Spring, Sunshine & Cider

25 Sep 2013

Local Cider Industry Celebrates with Australia’s Largest Cider Festival

Sydney will soon host Australia’s largest cider festival in a celebration of the best local & international products.

The Australian Cider Festival, being organised by Cider Australia, will be held at Sydney’s iconic Hotel Steyne in Manly on the weekend of October 19 & 20 and follows the annual Australian Cider Awards.

As the industry enjoys continued growth in popularity, Cider Australia President James Kendell said it was fitting for the organisation to develop the biggest annual festival to celebrate its growing status.

“This event will be the largest of its kind in the country and will give the general public a chance to sample a wide range of quality ciders in one place,’’ Mr Kendell said.

“It will appeal to cider enthusiasts, amateur cider-makers, craft beer and wine enthusiasts and Sydney-siders looking for a fun day out in the Spring sunshine.’’

The event is expected to attract more than 1,500 people and will include dozens of stalls offering local and international ciders, paired with a cider-matched gourmet food menu, as well as introduce a dynamic line up of entertainment, featuring street performances and family friendly activities.

“A key objective of the festival is to increase consumer awareness and education of cider in Australia, so hopefully people get a lot out of it, as well as have a tonne of fun,” Mr Kendell said.

Ged Dore, the Hotel’s General Manager says “The Hotel Steyne is turning the taps to cider, keeping the beer on ice and teaming up with Cider Australia to host a little festival by the seaside”.

Confirmed cider brands appearing at the festival include Apple Thief, Australian Brewery, Batlow Cider, Bilpin Cider, Cheeky Rascal, Flying Brick Cider, Franklin Cider, Hillbilly Cider, Hills Cider, James Squire, Little Creatures, Lobo Cider, Lost Pippin Cider, Lucky Duck, Magners, Monteiths, Napoleone Cider, Old Mout, Sitting Ducks Cider, Small Acres Cyder, Stassen Cider, Sydney Cider, Tilse’s Apple Truck Cider, Westons Cider and Willie Smiths Organic Cider.

The festival follows the Australian Cider Awards on Friday October 18, with a record 140 entries across 14 award categories to be judged by an expert panel including internationally-acclaimed cider expert Gary Awdey from the United States.

For more details and ticket information visit www.cideraustralia.org.au or facebook.com/cideraustralia or email australianciderfestival@gmail.com.