Well It’s that time of year. The 2019 Australian Cider Awards.

Cider Australia has announced the winners of its 2019 Australian Cider Awards at a gala dinner in Melbourne this evening. Barossa Cider Co – Squashed Apple Cider from South Australia won ‘Best in Show’, ‘Best New World Cider’ and ‘Best Australian Cider’ with a score of 97 in the New World Medium Sweet Cider class.

Hosted by Cider Australia, the show promotes and rewards excellence in cider production and brings together the Australian cider community in a celebration of the cider category’s rapid advancement.

A field of 267 Australian and international entries across 24 classes were judged by a panel of respected industry professionals including visiting guest judge Tom Oliver from Oliver’s Cider & Perry in the UK and Jody Scott from Zeffer Cider in New Zealand.

Of the record 16 gold medals awarded this year, 14 were won by Australian producers in a show of the outstanding skills of our local cider makers. Within each class, bronze, silver or gold medals were awarded based on points achieved, with the highest score winning best in class and the overall category trophy.

 

BEST IN SHOW -2019 Australian Cider Awards

The Barossa Cider Co – Squashed Apple Cider, The Barossa Valley Cider Company, South Australia (97pts)

BEST TRADITIONAL CIDER

Colony Cove 2018 Draught Cider, Kangaroo Island Ciders, South Australia (93pts)

BEST NEW WORLD CIDER

The Barossa Cider Co – Squashed Apple Cider, The Barossa Valley Cider Company, South Australia (97pts)

BEST PERRY

Small Acres Cyder 2017 Sparkling Perry, Small Acres Cyder, New South Wales (93pts)

BEST INTENSIFIED/DISTILLED CIDER OR PERRY

Charles Oates Distilling Apple Blanco, William Smith And Sons, Tasmania (93pts)

BEST SPECIALTY CIDER OR PERRY

Not Awarded

BEST AUSTRALIAN CIDER OR PERRY

The Barossa Cider Co – Squashed Apple Cider, The Barossa Valley Cider Company, South Australia (97pts)

BEST INTERNATIONAL CIDER OR PERRY

Sidro Del Bosco, Cester Camillo Pty Ltd, Victoria (94pts)

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

Small Acres Cyder, New South Wales

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

William Smith & Sons, Tasmania

BEST PACKAGING AWARD (STEWARDS CHOICE)

Lobo Apple Brandy – Lobodos, Lobo Juice And Cider Pty Ltd, South Australia

Message From The Chief Steward Of The 2019 Australian Cider Awards

The Australian Cider Awards increases in size each year, and new classes are introduced to keep up with market and maker trends. We had a great judging team who came from a range of backgrounds giving diversity and depth to the panels. Once again an enthusiastic band of stewards gathered at the William Angliss Institute to polish and pour. The stewards’ goal is to present a seamless professional show to the judges, with the highest possible integrity. This year we had an extra team from the Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria helping with the new software and tablet-based judging. The stewards get to taste a little after the judging, and there is an opportunity to judge for a session, as a “rotating associate”. This allows stewards to sit alongside the full judges on “L” plates and judge and participate in the deliberation of scores. Stewarding is fun, has bursts of hard work, and there are quieter moments for talking about all things cider and getting to know everyone. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank everyone involved in the running of the show for their participation – it takes a lot of people working together to do this.
Cheers, Warwick

New World Dry Cider (<9g/L)

