Cider Australia today launched this year’s national cider competition and expects the number of entries to surpass past records.

The seventh annual Australian Cider Awards will recognise excellence in cider making as a world-class judging panel prepares to scrutinise hundreds of cider and perry products from across the world.

President of Cider Australia Sam Reid said the Awards enables the cider industry to celebrate its amazing transformation over the past decade.

“Cider Australia is proud to run the largest cider competition in the southern hemisphere and be leading the premiumisation of the category through improved product quality and education of drinkers”.

“The Awards help lift the benchmark for the Australian cider industry each year which is really exciting. From the quality and number of entries it attracts to the standard of judging, we continue to improve and build momentum each year”, said Mr Reid.

“I encourage all producers and distributors of cider products sold in Australia to enter as there is no better way to evaluate your product and see how it stacks up against competitors”.

“This year I’m really excited about the new presentation format where we are focussing on fewer awards and up weighting the importance of each”.

“I’m looking forward to seeing how many entries we see in the ‘Distilled and Intensified class’ as we see the rise of ‘craft spirits’ as well as the new awards for Most Successful Small and Most Successful Larger Cider Producer’” said Mr Reid.

Twenty categories will be judged including the standard dry, medium and sweet cider and perry classes along with a number of specialty, intensified and distilled classes.

Winners of the awards will be announced at a gala dinner on the evening of Friday 27th October, which will be followed by the annual Australian Cider Festival at Melbourne’s Malthouse Theatre Courtyard on Saturday 28th October.

You can enter the 2017 Australian Cider Awards online via www.cideraustralia.org.au

People can follow the progress of the awards via twitter or by following the #australianciderawards hashtag.

Entries close on Friday 1st September 2017.

 

2017 Australian Cider Awards – Key dates

Entries Open	Mon 5 June
Entries Close	Fri 1 Sept
Deliver Entries	1 Sept – 15 Sept
Judging (closed to public)	Tue 26 and Wed 27 Sept
Awards Presentation	Fri 27 Oct
Australian Cider Festival	Sat 28 Oct

Media representatives are invited to visit the judging in central Melbourne, but this is closed to the public.

FULL DETAILS ON AWARD CLASSES AND RULES ARE IN THE 2017 Awards Information & Style Guide.

For more details contact Cider Australia executive officer Jane Anderson on 0434 559 759 or visit www.cideraustralia.org.au   

Cider lovers across the globe will salute this unique fermented apple beverage on its international day of celebration.

World Cider Day will be held on Saturday June 3rd, with events and specials happening at venues across Australia.

Cider Australia President Sam Reid said the day would promote the flourishing cider culture which has taken root in the apple growing regions of Australia and major towns and cities.

“World Cider Day is an opportunity for consumers to learn more about the origins of cider and different styles and to feel part of something global”, said Mr Reid.

World Cider Day was initiated in the Northern Hemisphere where June marks the beginning of summer and apple cider season, while in Australia cider makers are starting to emerge from the busy harvest season.

“As vintage concludes it is the perfect time for the cider industry to slow down, take stock and enjoy the fruits of their labours”, Mr Reid said.

“This is the best time in history for Australians to appreciate cider and perry with so many different brands and styles of cider on offer from around the world”.

“Cideries and other venues are hosting some great events this weekend and I encourage everyone to head on down for some fun,” said Mr Reid.

Celebrate by posting photos using the #worldciderday hashtag!

For World Cider Day information and events see www.worldciderday.com

 

Media contact:   For more information contact Cider Australia executive officer Jane Anderson on 0434 559 759. Keep up to date with the latest news via twitter @cideraustralia or www.cideraustralia.org.au

Cider Australia is pleased to announce the judging panel for this year’s national cider show.

The selection of the judging panel is a critical element of the Australian Cider Awards assessment process which is governed by professionalism, integrity and rigour.

The full panel of judges comprises chair Behn Payten (Payten & Jones Wines), Spanish guest judge Eduardo Vázquez Coto, Sebastian Crowther MS (Rockpool Bar & Grill Melbourne), Lucy Maddox (Madrez Wine Services) and Kirrily Waldhorn (Beer Diva founder).

