the last three years as part of our events team and as a server and bartender in our restaurant. An avid learner, MaryAnna brings enthusiasm and curiosity to everything she does. She’s jumped right into being our first official Account Rep and is excited to more formally spread the love of Ash & Elm Cider Co.

MaryAnna spends her free time traveling around the US in her RV with her husband and Basset Hound, Hoshi and loves curling up with a good book.

Favorite A&E Cider: Wayfinder

Aaron Homoya, Founder and CFO

As the Chief Fermentation Officer, Aaron is responsible for your original favorite Ash & Elm Cider Co. flavors. He is especially interested in forging long-term partnerships with Indiana’s apple producers and hopes to one day have an orchard of his own to supply our company with heirloom apples.

Aaron has spent the last dozen years making beer, wine, and cider. He enjoys spending time with his family and traveling to other cider-producing regions.

Favorite Cider: Del Camino

Liz Munson, Online Sales Manager

Liz started with Ash & Elm Cider Co. in the fall of 2021, right at the peak of cider season and all that comes with it. Not an easy introduction!

She is responsible for getting cider right into the hands of all our great fans around the USA through our online cider subscription program and online store. Liz manages to do it with a cool, dry wit and an eye for making things better and easier on everyone around her.

When Liz isn’t working, you can find her with her husband and kids (and probably their friends and their kids) traveling around, hanging out, and laughing together.

Favorite A&E Cider: Agave Habanero

Audrey Black, Events Manager

Audrey has worked with us for three years on our events team and recently took the plunge to become our Events Manager! Audrey is always positive, always ready to jump in to help out, and one of the few members of our team who can set up a pop-up tent without help.

In her role, she’s responsible for making sure all of the many events we attend are managed well, staffed with smiling faces, and lead to a bunch of new cider fans.

On her days off, Audrey is a devoted mom to a dog and two cats, loves weightlifting, and going to concerts.

Favorite A&E Cider: Headlong

Bryn Kent, General Manager Carmel Taproom

Bryn has been a fan of Ash & Elm for awhile now, Autumntide is the cider that got him hooked. When he saw we were looking for a general manager for our newest Carmel Taproom, he made his way down from Holland, Michigan with his wife, who he met while living in South Korea for a few years.

Bryn is originally is from South Africa and he says he’s a lover of all things nerdy. If you are in our Carmel taproom make sure to welcome Bryn to the city, ask him which nerdy things are his favorite.

Favorite A&E Cider: Autumntide

Work With Us

Looking for a change of pace? We are hiring for the below positions. Click on the links below for job descriptions and information on how to apply.

Open Positions

Carmel Taproom

Host - help us guide everyone who comes in to a great experience, while also assisting with carry-out cider sales

Server - join our team in sharing the best cider and food experiences with our guests

Events Team

Farmer’s Market Staff - if you live in the Lafayette area, we are looking for help to work the farmer’s market a couple Saturday mornings each month