    CLASS 1
Catalogue # Product Producer Award Score
4924 Adam’s Evening HiFi Pulp & Juice P/L, Victoria, Australia Gold 97.0
2359 Sydney Brewery Oaked Organic Cider Winadell T/A Schwartz Brewery (Sydney Brewery), New South Wales, Australia Gold 95.0
3862 Ninch Cider Harps’ Harvest Ninch Cider, Tasmania, Australia Silver 90.0
3750 Fernbank Creek Cidery – Original Dry Cider FBC Beverages Pty Ltd (T/A Fernbank Creek Cidery), New South Wales, Australia Silver 87.0
1428 X3 – 2016 Incy Wincy Cyder Pty Limited, New South Wales, Australia Silver 86.0
1273 Bilpin Archibald High ‘n’ Dry, Can Bilpin Cider Co, New South Wales, Australia Bronze 83.0
5465 Adam’s Evening 2018 Dry Pulp & Juice P/L, Victoria, Australia Bronze 82.3
7517 Sutton’s Pink Lady Apple Cider Sutton’s Juice Factory & Cidery, Queensland, Australia Bronze 81.0
4073 3 Sons Cider – Pomme 3 Sons Cider, Australian Capital Territory, Australia Bronze 80.7
7387 Small Acres Cyder 2016 Somerset Still Small Acres Cyder, New South Wales, Australia Bronze 80.7
6670 Incy Wincy Cyder Wild 2017 Incy Wincy Cyder Pty Limited, New South Wales, Australia Bronze 80.0
5264 Huntsman 2018 Incy Wincy Cyder Pty Limited, New South Wales, Australia Bronze 79.0
1872 Willie Smith’s Bone Dry William Smith and Sons, Tasmania, Australia Bronze 79.0
9266 Huntsman 2017 Incy Wincy Cyder Pty Limited, New South Wales, Australia Bronze 78.7
5373 Castaway Low Carb Apple Cider Pinnacle Drinks, New South Wales, Australia Bronze 78.7
4473 Bilpin Archibald High ‘n’ Dry Bilpin Cider Co, New South Wales, Australia Bronze 78.5
7579 Roleystone Brewing Co – Original Roleystone Brewing Co Pty Ltd, Western Australia, Australia Bronze 78.5
6120 SBO Australian Surges Bay Orchard, Tasmania, Australia Bronze 78.3
2536 Runamuk “Scoundrel” Dry Cider Runamuk Cider Co., Western Australia, Australia Bronze 78.2
3368 SBO Wild Ferment Surges Bay Orchard, Tasmania, Australia Bronze 78.0
5783 Devil’s Orchard Apple Cider ALDI Stores (Aust), New South Wales, Australia
9276 Camilla’s Crush Brooklet Farm Produce, Victoria, Australia
6356 Monkeyshines Cider Coles Liquor Group, Victoria, Australia
4445 Core Cider SCORE-umpy Core Cider, Western Australia, Australia
7410 Core Cider Core Cider, Western Australia, Australia
8187 Core Cider Hard CORE Core Cider, Western Australia, Australia
9125 Granite Belt Cider Co – Treehouse Cider Granite Belt Cider Co, New South Wales, Australia
2955 Vat of 9 Tails 2018 Incy Wincy Cyder Pty Limited, New South Wales, Australia
4207 On the Shoulders of Giants Wild Ferment Oaked Brut Dry Batch 2 Manjimup Cider Co, Western Australia, Australia
6207 On the Shoulders of Giants Wild Ferment Oaked Brut Dry Batch 1 Manjimup Cider Co, Western Australia, Australia
9933 Scape Goat Lower Sugar Apple Cider Pinnacle Drinks, New South Wales, Australia
4027 Spreyton Cider Co – Classic Cider Spreyton Fresh P/L, Tasmania, Australia
6127 Sunshine Coast Cider – Dry & Still Sunshine Coast Cider, Queensland, Australia
8880 Winter Brook Cider Winter Brook Vineyard, Tasmania, Australia
Judges remarks: Overall very good class, best had good integration, balance and complexity, some pushing the style positively. Few faults but some did appeal.

 

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

    CLASS 2
Catalogue # Product Producer Award Score
5244 Sidro Del Bosco Cester Camillo Pty Ltd, Victoria, Australia Gold 94.0
5407 Yarra Valley Cider Yarra Valley Cider, Victoria, Australia Silver 87.0
9712 Willie Smith’s Organic Apple Cider William Smith and Sons, Tasmania, Australia Silver 86.0
3851 Hillbilly Cider Vintage Hillbilly Cider, New South Wales, Australia Bronze 84.0
8127 Mock Red Hill Classic Cider Mock Red Hill, Victoria, Australia Bronze 82.3
3001 Flying Brick Cider Co Draught Cider Flying Brick Cider Co, Victoria, Australia Bronze 82.0
5126 LOBO Cloudy Cider LOBO Juice and Cider Pty Ltd, South Australia, Australia Bronze 81.3
3134 Harcourt Dry Cider Harcourt Perry and Cider Makers P/L, Victoria, Australia Bronze 79.7
8391 Darkes Dry Cider Glenbernie Orchard PTY LTD, New South Wales, Australia Bronze 79.3
6980 Hillbilly Cider Scrumpy Hillbilly Cider, New South Wales, Australia Bronze 79.0
1162 Bilpin Archibald Cloudy Apple Cider Bilpin Cider Co, New South Wales, Australia Bronze 78.8
6393 Carmel Cider Carmel Cider Company, Western Australia, Australia Bronze 78.7
5976 Fils de Pomme – La Sauvage Fils de Pomme Australia Pty Ltd, New South Wales, Australia Bronze 78.7
1891 Two Birds Brewing Apple Cider Two Birds Brewing Pty Ltd, Victoria, Australia Bronze 78.0
9385 Hansen Tasmania Apple Cider 330ML Hansen Tasmania Pty Ltd, Tasmania, Australia Bronze 77.5
8548 Castaway Original Apple Cider Pinnacle Drinks, New South Wales, Australia Bronze 77.5
5164 Runamuk “Grifter” Medium Dry Cider Runamuk Cider Co., Western Australia, Australia Bronze 77.5
9771 Sidewood Apple Cider Sidewood Estate, South Australia, Australia Bronze 77.5
5613 The Side Project: Mr Bright Cide The Side Project Cider & Beerworks, South Australia, Australia Bronze 77.5
2649 3 Sons Cider – Comfortably Numb 3 Sons Cider, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
8013 Apple Truck Cider Apple Truck Ciders, New South Wales, Australia
6385 Batlow Premium Cider Batlow Cider Co, New South Wales, Australia Not Received
5185 Pure Blonde Organic Cider Carlton & United Breweries, Victoria, Australia
9389 Mr Finch Lower Sugar Coles Liquor Group, Victoria, Australia
6178 Funk Cider Saison cider Funk Cider, Western Australia, Australia
2374 Jolly Miller Draught Apple Cider Gundaroo Cider Company, New South Wales, Australia
6412 Vat of 9 Tails – 2017 Incy Wincy Cyder Pty Limited, New South Wales, Australia
9101 Ironbark Hill – Breathe A Cider Relief Ironbark Hill Brewhouse, New South Wales, Australia
7188 Napoleone 2019 Vintage Release Cider, Keg Napoleone Cider, Victoria, Australia
6492 Cheeky Tiki – Dry Apple Cider Ohana Winery & Cheeky Tiki a Cider, Queensland, Australia
9526 Patrick Of Coonawarra Applelation Apple Cider Patrick of Coonawarra Pty Ltd, South Australia, Australia
5834 Sidewood Apple Cider, Can Sidewood Estate, South Australia, Australia
3455 Sunshine Coast Cider – Sunshine Cider Sunshine Coast Cider, Queensland, Australia
Judges remarks: Overall very strong class. Best had complexity and purity of fruit. Simple styles were rewarded for drinkability, some experimental styles were marked down when they didn’t hit the mark.