“Cider Australia ensures members of the panel have a wide diversity of knowledge and experience,” said Chief Steward of the Awards and head cider maker at Flying Brick Cider Co. on the Bellarine Peninsula, Nyall Condon.

“The Awards are an incredible opportunity for producers and distributors to have their ciders benchmarked against hundreds of local and international ciders by a world class panel of judges”.

“Come September, our panel of judges will prepare to critique entries on their aroma and flavour, appearance, mouthfeel and overall impression”, said Mr Condon.

Entries will open next week.

 

2017 Australian Cider Awards – Key dates

Entries Open	Thu 1 June
Entries Close	Fri 1 Sept
Deliver Entries	1 Sept – 15 Sept
Judging (closed to public)	Tue 26 and Wed 27 Sept
Awards Presentation	Fri 27 Oct
Australian Cider Festival	Sat 28 Oct

Media representatives are invited to visit the judging in central Melbourne, but this is closed to the public. Photo and interview opportunities with judges will be available on request.

For more details contact Cider Australia executive officer Jane Anderson on 0434 559 759 or visit www.cideraustralia.org.au   

An authority on Spanish and French cider will bring a new perspective to the fore at this year’s national cider show.

Cider Australia President Sam Reid today announced that internationally respected cider writer, trader and judge Eduardo Vázquez Coto will be guest judge at the 2017 Australian Cider Awards.

“We have scouted the globe in our efforts to ensure the Awards is at the forefront of international developments and trends”, said Mr Reid.

Mr Coto hails from the Asturias region of northern Spain and lives in Frankfurt, Germany.

“Eduardo has an extensive knowledge of Spanish and German ciders, and with his strong interests in European cider markets was a logical choice for us after hosting experts from the UK, US, Canada and New Zealand”, said Mr Reid.

Mr Coto will travel to Australia for the judging in late September and then visit major cider regions in Tasmania, Victoria and neighbouring states where he will immerse himself in Australian cider.

“I am very excited at this chance to visit Australia and learn more about the Australian cider industry”, Mr Coto said.

The independent panel of judges will be chaired by Behn Payten of Payten & Jones Wines and include members with significant experience in judging at shows around Australia and overseas.

Entries to the 2017 Australian Cider Awards open on 1 June.

Award winners will be announced at a gala industry dinner on 27 October 2017.

Further information on the Awards can be found at www.cideraustralia.org.au.

 

For more details contact Cider Australia executive officer Jane Anderson on 0434 559 759 or visit cideraustralia.org.au  

   

AUSTRALIAN CIDER AWARDS BACKGROUND

•  Cider Australia will run the 7th annual Australian Cider Awards in Spring 2017.
• Judging will be held over 2 days at the William Angliss Institute in central Melbourne. The judging is closed to entrants and the public.
• Results will be announced at a gala cider industry dinner at The Craft & Co in Collingwood, Melbourne on Friday 27th October 2017.
• The Australian Cider Awards is the largest cider competition in Australia. There were over 200 entries in 2016 from Australia, the UK, Ireland, Spain and New Zealand.
• Products can be entered in 20 possible categories including Traditional and New World cider and perry classes and a range of specialty classes.
• The Judging panel comprises 5 full judges and 2 associates. The guest international judge is a full judge.
• The Awards is an important precursor to the largest craft cider festival in Australia, the annual Australian Cider Festival. The 2017 festival will be held on Saturday 28th October at The Malthouse Theatre Courtyard in Southbank, Melbourne.
• Entry details including the 2017 Awards Information and Style Guide can be found at cideraustralia.org.au/ciderawards/entry-information/

Craft Cider is carving out more than a niche in the alcoholic beverage market according to the national cider industry body.

Cider Australia members were optimistic about the future prospects for cider at the organisation’s 2017 Annual General Meeting held in Melbourne on Monday.

Sam Reid, co-owner of Tasmania’s Willie Smith’s Organic Apple Cider was returned for the fourth year as president of Cider Australia alongside a dedicated executive team which included two new faces, Gus Kelly from Kelly Brothers Cider Co and Ben Clifton from Beechworth Cider.

