Cider Australia is the peak body for the cider and perry industries in Australia.

Cider makers and cider drinkers from across the country will join together to celebrate Australian Cider Day on Saturday 9th March.

Held at the beginning of Autumn when orchards are heavy with fruit and cider makers prepare for their busiest time of the year, this day acknowledges and encourages appreciation of Australian craft cider and the community it creates.

Australian Cider Day is an annual event. It draws attention to Cider Australia’s 100% Australian Grown trust mark, an industry-owned and led initiative which raises awareness of product origin by identifying ciders made from Australian grown apples and pears.

By choosing ciders displaying the trust mark – consumers are supporting cider producers, orchardists and regional economic growth.

The Australian cider industry will mark this day by organising cider festivals, tastings and other fun activities to educate drinkers about quality Australian craft cider – for inspiration check out the Napoleone Cider Festival being held in the Yarra Valley and Flying Brick Cider Company’s annual scarecrow competition.

Cider Australia features Australian Cider Day events on its website and promotes use of the social media hashtag #drinkaustraliancider.

For more details visit www.cideraustralia.org.au/australianciderday or the Cider Australia Facebook page.

– Ends –

 

Media enquiries

Contact Cider Australia executive officer Jane Anderson on
0434 559 759 or office@cideraustralia.org.au or visit www.cideraustralia.org.au.

About Cider Australia 

Cider Australia is an independent, not-for-profit organisation funded by cider businesses and sponsors, established in 2012. It aims to build a sustainable cider category by undertaking activities that improve the quality of ciders produced and marketed in Australia. The organisation represents the interests of the cider industry to policy makers, calling for regulations and policies that support a diverse and evolving cider industry, and runs the national cider conference AusCider and the Australian Cider Awards.

About the trust mark and Australian Cider Day

The 100% Australian Grown trust mark and Australian Cider Day are industry-led initiative intended to reinforce the premium quality of Australian craft cider and drive integrity in the market.

The trust mark can only be displayed on ciders made from 100% Australian grown ingredients. It highlights what makes Australian craft ciders unique – the fact they are made with Australian grown fruit rather than imported juice concentrate which goes into an estimated 90% of the ciders sold in Australia. The trust mark was developed with the support of the Australian Government’s $50 million Export and Regional Wine Support Package, and levy funds from the Australian Apple Marketing Levy managed by Hort Innovation.

Cider Australia established Australian Cider Day to fall on the second Saturday of March each year. Launched four years ago, the purpose of day is to raise awareness of the 100% Australian Grown trust mark and create an occasion to educate drinkers and celebrate Australian Cider. 

Cider Australia announced the winners of the 2023 Australian Cider Awards at a gala dinner in Melbourne last night.

Tasmanian producer Plenty Cider was awarded Best in Show with Apple + Blueberry along with the Best Specialty Cider and Most Successful Small Producer trophies.

The quality of entries this year left the judges impressed with a record 75% of all ciders entered receiving a medal, showing how hard the industry is working to eliminate technical faults, meet style expectations and test the boundaries with new and exciting products.

A field of 219 local and international entries from 62 producers was judged by a highly skilled and diverse panel of nine judges led by chair Briony Liebich of consultancy Flavour Logic. Guest judge Darlene Hayes from the United States added valuable insight on global trends.

Thirteen gold medals and nine trophies were awarded. The Dry New World Cider class was a standout class with three gold medals awarded.

2023 Trophy winners:

Best in Show: Plenty Cider with Apple + Blueberry (TAS)

Best New World Cider: Hillbilly Cider with Apple (NSW)

Best Traditional Cider: Simple Cider with Wild Heritage Blend (TAS)

Best Perry: Napoleone Cider with Napoleone Pear Cider (VIC)

Best Specialty Cider or Perry: Plenty Cider with Apple + Blueberry (TAS)

Best Intensified / Distilled Cider or Perry: Carmel Cider Company with Apple Brandy (WA)

Best International Cider or Perry: Peckham’s with Stoke Red (NZ)

Most Successful Small Producer: Plenty Cider (TAS)

Most Successful Larger Producer: Hillbilly Cider (NSW)

Cider Australia also honours individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the Australian cider industry over a prolonged period of time through its Champion of the Industry Award. This Award was presented to Max Allen.

For a full list of award and medal winners visit: cideraustralia.org.au/past-results/2023-results 

– Ends –

Media enquiries

Contact Cider Australia executive officer Jane Anderson on 0434 559 759 or
office@cideraustralia.org.au or visit www.cideraustralia.org.au.

About Cider Australia 

Cider Australia is an independent, not-for-profit organisation funded by cider businesses and sponsors, established in 2012. It aims to build a sustainable cider category by undertaking activities that improve the quality of ciders produced and marketed in Australia. The organisation represents the interests of the cider industry to policy makers, calling for regulations and policies that support a diverse and evolving cider industry, and runs the Australian Cider Awards and the national AusCider conference.