 

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

    CLASS 3
Catalogue # Product Producer Award Score
4371 The Barossa Cider Co – Squashed Apple Cider The Barossa Valley Cider Company, South Australia, Australia Gold 97.0
1047 Small Acres Pomme Small Acres Cyder, New South Wales, Australia Silver 89.0
5430 The Hills Cider Company, Apple The Hills Cider company, South Australia, Australia Silver 86.0
6338 Sydney Brewery Sydney Cider Winadell T/A Schwartz Brewery (Sydney Brewery), New South Wales, Australia Silver 85.0
2061 Hillbilly Cider Crushed Apple Hillbilly Cider, New South Wales, Australia Bronze 83.7
5488 Eddies Cider Eddies Cider, Victoria, Australia Bronze 83.0
5088 Runamuk “Pedlar” Medium Sweet Cider Runamuk Cider Co., Western Australia, Australia Bronze 82.0
1192 Daylesford Cider – Heritage light Jonathan Mackie, Victoria, Australia Bronze 81.0
1301 Frank’s Summer Apple Cider Franklin Cider Company, Tasmania, Australia Bronze 79.8
3062 Napoleone Apple Cider Napoleone Cider, Victoria, Australia Bronze 79.8
7291 Granny Smith Can Cider Production Pty Ltd, New South Wales, Australia Bronze 78.0
2113 Daylesford Cider – Session Jonathan Mackie, Victoria, Australia Bronze 78.0
4102 Batlow Cloudy Cider Batlow Cider Co, New South Wales, Australia Not Received
2352 Bilpin Original Cider Bilpin Cider Co, New South Wales, Australia
4112 Cedar Creek Cider Cedar Creek Cider, New South Wales, Australia
5375 Cheeky Cider Cheeky Grog Co. Pty Ltd, Victoria, Australia
1068 Granny Smith Cider Production Pty Ltd, New South Wales, Australia
7942 Pink Lady Cider Cider Production Pty Ltd, New South Wales, Australia
5216 Fat Pixie Hard Cider Coles Liquor Group, Victoria, Australia
4212 Colonial Brewing Co. Bertie Apple Cider Colonial Brewing Co., Victoria, Australia
9340 Colonial Brewing Co. Bertie Apple Cider, Keg Colonial Brewing Co., Victoria, Australia
1525 Core Cider Melt Down Core Cider, Western Australia, Australia
1078 St Ronan’s Apple Cider DJP Ronin Pty Ltd, Victoria, Australia
9118 Funk Cider – PERTH CIDER Funk Cider, Western Australia, Australia
3931 Darkes Cider- Howler Glenbernie Orchard PTY LTD, New South Wales, Australia
8296 Jachmann Pink Lady Apple Cider Jachmann Apple Co Pty Ltd, South Australia, Australia
1775 Kelly Brothers Cider Kellybrook Winery, Victoria, Australia
8996 Mock Red Hill Golden Cider Mock Red Hill, Victoria, Australia
8784 EASY RIDER Apple Cider Rusty Bike Wines & Ciders, South Australia, Australia
5119 KAIJU! Golden Axe Crisp Apple Cider South East Brewing Company, Victoria, Australia
8059 Spreyton Cider Co – Apple Cider Spreyton Fresh P/L, Tasmania, Australia
6643 The Hills Cider Company, Cloudy Apple The Hills Cider Company, South Australia, Australia
5279 Tower Estate Tower Estate, New South Wales, Australia
Judges remarks: Disappointing class overall ranging from light-flavoured confectionery styles to developed styles. Various sulphur issues which were exposed due to lightness of style.

