2024 U.S. Open Cider Championship
10th Anniversary of the U.S. Open Cider Championship
In 2015, U.S. Open Beer Championship’s judging director, Jon Downing suggested we add several cider categories to the U.S. Open Beer Championship. He told me that more and more ciders were popping over the United States and Canada. The first year, we had 8 categories, then this year we had 33 categories ranging from Heritage Cider to Pie/Cobbler Cider. Today, the U.S. Open Cider Championship is one of the largest cider competitions in the world.
2024 U.S. Open Cider Championship Medals and Grand National Champion
Thornbury Craft Co. Cider & Brew House from Thornbury, Ontario, has been crowned Grand National Champion at this year’s U.S. Open Cider Championship, winning four gold medals. After finishing a close second to the two-time champion Woodchuck Cider last year, Thornbury triumphed with top honors in the Modern Cider Dry, Rosé, Raspberry, and Blueberry cider categories. This historic win makes Thornbury the first Canadian cidery to secure the overall title.
Arsenal Cider House from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, earned second place, while Glacial Till Vineyard & Winery in Palmyra, Nebraska, claimed third for the second consecutive year.
The 2024 Thumper Award – Best in Show
To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the U.S. Open Cider Championship, we are thrilled to partner with Arsenal Cider Co. to introduce The Thumper Award.
The 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 inaugural Thumper Award is presented to 2 Towns Ciderhouse for their 10th Anniversary Special Cider Release. Additionally, the U.S. Open Cider Championship will donate $500 from this year’s competition to the National Brain Tumor Society in Thumper’s honor.
Best in Show
1st: 10th Anniversary Special Cider Release – 2 Towns Ciderhouse – Oregon
2nd: Nice Pear – Missing Falls Brewery – Ohio
3rd: Semi-Sweet Cider – Apple Valley Cider Co. – Colorado
Top 10 Cideries
1. Thornbury Craft Co. – Ontario
2. Arsenal Cider House – Pennsylvania
3. Glacial Till – Nebraska
4. 2 Towns Ciderhouse – Oregon
5. Sapsucker Farms Yellow Belly Cidery – Minnesota
6. Blakes Hard Cider – Michigan
7. Cider Corps – Arizona
8. Ciderboys Cider Co. – Wisconsin
9. Vala’s Orchard Cider Co – Nebraska
10. FX Matt Brewing Co. – New York