About the Awards

The Awards is the largest cider competition in Australia and is leading the standardisation and improvement of cider judging across Australia. The judging panel comprised:

  • Briony Liebich (Flavour Logic) (chair)
  • Darlene Hayes (Certified Pommelier™ educator and writer) (international guest judge)
  • Max Allen (wine and drinks writer)
  • Nyall Condon (Flying Brick Cider Co)
  • Adam D’Arcy (Plenty Cider)
  • Lindsy Greig (Certified Cicerone® The 5th Ingredient)
  • Rob Hall (Napoleone Cider Bar) (associate)
  • Emma Penny (Certified Cicerone® Stomping Ground Brewery) (associate)
  • Jenny Polack (Bacchus Academy)

Chair of judges – Briony Liebich

Briony is a sensory analyst and tasting coach. Growing up in a winemaking family gave Briony a good grounding in the booze industry and developed her appreciation for good drinks. After working in winery laboratories, Briony became a sensory analyst running wine and food research projects and training sensory panellists. She side-stepped into the beer world and led the sensory program at Lion’s West End Brewery for 10 years working with beer, cider and RTD’s. During that time, she gained valuable judging experience at beer and cider awards and became a Certified Cicerone ®. Since West End’s closure, Briony has revamped her Flavour Logic brand to help drive a quality focus and improve tasting skills within the alcoholic beverage industry. She is a qualified trainer, writes regularly for Beer and Brewer, and runs educational workshops for consumers, hospitality staff and industry professionals.

Guest international judge – Darlene Hayes

Darlene Hayes, dipWEST and Certified Pommelier™, is a writer and educator living in Sonoma County, California. She’s been fascinated by apples and cider since she and her husband built a house next to a 100+ year old apple orchard. Ever curious, she has since been doing research, historical and otherwise, on numerous apple varieties and the ciders made from them. For the last six years Darlene has been working with the American Cider Association on their Certified Cider Professionals program developing content to educate beverage professionals and enthusiasts alike on the breadth and depth of what cider has to offer. She is a well-respected international cider judge and the editor of the cider and apple-themed zine, Malus as well as writing about cider and apples for a variety of publications and at www.allintocider.com. Her book, Cider Cocktails–Another Bite of the Apple, was the first book on the modern exploration of using cider in cocktails.

2023 Best in Class Winners

Class 1

Dry New World Cider

Bilpin Cider Co

Bilpin Archibald
High N Dry

NSW

Class 2

Medium New World

Cider

Hills Cider

Apple

SA

Class 3

Medium Sweet New World Cider

Hillbilly Cider

Apple

NSW

Class 4

Sweet New World Cider

Hillbilly Cider

Sweet Julie

NSW

Class 5

New World MT Cider

Bradys Lookout Cider

Cuvee 13 – Cox Orange Pippin Blend

TAS

Class 6

Dry Traditional Cider

Simple

Wild Heritage Blend

TAS

Class 7

Medium Traditional
Cider

Plenty

2022 Cornucopia

TAS

Class 8

Medium Sweet Traditional Cider

Daylesford Cider

Organic Kingston Black

VIC

Class 9

Sweet Traditional Cider

Ecusson

Cidre Rosé

FRANCE

Class 10

Traditional MT Cider

St Ronans Cider

Methode Traditionelle
Apple Cider

VIC

Class 11

Apple and Pear Blends

DV Cider

Pulp Friction

VIC

Class 21

Dry New World Perry

TWISTED SISTER

Twisted Sister Pear Cider

VIC

Class 22

Medium New World Perry

Napoleone Cider

Napoleone Pear Cider

VIC

Class 23

Medium Sweet New World Perry

Eddies Cider

Smooth Pear

VIC

Class 24

Sweet New World Perry

Frank’s Cider

Summer Pear

TAS

Class 25

New World MT Perry

St Ronans Cider

Methode Traditionelle Pear Cider

VIC

Class 26

Dry Traditional Perry

Hart’s Farm

Pear Cider

VIC

Class 27

Medium Traditional Perry

 

no entries

 

Class 28

Medium Sweet
Traditional Perry

 

no entries

 

Class 29

Sweet Traditional Perry

 

no entries

 

Class 30

Traditional MT Perry

 

no entries

 

Class 31

Experimental Cider or Perry

Carmel Cider

Apple Pie Moonshine

WA

Class 31A

No-Low Alc Cider or Perry

Bilpin Cider Co

Bilpin Non Alc Apple & Ginger

NSW

Class 33

Cider or Perry with Fruit

Plenty

Apple + Blueberry

TAS

Class 34

Lighter Strength Cider or Perry

PRAH

Wild Red

TAS

Class 35

Cider or Perry with
Botanicals

DV Cider

Roadknight

VIC

Class 36

Wood Aged Cider or Perry

Willie Smith’s Tasmanian

Brandy Barrel Aged Apple Cider

TAS

Class 41

Ice Cider or Perry

 

no entries

 

Class 42

Pommeau

Carmel Cider

Mistelle

WA

Class 43

Eau de Vie (Apple or Pear Spirit)

St Andrews Beach Brewery

Home Track Apple Vodka

VIC

Class 44

Aged Apple or Pear Spirit

Carmel Cider

Apple Brandy

WA

 

Cider Australia in collaboration with the American Cider Association will host a Level 1: Certified Cider Professional workshop in Melbourne on 18 October 2023.

