It’s been a pretty tough year Australian Agriculture. Most of the state’s are suffering through the worst drought since records began. But tonight there the rain is falling the ciders are cold and there are smiles on faces. The industry is growing in quality and depth and the 2018 Australian Cider Awards celebrate that.

One of the major achievement announced by Cider Australia tonight, is the introduction of the trust mark. This is a world-wide first. This mark denotes a quality product. If you see a Cider bearing this symbol you know you are getting a product that is full of the goodness of Aussie grown apples. Expect to see this on quality ciders in the coming months. 100% Austrlain Grown trustmark

CHAMPION OF THE INDUSTRY AWARD

Cider Australia is proud to award the second Champion of the Industry Award to David Pickering, a researcher and apple orchardists from Huntley in the central west of NSW. He is a highly regarded expert on cider apples with a passion for researching educating and connecting the industry.

David Picking and Sam Reid

Sam Reid presenting David Pickering the Champion Of Industry Award.

Who won the 2018 Australian Cider Awards?

BEST IN SHOW

William Smith & Sons –Willie Smith’s Kingston Black Cider

Tim jones of Willie Smiths

BEST TRADITIONAL CIDER

William Smith & Sons –Willie Smith’s Kingston Black Cider

BEST NEW WORLD CIDER

Westons – Caple Road

BEST PERRY

Fils De Pømme – L’Épatant

Fils De Pømme from France

Fils De Pømme from France

BEST INTENSIFIED/DISTILLED CIDER OR PERRY

Small Acres Cyder – Small Acres Cyder 2010 Pommeau

BEST AUSTRALIAN CIDER OR PERRY

William Smith & Sons – –Willie Smith’s Kingston Black Cider

BEST INTERNATIONAL CIDER OR PERRY

Westons – Caple Road

MOST SUCCESSFUL SMALL PRODUCER (LESS THAN 50,000L PER YEAR)

Small Acres Cyder

James Kendel of Small Acres

James Kendel of Small Acres

MOST SUCCESSFUL LARGER PRODUCER (>50,000L PER YEAR)

William Smith & Sons

Congratulation to all the winners and a big thank you to all the stewards and judges with over 260 ciders entered they either had a tough job or a great time… or both?

New World Dry Cider (<9g/L)Sponsored by Winequip​

        CLASS 1
Producer Product Award Score
3 Sons Cider Pink Lady Silver (BOC) 90
Bilpin Cider Co Bilpin Archibald Extra Brut Bronze 80
Core Cider Hard Core
Core Cider Scorerumpy
FUNK Cider BLACK APPLE
Granite Belt Cider Co Twisted Branch Bronze 82
Incy Wincy Cyder The Hunstman – 2017 Bronze 78
Incy Wincy Cyder Vat Of 9 Tails (VNT) 2017 Bronze 83
Incy Wincy Cyder WILD 2017 Bronze 80
Incy Wincy Cyder X3 – 2016 Silver 86
Runamuk Cider Co. The Scoundrel Silver 88
SBO Sturmer Pippin Bronze 78
Simple Cider Coxs Orange Pippin
SMALL  ACRES  CYDER Small Acres Cyder 2016 Somerset Still
Spreyton Cider Co Classic Cider
Sunshine Coast Cider Bottle Fermented Bronze 79
Sutton’s Juice Factory & Cidery Draught Cider Bronze 84
The Apple Thief Ciders Cloudy Limited Release Cider (Keg Only)
William Smith & Sons Willie Smith’s Bone Dry Cider Bronze 80
Winter Brook Vineyard Winter Brook Vineyard 2017 Cider
Judges remarks: Wide variety of styles which was good to see from still to sparkling. Class
size increased. Poorer ones were simple confectionary style, too bitter or unbalanced acidity.