“Producers are in high spirits as the tax reform debate comes to a positive conclusion – we applaud the Government’s WET Rebate reforms and believe the changes will ensure the longevity of the Australian cider industry”, said Mr Reid.

“There is a real opportunity for Australian cider to follow in the footsteps of the wine industry and contribute to growing Australian exports”.

“The cider industry must now focus on building product integrity to put Australian cider exports on a sustainable growth path, leading with quality first and foremost”.

Cider Australia is hopeful of securing funding under the Government’s $50 million Export and Regional Wine Support Package to implement a standalone cider production standard.

“Stronger product integrity is crucial before the cider industry establishes a significant export footprint”, Mr Reid said.

 

Cider Australia 2017 Executive Committee

President – Sam Reid, Willie Smith’s Organic Cider (TAS)

Vice President – Warwick Billings, LOBO Cider (SA)

Vice President – Nyall Condon, Flying Brick Cider Co (VIC)

Treasurer – Shane McLaughlin, Hillbilly Cider (NSW)

Secretary – Gus Kelly, Kelly Brothers Cider Co (VIC)

Category Development – Ben Clifton, Beechworth Cider (VIC)

Digital – Mark Ellis (VIC)

 

For more details contact Cider Australia executive officer Jane Anderson on 0434 559 759 or visit cideraustralia.org.au  

Cider Australia welcomes today’s announcement by the Federal Government that it will restrict the Wine Equalisation Tax rebate to genuine cider businesses that sell branded Australian cider and perry.

The WET rebate scheme was designed to support small wine producers in rural and regional Australia but has faced substantial ‘rorting’ and claims by unintended recipients.

Cider Australia president Sam Reid said the reforms acknowledge the local cider producers whose activities directly support rural and regional communities and drive diversity and ongoing growth in the Australian cider market.

“Once these reforms are enacted a cider business will need to own the apples and pears in a product from pressing through to the final packaging, in effect restricting ciders made from imported juice concentrate”, said Mr Reid.

“The reforms reflect Cider Australia’s view that the rebate should only be available to cider made from 100% Australian juice that supports regional agricultural communities in Australia. It’s also a great opportunity for us to start a conversation about Australian Craft Cider, which we feel will be the next growth driver for the category”.

“Cider Australia would like to commend Senator Ruston and her team for the consultative manner in which they have engaged the industry, ensuring a positive outcome for Australian growers and producers”, said Mr Reid.

With the assurance that Australian craft cider producers will continue to be eligible for the rebate, Cider Australia will now refocus its efforts on the definition of cider and truth in cider labelling.

“Cider Australia remains concerned about the impact of cuts to the rebate cap without any change to the current disparate definitions of cider in Australian tax laws and the Australia New Zealand Food Standards (FSANZ) Code and calls on the Government to rectify this and improve the integrity of cider labelling”.

“For instance, globally most countries have a minimum juice content included in their definition of cider and yet we still don’t have any requirement in either of the legal definitions in Australia”.

“We look forward to working with the Government to reform current labelling laws to level the playing field and provide consumers with accurate information about where the fruit in their cider comes from. We believe that this will improve the ability of our members to innovate and capitalise on emerging export opportunities like we have seen in the wine industry”, said Mr Reid.

For more details or interviews contact Cider Australia President Sam Reid on 0434 734 797.

Craft cider won over Melbourne on Saturday as over 700 cider enthusiasts flocked to Australia’s largest craft cider festival at the Malthouse Theatre Forecourt in Southbank.

Glorious weather, 112 different ciders from a record 28 local and international producers and a great festival vibe made for the best annual celebration in the Australian Cider Festival’s five-year history.

Festival organiser Cider Australia is chuffed at the response from attendees and stallholders and is already looking ahead to the next annual event.

Cider Australia President Sam Reid said, “We were successful in taking the festival to the next level this year and pleased with the excitement and passion for cider that we saw from the attendees”.

Cider Australia’s guest judge for the 2016 Australian Cider Awards, UK cider expert Bill Bradshaw, joined in the festivities and shared his perspective on the developing Australian cider market during the afternoon.