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New World Sweet Cider (>40g/L)

    CLASS 4
Catalogue # Product Producer Award Score
5842 Small Acres Cyder 2016 Appscato Small Acres Cyder, New South Wales, Australia Gold 93.0
4360 Storm European Apple Cider ALDI Stores (Aust), New South Wales, Australia Silver 90.0
6754 SPARKKE Apple Cider The Sparkke Change Beverage Company, South Australia, Australia Bronze 82.0
7686 Mock Red Hill Sweet Cider Mock Red Hill, Victoria, Australia Bronze 81.0
7378 Bilpin Blush Pink Lady Cider Bilpin Cider Co, New South Wales, Australia Bronze 79.3
9076 Trattore- New World Cider Bellevue Orchard Pty Ltd, Victoria, Australia Bronze 78.5
2086 Harcourt Apple Cider Harcourt Perry and Cider Makers P/L, Victoria, Australia Bronze 78.0
6382 Main Ridge Cider (Vic) Pty Ltd Main Ridge Cider (Vic) Pty Ltd, Victoria, Australia Bronze 77.7
5755 Pressman’s Apple Cider Australian Beer Company, New South Wales, Australia
8873 Pressman’s Draught Apple Cider, Keg Australian Beer Company, New South Wales, Australia
3051 Batlow Saison Cider, Keg Batlow Cider Co, New South Wales, Australia
3463 Strongbow Classic Apple Cider Carlton & United Breweries, Victoria, Australia
8260 Mercury Hard Cider Carlton & United Breweries, Victoria, Australia
3429 Mr Finch Apple Coles Liquor Group, Victoria, Australia
6939 Miss Seed Cider Coles Liquor Group, Victoria, Australia
4297 Core Cider Cloudy Core Cider, Western Australia, Australia
3599 Flying Brick Cider Co Original Cider Flying Brick Cider Co, Victoria, Australia
4022 Hillbilly Cider Sweet Julie Hillbilly Cider, New South Wales, Australia
3656 Prizefighter Nine Mile Fresh Pty Ltd, Victoria, Australia
5431 Cheeky Tiki – Sweet Apple Cider Ohana Winery & Cheeky Tiki a Cider, Queensland, Australia
3246 Scape Goat Crisp Apple Cider Pinnacle Drinks, New South Wales, Australia
Judges remarks: Sound class with a mixture of results. The best managed to carry higher levels of sugar while still having complexity, character and interest on both the nose and palate. Others lacked complexity and were dominated by sugar to make them eligible for higher scores.

 

New World ‘Method Traditional’ Cider (disgorged)

    CLASS 5
Catalogue # Product Producer Award Score
6426 Core Cider 2017 CORE-upted Core Cider, Western Australia, Australia Gold 94.0
4367 Core Cider 2015 CORE-upted Core Cider, Western Australia, Australia Gold 92.5
1900 Small Acres Cyder 2016 Sparkling Small Acres Cyder, New South Wales, Australia Silver 89.0
5380 Apple 15 Carmel Cider Company, Western Australia, Australia Silver 86.0
9698 Core Cider 2018 CORE-upted Core Cider, Western Australia, Australia Bronze 80.0
1401 Tree Ripened Apple Carmel Cider Company, Western Australia, Australia Bronze 78.3
6877 Oaked Apple Carmel Cider Company, Western Australia, Australia
8186 Gurneys Method Traditional Gurneys Cider, Victoria, Australia
2917 Sunshine Coast Cider – Brut+ Cider Méthode Traditionelle Sunshine Coast Cider, Queensland, Australia
Judges remarks: Strong class, very good examples bring complexity and texture from Method Traditional. Best examples showing good use of oak and clean fruit.

 

Traditional Dry Cider (<9g/L)

    CLASS 6
Catalogue # Product Producer Award Score
4996 Hart’s Farm Dry Cider Marah Enterprises Pty Ltd, Victoria, Australia Gold 92.5
1380 321 Traditional Still 2016 321 Cider, Victoria, Australia Silver 92
9719 Malus Cider ‘Robusta’ Malus Cider, Victoria, Australia Silver 90.0
6134 3 Sons Cider – Kingston Black 3 Sons Cider, Australian Capital Territory, Australia Silver 88.0
7957 Secret Seven Cheeky Grog Co. Pty Ltd, Victoria, Australia Bronze 80.0
8991 Percy Chicken’s Authentic Draught Scrumpy Denmark Heritage Cider Company, Western Australia, Australia Bronze 79.3
5362 LOBO Norman LOBO Juice and Cider Pty Ltd, South Australia, Australia Bronze 78.7
1673 Marenny Vale 2004 Vintage Cheeky Grog Co. Pty Ltd, Victoria, Australia Bronze 77.5
1644 SBO Sturmer Pippin Surges Bay Orchard, Tasmania, Australia Bronze 77.5
9592 Gurneys Orchard Reserve Gurneys Cider, Victoria, Australia
4137 Crucible Cider Pennyroyal Raspberry Farm, Victoria, Australia
6784 Spreyton Cider Co – Vintage 2018 Spreyton Fresh P/L, Tasmania, Australia
4269 SBO Traditional Surges Bay Orchard, Tasmania, Australia
7153 Sutton’s Dry Cider Sutton’s Juice Factory & Cidery, Queensland, Australia
5328 The Side Project: Dry Vintage Cider The Side Project Cider & Beerworks, South Australia, Australia
Judges remarks: Best examples showing great concentration and depth. Some tannin came across as overly astringent. Overall showing nice complexity but work required on balance for many.

