By Clyde Mooney
Less than three weeks remain until the inaugural Australian Cider Festival at Sydney’s premier house of cider, the weekend of October 13 and 14.
Representing the national industry, Cider Australia is hosting a celebration of cider at Manly’s The Steyne featuring local and international ciders, paired with a seasonal cider-matched gourmet food menu.
Brands confirmed to date include: Australian Brewery, Batlow Cider, Bilpin Cider, Borrodell Winery, Flying Brick Cider, Hills Cider, James Squires, Little Creatures, Lobo Cider, Lost Pippin Cider, Lucky Duck Cider, Magners, Matilda Bay, Monteith's, Napoleone & Co Cider, Old Mout, Redoak Brewing, Small Acres Cyder, Sydney Cider and Tilse’s Apple Truck Cider.
Following the Australian Cider Awards, to be held again in Orange, NSW, Wednesday October 10, an awards presentation dinner announcing medal and trophy winners will be held on Friday October 12 at the Sebel Hotel, in Surry Hills.
A judge’s selection of award-winners will be available at a special tasting at 12 noon on Saturday the 13th upstairs at The Steyne Hotel. Events are open to the public, with tickets through richard@schwartzbrewery.com.
Richard Coombes, of Cider Australia and Batlow Brewing Company, told TheShout: "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 having a tonne of fun".
"The festival is the first of its kind in Australia. Not only will festival goers get the chance to taste some of the best ciders in the country, but there'll be great food on offer and a solid line-up of Australian bands.
"A perfect way to spend a Spring weekend, we reckon!"
The festival will take place from 2pm – 6pm on Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 October. Click here for tickets or call 1300 GET TIX (438 849). Interested cider brands email australianciderfestival@gmail.com