“I am really impressed with the commitment of so many producers to make great cider”, said Mr Bradshaw.

“I think you should be proud about what you are achieving in Australia. And I’ve had a blast here at the Festival today!”

Free cider master classes led by industry leaders such as Drew Henry of Henry of Harcourt Cider educated attendees about the expansive range of cider styles available in Australia and especially more traditional ciders made with cider apples”.

Mr Reid noted, “We believe that the use of purpose grown cider apples is a crucial element of the category’s evolution and we were proud to see so many products at the Festival made from traditional fruit varieties”.

The results of the 2016 Australian Cider Awards are available at cideraustralia.org.au

Media Note: For further details or images contact Cider Australia executive officer Jane Anderson on 0434 559 759 or office@cideraustralia.org.au. For event info visit twitter/cideraustralia or facebook.com/australianciderfestival

 

Exhibitors at the 2016 Australian Cider Festival

• Alpine Cider
• Australian Beer Company (Pressman’s Cider)
• Batlow Cider
• Blue Elephant Beverage Co
• Cheeky Grog Co
• Daylesford Cider
• Flying Brick Cider Co
• Frank’s Cider
• Grand Ridge Brewery (Twisted Sister Cider)
• Granite Belt Cider
• Harcourt Perry & Cider Makers
• Henry of Harcourt
• Hillbilly Cider
• LOBO Cider
• Lost Pippin
• Montague Cider House
• Mr Little Cider
• Napoleone Cider
• Pennyroyal Raspberry Farm & Cidery (Crucible Cider)
• Sidewood
• Spreyton Cider
• St Ronan’s
• Thatchers
• The Hills Cider Company
• Verano Cider
• Westons Cider Australia
• Willie Smith’s Organic Cider
• Yarra Valley Cider

Download here: release-australian-cider-festival-a-roaring-success

Willie Smith’s Organic Cider in Tasmania has scored the top prize for the second year running at this year’s Australian Cider Awards with a limited release cider.

The Best in Show prize was awarded to Willie Smith’s French Blend Limited Release Cider in front of 100 people on Friday night at the cider industry’s gala dinner.

Willie Smith’s co-owner Sam Reid said winning the award validates the huge investment that the team has put into developing its ciders, its fourth-generation apple orchards and The Apple Shed cellar door in Grove, Tasmania.

“Our French Blend Limited Release Cider, to be formally launched tomorrow at The Australian Cider Festival in Melbourne, reflects the maturing market for cider in Australia with people ready to explore more complex varieties of craft cider and ciders made with cider apples”, said Mr Reid.

Judges awarded the product a gold medal for its interesting, complex and layered flavour with good tannins and a full body – exactly what they were looking for in a medium sweet, traditional cider.

Four other gold medals were awarded to LOBO Cider and Jachmann Apple Co from South Australia, Small Acres Cyder from New South Wales and Daylesford Cider from Victoria.

Chief Steward Nyall Condon said it was amazing to see over 200 entries in the competition, and the judging panel was equally impressed with the high calibre of ciders on show.

“Appreciation of cider in Australia is shifting in the direction we were hoping with more complex, drier styles being produced,” Mr Condon said.

“Our show is going from strength to strength and Cider Australia is proud to be leading the way in cider judging, encouraging quality and product innovation and educating producers and consumers about this fine beverage.”

The Australian Cider Festival runs from 12-7pm tomorrow, Saturday 8th October at the Malthouse Theatre Forecourt in Southbank. 112 ciders from 28 craft producers will be available for tastings along with live music, food and free cider master classes.