Do you sell cider or work in a cidery or retail shop? Are you a chef, sommelier, cicerone, buyer or cidermaker? Do you just love cider and want to be able to spread the word with some serious cider knowledge to back it up? Then this workshop is perfect for you.

The CCP Program was developed by the American Cider Association to provide food and beverage professionals and enthusiasts worldwide with the knowledge and skills to understand and share the joy and nuance of cider. The program currently has two distinct levels of certification. The Level 1: CCP is designed as a fundamental course and is a prerequisite for the second level of certification. Level 2: Certified Pommelier™ is a more advanced certification that covers more in depth knowledge, and a blind sensory evaluation.

Attendees will enjoy a two and a half hour workshop and tasting session with dipWEST and Certified Pommelier™ Darlene Hayes, a writer and educator from Sonoma County, California. To obtain a Certified Cider Professional Level One designation, attendees must take an online test after the tasting session (please bring your own computer) or online within 30 days.

Cost to attend is $150 per person and includes the tasting and test fee. Attendees must be 18+ (please bring ID). Tickets are limited so be quick!

About the Host

Darlene Hayes has been fascinated by apples and cider since she and her husband built a house next to a 100+ year old apple orchard. Ever curious, she has since been doing research, historical and otherwise, on numerous apple varieties and the ciders made from them. For the last six years Darlene has been working with the American Cider Association on their Certified Cider Professionals program developing content to educate beverage professionals and enthusiasts alike on the breadth and depth of what cider has to offer.

Darlene is a well-respected international cider judge and the editor of the cider and apple-themed zine, Malus as well as writing about cider and apples for a variety of publications and at www.allintocider.com. Her book, Cider Cocktails–Another Bite of the Apple, was the first book on the modern exploration of using cider in cocktails.

Darlene is the guest international judge at the 2023 Australian Cider Awards.

(updated)

Cider Australia has announced Briony Liebich as Chair of Judges for this year’s Australian Cider Awards.

“Briony has served as a cider judge across many years and her wide ranging sensory expertise is respected in the industry”, said Cider Australia President Warwick Billings.

“As the Chair, Briony will be instrumental in ensuring the Awards maintains its strong reputation and continues to bring value to the Australian cider industry. She will be joined by a respected team of judges with expertise across beverage production, marketing, communication and education”, he said.

“The judges’ assessment is holistic and in-step with industry trends and innovations, with diversity of expertise ensuring a robust process as they make their way through the 30 different styles of cider.

“The Australian Cider Awards has been celebrating excellence in cider making since it was established in 2011, and we are proud that winning a medal remains a prestigious achievement”, said Warwick.

Enter the 2023 Australian Cider Awards online via https://wineshowpro.azurewebsites.net/views/auth/login

The Award winners will be announced on Thursday 26 October at a gala industry dinner in Melbourne. Tickets are on sale now via Eventbrite.

Key dates

Awards entries close Fri 22 Sep 2023
Deliver samples Mon 25 Sep – Fri 6 Oct 2023
US cider master class hosted by guest international judge Darlene Hayes Sun 15 Oct 2023 (6.00-7.30pm)
Golden Gate Hotel, South Melbourne (Tickets)
Judging (closed to the public) Mon 16 & Tue 17 Oct 2023
William Angliss Institute, Melbourne
Awards presentation dinner Thu 26 Oct 2023 (6.00-10.00pm)
The Victoria Hotel, Melbourne (Tickets)

FULL DETAILS ON AWARD CLASSES AND RULES CAN BE FOUND HERE.

– Ends –

Media enquiries

Contact Cider Australia executive officer Jane Anderson on
0434 559 759 or office@cideraustralia.org.au or visit www.cideraustralia.org.au.

About Cider Australia 

Cider Australia is an independent, not-for-profit organisation funded by cider businesses and sponsors, established in 2012. It aims to build a sustainable cider category by undertaking activities that improve the quality of ciders produced and marketed in Australia. The organisation represents the interests of the cider industry to policy makers, calling for regulations and policies that support a diverse and evolving cider industry, and runs the Australian Cider Awards and the national AusCider conference.

About the Awards

The 12th annual Australian Cider Awards will be held in October 2023. The Awards is the largest cider competition in Australia and is leading the standardisation and improvement of cider judging across Australia. The judging panel brings expertise from across the alcoholic beverage industry and includes:

  • chair Briony Liebich (Flavour Logic)
  • international guest Darlene Hayes (writer and educator)
  • Max Allen (drinks journalist and author)
  • Nyall Condon (Flying Brick Cider Co)
  • Adam D’Arcy (Plenty Cider)
  • Jenny Polack (Bacchus Academy)
  • Rob Hall (Napoleone Cider Bar)

Chair of Judges – Briony Liebich

Briony is a sensory analyst, Certified Cicerone, beer educator, writer and judge. She was a judge at the Australian Cider Awards in 2016, 2018 and 2019.

