2016 U.S. Open Cider Championship Results
Cideries from California to the United Kingdom sent in over 160 ciders representing 15 different styles for 2016 U.S. Open Cider Championship. The U.S. Open Cider judging had an additional international touch since the final judging occurred at the Kame & Kettle Beer Works in Fonthill, Ontario near Niagara College. Judges were from Niagara College Teaching Winery, Niagara College Teaching Brewery, local cideries and restaurant owners. Judging in the U.S. Open Cider Championships is blind, and the judges do not know what ciders they are tasting.
Angry Orchard from Walden, New York was named Grand National Champion by winning 1 gold medals, three silver medals and a bronze. Their cider called “The Muse” took home a gold in the Apple Wine category.
Vermont Cider Company from Hinesburg, Vermont placed second while 2 Towns Ciderhouse from Corvallis, Oregon took home third. No cidery dominated the judging since 13 different cideries won Gold medals in 15 categories.
Top 10 Most Creative Cider Names
The judges also named a “Judges Award” for the top ten “Most Creative Names.” Among the favorites:
1. Bohemian Raspberry – West Avenue Cider – Canada
2. Cinga Ninga – 2 Towns Ciderhouse – Oregon
3. Yellow Belly from Sapsucker Farms – Minnesota
4. Dirty Mayor – Citizen Cider – Vermont
5. Cranny Granny – d’s Wicked Cider – Washington
6. Groom’s Left Hand – Green Bench Mead and Cider
7. Grasshop-ah – Colorado Cider Company – Colorado
8. Mischief Maker – Schillings Cider – Washington
9. Mystic Dragon – Appalachian Mountain Cidery – North Carolina
10. Barn Cat – Ela Cider Company – Wisconsin
Cidery Medal Winners
1. New World Cider
Gold – Cider 101 – Niagara College Teaching Winery – Canada
Silver – Garage D’or Dry Cider – Garage D’or Ciders – Canada
Bronze – Standard – Big Hill Ciderworks – Pennsylvania
2. English Cider
Gold – Gumption Hard Cider – Vermont Cider Company – Vermont
Silver – Magners Original Cider – Vermont Cider Company – Vermont
Bronze – Ol’ Stumpy – Colorado Cider Company – Colorado
3. New World Perry
Gold – Pearnickty – Colorado Cider Company – Colorado
4. Traditional Perry
Gold – Didrerie Daufresne Poire – Cidrerie Daufresne – Canada
Silver – Dunkertons Perry – Dunkerton’s – England
Bronze – Magners Pear Cider – Vermont Cider Company – Vermont
5. New England Cider
Gold – Bad Apple – 2 Towns Ciderhouse – Oregon
Silver – Walden Hollow – Angry Orchard Cider Company – Massachusetts
Bronze – Ace Space – Ace Cider – California
6. Fruit Cider
Gold – Bohemian Raspberry – West Avenue Cider – Canada
Gold – – Pineapple – Austin Eastciders – Texas
Silver – Blood Orange Tangerine – Common Cider Company – California
Bronze – Pineapple Hula – Ciderboys – Wisconsin
7. Fruit and Berry Cider
Gold – Marionberry – Incline Cider – Washington
Silver – Cranberry Apple Cider – 401 Brewery – Canada
Bronze – Raspberry Rooftop – Green Bench Mead & Cider – Florida
8. Applewine
Gold – The Muse – Angry Orchard Cider Company – Massachusetts
Silver – Ace BlackJack – Ace Cider – California
9. Hopped/Herbal Cider
Gold – Bold Rock IPA – Bold Rock Cider – Virginia
Silver – Mystic Dragon – Appalachian Mountain Cidery – North Carolina
Bronze – Chester Hoppearcot – Big B’s Fabulous Juices – Colorado
10. Apple pie spices Spiced Cider
Gold – Baked Apple – d’s Wicked Cider – Washington
Silver – Woodchuck Seasonal Fall Harvest – Vermont Cider Company – Vermont
Bronze – Spiced Chai – Schillings Cider – Washington
11. Spiced Cider
Gold – Ginga Ninga – 2 Towns Ciderhouse – Oregon
Silver – Cinnful Apple – Angry Orchard Cider Company – Massachusetts
Bronze – Three Pepper – Seattle Cider Company – Washington
Bronze – Mad Bark – Ciderboys Hard Cider – Wisconsin
12. Wood-Aged Cider and Perry
Gold – Yellow Belly Barrel Aged – Sapsucker Farms – Minnesota
Silver – Barrel Age – Urban Tree Hard Cider – Georgia
Bronze – Wassail – Vermont Cider Company – Vermont
13. Specialty Cider and Perry
Gold – Dirty Mayor – Citizen Cider – Vermont
Silver – The Old Fashioned – Angry Orchard Cider Company – Massachusetts
Bronze – Pumpkin Cider – Spirit Tree Estate Cidery – Canada
14. Unlimited Cider and Perry
Gold – Virgina Apple – Bold Rock Cider – Virginia
Silver – Organic Cider – Samuel Smiths – England
Bronze – Organic Perry – Samuel Smiths – England
15. Anything Goes
Gold – Brett Cidergeist – Ohio
Silver – 2014 Afton Field – 2 Towns Ciderhouse – Oregon
Bronze – Angry Orchard Strawman – Angry Orchard Cider Company – Massachusetts