New World Medium Cider (~9-25g/L)

Sponsored by Winequip

        CLASS 2
Producer Product Award Score
Aspall Aspall Draught Cyder *
Batlow Cider Batlow Premium Cider Bronze 80
Beechworth Cider Classic
Bilpin Cider Co Bilpin Archibald Cloudy Cider Bronze 80
Black Devil Cider Black Devil
Borrodell Comrade 2017 Silver 88
Cheeky Tiki Cheeky Tiki –  Dry Apple Cider Silver 85
Darkes Cider Darkes Dry
Faire Ferments Co-Op Orchard Blend Bronze 78
Fils De Pømme Le Sauvage Bronze 78
Flying Brick Cider Co Draught Cider Silver 90
Granite Belt Cider Co Treehouse Cider Silver 90
Hansen Tasmania Hansen Tasmania Apple Cider 330ml Bronze 78
Harcourt Cider Harcourt Dry Cider Silver 85
Hillbilly Cider Scrumpy Bronze 81
Hillbilly Cider Vintage 2017
Jachmann Apple Co Jachmann Lady William Apple Cider
Jachmann Apple Co Jachmann Royal Gala Apple Cider
Jolly Miller Jolly Miller Draught
LOBO Cider LOBO Cloudy Apple Bronze 77.5
Magners Irish Cider Magners Original Silver 86
Monteiths Goldsmiths Cider Bronze 79
Nightingale Bros Alpine Cider Pink Lady Dry
Outback Cider Old  9
Runamuk Cider Co. The Grifter Bronze 78
Sidewood Sidewood Apple Cider Bronze 78
Sidro Del Bosco Sidro Del Bosco
SMALL  ACRES  CYDER Small Acres Pomme Silver 90
Sunshine Coast Cider Sunshine Cider Silver 88
The Apple Thief Ciders Limited Release Cider (Keg Only) Silver 84.5
Twisted Sister Twisted Sister Apple Cider Bronze 77.5
Westons Caple Road Gold (BOC) 94

New World Medium Cider (~9-25g/L)

Sponsored by Winequip

 CLASS 2
Producer Product Award Score
Westons Old Rosie Gold 92.5
Westons Old Rosie Flagon Bronze 83
William Smith & Sons Willie Smith’s Organic Cider Gold 92.5
Judges remarks: A large diversity of style. Some overtly sweet styles with little substance. Good mix of styles pushing the boundaries, more layers and funky complexity built lots of
interest. Balance of sugar was key.

New World Medium Sweet Cider (~25-40g/L)

Sponsored by Winequip

 CLASS 3
Producer Product Award Score
Applelation Cider Applelation Cider Bronze 83
Batlow Cider Batlow Cloudy Cider Bronze 78
Batlow Cider Batlow Funk & Fresh Cider Bronze 78
Bilpin Cider Co Bilpin Original
Carmel Cider Company 680 Apple *
Core Cider Cloudy Bronze 82
Core Cider Melt Down Silver 85
Darkes Cider Howler Bronze 78
Devils Brewery Tasmania Cloudy Apple Cider
Frank’s Cider Summer Apple Cider Bronze 80
FUNK Cider PERTH Cider Bronze 78
FUNK Cider Session Cider Bronze 78
Golden Axe Cider Golden Axe Cider 375mL Bronze 83
Golden Axe Cider Golden Axe Cider 50L
Hillbilly Cider Apple Cider Bronze 78
Jachmann Apple Co Jachmann Pink Lady Apple Cider Bronze 83
James Squire James Squire Orchard Crush Apple Cider Bronze 82
Kellybrook Kellybrothers Apple Cider
Kersbrook Hill Kersbrook Hill Apple Cider *
Mock Red Hill Golden Cider Bronze 83
Montalto Montalto Apple Cider Bronze 80
Monteiths Crushed Apple Cider
Napoleone Apple Cider Silver (BOC) 92
Pink Lady Cider Co Pink Lady Cider Co – Original Apple Cider
Pressman’s Pressman’s Australian Apple Cider Silver 87
Pressman’s Draught Pressman’s Australian Apple Cider Draught Bronze 83
SMALL  ACRES  CYDER Small Acres Cyder 2016 Norfolk Still Bronze 83
Spreyton Cider Co Apple Cider Silver 85
St Ronan’s Cider St Ronan’s Apple Cider Bronze 82
Suspicious Squirrel Suspicious Squirrel
Sydney Brewery Sydney Cider Silver 86
Ten Sixty One By Atlanta Tso Original Batch 3 Bronze 80
Ten Sixty One By Atlanta Tso Original Batch 4 Cans Only Bronze 80
The Apple Thief Ciders Granny Smith Cider Bronze 82
The Apple Thief Ciders Pink Lady Cider Bronze 84
The Barossa Valley Cider Company Squashed Apple Cider Silver 91
The Hills Cider Company Apple Cider
The Hills Cider Company Cloudy Apple Cider Bronze 83
The Side Project Cider & Beer- works Mr Bright Cide Bronze 78
Westons Mortimers Orchard English Apple Bronze 84
Westons Stowford Press Medium Dry Bronze 80
Westons Stowford Press Medium Sweet
Judges remarks: Strong field. Styles divided judges. Better examples showed good use of
fruit and length with restrained astringent tannins.