Briony has worked in the beer, wine and food industries for 18 years and has extensive experience sampling, judging and consulting to large and small businesses.

Briony runs sensory consultancy Flavour Logic (www.flavourlogic.com) based in South Australia, working with the food and beverage industry and general consumers to improve tasting skills.

—  US Pommelier to guest judge —

National industry body Cider Australia today opened entries to the 2023 Australian Cider Awards which will be held in Melbourne in October.

Entrants will compete for accolades in 30 commercial classes with the expert judging panel to blind tastes hundreds of ciders, specialty ciders and apple and pear spirits in Australia’s largest cider competition.

President of Cider Australia and chair of the organising committee Warwick Billings said ciders that are not sold in Australia can enter for the first time this year as part of a three year trial, giving international producers the opportunity to test products in the Australian market.

“We are excited to announce this year’s guest judge, Darlene Hayes from the United States, a highly respected educator, judge and writer with a true passion for cider”, said Warwick.

“Darlene is a Certified Pommelier™ – a course of study akin to the Wine and Spirits Education Trust and the Court of Master Sommeliers but for cider rather than wine –bringing a well-rounded technical and international perspective to the judging table”.

Enter the 2023 Australian Cider Awards online via https://wineshowpro.azurewebsites.net/views/auth/login

Registrations close on Friday 22 September and the results will be announced on Thursday 26 October at a gala industry dinner in central Melbourne. Tickets will go on sale in August.

FULL DETAILS ON AWARD CLASSES AND RULES CAN BE FOUND HERE.

– Ends –

Key dates

Entries close

Fri 22 Sep 2023

Deliver entries

Mon 25 Sep – Fri 6 Oct 2023

Cider master class hosted by
Darlene Hayes

Sun 15 Oct 2023 (Melbourne, venue TBA)

Judging (closed to the public)

Mon 16 & Tue 17 Oct 2023 (William Angliss Institute, Melbourne)

Awards presentation dinner

Thu 26 Oct 2023 (Melbourne, venue TBA)

Media enquiries

Contact Cider Australia executive officer Jane Anderson on
0434 559 759 or office@cideraustralia.org.au or visit www.cideraustralia.org.au.

About Cider Australia 

Cider Australia is an independent, not-for-profit organisation funded by cider businesses and sponsors, established in 2012. It aims to build a sustainable cider category by undertaking activities that improve the quality of ciders produced and marketed in Australia. The organisation represents the interests of the cider industry to policy makers, calling for regulations and policies that support a diverse and evolving cider industry, and runs the national cider conference AusCider and the Australian Cider Awards.

About the Awards

The 12th annual Australian Cider Awards will be held in October 2023. The Awards is the largest cider competition in Australia and is leading the standardisation and improvement of cider judging across Australia. Judging of the Awards will be held on 16 & 17 October 2023 at the William Angliss Institute in Melbourne. The panel comprises 7 full judges and 4 associates and brings expertise from across the alcoholic beverage industry.

Guest international judge – Darlene Hayes

Darlene Hayes, dipWEST and Certified Pommelier™, is a writer and educator living in Sonoma County, California. She’s been fascinated by apples and cider since she and her husband built a house next to a 100+ year old apple orchard. Ever curious, she has since been doing research, historical and otherwise, on numerous apple varieties and the ciders made from them. For the last six years Darlene has been working with the American Cider Association on their Certified Cider Professionals program developing content to educate beverage professionals and enthusiasts alike on the breadth and depth of what cider has to offer. She is a well-respected international cider judge and the editor of the cider and apple-themed zine, Malus as well as writing about cider and apples for a variety of publications and at www.allintocider.com. Her book, Cider Cocktails–Another Bite of the Apple, was the first book on the modern exploration of using cider in cocktails.

Image below: Darlene Hayes, guest international judge at the 2023 Australian Cider Awards

The Australian cider industry is securing its future by checking the identity of cider apple varieties grown across Australia after research reveals some may be incorrectly named.

Cider Australia is collaborating with geneticists at Washington State University and the University of Queensland to compare the genetic fingerprints of cider apples in Australian commercial production with global datasets to establish if the varieties are true to type.

Samples are being collected from the extensive cider apple collection at Grove in Tasmania, together with private and publicly-owned orchards in Orange, New South Wales and other sites. Grove has been a primary source of materials for apple propagation and breeding in Australia and overseas for decades.

Cider Australia President Warwick Billings said confirming the identity of cider apples is important for the industry as it expands its plantings of purpose-grown cider fruit which are used to make premium styles of cider.

‘Different cider apple varieties can have wildly different properties and cider makers select and blend varieties to achieve many different styles of cider, said Warwick.

‘This is a fantastic opportunity to connect with global resources – the collaborative worldwide dataset is now at more than 6,000 apple cultivars (i.e. officially named varieties in cultivation) and selections – and to build an appreciation for the wealth of genetic materials held in Australia’, Warwick said.