 

Traditional Medium Cider (9-25g/L)

    CLASS 7
Catalogue # Product Producer Award Score
4607 Willie Smith’s French Blend William Smith and Sons, Tasmania, Australia Gold 93.0
1004 Willie Smith’s Traditional William Smith and Sons, Tasmania, Australia Silver 85.7
1776 Daylesford Cider – Wild Jonathan Mackie, Victoria, Australia Silver 85.2
8790 Daylesford Cider – Arf n Arf Jonathan Mackie, Victoria, Australia Silver 85.0
5537 Devils Bit Mountain cider Unwined Liquor Pty Ltd, Victoria, Australia Silver 85.0
3534 Willie Smith’s Kingston Black William Smith and Sons, Tasmania, Australia Silver 85.0
1876 Spreyton Cider Co – Kingston Black 2019 Spreyton Fresh P/L, Tasmania, Australia Bronze 83.5
9200 Colony Cove 2019 Original Cider Kangaroo Island Ciders, South Australia, Australia Bronze 82.1
1661 3 Sons Cider – Naughty Nanna 3 Sons Cider, Australian Capital Territory, Australia Bronze 82.0
4251 Daylesford Cider – Bulmers Norman Cider Jonathan Mackie, Victoria, Australia Bronze 82.0
7906 LOBO Trad LOBO Juice and Cider Pty Ltd, South Australia, Australia Bronze 82.0
9154 Spreyton Cider Co – Cidermakers Select 2017 – The Big Q Spreyton Fresh P/L, Tasmania, Australia Bronze 79.3
9680 321 Heritage 321 Cider, Victoria, Australia Bronze 79.0
4286 BeerFarm Western Cider BeerFarm, Western Australia, Australia
5548 Tratttore- West Country Style Cider Bellevue Orchard Pty Ltd, Victoria, Australia
8202 Batlow Road Cider Wilgro Orchards, New South Wales, Australia
Judges remarks: Majority showed reserved traditional character in terms of barnyard notes. All showed levels of tannin and astringency. Only a few minor defects were perceived.

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

 CLASS 8
Catalogue # Product Producer Award Score
1348 Colony Cove 2018 Draught Cider Kangaroo Island Ciders, South Australia, Australia Gold 97.0
2713 Zeffer Cidre Demi-Sec Zeffer Cider Co., New Zealand Gold 92.5
8448 Colony Cove 2019 Draught Cider Kangaroo Island Ciders, South Australia, Australia Silver 87.0
2747 Seven Oaks Farmhouse Cider Seven Oaks Farmhouse Cider, Victoria, Australia Bronze 79.7
6098 Steamrail Cider Coles Liquor Group, Victoria, Australia
1582 Thatchers Gold Apple Cider Premium Beverages, Victoria, Australia
4968 Willie Smith’s Frequin Good Cider, Keg William Smith and Sons, Tasmania, Australia
Judges remarks: Best examples used tannin intelligently to build structure and length around sweetness. Good range of interpretation of the style.

 

Traditional Sweet Cider (>40g/L)

 CLASS 9
Catalogue # Product Producer Award Score
6244 LOBO Royale LOBO Juice and Cider Pty Ltd, South Australia, Australia Silver 89.0
2682 Daylesford Cider – Sweet Coppin Jonathan Mackie, Victoria, Australia Bronze 79.0
Judges remarks: Two strong examples, very nicely balanced.

 

Traditional ‘Method Traditional’ Cider (disgorged)

   CLASS 10
Catalogue # Product Producer Award Score
8137 Flying Brick Cider Co MC Cider Flying Brick Cider Co, Victoria, Australia Gold 97.0
7879 St Ronan’s Method Traditional Apple Cider DJP Ronin Pty Ltd, Victoria, Australia Gold 95.0
8607 Denmark Heritage Cider Company Blend 16 Natural. Denmark Heritage Cider Company, Western Australia, Australia Gold 93.0
8539 Small Acres Cyder 2015 Cat’s Pyjamas Small Acres Cyder, New South Wales, Australia Silver 85.3
5670 3 Sons Cider – Methode Traditonal 3 Sons Cider, Australian Capital Territory, Australia Bronze 84.1
9751 Denmark Heritage Cider Co. Blend 2017. Medium Dry Denmark Heritage Cider Company, Western Australia, Australia Bronze 83.7
7842 Denmark Heritage Cider Company Blend 16 Medium Denmark Heritage Cider Company, Western Australia, Australia Bronze 83.0
8403 Denmark Heritage Cider Company Blend 15 Medium Dry Denmark Heritage Cider Company, Western Australia, Australia Bronze 80.2
1017 Willie Smith’s Methode Traditionelle William Smith and Sons, Tasmania, Australia Bronze 80.0
5514 Adam’s Evening Extra Special Night Tonic Pulp & Juice P/L, Victoria, Australia Bronze 79.7
2121 Denmark Heritage Cider Co Blend 2017 Natural Dry Denmark Heritage Cider Company, Western Australia, Australia Bronze 79.6
2177 Denmark Heritage Cider Co. Blend 2017. Rich. Denmark Heritage Cider Company, Western Australia, Australia Bronze 78.3
2520 321 Cuvee 2015 321 Cider, Victoria, Australia
7199 Heritage Apple Carmel Cider Company, Western Australia, Australia
6150 Denmark Heritage Cider Company Blend 15 Rich Denmark Heritage Cider Company, Western Australia, Australia
6514 House of Cards ‘AppleJack’ Cider House of Cards Margaret River Pty Ltd, Western Australia, Australia
Judges remarks: Very strong class, almost all medal winners. Good range of flavour development and fruit purity. Three stand out golds speaks very well for the direction of the cider industry.