Media Note: For more details or to arrange interviews/photos please contact Jane Anderson at Cider Australia – 0434 559 759. Details on the Australian Cider Festival can be found at www.ciderfestival.com.au

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WINNERS LIST – 2016 AUSTRALIAN CIDER AWARDS

TROPHIES
Best Cider: Willie Smith’s French Blend Limited Release Cider
Best Perry: Small Acres Cyder 2013 Sparkling Perry
Best Australian Cider or Perry: Willie Smith’s French Blend Limited Release Cider
Best International Cider or Perry: Aspall Draught
Best in Show: Willie Smith’s French Blend Limited Release Cider

BEST IN CLASS
Class 1A New World Dry Cider: Pagan Cider, Wood-Aged Apple
Class 1B Traditional Dry Cider: LOBO Cider, LOBO Norman
Class 2A New World Medium Cider: Jachmann Apple Co, Jachmann Pink Lady Apple Cider
Class 2B Traditional Medium Cider: Willie Smith’s, Willie Smiths French Blend Limited Release Cider
Class 3A New World Sweet Cider: equal Best in Class: Hillbilly Cider, Hillbilly Sweet Julie; Mock Orchards, Mock Red Hill Sweet Cider; and Sydney Brewery, Sydney Cider
Class 3B Traditional Sweet Cider: Daylesford Cider, Sweet Coppin 2016
Class 4A/B Method Traditional Cider (disgorged): equal Best in Class: Brady’s Lookout Cider, Brady’s Lookout Cider Premium Cuvee; Flying Brick Cider Co, Flying Brick MC Cider; and Small Acres Cyder, Small Acres Cyder 2015 Sparkling
Class 5A New World Dry Perry: equal Best in Class: Flying Brick Cider Co, Flying Brick Pear Cider; LOBO Cider, LOBO Dry Pear
Class 5B Traditional Dry Perry: No entries
Class 6A New World Medium Perry (1.004-1.019 SG): equal Best in Class: Hillbilly Cider, Hillbilly Pear Cider; and The Hills Cider Company, The Hills Cider Company Pear
Class 6B Traditional Medium Perry: McCashins Brewery, Saxton Pear Cider
Class 7A New World Sweet Perry: Spreyton Cider Co, Spreyton Pear Cider
Class 7B Traditional Sweet Perry: no entries
Class 8A/B Method Traditional Perry (disgorged): Small Acres Cyder, Small Acres Cyder 2013 Sparkling Perry
Class 9 Speciality/Experimental Cider or Perry: The Hills Cider Company, The Hills Cider Company Hop Edition
Class 10 Apple and Pear Blends: The Hills Cider Company, The Hills Cider Company Pear Apple Blend
Class 11 Cider or Perry with Fruit: The Hills Cider Company, The Hills Cider Company Apple Ginger Hybrid Series
Class 12 Ice Cider or Perry: Small Acres Cyder, Small Acres Cyder 2015 Pomona Ice
Class 13 Pommeau: Small Acres Cyder, Small Acres Cyder 2010 Pommeau
Class 14 Apple or Pear Spirit: LOBO Cider, LOBO Apfel

A pdf of this release is here.

Full results are cideraust-awards-booklet-07-oct-2016-web-3.

An impressive 28 craft cider producers will showcase 112 different ciders at the 2016 Australian Cider Festival, being held in Melbourne this Saturday.

Over 1,000 people are expected to attend the annual festival being held at the Malthouse Theatre Forecourt in Southbank, as the Australian craft cider industry revels in another year of strong growth.

The festival is open from 12-7pm. Tickets are $45 online through ciderfestival.com.au with limited sales at the door. Entry gives you unlimited free tastings and a PLUMM stemless wine glass with a promise of no pesky tokens!

Alongside the impressive line-up of ciders will be live music by Zevon Hiltz and the Midnight Specials, delicious New Orleans soul food by Gumbo Kitchen and the opportunity to win some great prizes for voting in the People’s Choice.

By popular demand, festival-goers can this year purchase a wide range of craft ciders directly from producers to take home and enjoy – a unique opportunity for cider lovers.

Cider Australia President and Willie Smith’s co-founder, Sam Reid, said attendees can sign up for free cider master classes with some of the industry’s best cider makers including Drew Henry from Henry of Harcourt talking cider apples, and Tim Jones from Willie Smith’s Organic Cider discussing French, English & New World cider styles.

“The festival is always a great day out for all, and there is no better opportunity to chat to producers while tasting an exceptionally diverse range of ciders”, Mr Reid said.