Samples will be DNA-profiled by the MyFruitTree research lab located at Washington State University’s Department of Horticulture, using SNP genotyping technologies developed for use in US apple breeding programs.  

The Grove apple collection has global importance both historically and for current research on apple variety genetics being led by Professor Cameron Peace of Washington State University.

‘Grove is the only known source of several ancestors of worldwide significance and has been very influential in my research in establishing the pedigree relationships and origins of old and new cultivars’, said Cameron.

‘The materials must be preserved so they can be used in breeding of new and improved varieties to address future production needs, and the trees are also critical in genomics research to understand the valuable genetic factors they carry’, Cameron said.

‘As more of the uniqueness and identity of Grove cultivars are revealed, Grove will continue to supply collections and orchards with stock material of valuable Australian heirloom cultivars’, said Cameron

Dr Craig Hardner at the University of Queensland also uses materials from Grove in his genomic research, and is developing a new project that will use the collection as a vital resource for understanding climate changes adaptation and biosecurity resilience.

Cameron noted that some of the rare genetic factors of Australian heirloom cultivars in Grove are in descendant cultivars such as the Granny Smith, Cripps Pink, and Braeburn, while others have not yet been tapped.

‘There are several hundred more cultivars in the Grove collection still to be DNA-profiled and I expect more exciting discoveries when these are tested’, Cameron said.

– Ends –

Media enquiries

Contact Cider Australia executive officer Jane Anderson on
0434 559 759 or office@cideraustralia.org.au or visit www.cideraustralia.org.au.

About Cider Australia 

Cider Australia is an independent, not-for-profit organisation funded by cider businesses and sponsors, established in 2012. It aims to build a sustainable cider category by undertaking activities that improve the quality of ciders produced and marketed in Australia. The organisation represents the interests of the cider industry to policy makers, calling for regulations and policies that support a diverse and evolving cider industry, and runs the national cider conference AusCider and the Australian Cider Awards.

About DNA-profiling

Samples are being tested by the MyFruitTree research lab located at Washington State University’s Department of Horticulture. MyFruitTree employs the SNP array and KASP genotyping techniques and draws upon data gathered from thousands of apple and sweet cherry cultivars, and their descendants, that have been growing across the United States and other regions. This is a publicly accessible, fee-for-service facility provided through Washington State University.

About the Grove Apple Collection

The Grove apple collection is located near Hobart, Tasmania and contains over 400 apple varieties including around 40 cider-specific apple varieties.

Historically, the addition of Grove collection DNA profiles to the worldwide collaborative dataset has revealed ancestors that help connect pedigrees of cultivars, revealed ancestors of current commercially important cultivars, provided reference DNA profiles for verifying identity and revealing parentage of cultivars and selections in other regions of the world, and provided many new DNA profiles of cultivars not present in any other of the dozens of collections examined worldwide. 

Grove serves a key international role in conserving, understanding, and supplying the diversity of cultivated apple. It has supplied other collections and orchards with cultivars not obtainable anywhere else (often such cultivars are not Australian-bred but those that arose and once existed in Europe or North America hundreds of years ago). It has been used to restock the largest apple cultivar collection in the world, the Brogdale collection in the UK. The USDA collection holds many cultivars that came from the Grove collection. Other apple collections around the world have also obtained old cultivars sourced from Grove that were otherwise functionally extinct.

Historical information on the Grove collection can be found at: https://www.horticulture.com.au/globalassets/hort-innovation/historic-reports/the-reconditioning-of-the-pome-fruit-varietal-collection-at-grove-tasmania-ap10024.pdf

About Cameron Peace

Cameron Peace (Professor of Horticulture at Washington State University) is a long-time member of the international apple genetics community and a fruit enthusiast with family ties to Australia and the Tasmanian apple industry. Cameron’s research focuses on connecting pedigrees of apple cultivars, genetically dissecting traits of interest, tracking origins of valuable genetic factors, and determining which cultivars have inherited those factors and could pass them on. His research highlights the historical significance and connections of cultivars worldwide, predicts performance of cultivars in commercial settings, and encourages and provides useful information for breeding the next generations of improved cultivars.

Cameron has conducted extensive historical research on the Tasmanian apple germplasm. In 2019, Cameron DNA-profiled approximately 200 cultivars from the Grove collection that he and local researcher and apple industry expert Gordon Brown identified as important for collection management purposes and/or historical significance for Tasmania and Australia. The profiling revealed some interesting discoveries. The Grove collection contains both parents of the Granny Smith, which is a grandparent of the Cripps Pink (and its full sibling, Cripps Red, aka Sundowner®). It also contains ancestors of the popular commercial cultivar Braeburn and the cider apple cultivar, once also popular for fresh eating, Sturmer Pippin. He also found a significant proportion of the Grove cultivars tested to be incorrectly identified – some were determined to be a different cultivar than labelled, some had their correct identity determined, and some turned out to be the rootstock rather than the intended scion.

A national celebration of cider made from Australian grown apples and pears will be held across the country this Saturday 11 March 2023.