 

New World Dry Perry (<9g/L)

 CLASS 21
Catalogue # Product Producer Award Score
2695 Ninch Cider Parsons Bay Perry Ninch Cider, Tasmania, Australia Bronze 80.8
2640 Devil’s Orchard Pear Cider ALDI Stores (Aust), New South Wales, Australia Bronze 79.5
2586 Incy Wincy Cyder – Perry 2018 Incy Wincy Cyder Pty Limited, New South Wales, Australia
Judges remarks: A few clean, fresh examples. None stand-out.

 

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

 CLASS 22
Catalogue # Product Producer Award Score
1425 Yarra Valley Cider Pure Pear Yarra Valley Cider, Victoria, Australia Silver 87.0
5265 Napoleone Pear Cider Napoleone Cider, Victoria, Australia Bronze 79.5
2766 Sydney Brewery Manly Perry Winadell T/A Schwartz Brewery (Sydney Brewery), New South Wales, Australia Bronze 78.7
5935 Flying Brick Cider Co Pear Cider Flying Brick Cider Co, Victoria, Australia Bronze 77.7
5349 Willam Pear Cider Production Pty Ltd, New South Wales, Australia
6681 Sidewood Pear Cider Sidewood Estate, South Australia, Australia
Judges remarks: Some well-made examples. Best had good balance and drinkability while those with too much sugar were marked down. Oxidative characters, when integrated, were rewarded.

 

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

 CLASS 22
Catalogue # Product Producer Award Score
1425 Yarra Valley Cider Pure Pear Yarra Valley Cider, Victoria, Australia Silver 87.0
5265 Napoleone Pear Cider Napoleone Cider, Victoria, Australia Bronze 79.5
2766 Sydney Brewery Manly Perry Winadell T/A Schwartz Brewery (Sydney Brewery), New South Wales, Australia Bronze 78.7
5935 Flying Brick Cider Co Pear Cider Flying Brick Cider Co, Victoria, Australia Bronze 77.7
5349 Willam Pear Cider Production Pty Ltd, New South Wales, Australia
6681 Sidewood Pear Cider Sidewood Estate, South Australia, Australia
Judges remarks: Some well made examples. Best had good balance and drinkability while those with too much sugar were marked down. Oxidative characters when integrated were rewarded.

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

 CLASS 23
Catalogue # Product Producer Award Score
8276 The Hills Cider Company, Pear The Hills Cider company, South Australia, Australia Silver 87.0
2726 Fils de Pomme – L’Epatant Fils de Pomme Australia Pty Ltd, New South Wales, Australia Silver 85.0
3965 The Barossa Cider Co – Squashed Pear Cider The Barossa Valley Cider Company, South Australia, Australia Silver 85.0
1369 Frank’s Summer Pear Cider Franklin Cider Company, Tasmania, Australia Bronze 81.5
9811 Harcourt Pear Cider Harcourt Perry and Cider Makers P/L, Victoria, Australia Bronze 79.0
8805 Hillbilly Cider Pear Hillbilly Cider, New South Wales, Australia
6562 Kelly Brothers Pear Kellybrook Winery, Victoria, Australia
8640 Scape Goat Classic Pear Cider Pinnacle Drinks, New South Wales, Australia
6250 Small Acres Poire Small Acres Cyder, New South Wales, Australia
1642 Spreyton Cider Co – Pear Cider Spreyton Fresh P/L, Tasmania, Australia
Judges remarks: Balance with acidity was the defining factor for better examples. Lack of complexity was restricting high medals. Overall, clean and simple ciders.

 

New World Sweet Perry (>40g/L)

 CLASS 24
Catalogue # Product Producer Award Score
6583 Mr Finch Pear Coles Liquor Group, Victoria, Australia Bronze 80.8
5793 Core Cider Sparkling Pear Core Cider, Western Australia, Australia
Judges remarks: Lacked a little depth, complexity and balance to elevate to higher levels.

 

New World ‘Method Traditional’ Perry (disgorged)

 CLASS 25
Catalogue # Product Producer Award Score
2049 Small Acres Cyder 2017 Sparkling Perry Small Acres Cyder, New South Wales, Australia Gold 92.5
6272 Pear Carmel Cider Company, Western Australia, Australia Silver 86.0
5699 St Ronan’s Method Traditional Pear Cider DJP Ronin Pty Ltd, Victoria, Australia Bronze 79.0
1648 Napoleone Pear Method Traditional Napoleone Cider, Victoria, Australia Bronze 78.0
7909 Core Cider 2017 CORE-pear-al Core Cider, Western Australia, Australia
Judges remarks: Best had good clean fruit. Many lacked complexity to elevate to top levels.