Mr Reid continued, “This year we have a number of producers such as ourselves debuting ciders at the festival and so it’s a great opportunity to be the first in Australia to try and buy these ciders. There will be more ciders then ever before shown that use purpose grown cider apples in their production, and we expect this to be the next phase in this ever evolving category”.

The Festival will follow the 2016 Australian Cider Awards to be announced tomorrow night at a gala dinner at The Craft & Co in Melbourne.

A producers forum on the Saturday morning before the festival will be held from 9.30-11am featuring Cider Australia’s guest judge for the 2016 Awards, UK cider expert Bill Bradshaw. For details visit facebook.com/CiderAustralia/events

Cider brands appearing at the festival are Alpine Cider, Batlow Cider, Blue Elephant Beverage Co, Cheeky Grog Co, Daylesford Cider, Flying Brick Cider, Frank’s Cider, Granite Belt Cider, Harcourt Perry & Cider Makers, Henry of Harcourt, Hillbilly Cider, LOBO Cider, Lost Pippin, Montague Cider House, Mr Little Cider, Napoleone Cider, Pennyroyal Raspberry Farm & Cidery, Pressman’s Cider, Sidewood, Spreyton Cider, St Ronan’s, Thatchers, The Hills Cider Company, Twisted Sister Cider, Verano Cider, Westons Cider Australia, Willie Smith’s Organic Cider and Yarra Valley Cider.

What:
– Australian Cider Festival
– Malthouse Theatre Forecourt, Southbank, Melbourne
– Tickets: $45 from www.ciderfestival.com.au & at the door (if available)
– Time: Midday – 7pm
– Details: Unlimited tastings of 112 different cider with takeaway sales available

Media Note: For more details or to arrange interviews/overlay vision/photos, please contact Jane Anderson at Cider Australia – 0434 559 759.

The countdown begins for nervous entrants to the 2016 Australian Cider Awards as judges prepare to ‘blind’ taste an exciting selection of ciders and perries from Australia, the US, UK, Ireland, Spain and New Zealand.

Over 200 products have been entered into this year’s show – a 30 per cent increase on last year – with cider producers from far and wide vying for honours.

Cider Australia President Sam Reid said it was encouraging to see such strong support for the Awards as it enters its sixth year, confirming the value the industry places on Australia’s leading cider competition.

“The awards continue to drive growth and innovation in the cider category by focusing attention on quality and recognising the growing diversity of cider styles available in Australia”, Mr Reid said.

Judging of the Awards will take place in Melbourne on 26-27 September when a discerning panel of cider experts assess entries in a record twenty different categories.

Judges include chair Gary Baldwin (chief winemaker at Handpicked Wines), UK cider connoisseur Bill Bradshaw, wine and cider journalist Max Allen, Behn Payten (winemaker at Payten & Jones Wines), Briony Liebich (sensory analyst at Lion/Kirin) and associate Fiona Lim (Wine Republic).

Australian Cider Award winners will be announced at a presentation evening on Friday October 7th at The Craft & Co in Collingwood. Tickets are $125 per head with guests served a five course dinner and a matched selection of award winning ciders.

Cider Australia’s festivities will be capped off at the largest craft cider festival ever to grace our shores, the annual Australian Cider Festival on Saturday October 8th.

CIDER AUSTRALIA EVENTS

• Bill Bradshaw will present a Cider Judging Master Class at the Brunswick Street Cider House in Fitzroy next Wednesday, September 28th from 9.30am touching on British and European cider scenes.
• Award winners will be celebrated at a special presentation dinner on October 7th at The Craft & Co in Collingwood. Contact office@cideraustralia.org.au for bookings.
• Bill Bradshaw will also host an interactive forum for cider producers at The Coopers Malthouse on Saturday 8th October from 9.30 – 11am.
• The Australian Cider Festival will run from 12-7pm on Saturday 8th October at The Coopers Malthouse forecourt, Southbank. Tickets are $45 per person and include unlimited free cider tastings, live entertainment and cider master classes. For details visit www.ciderfestival.com.au

All event details can be found at Facebook.com/CiderAustralia/events

For more information contact Cider Australia executive officer Jane Anderson on 0434 559 759. Keep up to date via twitter @CiderAustralia