Australian Cider Day is an annual event that draws attention to Cider Australia’s 100% Australian Grown trust mark – an industry-led and owned initiative launched in 2018 to boost understanding about product origin.

Cider producers mark this annual day by organising cider events, tastings and other fun activities to educate drinkers about quality Australian cider. 

Cider Australia President Warwick Billings said the trust mark and Australian Cider Day highlight what makes Australian craft ciders unique – the fact they are made with Australian grown fruit rather than imported juice concentrate which goes into an estimated 90% of the ciders sold in Australia.

‘By choosing ciders that display the trust mark, drinkers are supporting Australian fruit growers and their communities and boosting Australian jobs in the craft cider industry’, Warwick said.

More than 80 Australian cider producers are now registered to use the trust mark.

Cider Australia features Australian Cider Day events on its website and promotes use of the social media hashtag #drinkaustraliancider so everyone can see what the Australian cider community is up to.

For more details visit www.cideraustralia.org.au/australianciderday or the Australian Cider Day Facebook page.

 

– Ends –

 

Media enquiries

Contact Cider Australia executive officer Jane Anderson on 0434 559 759 or office@cideraustralia.org.au or visit www.cideraustralia.org.au.

About Cider Australia 

Cider Australia is an independent, not-for-profit organisation funded by cider businesses and sponsors, established in 2012. It aims to build a sustainable cider category by undertaking activities that improve the quality of ciders produced and marketed in Australia. The organisation represents the interests of the cider industry to policy makers, calling for regulations and policies that support a diverse and evolving cider industry, and runs the national cider conference AusCider and the Australian Cider Awards.

About the trust mark and Australian Cider Day

Cider Australia’s 100% Australian Grown trust mark is an industry-led initiative to reinforce the premium quality of Australian craft cider and drive integrity in the market. The trust mark can only be displayed on ciders made from 100% Australian grown ingredients. The trust mark was developed with the support of the Australian Government’s $50 million Export and Regional Wine Support Package, and levy funds from the Australian Apple Marketing Levy managed by Hort Innovation.

Cider Australia has established an Australian Cider Day to fall on the second Saturday of March each year. The purpose of day is to raise awareness of the 100% Australian Grown trust mark and create an occasion to educate drinkers and celebrate Australian Cider. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Australian cider industry’s national conference will be held in the Perth Hills of Western Australia from 3-5 May.

Organised by national industry body Cider Australia, AusCider brings together cider producers, fruit growers, researchers and cider industry representatives from across Australia and overseas.

Warwick Billings, President of Cider Australia, said the conference will deliver a unique program of technical, sensory, science, production and business-related cider education across 2.5 days of seminars, networking events and behind-the-scenes visits to local orchards and cideries.

“This year’s conference theme is The Business of Cider. Keynote speaker Ryan Burk from the United States will join Australian and international experts to discuss the hows and whys of running successful craft cider businesses.

“We are excited about holding our first event in Western Australia as it will allow us to forge stronger linkages with the Western Australian cider community and showcase the innovations and developments happening in Western Australia and beyond”, said Warwick.

AusCider 2023 is proudly presented by fermentis and Pomewest and generously supported by local partners and sponsors including the Western Australian Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development.

For more information visit www.cideraustralia.org.au/auscider

 

– Ends –

 

Media enquiries

Contact Cider Australia executive officer Jane Anderson on
0434 559 759 or office@cideraustralia.org.au or visit www.cideraustralia.org.au.

About Cider Australia 

Cider Australia is an independent, not-for-profit organisation funded by cider businesses and sponsors, established in 2012. It aims to build a sustainable cider category by undertaking activities that improve the quality of ciders produced and marketed in Australia. The organisation represents the interests of the cider industry to policy makers, calling for regulations and policies that support a diverse and evolving cider industry, and runs the national cider conference AusCider and the Australian Cider Awards.

About AusCider

AusCider is the cider industry’s annual information exchange and networking event connecting cider producers, fruit growers, researchers, suppliers and other industry representatives from Australia and overseas. The Batlow CiderFest committee and the NSW Department of Primary Industries organised and convened the first seven conferences (2012-2018) in Batlow, NSW. In 2019, Cider Australia and Batlow CiderFest agreed to transition management to the peak industry body to allow it to rotate between the key cider producing states of Australia.

About Ryan Burk – Keynote Speaker

From growing up in the epicentre of New York State apple production to leading some of the US’s most ambitious and industry defining cider programs, Ryan Burk (pictured right) has spent a life time with apples and cider. He helped establish and lead Virtue Cider in Michigan (acquired by ABI), and elevate America’s largest cider maker, Angry Orchard, taking the brand to new successes on both the national and local stage with the Innovation Cider House in Walden NY, where he focused on terroir driven ciders that have won awards around the world.

As dedicated industry advocate, Ryan has served on the board of The American Cider Association and is a founding board member of The Cider Institute of America, the US’s premier science-based education platform. He has been recognised for his industry advocacy, innovation and collaboration by Imbibe 75 People to Watch and Wine Enthusiast’s 40 Under 40.