New World Sweet Cider (>40g/L)

Sponsored by Winequip

        CLASS 4
Producer Product Award Score
5 Seeds 5 Seeds Crisp Apple Cider
SPARKKE Apple Cider SPARKKE Apple Cider Silver (BOC) 87
Batlow Cider Batlow Saison Cider Silver 87
Bilpin Cider Co Bilpin Blush Pink Lady Cider Bronze 79
Cheeky Tiki Cheeky Tiki –  Sweet Apple Cider Bronze 77.5
Dr Pilkington Dr Pilkington Miracle Cider Bronze 78
Fat Pixie Hard Cider
Flying Brick Cider Co Original Cider Bronze 83
Harcourt Cider Harcourt Apple Cider Bronze 83
Kirin Kirin Fuji Apple Cider Bronze 77.5
Monkey Shines Brew Co Scrumpy Apple Cider
Mr Finch Mr Finch Apple Cider (Bottle)
Mr Finch Mr Finch Apple Cider (Cans) Bronze 77.5
Newtons Newtons Apple Cider (Bottle)
Nightingale Bros Alpine Cider Pink Lady Sweet
Orchard Thieves Crisp Apple Cider Bronze 78
Runamuk Cider Co. The Pedler Apple Cider Silver 85
SMALL  ACRES  CYDER Small Acres Cyder 2016 Appscato Bronze 83
Steamrail Steamrail Apple Cider (Bottle) Bronze 77.5
Three Oaks Three Oaks Crushed Apple Cider 5 Bronze 77.5
Three Oaks Three Oaks Crushed Apple Cider 8 Silver 85
Judges remarks: Some sound commercial styles that did little to excite the judges. Higher
medals would have been awarded with more complexity and better balance.

New World ‘Method Traditional’ Cider (disgorged)

Sponsored by Winequip

 CLASS 5
Producer Product Award Score
Brady’s Lookout Cider 2016 Premium Cuvee Cider Bronze 78
Brady’s Lookout Cider 2016 Wild Cuvee Silver 89
Carmel Cider Company Apple Bronze 80
Carmel Cider Company Tree Ripened Apple Bronze 83
Core Cider 2015 Corerupted Silver (BOC) 91
SMALL  ACRES  CYDER Small Acres Cyder 2015 Sparkling Bronze 80
Sunshine Coast Cider Brut+ Cider Bronze 78
Judges remarks: Strong class, no major defects. Better examples showed finesse, elegance
and complex yeasty characters.

Traditional Dry Cider (<9g/L)

Sponsored by Summer Snow

 CLASS 6
Producer Product Award Score
3 Sons Cider The Cranky Pom Gold (BOC) 94
321 Learmonth 321 Learmonth Traditional Still Bronze 80
CHEEKY GROG CO KINGSTON HERITAGE
CHEEKY GROG CO SECRET SEVEN Bronze 80
Crucible Cider Crucible Dry Cider Silver 90
Daylesford Cider Vintage Dry Gold 93
El Gaitero Natural El Gaitero Group Bronze 80
FUNK Cider Organic Scrumpy
Hart’s Farm Dry Cider Silver 88
LOBO Cider LOBO Norman Bronze 80
SBO Traditional Silver 88
Spreyton Cider Co Vintage 2017 Gold 94
Sutton’s Juice Factory & Cidery Draught Cider
Tangletoe Sparkling Cider Bronze 77.5
The Side Project Cider & Beer- works 2017 Dry Vintage Silver 85
Judges remarks: Wonderful flight of cider, generally most found great balance. Some
with sugar were marked down. Those with complexity, depth of flavour and length were rewarded.