 

Traditional Dry Perry (<9g/L)

 CLASS 26
Catalogue # Product Producer Award Score
6251 LOBO Dry Pear LOBO Juice and Cider Pty Ltd, South Australia, Australia Silver 86.0

 

Traditional Medium Perry (9-25g/L)

No entries

   CLASS 27

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

No entries

   CLASS 28

 

Traditional Sweet Perry (>40g/L)

 CLASS 29
Catalogue # Product Producer Award Score
3258 Perry Pear Cheeky Grog Co. Pty Ltd, Victoria, Australia

 

Traditional ‘Method Traditional’ Perry (disgorged)

 CLASS 30
Catalogue # Product Producer Award Score
6683 Frank’s Methode Traditionelle Perry Franklin Cider Company, Tasmania, Australia Bronze 83.0

 

Experimental Cider or Perry

   CLASS 31
Catalogue # Product Producer Award Score
4953 Sydney Brewery Agave Ginger Cider Winadell T/A Schwartz Brewery (Sydney Brewery), New South Wales, Australia Silver 85.0
2950 Runamuk “Trickster” Runamuk Cider Co., Western Australia, Australia Bronze 82.3
4830 Pure Peninsula Honey Manuka Honey Cider Pure Peninsula Honey, Victoria, Australia Bronze 81.3
1241 Mercury Hard Cider Crushed Raspberry Carlton & United Breweries, Victoria, Australia Bronze 80.3
5638 Spreyton Cider Co – Bitter Cider Spreyton Fresh P/L, Tasmania, Australia Bronze 80.3
8284 Funk Cider – Sex Machine Funk Cider, Western Australia, Australia Bronze 80.2
9037 Darraweit Valley Cider – Oaked Apple Cider Darraweit Valley Cider, Victoria, Australia Bronze 80.1
7381 Apple Truck Cider – Mosaic Dry Hopped Apple Truck Ciders, New South Wales, Australia Withdrawn
6255 Pressman’s Oaked Cider, Keg Australian Beer Company, New South Wales, Australia
1830 Strongbow Blossom Rose Cider Carlton & United Breweries, Victoria, Australia
5727 Darraweit Valley Cider – Hopped Apple Cider Darraweit Valley Cider, Victoria, Australia
9106 Funk Cider – American hustle Funk Cider, Western Australia, Australia
8416 Runamuk “BushBandit” Runamuk Cider Co., Western Australia, Australia
3903 Southern Forest Cider Co ‘Tickled Pink’ Southern Forest Cider Co, Western Australia, Australia
9849 Sydney Brewery Sydney 697 Winadell T/A Schwartz Brewery (Sydney Brewery), New South Wales, Australia Withdrawn
3665 Zeffer Cider Co. Apple Crumble cider Zeffer Cider Co., New Zealand Not Received
Judges remarks: Diverse class, most showing good integration of additional flavours, although some were heavy-handed. Good to see new approaches in innovation to the cider category.

 

Apple and Pear Blends

 CLASS 32
Catalogue # Product Producer Award Score
8881 LOBO Apple and Pear Cider LOBO Juice and Cider Pty Ltd, South Australia, Australia Silver 86.0
2170 Mock Red Hill Apple & Pear Cider Mock Red Hill, Victoria, Australia Silver 85.0
1393 The Barossa Cider Co – Cloudy Cider The Barossa Valley Cider Company, South Australia, Australia Bronze 82.0
1155 Darraweit Valley Cider – Apple & Pear Cider Darraweit Valley Cider, Victoria, Australia Bronze 79.3
6175 Apple and Pear Carmel Cider Company, Western Australia, Australia Bronze 77.5
4107 Core Reactor Core Cider, Western Australia, Australia
2696 Roleystone Brewing Co – Gold’n Pear Roleystone Brewing Co Pty Ltd, Western Australia, Australia
Judges remarks: Good range of styles. Pear character gave some nice lift and vibrancy to some. Style shows promise. Balance overall was good, this was rewarded. Less drinkable styles were marked down.