Ryan is now making cider under his own label, Occam Cider Co. as well as co-founding Feel Goods Company, a full definition innovation pipeline development studio bringing beverage brands to life across categories.

Below: AusCider 2023 Keynote Speaker Ryan Burk

 

 

 

 

Cider Australia has announced the winners of the 2022 Australian Cider Awards at a gala dinner this evening at Lot 100 in the Adelaide Hills. 

William Smith & Sons from the Huon Valley in Tasmania won Best in Show, the Best Traditional Cider and Most Successful Larger Producer trophies, with their Heritage Blend Apple Cider wowing the judges with its deep apple characters, balanced tannins and lingering, bold finish. 

Hosted by Cider Australia and supported by a dedicated team of volunteers, the Awards promotes and rewards excellence in cider production. This is the 11th national show and the first presentation event to be held in South Australia. 

President of Cider Australia Warwick Billings said running the 2022 Awards to its traditional Spring schedule and with an international guest judge – Yann Gilles from France – was a significant achievement in a climate of ongoing disruption and uncertainty. 

A field of 212 Australian and international entries across 24 classes was judged by a panel of respected industry professionals led by chief judge Sebastian Crowther MS of Real Wines. Nine gold medals and eight trophies were awarded. 

2022 Australian Cider Award Trophy winners: 

Best in Show: William Smith & Sons with Heritage Blend Apple Cider (TAS) 
Best New World Cider: The Hills Cider Company with Apple Cider (SA) 
Best Traditional Cider: William Smith & Sons with Heritage Blend Apple Cider (TAS) 
Best Perry: Core Cider with Perilous 2020 (WA) 
Best Specialty Cider or Perry: Roleystone Brewing Co with Rosé Cheeks (WA) 
Best Intensified / Distilled Cider or Perry: Carmel Cider Company with Apple Brandy (WA) 
Most Successful Small Producer: LOBO Juice and Cider (SA) 
Most Successful Larger Producer: William Smith & Sons (TAS) 

Cider Australia also honours individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the Australian cider industry over a prolonged period of time through its Champion of the Industry Award. This Award was presented to Andrew Lea from the UK. 

A full list of award and medal winners can be found here

cideraustralia.org.au  

– Ends – 

Media enquiries 

Contact Cider Australia executive officer Jane Anderson on 0434 559 759 or office@cideraustralia.org.au or visit www.cideraustralia.org.au. 

About Cider Australia 

Cider Australia is an independent, not-for-profit organisation funded by cider businesses and sponsors, established in 2012. It aims to build a sustainable cider category by undertaking activities that improve the quality of ciders produced and marketed in Australia. The organisation represents the interests of the cider industry to policy makers, calling for regulations and policies that support a diverse and evolving cider industry, and runs the national cider conference AusCider and the Australian Cider Awards. 

About the Awards 

The 2022 Australian Cider Awards is the largest cider competition in Australia and is leading the standardisation and improvement of cider judging across Australia. The judging of the 2022 Awards was held on 7-8 November 2022 at the William Angliss Institute in Melbourne. The panel comprised 7 full judges and 4 associates, bringing expertise from across the alcoholic beverage industry including: 

  • chair Sebastian Crowther (Real Wines) 
  • international guest Yann Gilles (Malus & Vitis consulting, France) 
  • Nyall Condon (Flying Brick Cider Co) 
  • Lucy Maddox (Forest Dweller Wines) 
  • Vanessa Altmann (Mighty Craft) 
  • Dr Soumi Paul Mukhopadhyay (NSW Department of Primary Industries) 
  • Dale Cooper (Wine Domaine) 
  • Jason Hirsch (Dan Murphy’s) 
  • Emma Penny (cicerone student)