Traditional Medium Cider (~9-25g/L)

Sponsored by Summer Snow

 CLASS 7
Producer Product Award Score
CHEEKY GROG CO FOXY DABINETT Bronze 79
Daylesford Cider Arf N Arf Silver 85
Daylesford Cider Kingston Black Bronze 82
Devils Bit Mountain Cider Devils Bit Mountain Silver 88
El Gaitero El Gaitero Group
Flying Brick Cider Co MC Cider 2016 Bronze 78
Kangaroo Island Ciders Colony Cove Original Cider Bronze 79
Kangaroo Island Ciders Colony Cove Vintage Cider Gold (BOC) 93
Kellybrook Forgotten Orchard *
LOBO Cider LOBO Bodicea Bronze 82
LOBO Cider LOBO Trad Bronze 82
Spreyton Cider Co Cidermakers Select 2017 – The Big Q Silver 90
Westons Henry Westons Vintage Reserve
William Smith & Sons Willie Smith’s Yarlington Mill Cider Bronze 83
Judges remarks: Good overall. Not as much traditional characteristics as expected. A few
defects detracted and some lacking fruit weight.

Traditional Medium Sweet Cider (~25-40g/L)

Sponsored by Summer Snow

 CLASS 8
Producer Product Award Score
CHEEKY GROG CO SWEET MARENNY Bronze 78
Daylesford Cider Yarlington Mill Gold 92.5
Kangaroo Island Ciders Colony Cove Draught Cider Bronze 82.5
Spreyton Cider Co Cidermakers Select 2018 – V Squared Bronze 83
Westons Wyld Wood Organic Silver 86
William Smith & Sons Willie Smith’s French Blend Cider Silver 88
William Smith & Sons Willie Smith’s Kingston Black Cider Gold (BOC) 93
William Smith & Sons Willie Smith’s Traditional Cider Bronze 83
Zeffer Cider Co. Demi-Sec Gold 92.5
Judges remarks: Wonderful class of cider. Concentration, intensity, savoury complexity led the way. Tannin was important to hold shape. Ciders with excess tannin were marked
down. Very exciting class.

Traditional Sweet Cider (>40g/L)

Sponsored by Summer Snow

 CLASS 9
Producer Product Award Score
Daylesford Cider Sweet Coppin
LOBO Cider LOBO Royale Silver (BOC) 87
Judges remarks: Small class. Clean. Better example showed more traditional characteristics.

Traditional ‘Method Traditional’ Cider (disgorged)

Sponsored by Summer Snow

 CLASS 10
Producer Product Award Score
Core Cider 2017 Coreupted Silver 84.5
SMALL  ACRES  CYDER Small Acres Cyder 2015 The Cat’s Pyjamas Gold (BOC) 93
St Ronan’s Cider Methode Traditionelle Apple Cider Silver 84.5
White Rabbit White Rabbit Pierre Le Popielino Blanc 2015 Silver 85
Judges remarks: Very diverse bracket of cider. Best had freshness, purity, with some savoury complexity built in. Sugar was a little proppy in some cases and lack of fruit and length also
let some down.

New World Dry Perry (<9g/L)

Sponsored by Kegstar

 CLASS 21
Producer Product Award Score
LOBO Cider LOBO Dry Pear Silver (BOC) 85
Spreyton Cider Co Pear Cider
Spreyton Cider Co Pear Perry Bronze 80
Judges remarks: Some well made styles. Lacking a little sweetness to be elevated. Some
astringency let some down.