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Cider or Perry with Fruit

 CLASS 33
Catalogue # Product Producer Award Score
5750 EASY RIDER Blood Orange Cider Rusty Bike Wines & Ciders, South Australia, Australia Silver 89.0
4770 Hart’s Farm Quince, Pear & Apple Cider Marah Enterprises Pty Ltd, Victoria, Australia Bronze 83.0
8259 Cheeky Tiki – Orange and Ginger Cider Ohana Winery & Cheeky Tiki a Cider, Queensland, Australia Bronze 82.0
2863 Cheeky Cactus Cheeky Grog Co. Pty Ltd, Victoria, Australia Bronze 80.0
2396 Zeffer Cider Co. Apple and Passionfruit Cider Zeffer Cider Co., New Zealand Bronze 79.7
9376 Fils de Pomme – La Coquette Fils de Pomme Australia Pty Ltd, New South Wales, Australia Bronze 78.0
4492 Funk Cider – Pineapple cider Funk Cider, Western Australia, Australia Bronze 78.0
1014 Cheeky Tiki – Passionfruit Cider Ohana Winery & Cheeky Tiki a Cider, Queensland, Australia Bronze 78.0
9371 FKA Passionfruit Cider Tower Estate, New South Wales, Australia Bronze 78.0
5971 Byron Bay Wild Cider Ancient Wisdom, New South Wales, Australia Bronze 77.7
1177 Spreyton Cider Co – Apple and Raspberry Cider Spreyton Fresh P/L, Tasmania, Australia Bronze 77.5
5357 3 Sons Cider – Ginger Apple 3 Sons Cider, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
5031 Fils de Pomme – L’Audacieux Fils de Pomme Australia Pty Ltd, New South Wales, Australia
2209 Frank’s Raspberry Pear Cider Franklin Cider Company, Tasmania, Australia
5770 Frank’s Cherry Pear Cider Franklin Cider Company, Tasmania, Australia
6433 Funk Cider – Passion8 Funk Cider, Western Australia, Australia
7482 Hillbilly Cider Blackberry Vintage Hillbilly Cider, New South Wales, Australia
7717 EASY RIDER Pomegranate Cider Rusty Bike Wines & Ciders, South Australia, Australia
8459 EASY RIDER White Peach Cider Rusty Bike Wines & Ciders, South Australia, Australia
9348 Southern Forest Cider Co ‘Black Apple Cider’ Southern Forest Cider Co, Western Australia, Australia
3979 The Hills Cider Company, Apple and Ginger The Hills Cider company, South Australia, Australia
4586 The Hills Cider Company, Apple and Cherry The Hills Cider company, South Australia, Australia
9150 The Hills Cider Company, Apple and Davidson Plum The Hills Cider company, South Australia, Australia
6130 Batlow Road Cider Quince Cider Wilgro Orchards, New South Wales, Australia
1947 Sydney Brewery Cherry Perry Winadell T/A Schwartz Brewery (Sydney Brewery), New South Wales, Australia Withdrawn
9880 Zeffer Cider Co. Apple and Cherry Cider Zeffer Cider Co., New Zealand
Judges remarks: Fruit commonly dominates. Good to see some interesting innovation. Over-reliance on sweetness to carry cider. Examples with more refreshing acidity performed better. Clean ciders in general.

 

Lighter Strength Cider or Perry

 CLASS 34
Catalogue # Product Producer Award Score
1192 Daylesford Cider – Heritage light Jonathan Mackie, Victoria, Australia Bronze 81.0
Judges remarks: No entries. The Best in Class has been awarded to the highest scoring entry in the show with an eligible ABV of 1.15 – 3.5%.

 

Ice Cider or Perry

No entries

   CLASS 41

 

Pommeau

 CLASS 42
Catalogue # Product Producer Award Score
5956 Charles Oates Distilling Pommeau William Smith and Sons, Tasmania, Australia Silver 87.0
7871 Small Acres Cyder 2011 Pommeau Small Acres Cyder, New South Wales, Australia Bronze 79.0
3215 Harcourt Pommeau Harcourt Perry and Cider Makers P/L, Victoria, Australia Withdrawn
Judges remarks: Two good examples which shows promise for the category that is new to Australia. More time in barrel to create complexity, length and interest.

 

Apple or Pear Spirits – Eau de Vie

 CLASS 43
Catalogue # Product Producer Award Score
1568 Charles Oates Distilling Apple Blanco William Smith and Sons, Tasmania, Australia Gold 92.5
7731 Core Cider Tractor Juice Core Cider, Western Australia, Australia Silver 85.0
3640 On the Shoulders of Giants Genuine Apple Spirit Manjimup Cider Co, Western Australia, Australia Silver 85.0
9853 Eau De Vie Carmel Cider Company, Western Australia, Australia Bronze 78.0
3520 Harcourt Eau de Vie Harcourt Perry and Cider Makers P/L, Victoria, Australia
Judges remarks: A couple of examples demonstrated wonderful distillation technique, vibrancy, lift, purity of fruit, coupled with balanced alcohol. Resulted in great spirits. Others were rustic with elevated alcohol which detracted.

 

Apple or Pear Spirits – Aged Spirit

 CLASS 44
Catalogue # Product Producer Award Score
6708 Charles Oates Distilling Fine Apple Brandy Muscat Barrel William Smith and Sons, Tasmania, Australia Silver 88.0
2871 Charles Oates Distilling Fine Apple Brandy Tokay Barrel William Smith and Sons, Tasmania, Australia Silver 85.0
6038 LOBO Apple Brandy – Lobodos LOBO Juice and Cider Pty Ltd, South Australia, Australia Bronze 79.0
4661 Kellybrook Apple Brandy Kellybrook Winery, Victoria, Australia
Judges remarks: Some really good examples that show wonderfully integrated oak characters that didn’t overwhelm natural fruit. Those that scored well had balanced alcohol.

 

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