2022 Best in Class Winners

Class Best in Class
Class 1 – New World Cider Dry Lucidity Sturmer Pippin Apple Cider
William Smith & Sons, Tasmania, Australia
Class 2 – New World Cider Medium Apple Cider
The Hills Cider Company, South Australia, Australia
Class 3 – New World Cider Medium Sweet Perth Cider
Funk Cider, Western Australia, Australia
Class 4 – New World Cider Sweet Royal Apple Cider
Mock Red Hill, Victoria, Australia
Class 5 – New World Cider Mt (Disgorged) Bradys Lookout Cider 2018 Heritage Blend Mt Cuvee 12
Bradys Lookout Cider, Tasmania, Australia
Class 6 – Traditional Cider Dry LOBO Lenswulf
LOBO Juice And Cider, South Australia, Australia
Class 7 – Traditional Cider Medium Heritage Blend Apple Cider
William Smith & Sons, Tasmania, Australia
Class 8 – Traditional Cider Medium Sweet Plenty Cornucopia 2021
Plenty Cider , Tasmania, Australia
Class 9 – Traditional Cider Sweet Not Awarded
Class 10 – Traditional Cider Mt (Disgorged) MC Cider
Flying Brick Cider Co , Victoria, Australia
Class 11 – Speciality Styles Apple And Pear Blends LOBO Apple And Pear
LOBO Juice And Cider, South Australia, Australia
Class 21 – New World Perry Dry Upside Down Miss Jane
3 Sons Cider, Australian Capital Territory
Class 22 – New World Perry Medium Pear Cider
The Hills Cider Company, South Australia, Australia 
Class 23 – New World Perry Medium Sweet Squashed Pear Cider
The Barossa Valley Cider Company, South Australia, Australia
Class 24 – New World Perry Sweet Spreyton Pear Cider
Spreyton Cider Co, Tasmania, Australia
Class 25 – New World Perry Mt (Disgorged) St Ronan’s Methode Traditional Pear Cider
Edgar Pines, Victoria, Australia
Class 26 – Traditional Perry Dry Old Twelfth Perry
Old Twelfth, Tasmania, Australia
Class 27 – Traditional Perry Medium Not Awarded
Class 28 – Traditional Perry Medium Sweet Not Awarded
Class 29 – Traditional Perry Sweet Not Awarded
Class 30 – Traditional Perry Mt (Disgorged) Core Cider Perilous 2020
Core Cider, Western Australia, Australia
Class 31 – Speciality Styles Experimental Cider Or Perry Bilpin Non Alc Apple Ginger
Bilpin Cider Co, New South Wales, Australia
Class 33 – Speciality Styles Cider Or Perry With Fruit Rosè Cheeks
Roleystone Brewing Co, Western Australia
Class 34 – Speciality Styles Lighter Strength Cider Or Perry Darkes Perry
Glenbernie Orchard T/As Darkes Cider, NSW, Australia
Class 35 – Specialty Styles Cider Or Perry With Herbs\Spices Galaxy Hopped Apple Cider
Mismatch Brewing Co, South Australia, Australia

Class 41 – Intensified And Distilled Styles Ice Cider Or Perry

Not Awarded
Class 42 – Intensified And Distilled Styles Pommeau Harcourt Pommeau
Harcourt Perry & Cider Makers, Victoria, Australia
Class 43 – Intensified And Distilled Styles Eau De Vie Eau De Vie
Carmel Cider Company, Western Australia
Class 44 – Intensified And Distilled Styles Aged Spirit Apple Brandy
Carmel Cider Company, Western Australia

There is just over one week left to enter the 2022 Australian Cider Awards!

Cider producers and brand representatives are invited to enter ciders, speciality ciders and apple & pear spirits in Australia’s largest and most prestigious cider show.

Entries will be assessed blind by an accomplished panel of beverage and food industry professionals led by chair Master Sommelier Sebastian Crowther and including international guest judge Yann Gilles from France.

President of Cider Australia Warwick Billings said the Awards create an opportunity for entrants to market their Award-winning products with a recognised and respected stamp of quality, helping customers choose great examples of the many cider styles available in Australia.

“We are looking forward to announcing the winners at Australian cider industry’s annual gala dinner to be held in South Australia for the first time, at Lot 100 in the Adelaide Hills”, said Warwick.

Registrations to the Awards close on Friday 14 October. Enter online via myaca.melbourneroyal.com.au

Tickets to the presentation dinner are available via Eventbrite.

FULL DETAILS ON AWARD CLASSES AND RULES CAN BE FOUND HERE.

2022 Australian Cider Awards – Key dates

Entries open

Thu 8 Sep

Entries close

Fri 14 Oct

Deliver entries

Mon 17 Oct – Fri 28 Oct

Judging (closed to the public)

Mon 7 & Tue 8 Nov (William Angliss Institute, Melbourne)

Awards presentation dinner

Fri 18 Nov (Lot 100, Adelaide Hills)

– Ends –

Media enquiries

Contact Cider Australia executive officer Jane Anderson on
0434 559 759 or office@cideraustralia.org.au or visit www.cideraustralia.org.au.

About Cider Australia 

Cider Australia is an independent, not-for-profit organisation funded by cider businesses and sponsors, established in 2012. It aims to build a sustainable cider category by undertaking activities that improve the quality of ciders produced and marketed in Australia. The organisation represents the interests of the cider industry to policy makers, calling for regulations and policies that support a diverse and evolving cider industry, and runs the national cider conference AusCider and the Australian Cider Awards.

About the Awards

The 2022 Australian Cider Awards will be held in Spring 2022. The Awards is the largest cider competition in Australia and is leading the standardisation and improvement of cider judging across Australia. Judging of the 2022 Awards will be held on 7-8 November 2022 at the William Angliss Institute in Melbourne. The panel comprises 7 full judges and 4 associates and brings expertise from across the alcoholic beverage industry including:

  • chair Sebastian Crowther (Real Wines)
  • international guest Yann Gilles (Malus & Vitis, France)
  • Nyall Condon (Flying Brick Cider Co)
  • Lucy Maddox (Forest Dweller Wines)
  • Vanessa Altmann (Mighty Craft)
  • Lisa Cardelli (Terroir Selections)
  • Dr Soumi Paul Mukhopadhyay (NSW Department of Primary Industries)