New World Medium Perry (~9-25g/L)

Sponsored by Kegstar

 CLASS 22
Producer Product Award Score
Bilpin Cider Co Bilpin Pear Cider Bronze 77.5
Darkes Cider Darkes Perry
Fils De Pømme L’Épatant Gold (BOC) 93
Flying Brick Cider Co Pear Cider Bronze 78
Napoleone Pear Cider Silver 91
SMALL  ACRES  CYDER Small Acres Poire Bronze 84
The Apple Thief Ciders William Pear Cider Bronze 78
Twisted Sister Twisted Sister Pear Cider Bronze 78
Judges remarks: Best had savoury complexity with balanced acid +/on tannin, good length
was rewarded. Balance and flavour an issue in some.

New World Medium Sweet Perry (~25-40g/L)

Sponsored by Kegstar

 CLASS 23
Producer Product Award Score
Harcourt Cider Harcourt Pear Cider Bronze 81
Hillbilly Cider Pear Cider Silver 85
Sydney Brewery Manly Perry Bronze 78
The Barossa Valley Cider Company Squashed Pear Cider Silver (BOC) 91
The Hills Cider Company Pear Cider Bronze 80
William Smith & Sons Willie Smith’s Farmhouse Perry Silver 86
Judges remarks: Some good examples, candied fruit and artifact were issues. Sugar balance
was important and rewarded.
New World Sweet Perry (>40g/L)
Sponsored by Kegstar		 CLASS 24
Producer Product Award Score
Frank’s Cider Summer Pear Cider Bronze (BOC) 82
Mr Finch Mr Finch Pear Perry (Bottle) Bronze 78
Mr Finch Mr Finch Pear Perry (Cans) Bronze 80
Newtons Newtons Pear Perry (Bottle) Bronze 79
Judges remarks: Commercial styles prevalent. Some judges balance of sweetness.

New World ‘Method Traditional’ Perry (disgorged)

Sponsored by Kegstar

 CLASS 25
Producer Product Award Score
Carmel Cider Company Pear 14 Silver (BOC) 90
Carmel Cider Company Pear 18 Bronze 78.5
Core Cider CorePearal Silver 88
Frank’s Cider Methode Traditionelle Bronze 78
Napoleone Methode Traditionelle Pear Cider Bronze 79
SMALL  ACRES  CYDER Small Acres Cyder 2016 Sparkling Perry Silver 86
SMALL  ACRES  CYDER Small Acres Cyder 2016 Sparkling Perry (ZD) Bronze 83
Judges remarks: Some fine simple styles. Time to consider options on how to build
complexity into this style. Judges struggled to find anything in depth required to elevate.

Traditional Dry Perry (<9g/L)

No entries

Traditional Medium Perry (~9-25g/L)

Sponsored by Kegstar

 CLASS 26
CLASS 27
Producer Product Award Score
CHEEKY GROG CO PERRY PEAR Silver (BOC) 86
Judges remarks: VA was marked down by some judges. Touch firm on the palate.

Traditional Medium Sweet Perry (~25-40g/L)

Sponsored by Kegstar

 CLASS 28
Producer Product Award Score
Westons Henry Westons Perry Bronze (BOC) 80
Judges remarks: Sugar was a little proppy. More structure and grip will help.

Traditional Sweet Perry (>40g/L)

No entries

       CLASS 29
Traditional ‘Method Traditional’ Perry (disgorged)
Sponsored by Kegstar		 CLASS 30
Producer Product Award Score
St Ronan’s Cider St Ronans Methode Traditionelle Pear Cider
Judges remarks: Looking for more complexity from MT style. Touch simple.

Experimental Cider or Perry

Sponsored by Labelhouse

 CLASS 31
Producer Product Award Score
Burra Scrumpy 4Fox8
Daylesford Cider Spiced Cider
Dollar Brewing Smith And Cripps
FUNK Cider American Hustle Silver (BOC) 85
FUNK Cider Ginger Cider Bronze 80
FUNK Cider Johhny Cash
FUNK Cider Sex Machine
Simple Cider Granny Smith And Ginger Bronze 80
Spreyton Cider Bitter Cider
Sydney Brewery Agave And Ginger Bronze 84
Sydney Brewery Oaked Organic Cider Bronze 80
The Hills Cider Company Apple And Ginger Bronze 79
The Hills Cider Company Hop Edition Bronze 84
William Smith & Sons Willie Smith’s Whisky Aged Cider Bronze 78
Zeffer Cider Co. Apple Crumble Cider Bronze 82
Judges remarks: Good range of flavour combinations. Make sure base cider character comes
through. Some experimental styles already moving into mainstream.

