Sauerkraut Soup with Sausage - Woodchuck Cider

Ingredients

• 1 pound smoked sausage, such as kielbasa, diced
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 1 rib celery, finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• ¾ bottle Woodchuck Amber Hard Cider
• 1 (32 ounce) jar sauerkraut, drained and rinsed briefly
• 8 cups canned low-sodium chicken broth
• 1 cup peeled and cubed potatoes
• 3 sprigs fresh thyme
• ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper