Oxford, Ohio (November 18) – Arsenal Cider House & Wine Cellar in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has claimed the Grand National Champion title at the 2025 U.S. Open Cider Championship for the second time in the competition’s history, racking up an impressive haul of 3 gold, 1 silver, and 4 bronze medals.

Their gold medals came in the Modern Cider, Heritage Cider, and Perry categories. Arsenal previously won the Grand National crown in 2020.

Finishing in second place was Glacial Till Cidery from Nebraska—the 2019 Grand National Champion—while two-time winner Ciderboys from Wisconsin rounded out the podium in third.

The 2025 Thumper Award
This award is named in memory of Andy “Thumper” Rich, the cidermaker for Arsenal Cider House and the 2020 U.S. Open Cider Grand National Champion. Thumper, a pioneer in the craft cider and beer industries, passed away on December 5, 2023, at his home in Dormont, Pennsylvania, after a courageous battle with cancer.

The Thumper Award will be presented annually to the cider and cidery awarded “Best of Show.” This year, the Thumper Award is presented to Arsenal Cider House & Wine Cellar. Additionally, the U.S. Open Cider Championship will donate proceeds from this year’s competition to the National Brain Tumor Foundation in Thumper’s honor.

Best in Show: Alfred’s Pear, Son! by Arsenal Cider House

2025 U.S. Open Cider Championship’s Top 10 Cideries
1. Arsenal Cider House – Pennsylvania
2. Glacial Till Cidery – Nebraska
3. Ciderboys Hard Cider – Wisconsin
4. Country Boy Brewing – Kentucky
5. Schilling Cider – Washington
6. Thornbury Craft Co. – Ontario
7. Son of Toil Brewing – Ohio, LLC
8. Five Maiden Cider Co. – Pennsylvania
9. FX Matt Brewing – New York
10. Blue Barn Cidery – New York

2025 U.S. Open Cider Championship Medal Winners – Click Here

Oxford, Ohio (July 23, 2025) – Registration is officially open for the 2025 U.S. Open Cider Championship! Producers must register their ciders by October 17, 2025. This year, American and importer entries will be sent to Oxford, Ohio (just outside Cincinnati), while Canadian entries should be sent to Niagara College, Ontario. All entries must arrive by October 24th, 2025. Winners will be announced on November 18th, 2025. Entry forms and competition rules are available at usopencider.com.

Each producer may enter up to 10 hard ciders, with an entry fee of $75 per cider.

The U.S. Open Championships partners with the Niagara College Teaching Winery and Teaching Brewery. This year’s judging panel features experts from England, Canada, and the United States.

2025 U.S. Open Cider Championship Categories
1. Modern Cider – Sweet
2. Modern Cider – Dry
3. Heritage Cider – Sweet
4. Heritage Cider – Dry
5. Traditional Cider – Sweet
6. Traditional Cider – Dry
7. Perry
8. Fruit Cider
9. Pineapple Cider
10. Cherry Cider
11. Peach Cider
12. Cranberry Cider
13. Fruit and Berry Cider
14. Applewine/ Ice Cider
15. Herbal Cider
16. Hopped Cider
17. Apple Pie Spiced Cider
18. Spiced Cider
19. Wood-Aged Cider
20. Specialty Cider
21. Anything Goes
22. Single Varietal Cider
23. Pumpkin Spice Cider