Apple and Pear Blends

Sponsored by East Coast Canning

 CLASS 32
Producer Product Award Score
Carmel Cider Co Apple And Pear Bronze 78
Cheeky Grog Co Cheeky Pair
Core Cider Reactor Bronze 77.5
Flying Brick Cider Co PAV 2018
LOBO Cider Lobo Apple And Pear Bronze 78
Mock Red Hill Apple And Pear Blend Silver 85
The Barossa Valley Cider Company Squashed Cloudy Cider Silver (BOC) 88
Judges remarks: Interesting diversity of styles. Best had layers of complexity with balance,
sugar. Faults brought some down.

Cider or Perry with Fruit

Sponsored by Vintessential

 CLASS 33
Producer Product Award Score
Brady’s Lookout Cider Mathew Brady Limited Edition Wild Ferment Rose
Carmel Cider Co Apple And Raspberry
Cherry Bird Apple And Cherry Cider Bronze 82
Frank’s Cider Cherry Pear Cider Silver 85
Frank’s Cider Raspberry Pear Cider Bronze 80
FUNK Cider Feijoa Cider Silver (BOC) 89
FUNK Cider Lemon Cider Bronze 81
FUNK Cider Passion8 *
FUNK Cider Passionfruit Cider *
FUNK Cider Pineapple Cider Bronze 78
FUNK Cider Pomegranate Cider Bronze 81
Harts Farm 3 Pommes
Simple Cider Wild Cherry
The Hills Cider Company Apple And Pomegranate
The Pomologist Quasar 2017
Westons Mortimers Orchard English Berry Bronze 82
Zeffer Cider Co. Cherry Cider Silver 87
Judges remarks: Some were well integrated. Others weren’t. Good efforts. Better examples
had depth of fruit and balanced sweetness to let the fruit shine through.

Lighter Strength Cider or Perry

Sponsored by William Angliss Institute

 CLASS 34
Producer Product Award Score
Core Cider PeaceCore Bronze 77.5
Daylesford Cider Heritage Light
Hillbilly Cider Sweet Julie Bronze (BOC) 78
Judges remarks: A by-product of the industry produced some uninspiring styles.

Ice Cider or Perry

No entries

 CLASS 35
Pommeau
Sponsored by Plasdene GlassPak		 CLASS 42
Producer Product Award Score
SMALL  ACRES  CYDER Small Acres Cyder 2010 Pommeau Gold (BOC) 92.5
SMALL  ACRES  CYDER Small Acres Cyder 2011 Pommeau
Judges remarks: One very good example balanced with well integrated spirit. Wonderful
spice and savoury complexity.

Apple or Pear Spirits – Eau de Vie

Sponsored by Plasdene GlassPak

 CLASS 43
Producer Product Award Score
Charles Oates Charles Oates Apple Blanco Bronze 79.4
Core Cider Tractor Juice Bronze (BOC) 82.9
Frank’s Cider Pear Scnapps
LOBO Cider LOBO Apfel – Traditional Schnapps Bronze 80.2
Spreyton Cider Spreyton Cider Bronze 78.8
Judges remarks: Some nice examples. With more experience in distillation this class could
be exciting.

Apple or Pear Spirits – Aged Spirit

Sponsored by Plasdene GlassPak

 CLASS 44
Producer Product Award Score
Captain Bligh’s Brewery Rumple *
Charles Oates Charles Oates Fine Apple Brandy Muscat Barrel Bronze 81.7
Charles Oates Charles Oates Fine Apple Brandy Tokay Barrel Silver (BOC) 87.1
LOBO Cider LOBODOS Apple Brandy Bronze 82.7
Judges remarks: Great class. Lots of potential for the future. Winning example will only
improve. Other examples need more time in maturation.

A PDF version of the the full results is available here

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