By Andy Young
Cider Australia is expecting 2017 to bring a record number of entries after launching this year’s national cider competition.
With 20 categories to be judged including the standard dry, medium and sweet cider and perry classes along with a number of specialty, intensified and distilled classes, the seventh annual Australian Cider Awards, will recognise excellence in cider making.
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,” Reid said.
“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.
“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.”
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,” he added.
The award winners will be announced on Friday, 27 October and anyone wishing to enter the awards should head to the Cider Australia website.